My cat Suzie has recently developed swollen lymph nodes in one side of her neck and the back of one leg, she's still eating, drinking, and going potty like normal, playing, and she hasn't lost any weight. When I took her to the vet they gave her injections of antibiotics, the vet said her insides felt fine (no thickening) and they've continued to feel fine, she responded well to the antibiotics, the lumps going down slightly. One of my other cats now has a small swelling of one lymph node in her neck, but my vet insists she thinks it's cancer but she won't take blood until I schedule a surgery for the biopsy of one of suzie's lymph nodes. The only new thing that's happened before the swelling was I started using baking soda and a litter deodorizer in my cat boxes, I don't know if that can trigger some kind of allergic reaction of some sort? My vet said it's a possibility but extremely unlikely. I'm so confused as to what this could be and the stress and worry is killing me because I'm never getting an actual idea. They did a needle aspiration and the vet said "It looks bad, or it could look normal, I'm not sure it's hard to tell with aspirations of lymphnodes. This could be something to be concerned about or it could be totally normal for her." So again I'm left confused and worried.
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Cancer? Or something else?
- Thread starter kay18
- Start Date
I am a human doctor, not a vet and any advice that I give on cats should be checked with a vet. However, writing as a human doctor who has experience of anatomy and physiology, I must point out that allergies do NOT cause lymph node enlargements.
It sounds to me that the vet who suspects a malignancy is telling you that lymph node aspiration may not give a diagnosis as microscopic examination may, or may not show malignant cells. The needle could easily miss any malignant area and this is quite likely as feline lymph nodes are so small. If your vet is suspicious of a malignancy, then you should allow a lymph node biopsy. Blood tests are likely to be a waste of time and money as they are unlikely to diagnose carcinoma and the only way to be sure is to take the node out and examine it under the microscope. You should really take your vets advice.
With best wishes,
Geoffrey
It sounds to me that the vet who suspects a malignancy is telling you that lymph node aspiration may not give a diagnosis as microscopic examination may, or may not show malignant cells. The needle could easily miss any malignant area and this is quite likely as feline lymph nodes are so small. If your vet is suspicious of a malignancy, then you should allow a lymph node biopsy. Blood tests are likely to be a waste of time and money as they are unlikely to diagnose carcinoma and the only way to be sure is to take the node out and examine it under the microscope. You should really take your vets advice.
With best wishes,
Geoffrey
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- #3
I plan to do the surgery and I have been taking my vets advice, I already have the surgery scheduled I guess I was just looking for any kind of personal experience with a situation like this or any thoughts on the litter situation.
I am sure that you have done the right thing concerning your cat. Can you let us know the result of the biopsy? It really sounds as if your cat is in good hands.
BTW. If I didn't write before, I can certainly reassure you that the cat litter can have no effect on the situation.
With kind regards,
Geoffrey
