I can't sleep

I can't sleep! I'm so worried about my baby boy!  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/264869/vibes-for-spencer-please

I wish the vet hadn't mentioned "cancer" right off the hop, when she thinks it's much more likely to be an infection of unknown cause. I know she said that at 3 years, the chances of the "infection" being cancer, is low. But the fact is she mentioned it and I can't stop thinking about it

Sometimes in an our attempts to mean well, we can do more harm than good. IMHO the better way to handle it would have been to give antibiotics, ask to see him back in a couple weeks to evaluate the outcome, and then if more tests are needed, then approach the topic at that time.

When I go back with him next week, I'm going to talk to her and let her know that sometimes it's better to give less information until the point where you finally come to a point in treatment where you need  to talk about more serious things.  If it turns out to be just an infection, I will have spent almost 2 weeks with my stomach tied up in knots and worrying for nothing. 

Would you rather the vet be up front with you about all possible causes, or ease into it little by little as treatments are tried and failed?

I would rather having 8 cats to be told something up front....... like I was told only by a black light test that my cat has ringworm. though others things can show up as neon green this still saves my others by putting the one in a another room. . . . but seeming how your vet brought up the cancer thing it would not have any effect on other living things. so in that case you are right. . . . I guess it all about the ailment that is in question.

I posted there to you.....  that he's going to be OK and that it's nothing serious.

Try to get some rest.

Natalie_ca said:

 
 Would you rather the vet be up front with you about all possible causes, or ease into it little by little as treatments are tried and failed?

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Yes and no.

When Rosie went in with the lump in February, both myself and the vet were concerned because it was hard, but he said lets see what the biopsy say's to get a proper diagnosis.

Fortunately it was just her microchip, but the waiting from the surgery to getting her results seemed to drag

Hang in there because l know how it feels to wonder and wait

I would rather know up front.  When Patches was very sick I was thinking about that possibility anyway.  I would rather talk about it with the vet up front.

I would be Googling any symptoms anyway and worrying about the worst-case scenario, so I'd rather the vet be up front from the start. Tons of for Spencer!

jcat said:

I would be Googling any symptoms anyway and worrying about the worst-case scenario, so I'd rather the vet be up front from the start. Tons of for Spencer!

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I think this is the way I would be. Lots of

I would much rather know up front what the potential diagnosis might be so I can prepare myself, research, write down questions for discussion, and be my pets best advocate. :heart3:

Another thing to consider: vets often tell the owners something and mention they need follow up, then the owner doesn't take them seriously and bring the pet back in to be evaluated, allowing the pet to become more ill. (I saw this ALL of the time when I used to work for animal control.) So, by informing you up front what the potential issues could be, she was likely making sure you knew how important it was to follow up with her and keep current on his visits.

Praying your sweet fella has a good report!

I would like the vet to be upfront with me about everything.

StarryEyedTiGeR said:

Another thing to consider: vets often tell the owners something and mention they need follow up, then the owner doesn't take them seriously and bring the pet back in to be evaluated, allowing the pet to become more ill. (I saw this ALL of the time when I used to work for animal control.) So, by informing you up front what the potential issues could be, she was likely making sure you knew how important it was to follow up with her and keep current on his visits.

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I didn't consider that. But you make a very good point. Vet visits are expensive, and most people, including myself, try to avoid costly visits when we can.  I would have taken him back regardless, but as you said, probably more wouldn't.