Strange growth in ear
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felinexpress
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Re: Strange growth in ear
Just letting you know Traci that Fiona is doing much better personaility wise. She is an altered cat though- went from being aggressive to being just plain loving. She has another lump forming though- I took her in but the vet said it was to small to do anything with and just watch it. I am in a wait-and=see mode now with her. I think I am just freaked out though because this morning when I checked her ears, I thought I saw another growth forming where the last large growth was before. Please tell me I am just obsessing and a MCT can't grow back that fast?
Re: Strange growth in ear
Unless the vet didn't get a clean, wide margin.
Isn't the pathology report back???
Isn't the pathology report back???
..........Traci
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Re: Strange growth in ear
He said he went deep down into the cartilege and no, the pathology report isn't back yet. When she went for her recheck, he said she looked really good, but it was two days later that I saw the lump- and it is still there. I am taking her back on Friday for a check. I have to wait that long because he is out of town and is the only vet at that clinic that I trust with my cats. The others honestly don't know what they are doing unless they are working on a goat or a sheep.
Re: Strange growth in ear
The report should have been back by now.
Don't confuse a new lump with inflammation from surgery. While this may not be the case, only a new exam will determine.
Please post an update when your vet gets back. It really is too bad this vet seems to be out of town a lot.
Don't confuse a new lump with inflammation from surgery. While this may not be the case, only a new exam will determine.
Please post an update when your vet gets back. It really is too bad this vet seems to be out of town a lot.
..........Traci
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Yeah tell me about it! But he is the only one I want to have handle my cats, so I wait. The report is back, it has been back but "someone" stuck in the wrong folder. She has Grade 2 MCT based on the findings. I will be going in next week to talk to the vet about what this actually means for her. Don't get me started about how this office staff is so careless.
I did a bit of research and believe this means that the cancer involves the lymph nodes, so the suspicion is the cancer has spread? I know that on the kitty front she has been more agitated lately- crying more and seeking me out for comfort. The growth in her ear is receding so suspect that this was inflammation and the antibiotic finally has kicked in. Her nodes don't feel swollen when I probe them- but then I am not a vet.
I did a bit of research and believe this means that the cancer involves the lymph nodes, so the suspicion is the cancer has spread? I know that on the kitty front she has been more agitated lately- crying more and seeking me out for comfort. The growth in her ear is receding so suspect that this was inflammation and the antibiotic finally has kicked in. Her nodes don't feel swollen when I probe them- but then I am not a vet.
Re: Strange growth in ear
I thought you had an appointment for tomorrow??
When you talk to the vet, ask specifically what the pathologist recommended, as for treatment. Sometimes, radiation therapy carries the best chance at a higher rate of cure. Although it might be a bit costly, it is worth attempting, providing you have a board-certified oncologist that recommends it and can set it up.
If radiation therapy for some reason is not an option, then chemotherapy might be. This too, should be based on what a board-certified oncologist recommends, based on labs, pathology already done, exam, etc.
In the immediate sense, ask the vet about getting Fiona on prednisone and an antihistamine, the latter specific to the behavior of the tumor(s) post-surgery and recheck exam. But, if one or both are started, you should be having an onco evaluation because if radiation or chemo are opted, the pred and doses have to be done in a specific time frame (usually, both pred and antihistamines are given one week in advance of radiation or chemo, only the onco can advise).
Before and if pred is prescribed, make sure a new CBC is done!
If the lymph nodes are not enlarged, there is a possibility they are not involved. If however, they are enlarged or the vet feels the lymph nodes closest to the tumors should be aspirated, then get it done.
Xrays of the thorax and abdomen should also be considered at some point, but for now, I'd get a consult with an oncologist.
DO NOT manipulate any area of her ears or any area where the tumors were found/excised. If you do, it releases histamine and other cells that aggravate the problem. Likewise, do not palpate lymph nodes, leave that to the vet.
Keep her comfortable, stress-free and make sure she's eating well. Leave her ears alone as much as possible, and get that consult with an oncologist. Again, if your vet isn't an oncologist, he needs to consult with one on your behalf. All he needs to do is call OSU-CVM and discuss labs, the pathology report and get recommendations. It is preferable you see an oncologist and get Fiona a new exam with the oncologist if possible. Point being, grade II can go either way, it might very well be treatable with radiation therapy or chemo, but you need an experienced onco to determine that.
