Mysterious Inflammed Lump

[lizzy7]

My cat started stretching his back leg sideways while sitting a while ago. I found lump in his knee area on examination. His appetite seems to diminish a little too (that wasn't very noticeable since he was always a very picky cat). The vet took x-rays that showed some shaded area close to the bone but bone was not involved. There was no way to say what that could be. So, they performed biopsy and the vet expected to find some demineralized tissue but couldn't find any but he took some samples and sent to the lab. Results said chronic inflammation with fibrosis, hemorrhage and edema, no cancer cells found. It says it might be caused by some prior infection or trauma but they don't really know. He is strictly indoors and I would notice if he had any prior problems with this leg. X-rays taken a month later showed much more shaded area than before. Anyway, the vet had never seen anything like that in his career and he didn't seem to know what to do with it. We decided to try antibiotics and see what happens. Since biopsy his appetite diminished even more. I've already tried all kinds of food. He won't even come close to NutriCal. I tried to push it in him with syringe but this stuff is sticky and it's hard even to put it in a syringe...Anyway, anybody had a similar problem with lumps?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I haven't personally had anything like it. Shading on Feeby's x-ray was determined to be arthritis, but she doesn't have a lump - and she was limping a little.

I think you need to get copies of all the records and take them to another vet for a second opinion. Although, it could be additional bleeding in the area causing the shading to appear larger than before, that would have required some sort of injury at some point. And, the fact that your cat is not eating as well, suggests there is likely some pain involved. There are certain antibiotics that can reduce a cat's appetite too, but you've indicated you thought his appetite was down before the antibiotics...

Better to be safe than sorry by getting another opinion.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

No, but this is not normal, and the diminished appetite is very concerning. I would strongly suggest a second opinion, and one from a feline specialist. Even, should it be possible, one from a good University with a Veterinary Medicine School, as they are teaching cutting-edge medicine with the most up-to-date diagnostic tools and treatments. This route is almost always more expensive, but BOY do they get results!

Should you want to explore feline specialists in your area, this site has a zip code search feature. Just be sure to choose the "Cat Only" feature, not "Cat Friendly."
AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

 

[lizzy7]

Sorry, it doesn't fin

No, but this is not normal, and the diminished appetite is very concerning. I would strongly suggest a second opinion, and one from a feline specialist. Even, should it be possible, one from a good University with a Veterinary Medicine School, as they are teaching cutting-edge medicine with the most up-to-date diagnostic tools and treatments. This route is almost always more expensive, but BOY do they get results!

Should you want to explore feline specialists in your area, this site has a zip code search feature. Just be sure to choose the "Cat Only" feature, not "Cat Friendly."
AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

Sorry, but the search engine doesn't find any feline specialists in vicinity of 100 miles from me...

 

[lizzy7]

I haven't personally had anything like it. Shading on Feeby's x-ray was determined to be arthritis, but she doesn't have a lump - and she was limping a little.

I think you need to get copies of all the records and take them to another vet for a second opinion. Although, it could be additional bleeding in the area causing the shading to appear larger than before, that would have required some sort of injury at some point. And, the fact that your cat is not eating as well, suggests there is likely some pain involved. There are certain antibiotics that can reduce a cat's appetite too, but you've indicated you thought his appetite was down before the antibiotics...

Better to be safe than sorry by getting another opinion.

Yes, I'm sure he has pain. He got Onsior after biopsy. It seemed to help a little with his appetite. But it's only safe for 3 days. Anyway, after a few days of break I asked for more pain med and for something different but they gave me Onsior again. I'm a little scared to give him this stuff.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Read about some different pain meds (see below link), and see if you can trade in the one you got for something else. What about something for the inflammation?

Safe Pain Meds for Cats

 

[Mamanyt1953]

If it is any help to you at all, and you are interested in a second opinion, I did check the Yelp review for your area.

The Best 10 Veterinarians in Corpus Christi, TX - Last Updated December 2018 - Yelp

 

[white shadow]

.
Hi lizzy7.

I looked for a cat-only Vet in Corpus Christi.........no luck, says Ms Google.

Here's a thought: The Cattery Cat Shelter has been around for 11 years. Go and see the Shelter Manager and ask who is the best cat-vet in town.....I said go there because s/he may be reluctant to express an opinion on that over the phone. In person, you can explain your need for a second opinion. This is 'them': The Cattery

Is it the right (rear) leg? If your Vet follows common guidelines, the Rabies vaccinations would be given in that area. I'd be asking the Vet whether/not that's generally where he has had those shots. In future, I'd be insisting on any and all vaccinations be given in the tail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnv41no1pGM&feature=youtu.be

I wouldn't be using Onsior either - nor any other NSAID if I were in the US - Vets there just aren't familiar with them to prescribe safely. Gabapentin, a low-dose steroid for inflammation and buprenorphine would be considerations.

