long time on and off infection, baaaad

one of my three cats has an uncontrollable , long term infection.

the cat, Joni, is 18 yrs old...app.

amputation seems like the only recourse; vets ( 2 ) have not been able to

determine the cause : infection surface, internal or cancer tumor...

I cannot get a straight answer from vets I know except that $ 2900 to $ 3,500 is

the cost of amputation AFTER tests to see if Jone can handle the surgery...

incl. a biopsy..

any other recourse one know ????

Joni hobbles around , eats very well, but avoids the other cats now -

altho she's always been pretty feral..

mike

So did they ever to a skin scraping or something like that to try to determine what might be causing the infection?  I'm guessing this looks something like an abscess since you said "infection surface".  I'm asking because my husband has recently has a bout with basel cell carcinomas and these are presenting as sores that won't heal, then go away for a little while and then come right back.  Not exactly infections, but similar.  And the treatment is to cut them out, but NOT amputation.  I must say that amputation seems pretty harsh when they don't even know what it is.  If cancer, then yes, I can see that.  

We have had cats with severe wounds that wouldn't heal that finally did heal up with the use of colloidal silver, but, again, NOT if there is an underlying issue such as cancer.  Here is a very long thread on the use of colloidal silver with wonderful results:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240011/colloidal-silver-usage-for-cats-health-in-some-occasions

There is also medical honey which helps with infections.  Don't know if either would work in this situation or not, but might be worth a try

Thanks - very appreciated
Joni is totally unable to use her right leg
as the infection has demolished her right
paw
I soak the infection in peroxide , dry then
apply iodine app every other day
She eats well , hobbles around
I'll check on the colloidal silver and plan
to have a biopsy ..
She is one tuff kitty

was one of those vets a specialists? here's a link for a vet oncologist

http://www.acvim.org/AnimalOwners/FindaSpecialist.aspx

or a vet dermatologist

http://www.acvd.org/tools/locator/locator.asp?id=16