When you talk to the vet, ask specifically what the pathologist recommended, as for treatment. Sometimes, radiation therapy carries the best chance at a higher rate of cure. Although it might be a bit costly, it is worth attempting, providing you have a board-certified oncologist that recommends it and can set it up.
If radiation therapy for some reason is not an option, then chemotherapy might be. This too, should be based on what a board-certified oncologist recommends, based on labs, pathology already done, exam, etc.
In the immediate sense, ask the vet about getting Fiona on prednisone and an antihistamine, the latter specific to the behavior of the tumor(s) post-surgery and recheck exam. But, if one or both are started, you should be having an onco evaluation because if radiation or chemo are opted, the pred and doses have to be done in a specific time frame (usually, both pred and antihistamines are given one week in advance of radiation or chemo, only the onco can advise).
Before and if pred is prescribed, make sure a new CBC is done!
If the lymph nodes are not enlarged, there is a possibility they are not involved. If however, they are enlarged or the vet feels the lymph nodes closest to the tumors should be aspirated, then get it done.
Xrays of the thorax and abdomen should also be considered at some point, but for now, I'd get a consult with an oncologist.
DO NOT manipulate any area of her ears or any area where the tumors were found/excised. If you do, it releases histamine and other cells that aggravate the problem. Likewise, do not palpate lymph nodes, leave that to the vet.
Keep her comfortable, stress-free and make sure she's eating well. Leave her ears alone as much as possible, and get that consult with an oncologist. Again, if your vet isn't an oncologist, he needs to consult with one on your behalf. All he needs to do is call OSU-CVM and discuss labs, the pathology report and get recommendations. It is preferable you see an oncologist and get Fiona a new exam with the oncologist if possible. Point being, grade II can go either way, it might very well be treatable with radiation therapy or chemo, but you need an experienced onco to determine that.
..........Traci
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felinexpress
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Re: Strange growth in ear
Thanks for the information Traci. I can't go tomorrow, I had to reschedule. Mike is in the hospital and I need to stick around right now.
I appreciate all the information and wish I had the resources to cover all these treatments and tests. Bottom-line is I don't and I will do all I can do to help her and go from there.
I'll stop rubbing her ears! I didn't know that I could make this situation worse by doing this because she seems to love having her ears rubbed.
i remember on Twirl after they took off the majority of her ear flaps because of the squamous cell- the cancer came back with a vengenance. It was as if something had royally pissed the cancer cells off. She was euthanized immediately.
I appreciate all the information and wish I had the resources to cover all these treatments and tests. Bottom-line is I don't and I will do all I can do to help her and go from there.
I'll stop rubbing her ears! I didn't know that I could make this situation worse by doing this because she seems to love having her ears rubbed.
i remember on Twirl after they took off the majority of her ear flaps because of the squamous cell- the cancer came back with a vengenance. It was as if something had royally pissed the cancer cells off. She was euthanized immediately.
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Re: Strange growth in ear
Other than being needy, Fiona is back to her loving self. She takes her medication without complaint (as long as I use spray cheese first!) She seeks me out late at night and just wants to settle on my chest for a snooze. Her ears are dirty Traci but it isn't earmites (according to the vet) I don't want to even touch them to clean them out- any ideas? I would only use cotton rolls on them never q-tips or anything damaging.
Re: Strange growth in ear
When is her next scheduled checkup? If within this week or next, get her in so the vet can see them. It might be residual exudate (or wax buildup) from surgery, but it could also be an infection, not something you want unchecked.
No, don't use anything until you've seen the vet. She might be too sore to use ear cleanser or wipes, but the vet can check and may be able to use a mild ear cleaner with one quick and gentle wipe.
Is she at least on prednisone and/or an antihistamine? If not, please ask the vet about this, it might help considerably.
No, don't use anything until you've seen the vet. She might be too sore to use ear cleanser or wipes, but the vet can check and may be able to use a mild ear cleaner with one quick and gentle wipe.
Is she at least on prednisone and/or an antihistamine? If not, please ask the vet about this, it might help considerably.
..........Traci
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Re: Strange growth in ear
They have her on prednisone. We talked about vincristine (spelling) but the vet advised just to wait for the time being. I know why they are being so cautious about additional treatment and I have them paid down quite a bit right now. but I understand fully where they are coming from.