Pebbles is going to have to go back to the vets

Poor little girl; I feel so badly that you & Pebbles are going thru this. You have to do what you feel is best for her; it does sound as if she's been thru the proverbial wringer this year. (((big hugs))) to both of you.

Do you mean like the vet wants to freeze them off with liquid nitrogen? If so, I've had that done to my face, and it's not so bad. I don't mean to say your decision is wrong at all, I know Pebbles has been through a whole lot and perhaps would prefer to just hang out at home with you forever. But if you want to ask me anything about it for future reference, feel free. I have alot of experience with it, we have had too much skin cancer in my family.

Yeah, I suppose that is what it entails. I have had some people say it is uncomfortable, and some say not, but the main thing putting me off was she would have to be sedated each time as she is so uncooperative, and that after reading up on it, there are no guarantees it would work, or that it wouldn't come back.

Just sending hugs, I know how hard these decisions are.

Thanks a lot, it is a hard decision, and hopefully the right one. Fingers crossed she is maintaining her weight when we go up for the weigh in tonight if she hasn't, I know this is the right decision. I may change my mind if these get worse, but I know I am ruling cryotherapy out if htey get worse, and then we get onto invasive methods of treatment.

Well, she has been up for her weigh in, and the vet had a quick look for me, and agreed that it was looking worse. I explained that I didn't want to go down the cryotherapy route, adn seh didn't push it. On the bad side though, she has lost weight - she was 3.99 just after her amputation, and 3.60 today. While it isn't a large weight loss, it is puzzling as she has been eating well since then, esp dry food wise, and we have always had weight issues, so I need to concentrate on that at the moment, and putting her through more treatment could just keep continuing this cycle. Still not 100% happy with my decision, but I think that could just be due to the fact I know I am refusing treatment - although it isn't the first time, and at least the vet isn't pushing it.

One of the latest scabs is looking bigger now, and I do still keep doubting my decision not to go through with the cryotherapy, despite the reasons being the research I did shows it only has a 70% chance of working - and then only if the scabs are under 1cm in diameter (not sure how big hers are), the median disease free interval is 14 months, and she would need a sedation for each lot of treatment - the original figure mentioned was 3, and I don't think i can afford to put her through anything else that might stress her and cause her weight to go down even more - she is nearly back at the weight she was when seh came 18 months ago, and while she only has 3 legs now, she didn't lose all that much after the op.

Originally Posted by Anakat

Have faith in your own judgement, you were right about her leg and I am sure you are right about this. Quality of life is sometimes more important than quantity.
Anne

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I agree wholehearted.

Originally Posted by booktigger

One of the latest scabs is looking bigger now, and I do still keep doubting my decision not to go through with the cryotherapy, despite the reasons being the research I did shows it only has a 70% chance of working - and then only if the scabs are under 1cm in diameter (not sure how big hers are), the median disease free interval is 14 months, and she would need a sedation for each lot of treatment - the original figure mentioned was 3, and I don't think i can afford to put her through anything else that might stress her and cause her weight to go down even more - she is nearly back at the weight she was when seh came 18 months ago, and while she only has 3 legs now, she didn't lose all that much after the op.

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I'm so sorry. Is there any chance of at least consulting with the vet on mat leave before making a decision? She might quite possibly be happy to advise, you can only ask.

I would doubt it, as she would need to see Pebbles to say anything. I am considering ringing the vet the rescue I fsoter for use to see if they are knowledgable about it - just dont know what the protocol is iwth taking your cat to a different vet.

I rang the rescues vet, and they saw her, and I have to admit to considering changing - I like my vets, but things are cheaper with this one, not that much travelling (although more than now), and as it is a husband and wife team, more things are done in house so if they were having a basic blood test, I could have results in 15 mins rather than waiting overnight. But anyway!! The new vet said it is actually quite mild, and that hopefully with steroids, it can be kept at that level for years, and he does now agree that he doesn't really want to mess much surgically. So, she has had a steroid injection this week, and goes back in a fortnight for one - normally he uses one that lasts a month, but he ran out, so we are going to try it on this, and if it works, then go for hte once a month shot (as she is on monthly weigh ins at the mo, and can combine it with the boys weigh in), rather than pill her. Feel so much better!! Hopefully this will reduce the redness and inflammation for her, and he listened to her chest and said her lungs are clear, but she is breathing a lot from higher up, as he put the stethoscope against her throat. Doesn't think her wart is anything to bother with either, but I didnt opt for having her weighed, I know it will be different on new scales!! I am going to start giving her a/d once a week though.

I am glad to hear some good news for her This is promising.

It does sound like you have found vets who understand your situation and Pebbles needs.
This is very hopeful.
Good for you for sticking with it and not giving up.

Cheers guys - he did say that he couldn't say for definite it was SCC without a biopsy, and did rattle off a few other names. But, if the steroids work how they are supposed to (this is PEbbles though, and she does like to do things differently!!) then we will just continue to give her monthly/fortnightly steroid injections till they stop working - must ask him about any side effects actually .She is a bit off her food, but has been for a couple of days, I think it is the heat, as the other day she didn't show any interest until I went and took her food to her!! She will eat dry though, so not overly concerned this time.
xocats - there was never an option to give up with her, although there obv was an option not to pursue any treatment and just give her a good quality, but he seems to think this could stay like this for years in this country.

You are giving Pebbles so much love and care that is top quality...
She is a lucky girl.

I'm glad you have chosen to go with the rescue vets - they really sound fantastic!

I'm still positive that Pebbles will do something unexpected....yet again!

WEll, some of the redness has come back, and the scabs haven't really gone down any. She is back on Thurs, so will see what the vet says. Her spine is feeling a bit bony, and her remaining back leg is looking a bit thin and sunken, but am hoping I am just over reacting, but will find out on Thurs. She is fine in herself though, she decided to run away from me twice on Sat (and I can't catch her!!) and was playing yesterday. Couple of recent pics of her.

Hope all goes well.
Anne

Hopefully the vet will be able to guage if they think the jabs are working successfully! Good luck for the appointment on Thursday!

Many, many }}}VIBES{{{ coming to you and Pebbles!

Pebbles is such a pretty girl and brave too.
Lots of positive vibes for sweet Pebbles.
Thanks for her posting latest pictures.