Cat Only Wants To Stay In The 1 Spot On The Bed All Day

[ArtNJ]

You wouldn't redo tests, your entitled to get the medical records.

Your vet is perhaps not equipped for major interventional surgery. If you are potentially willing to pay for surgery to remove a tumor, you should find somewhere appropriately equipped. (Around where I live, there aren't any local vets anymore, and it is all "animal hospitals" so we don't have this problem -- instead we have a problem of vets charging too much for routine care.)

While I think you need an animal hospital, you also need honest and realistic advice before spending potentially thousands (more) dollars, and I've found that one doesn't always get that at the "animal hospital" type vets. So its kind of a catch 22 sometimes. Maybe get on google and look at the reviews/recommendations for the various options around you.

I'm sorry it did turn out to be a scary medical issue but sounds like there could still be hope that its something relatively benign like fibroids on the ovaries. Best of luck, stay strong and keep us posted.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I agree with A ArtNJ , get a copy of all of her records, and look for a second vet. A lot of the tests that have been performed, a second vet would be willing to use. If there is something in them that they vet feels wasn't done properly, then those tests might need to be repeated.

Do you any cat-only vets in your area? How about a vet university nearby?
Also, as A ArtNJ suggested perform internet searches for widely recommended vets, and if you have something like Next Door Neighbor, ask neighbors for referrals. You could also check with no-kill shelters, rescue centers, even some of the pet stores usually have some vets they rely on and would be willing to recommend to you.

 

[CatServant91]

We dont want to spend thousands to only prolong suffering if there's not real chance at a cure. I'd rather make her last days comfortable if that's the case.

The confusing part is that he seems determined that it's cancer, but all the various tests keep coming back, and reading between the lines, they are all missing the definitive marker he was expecting to validate his theory.

He wont tell me what he was expecting to see, and wont tell me why he still thinks it's cancer when results come back with only blood cells.

The odd thing is, he doesnt want to proceed with any kind of treatment beyond "lets wait and see". I'd understand why he'd insist it's cancer if he then wanted to propose a series of expensive treatments, but that doesnt seem to be the case. Not sure what his angle is....

 

[FeebysOwner]

Sorry, but neither of us can read his mind. Wish he would see that there is no reason to be evasive with you. Even if it is not cancer, whatever it is could still grow/increase in size, so the 'let's wait and see' is not something I am able to understand.

The thing is: until you contact another vet through whatever means and ask if they would be willing to look at all the tests and see if they can offer some input, you don't know whether you have something treatable or not. You are already going down the path of prolonging an end result if you follow the current vet's advice. So, if you can get another opinion in the meantime, what is the harm?

 

[Talien]

It's been a VERY frustrating week of vet visits. We took her for a check up, and the vet could feel some kind of abdominal mass. Multiple Xrays confirmed that something was there, a mass near intestines. This is probably what is affecting her appetite.

Took blood sample for full testing. He said it's probably cancer, maybe lymphoma, yet he didnt want to even schedule an ultrasound for further clarification, until those blood results were back. He was really evasive when we asked about what specifically he was looking for in the bloodwork that would cause him to not do an ultrasound. "Lets just wait and see". Wouldnt give me straight answers to my questions.

Bloodwork came back with nothing too alarming as far as I can tell based on what he told us. High lymphocyte levels that would be a marker for lymphoma were not present. No signs of Feline leukemia virus or anything. So we do an ultrasound. Gets a fine needle aspirate sample to send to the lab. He says he still thinks it's cancer, but wait for lab results.

Lab results finally come back inconclusive. The slides only contained blood cells. Now he says he thinks still it may be cancer, hemangiosarcoma. I asked "if that is true, then wouldnt there be cancerous cells in the sample, not just blood cells ?" Once again was evasive, didnt give me a straight answer. It's like he wants it to be cancer, and is annoyed that I'm bringing up valid points that the limited evidence he is choosing to share with me does not support his theory. I think he's really not used to folks who ask questions and do their own research.

