Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Lesley Frankie on April 05, 2007, 09:08:00 AM
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My 14 year old male cat is having stomach problems . For the last month his stomach is rumbling and gurgling. Very occasionally he cries out in pain then vomits although nothing is brought up except a white foam. In the last week, he seems to have lost his appetite and is eating very little although he is still drinking water . I am taking him to the vet later today but I was wondering if anyone here has has the same problem?
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Nothing obvious that i'd care to throw around for fear of being alarmist but thankfully he will see the vet today and get to the bottom of the problem, the vomiting white froth would indicate that he is nauseous obviously but hasnt anything in his tummy to be sick properly with.
Good luck and let us know how you get on..fingers crossed its nothing ;D
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Hi, well I'm afraid the vet gave us very bad news today. My cat has a tumour and he will have to have an operation to see how serious it is. The vet was not very optimistic, largely becasue my cat is 14.However, I won't let him be written off quite so easily.
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lfrankie so sorry to hear that news wasn't good .... sending lots of love and positive thoughts to you and Kitty.
Please keep us informed and know we are all here for you if you need any advice or support :hug:
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I'm sorry you didnt get better news, I didnt like the sound of it before and was glad you were going to vets today..Good on you for giving it a go and we'll keep our fingers crossed and send positive vibes.
when is his operation booked for ?
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Hi Lynn and Sam, His op is scheduled for this Saturday however, I am a bit unhappy with the attitude of the vet who seems to think that Buster's old, which he is but he's still incredibly important to us. In addition, all this was laid on me in less than 10 minutes, no x-rays, scans - nothing. I don't doubt that the diagnosis is correct but, I need to feel that the vet is a lot more determined than he seems to be. Maybe I'm just too upset. We live in France and although I beleive that the vets are good, cats don't get the same amount of care and attention as dogs. So, I need to give some thought to checking out another vet although I can see that Buster is uncomfortable at times so I can't delay things for more than a day or two. I will let you know how it goes and thank you both so much for caring.
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Good luck..i understand your anguish.
i am presuming the vet has probably felt an intestinal tumour (please correct if im wrong) whilst you could go on to take xrays usually they are quite obvious when the vet has a feel. of course i'd say any other things such as blood tests etc are important so you can know how fit puss is in all other respects as that would help you make a decision on how far you are going to take this..what i mean is if certain organ indicators were bad you might think twice about the op for example.
a second opinion if sought quickly wouldnt do any harm but i'd say an obvious tumour it would be acceptable to go straight to the op table without taking xrays.
at the end of the day it is your puss and your money so you go a head and do all you can for your little one, I sort of feel for your vet aswell as from experience i know tumours in cats normally do carry a very poor prognosis but perhaps the op might buy you a few more months together. I hope so anyway.
anything else we can help with please let us know :hug:
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Am sorry the news wasnt as positive as it could be, but the fact he wants to operate means he isn't writing your cat off due to his age. Is there any chance you can have a chat with the vet before SAt just to try and come to terms with it a bit more, and maybe ask what the prognosis etc is beforehand? Plus the obvious doing bloods to check that he is goig to be able to deal with it.
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Thank you Desley. Yes we are going to speak to the vet before the op tomorrow.He has already said that until he has a look he can't give a prognosis other than if he can remove the tumour, he will but if it means harming Buster even more, he'll have to leave it. He also said if we did not want to operate he could give medication to stop the vomiting and another to try to slow down the growth of the tumour. Frankly, I can see that Buster is not feeling well so he really can't continue like this and I think that the surgery is his best option. The vet said that if it was his cat, he'd want to know by doing the surgery. I suppose that if Buster does not survive the surgery, he would not have had much longer and would not have had much quality of life. It's just so hard isn't it, he's so dependent and trusting.
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I am so sorry. At least you are giving Buster a chance of life. If he cannot take that chance then at least you tried, instead of saying I could have, should have, would have.
felt an intestinal tumour (please correct if im wrong) whilst you could go on to take xrays usually they are quite obvious when the vet has a feel
I agree with Lynn most vets are very astute when it comes to feeling tumours.
Let hope for a positive outcome but if not at least you will not be allowing Buster to carry on with a life that is not a quality life.
My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.
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I feel awful for pointing this out but can i just prepare you for one possible outcome in these situations..sometimes when the vet does this type of op it can become apparent under ga that its not operable and is actually sometimes abit unfair to let puss wake up again and owners are asked to stay by the phone so the vet can contact you and discuss the options if need be. I just wanted to prepare you for that possible outcome that you may have to make this type of decision when puss is under ga, but if such an unfortunate thing did happen atleast you know he's already sleeping, of course you have the right to ask the vet to stitch him up and bring him round from the operation.
