Cytology results are in on Angel

[k9Karen]

I haven't talked to the vet, but I got home from teaching my class tonight to find a message on the answering machine. "Blood work and cytology are normal". Hopefully, that means the tumors are non-cancerous (it could also mean that there weren't enough cells present to tell anything - it's rough being a laboratorian - I know these things, so I am not really reassured by this report). I'm leaving town tomorrow afternoon to help my daughter move this weekend. I plan to try to talk to the vet before I leave to find out what he recommends about surgery, but may not be able to talk to him until next week. I want to ask if he thinks a needle biopsy or something similar might be needed. If we can avoid surgery, that would be great, but simply postponing it may not be in Angel's best interest. Unfortunately, one of my employees may need back surgery soon, so I may not be able to get any time off to take care of her post-op - that means postponing any surgery until I can be with her - my department is too small to be able to let 2 people off at the same time. (D*mn the work ethic of us Boomers! - why can't I be like the younger generation and pull a Rhett Butler and not give a d*mn about my job and my co-workers!)

[E's]

Karen writes:

(D*mn the work ethic of us Boomers! - why can't I be like the younger generation and pull a Rhett Butler and not give a d*mn about my job and my co-workers!)

Yeah, you Boomers came through like we in your parental generation did, after all! But seriously - hang in there. A lot of the technical stuff you and davit et al discuss go right over my head [I grew up in a "medical" family but had no proclivity for it beyond home nursing required as a homemaker] but you and Angel will be in my thoughts, receiving positive vibes all along, and that has to help some, right?

[Traci]

Karen, I'm not sure what can be done other than a needle biopsy at this point until surgery is discussed or necessary. You are correct, sometimes there is not a sufficient sample of cells to make a confirmative diagnosis....a needle biopsy might be more useful (might even be ultrasound-guided)

I can see how you're between a rock and a hard place, especially since the development of the second 'tumor' that wasn't detected previously. Then again, your vet may be really adept at the procedure and it's possible that Angel's recovery time may not require all the time off you're predicting.

[davet]

if the first lab report was from a cystocentesis, i would definitly go for a tissue/needle biopsy....if it is non malignant, great but it still may grow and have to be removed and that surgery is no more traumatic than a rtoutine spay if not too much tissue has hasto be removed...