I asked what the options were, can we try and shrink with chemo? He said chemo is not an option for hemangiosarcoma, it doesnt work. According to research that I've done since, chemo IS an option for hemangiosarcoma. I really dont feel he's being straight with me. I've spent over $1000 on xrays, bloodwork, ultrasounds and Fine needle aspirates, and he still cant explain why he thinks it is what it is, despite no conclusive answers in test results.

I said what is next step then, operate to remove? No, he thinks its too risky. Come back in 2 weeks, we re-measure the mass to see if it's getting bigger. If it is, then what? "Lets wait and see". Very frustrating and stressful. I want to find a new vet, not sure if we can afford another 1000 dollars of tests to bring that vet up to speed.

As others have mentioned get your Cat's medical records with the results of those tests and take them with you to a different vet for a second opinion, if you have the complete results then another vet shouldn't need to do the same tests over again.

 

[ArtNJ]

I'm all for vets telling you look, I can do a bunch of tests, bill you dollars, but unfortunately, in my 30 years of experience, this is probably [ ], and the treatment options are expensive and unfortunately not effective. Those vets are precious - to me anyway. However, this guy charged you a lot, and isn't telling you jack, so he isn't one of those. This is maybe the worst possible opposite of the ideal vet who lays things out for you; he charges you for tests with no real point or plan, tells you nothing. Run to another vet. Without, as mentioned, mind reading ability, you just can't make an informed decision working with this vet.

 

[CatServant91]

I'll try to find another vet. This one has 4/5 stars on yelp and google reviews. There's no cat-only vets nearby (used to be but they closed sadly).

 

[Etarre]

Good luck! I agree that for your peace of mind you need to find a vet that you feel comfortable with who will answer your questions clearly. You want to feel confident in the decisions that you're making (or not making) on behalf of your cat, and that's impossible if you can't get straight answers.

Good for you for doing your own research and asking these questions. You're being a wonderful advocate for your kitty.

 

[Furballsmom]

Oh, what a frustrating, grinding-on-you situation!! I'm so sorry!
How is she? Did you give her that area on the bed back (not that you really took it away, bless your heart!)
Goodness, her behavior just goes to really show that every cat IS different.

 

[CatServant91]

We came to realize that since we have a pillow top mattress, the bed was the only place in the house where she could lie down that was fluffy enough to help relieve the internal pressure of the abdominal mass. We put a big pillow on the couch, and now she's happy to be there with us if she can sit on that, because it's much softer than before. The other cat beds she used to enjoy have a blanket, but are not that soft.

 

[Furballsmom]

Oh, my heart is sending you and your baby every good vibe, thought and prayer I have!

 

[mayadot]

We came to realize that since we have a pillow top mattress, the bed was the only place in the house where she could lie down that was fluffy enough to help relieve the internal pressure of the abdominal mass. We put a big pillow on the couch, and now she's happy to be there with us if she can sit on that, because it's much softer than before. The other cat beds she used to enjoy have a blanket, but are not that soft.

Mostly writing to send good energy to your cat friend and you. I agree with the others about a second opinion, but fully understand the reluctance due to costs and stress on your cat. If there are any more comprehensive animal hospitals in your area, the kind with specialists, I would consider trying one of those—maybe an internal medicine specialist, or an oncologist. They are unfortunately more expensive, but having expertise sounds helpful in this case.

Everyone is different and I completely agree that letting your cat be comfortable and not putting her under additional stress is also a priority. Every cat is different too so you know best how much stress a vet visit does or doesn't put her under. I will say that my own experience is that, if you can afford it and if you can think she can handle a bit more (and if not, that is VALID), getting a little more information at this stage may be helpful, even if you end up choosing not to do anything further. Knowing what you're dealing with can help you prepare for the timeline of what's to come, can help you determine care, even if it's just palliative, and can help you have some peace of mind to know you did what you could.

All the best.