Hi there,
I am posting on this forum as I'm torn between what option I should take in regards to my 12 year old, FIV positive kitty.
2 months ago, he was losing weight so we took him to the vet. He was still eating, etc, so it was determined he had a thyroid problem. The vet prescribed Tapazole. Since then, he's gained weight, and eating normally.
This past week, we took him back to the vet as we noticed a lump under his jaw. The vet examined him, and also found a slight lump around the shoulder and another on the back of his hind leg. We opted for a antibiotic shot and we are taking him back to the vet next week when it's time to re-examine. The thought was that it could be a bacterial infection and because he is FIV positive, he needs the meds to fight it.
It's been 6 days now since the shot, and there has been no change in the masses. Therefore, we are suspecting, he may have lymphoma. We did discuss this with the vet, and they gave us two options. Option 1 would be to take an FNA from the areas and test the results under a microscope. I understand that this is not 100% accurate. If the vet were to take samples from all 3 areas, I'm wondering what the odds were that they would find something? Does anyone have any experience with FNA tests? Option 2 would be to do a full biopsy and remove the lesser two masses. Because the biggest one is right under the jaw, the vet did not want to perform surgery there. There are too many nerves, etc. Of course, the two options differ in $$ great. $450 vs $1200. Then of course, depending on what stage it could be, would determine chemotherapy costs....which I have no idea what they would be. Anyone have any idea?
I'm really torn at these two options. If anyone has gone through this, or have any suggestions as to what they would do, please guide me here. I really want to do what is best for him but I don't want him to suffer in the long run. He's my pal after all.
At this point, he shows no signs of sickness. He is eating well, and just being the typical cat that he is. The vet did do a full physical on him and found no masses around his stomach, etc.
Thanks for reading.
I am posting on this forum as I'm torn between what option I should take in regards to my 12 year old, FIV positive kitty.
2 months ago, he was losing weight so we took him to the vet. He was still eating, etc, so it was determined he had a thyroid problem. The vet prescribed Tapazole. Since then, he's gained weight, and eating normally.
This past week, we took him back to the vet as we noticed a lump under his jaw. The vet examined him, and also found a slight lump around the shoulder and another on the back of his hind leg. We opted for a antibiotic shot and we are taking him back to the vet next week when it's time to re-examine. The thought was that it could be a bacterial infection and because he is FIV positive, he needs the meds to fight it.
It's been 6 days now since the shot, and there has been no change in the masses. Therefore, we are suspecting, he may have lymphoma. We did discuss this with the vet, and they gave us two options. Option 1 would be to take an FNA from the areas and test the results under a microscope. I understand that this is not 100% accurate. If the vet were to take samples from all 3 areas, I'm wondering what the odds were that they would find something? Does anyone have any experience with FNA tests? Option 2 would be to do a full biopsy and remove the lesser two masses. Because the biggest one is right under the jaw, the vet did not want to perform surgery there. There are too many nerves, etc. Of course, the two options differ in $$ great. $450 vs $1200. Then of course, depending on what stage it could be, would determine chemotherapy costs....which I have no idea what they would be. Anyone have any idea?
I'm really torn at these two options. If anyone has gone through this, or have any suggestions as to what they would do, please guide me here. I really want to do what is best for him but I don't want him to suffer in the long run. He's my pal after all.
At this point, he shows no signs of sickness. He is eating well, and just being the typical cat that he is. The vet did do a full physical on him and found no masses around his stomach, etc.
Thanks for reading.