(sorry if you already knew that but i dont know what french vets are like and if they would have discussed all this with you)
I'm hoping its a small thing that is easily removed ;D
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I have to say that Lynn's reason was the one I was thinking when I said about talking to the vet before - personally, I would want to know the chances of that happening, and if that was the case, I wouldnt put my cat through an op, but if your vet has said he would do it, that covers the other question I normally ask my vet - UK vets are normally very reluctant to answer that!! IT is a very hard thing to do, I have had to opt not to operate on a cat who had cancer, not an easy decision, but one done after a lengthy chat with the vet.
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I`m so sorry to hear you didn`t get better news, my thoughts are with you and Buster. If you didn`t want to have the operation you could see if you could be referred for an ultrsound guided biopsy of the mass although these are not as accurate as the op itself. I`m sure when they do the op they will tell you whether the mass has grown to a point where it is interfering with any of the vital organs.
As Lynn already said i would say to the vet that you would really like pre operative blood tests done and also it would be good for him to be on a drip during the operation regardless of the outcome of the bloods. Good luck for tomorrow, i hope it all works out for Buster.
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Wishing I had some veterinary pearls of wisdom to add but I don't - I'm just a lowly writer.
Just wanted to wish Buster and your family all the best for tomorrow. Our fingers and paws are crossed that everything will be okay.
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Thank you everyone for your very kind thoughts. As time passes I am seriously thinking of putting the op on hold for a day or so ( until after the long weekend) to ask more questions and ask for blood tests and possibly a referral for a scan/ultrasound. If the op can't solve anything then I would rather not put him through it. Anyway, I will let you all know how it goes.
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Can't offer any advice I'm afraid, just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you both :hug:
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Am sorry to the your news was not good, but it sounds as if your vet is considering your options and isn't writing your cat off. I wish you all the best :hug:.
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Good luck for today when you are with the vet
:hug: :hug:
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hello everyone,
Well, we spoke to the vet this morning and we decided to postpone the surgery until later next week. We have house guests arriving and I want to have no distractions around when Buster has his op. The vet said that the op can wait. We had blood tests done to check that his health is otherwise good, which it is so now, I don't feel so scared about the op itself. The vet explained that the surgery was just exploratory to see how far the tumour had progressed which would enable him to decide what can and cannot be done to help Buster. Of course, if the tumour can be removed he will do so but he does not seem hopeful. So, once again, thank you all so much for your kind wishes and no doubt I will be back again soon!
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glad you sound a little happier albeit still understand strained circumstances. It sounds like you have had a better discussion with the vet and postponing the op for a few days seems like a sensible option for just now, glad also his bloods were fine.
let us know when he's going in wont you so we can send buster positive vibes :Luv:
Lynn X
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Am glad you seem happier now it isn't all happening so quickly, and you have chance to think about it more. I am glad that his bloods are fine, and fingers crossed the exploratory surgery shows some positive news.
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Just to echo what has been said, glad bloods are ok, am keeping things crossed for Buster and do give us an update :hug:
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Sending you and Buster lots of positive vibes and love and hope all goes well for his op.
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Any update?
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Hi everyone, We have rescheduled Buster's exploratory op for next Monday morning. We have been giving him pills to help stop the vomiting plus prednisone to help with any inflamation caused by the tumour. Judging by his behaviour , he is feeling more comfortable which is great to see. Obviously we are still extremely scared of the op but we think that it's the only way to see what is really going on. I will post an update after his op. Thans to everyone for all of your kind wishes.
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glad he's a little brighter, prednisilone helps greatly with tumours for the short term. I hope you have a lovely week this week and get to spend quality time ;D
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I have just caught up with this and add my good wishes, hugs and positive vibes for Buster. Shall be thinking of you on Monday.
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Thanks for the update and glad to hear Buster is feeling a bit more comfortable.
Will be thinking of you on Monday and will be keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome.
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Good luck for Mon.
