Annie's "Tanner" kitty was just dx with pericardial effusion and is overnite at a advanced vet care center with a cardiologist.
They tapped the fluid and are sending it off to pathology and won't know until later Sat. or Mon. whether or not it is lymphoma or a bacterial infection.
Tanner has been lethargic, bloody stools, vomiting a little and has a dilated pupil--one suggestion was maybe Horners Syndrome.
Does anyone have experience with a kitty with lymphoma or infection and what did the docs do?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you so much!!!!
Susan, Annie's friend
Lymphoma or bacterial infection, or Horner's Syndrome?
Re: Lymphoma or bacterial infection, or Horner's Syndrome?
Susan, how old is Tanner and was a heart condition previously diagnosed, was a murmur or enlargement ever previously diagnosed? Without other comments or what the vet's suspicions are, it's nearly impossible to comment. How did the vet reach a possible lymphoma guess? Were x-rays or ultrasound performed yet? What bloodwork has been done at this time, and were there any abnormal findings?
As for bloody stools, this could be nearly anything from trauma to toxicity of some sort, to constipation to stress or parasitic in nature, or to an inflammatory condition (i.e., IBD).
Horner's syndrome can have various causes from trauma-induced to neurological problems to middle ear problems to spinal cord disease, etc. The underlying cause needs to be investigated before the treatment is approached. Some cases are idiopathic and don't require treatment, it may resolve on it's own. Given the nature of the pericardial effusion however, the cardiologist probably has a full work-up evaluation planned to rule out other causes.
As for lymphoma, it depends on what the vet suspects, radiography and possible ultrasound to detect a potential mass or obstruction, and any abnormalities on bloodwork (CBC and chemical analysis), symptoms presented, and kitty's previous health history (for example, was he tested for and proved negative for FELV/FIV?)
As for bloody stools, this could be nearly anything from trauma to toxicity of some sort, to constipation to stress or parasitic in nature, or to an inflammatory condition (i.e., IBD).
Horner's syndrome can have various causes from trauma-induced to neurological problems to middle ear problems to spinal cord disease, etc. The underlying cause needs to be investigated before the treatment is approached. Some cases are idiopathic and don't require treatment, it may resolve on it's own. Given the nature of the pericardial effusion however, the cardiologist probably has a full work-up evaluation planned to rule out other causes.
As for lymphoma, it depends on what the vet suspects, radiography and possible ultrasound to detect a potential mass or obstruction, and any abnormalities on bloodwork (CBC and chemical analysis), symptoms presented, and kitty's previous health history (for example, was he tested for and proved negative for FELV/FIV?)
..........Traci
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annie/tanner
Re: Lymphoma or bacterial infection, or Horner's Syndrome?
hi traci - thanx for your response. Tanner presented initially with lethargy, anorexia and bloody stools with minimal vomiting approximately 1 week ago. along with that, he had a left pupil that would not dilate. we have a house call vet who came out and detected a heart murmer. he suggested a chest x-ray ASAP and put him on clavamox. Tanner is an indoor only rescue kitty, is about 8-9yrs old, has had PU surgery about 5 yrs ago and does not get any vaccinations except for the initial ones when first rescued. he had bloodwork this week with elevated neutriphil, amylase and tested negative for FELV and FIV. our house call vet got a urine sample during x-ray, blood in urine and a few white cells were noted. x-ray revealed a moderate heart enlargement and he immediately sent us to a cardiologist. the ultrasound confirmed the enlargement and a pericardial tap was done. the results will not be in until monday 11-3 but the cardiologist said that if the fluid did not reveal bacterial infection, that the probability is that because of the symptoms, ie., dilated pupil, lethargy etc., that it may be lymphoma. he is home now, pupil is slowly coming back to normal responses,and his appetite is good. my concern remains regarding his status, especially the treatment for lymphoma if this is the dx. i just wanted to be prepared for anything and not waste a second to move in any direction when we get the news either way. any words of wisdom? thank you for all your help!!!!!!!!
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Susan for Annie & Tanner
Re: Lymphoma or bacterial infection, or Horner's Syndrome?
Traci, thank you so much for posting a reply for Annie. I noticed over 25 folks read the post, but I guess they didn't have much experience in this matter. I think those good folks are holding a good thought for Annie and Tanner.
Susan
Susan
Re: Lymphoma or bacterial infection, or Horner's Syndrome?
Annie, with elevated neutrophils, WBC's, amlyase and hematuria (blood in urine), this could actually indicate some sort of infection. As for the urinalysis, did your vet rule out potential obstruction, crystals or renal impairment? Given the history of FLUTD and the P/U surgery, am wondering if an obstruction was ruled out, which may be unrelated to the pericardial effusion.
As for treating lymphoma, it depends on the type, location and if all other potentials are ruled out. Intestinal lymphoma, for example, may require surgical removal, it depends on what the surgeon finds when he explores (exploratory surgery may need to be discussed if diagnosis is not conclusive). Other forms of lymphoma (neoplastic, blood, etc) may respond to corticosteroids or chemotherapy, but more diagnostics need to be done in order to find the source of the problem, type of lymphoma if any, and location and if it has metasticized to other areas.
Wait for the results on the cardiac fluid and proceed from there. You may yet be faced with another ultrasound if your vet suspects lymphoma (although I'm not sure what else was looked at during the first one). However, if Tanner continues to improve and his symptoms reside with current treatment, it may only be an infection that needs to be treated aggressively (did your vet mention/rule out chylothorax?) Only your vet and cardiologist can tell you based on additional diagnostics and how Tanner responds to treatment.
I wish I could offer you more, but unfortunately, you have to wait for the lab results and proceed from there. Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask questions of your vet and cardiologist about additional diagnostics and what to expect....
As for treating lymphoma, it depends on the type, location and if all other potentials are ruled out. Intestinal lymphoma, for example, may require surgical removal, it depends on what the surgeon finds when he explores (exploratory surgery may need to be discussed if diagnosis is not conclusive). Other forms of lymphoma (neoplastic, blood, etc) may respond to corticosteroids or chemotherapy, but more diagnostics need to be done in order to find the source of the problem, type of lymphoma if any, and location and if it has metasticized to other areas.
Wait for the results on the cardiac fluid and proceed from there. You may yet be faced with another ultrasound if your vet suspects lymphoma (although I'm not sure what else was looked at during the first one). However, if Tanner continues to improve and his symptoms reside with current treatment, it may only be an infection that needs to be treated aggressively (did your vet mention/rule out chylothorax?) Only your vet and cardiologist can tell you based on additional diagnostics and how Tanner responds to treatment.
I wish I could offer you more, but unfortunately, you have to wait for the lab results and proceed from there. Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask questions of your vet and cardiologist about additional diagnostics and what to expect....
..........Traci