TKfeline cancer panel

mphscat

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No but I found out about this lab test and tried to get my vet interested but he said he doesn't see how it could work (he still think a biopsy is the only way to differentiate between IBD and intestinal lymphoma). What kind of cancer are you testing for? What confidence level do you and your vet have in this test??
 
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reba

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Lemme guess, he did a thorough review of the literature, consulted with a specialist in onocology and got back to you.  Or did he run a 30 second thought experiment and declare he "didn't see how it could work."   Is he a researcher?  Well versed in statistical analysis?  Good at evaluating research methodology? 

Sorry, that most definitely was not aimed at you, it's just a lack of intellectual curiosity drives me nuts, especially in a medical professional.

Anyway, below is a link to  an article on the test.  My takeaway was that if it's positive you can be almost certain your cat has intestinal lymphoma, if not, you can be somewhat sure .  Like the author says, it's a tool that, taken together with other diagnostic methods, provides a way to differentiate between IBD and lymphoma without an intestinal biopsy.

And just to let you know, I think my vet is overconfident in the results, so I'm glad I found this article as now I think my expectations are more in line with reality. 

http://catexpert.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-potential-new-blood-test-to-detect.html

My kitty is feeling better BTW, and he tested negative. 
 
 
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mphscat

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You've got the scenario. I doubt seriously he called anyone, let alone an oncologist, to get a professional opinion on the validity of the test. It's new, it's different, relatively simple and INEXPENSIVE..so how cIf we go get to the point of a biopsy (which I am praying we don't), i will discuss again the option of doing this test before a biopsy. How long did it take them to get the results? I am soooo happy your fur baby is better. Care to share what cure you used??
 
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reba

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The test was $163 and if it wasn't for the holiday weekend we would have had the results back in 24-48 hours. They had to fed-ex it to Texas.   In fact she knew I was going crazy so she went online and printed off the results before they mailed them back.

What worked, well he's not symptom free yet.  I had the pred compounded and I'm still wondering if they made a mistake and it was 10 times stronger than it was supposed to be. 

Anyway, after the test results came back she gave him prednisolone in a pill form and metroclopramide.  I haven't changed his food yet, but Catwoman pointed me in the direction of limited ingredient, grain free cat food.   I'm really hoping that is what does the trick. 

I was just reading IBD threads and someone said they thought too many treats were the problem.  That brought me back to when he someone locked him self in the filing cabinet with a bagful of temptations.  The three of them (kittens) figured out how to open the cabinet door (it must not have latched tightly) and he climbed in and one of them must've pushed it closed.   I was frantic as I couldn't find him for 20 minutes after I got home.  He didn't meow or anything.  Then I finally start pulling open drawers and there he sits with an empty bag of cat treats.  (Though admittedly I find it hard to believe that one incident could cause IBD.)
 
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mphscat

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I wonder if the post you saw online about the treats was me (mphscat) or someone else? Since I think one of the big causes for my cat after being on a grain free diet was the daily overdosing of Temptation treats which went on for months (and they are FULL of grains, grains and more grains). The vet hasn't tried anything yet other than a food change. He's back the 29th and I'll be talking to him about it
 
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reba

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Yes that was you!  Small world.  We tried the food and the fortiflora first but no improvement.  People say the fortiflora is not good for IBD kitties and to try one of the pro-biotics for humans, which I haven't done yet.

I hope he likes the limited ingredient food - he hasn't been a finicky cat up to this point (he's only 18 months).

Many times I've told myself that all that matters is that the furballs are healthy, now after this past week I really got a kick in the butt of how true that is.
 

mphscat

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FYI I changed probiotics after I wrote that post to Nutramax Provobial DC for cats and dogs and like it MUCH better. What probiotic did you get for your cat?

Yes, you realize that all that's important is for them to be healthy. My whole being is focused on getting him well.

Best wishes for your kitty!!!
 
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