You need to take some action on his feeding, I think, if you are to avoid further (liver) problems. Syringe-feeding pureed wet foods is one way to go, if all else fails (some wet Fancy Feasts, eating from your finger, meat Gerber baby foods).
.

 

[lizzy7]

.
Hi lizzy7.

I looked for a cat-only Vet in Corpus Christi.........no luck, says Ms Google.

Here's a thought: The Cattery Cat Shelter has been around for 11 years. Go and see the Shelter Manager and ask who is the best cat-vet in town.....I said go there because s/he may be reluctant to express an opinion on that over the phone. In person, you can explain your need for a second opinion. This is 'them': The Cattery

Is it the right (rear) leg? If your Vet follows common guidelines, the Rabies vaccinations would be given in that area. I'd be asking the Vet whether/not that's generally where he has had those shots. In future, I'd be insisting on any and all vaccinations be given in the tail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnv41no1pGM&feature=youtu.be

I wouldn't be using Onsior either - nor any other NSAID if I were in the US - Vets there just aren't familiar with them to prescribe safely. Gabapentin, a low-dose steroid for inflammation and buprenorphine would be considerations.

You need to take some action on his feeding, I think, if you are to avoid further (liver) problems. Syringe-feeding pureed wet foods is one way to go, if all else fails (some wet Fancy Feasts, eating from your finger, meat Gerber baby foods).
.

I already tried all kinds of food, canned food, raw meat and baby food too. He doesn't like anything but he will eat a little of dry food throughout the day, often but small amounts. The best is Instinct raw freeze dried mixers. The only time when I fed him with syringe was right after biopsy when he was still lethargic. Other times he would fight that. My vet is not bad but I'm considering another opinion if antibiotic fails. I do have a copy of biopsy results.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Is he drinking enough water? If not, I'm going to suggest syringe feeding him a pate type food, mixed with water. It will give him the nutrients he needs, as well as the hydration.

 

[lizzy7]

Is he drinking enough water? If not, I'm going to suggest syringe feeding him a pate type food, mixed with water. It will give him the nutrients he needs, as well as the hydration.

Yeah, I would need to do that. Not sure how much water he drinks since I have 2 other cats drinking from the same bowls.

 

[bear]

lizzy7
Do you know how to do a hydration cat test?
This isn't purrfect, yet it should give you some idea of his hydration.
Pull the loose fur between his head and shoulders (scruff area) up, yet not to the point of it being uncomfortable for him. Release it and it should quickly return to normal. If it stays up or is slow to return to normal, he may be dehydrated.
Checking Hydration (Skin Tent)

 

[michelleo]

This has been a long time but we have the same issue with our 3 yo cat. Did you ever get a diagnosis, OP?

First noticed his hind leg sticking out. Vet felt a lump. Xrays showed mineralization on capsule of knee. Didn't look like arthritis, Fine needle aspirate didn't show anything. Antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds didnt change anything. We couldn't afford CT scan and biopsy that was the next step. So here we are and this lump had grown so big. He doesn't *seem* to be in pain, but it's physically awkward and it must be uncomfortable for him at best. We are faced with having to make a decision which looks to be either amputate or euthanize. I'd love to know what the outcome with your kitty was to guide us. Thank you

 

[FeebysOwner]

M michelleo - The OP hasn't been active on this site since late 2019, so I doubt that you will get a response by posting to this old thread.

Have you considered getting a second opinion consult with a vet that specializes in orthopedics? Vets who specialize typically have a wider exposure to various conditions/treatments in their field of expertise than regular vets. Or maybe consulting with a vet university could be another option. I know these avenues won't be cheap but may reap some additional choices for you.

 

[michelleo]

Thanks for the reply. We took him to a specialist hospital where his file was reviewed by different departments. They couldn't give us any diagnosis without the CT scan and biopsy, unfortunately.

 

[fionasmom]

If you are considering amputation, there is a website dedicated to three legged pets.
tripawds.com
Four legged animals bear 60% of their weight on the front legs and 40% on the back, which means that losing a back leg will only limit 20% of his ability to be functional. Amputee cats and dogs do very well and I would consider it before euthanasia if those are you two options.