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Hi how did youget on at the vet today ..... hope it went OK. :wish:
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Hello everyone, I'm afraid that it's not good news. The cancer has spread to Buster's liver and a kidney so the vet couldn't do anything. We actually decided to let him him slip away today but when the vet brought him into the room he suggested that we take him home which we did. We are going back to the vet's on Wednesday morning to see how he's doing. The vet was lovely and reasssured me that, with care Buster should be able to enjoy a few more days or weeks. We are going back on Wednesday morning bevause of course, at the moment, Buster is still groggy from the op. Of course, we are just putting off the inevitable but, I feel strongly that if he can have more good days, we should not deny him the pleasure of lying about in the sun. I'm sorry that it's not good news and I thank you all for your kind thoughts.
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So sorry to hear that the news isn't good :(
Am glad your vet is being so understanding about the situation and if Buster were my cat and not suffering I'd be inclined to do the same as you and let him enjoy the sunshine.
It gives you a little time to try and come to terms with things, too. Hugs to you and gentle strokes to Buster. :hug:
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:( Oh no I'm so sorry to hear the news ..... this isn't what you wanted to hear. My heart goes out to you but at least Buster is back home with the ones he loves and those that so obviously love him and I'm sure you will make his remaining time as happy and comfortable as possible.
We are all here for you if you need us and we know what a difficult time this is.
Take care and big hugs to you and Buster :hug:
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I am sorry to hear this. I'm sure Buster is enjoying this lovely mild weather and is pleased to take each day as it comes.
:hug:
xC
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I'm so sorry to hear the outcome of the ex lap. I had hoped against hope for better news.
Have a happy few days wont you and enjoy every moment :hug:
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Aww, I am so sorry it wasn't better news, at least the vet has OK'd you to bring him home and have some time with him, cherish it well. Big hugs to you.
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Oh no I'm sorry to hear it is such bad news. At least he can spend the rest of his time at home with his family knowing how much he's loved and enjoying the spring sunshine.
Take care of yourself xx
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My thoughts are with you and your family.
I'm so sorry.
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Hello everyone, Buster died today. He developed complications from the surgery and, although the vet was prepared to take further action I decided he had had enough,so he slipped peacefully away.He had absolutely no pain nor even real knowledge of what was happening as we are just 10 minutes away from the vet's office and he was anaesthetised immediately in preparation for treatment. I'm going to miss him so much , he was such a great companion.
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im so very sorry :hug:
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I'm so sorry :( My thoughts are with you. At least Buster is now free of pain. Always a pawprint in your heart. Sleep well Buster xxx
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I'm so sorry. You will miss Buster so much, but you spared him any suffering.
:hug:
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:hug: sorry for your loss.
Buster will be sorely missed we can tell. I do hope you managed to enjoy these past few days with him and in time will be able to look back and cherish fond memories.
Do you have any other furbabes or was buster your only one ?
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:( So sorry you didn't have longer with Buster.
RIP Buster .... much loved and you will be sorely missed. Play hard at the bridge baby until it's time to meet your mummay again.
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/Fussy_furball/February%202007/c05.jpg)
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I'm so sorry. Look for the silver lining in this terrible sadness - it was such a blessing he passed away in the way he did.
Our thoughts are with you.
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:hug: sorry for your loss.
Buster will be sorely missed we can tell. I do hope you managed to enjoy these past few days with him and in time will be able to look back and cherish fond memories.
Do you have any other furbabes or was buster your only one ?
Hi Lynn,
Buster was our only furbaby because we lost our other cat Morticia Muffin to heart disease a few years ago. She used to give poor old Buster such hard time that, when she died, we thought that we would let him become Chief Cat and he absolutely blossomed! We loved both of them to bits.
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Ah! Morticia Muffin (genius name!) and Buster will be tossing coins for the coveted title of Chief Cat where they are now! Whiskers at dawn...
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Ah! Morticia Muffin (genius name!) and Buster will be tossing coins for the coveted title of Chief Cat where they are now! Whiskers at dawn...
Yes Shay, that thought did occur to me, let's hope that she has mellowed!
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I'm sorry about Buster :hug:
RIP little dude.
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perhaps in the future when you feel ready you may be able to open your hearts again ;D
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:( sorry for your loss, RIP Buster.
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Thank you all very much for your words of comfort. It really means a lot to me. In a couple of months we are having major gardening done so we will bury Buster Bunny and Morticia Muffin's ashes together, in Buster's favourite spot and plant a nice bush in their memory.
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I am so very sorry to hear this, but I think you did the right thing by letting him go peacefully rather than putting him through anything else, and for that he was a very lucky cat. RIP little one.
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I am so sorry I have only just caught up with this thread, Buster went to Rainbow Bridge the same day as Peewee, so hopefully they are playing together.