Mass Found...

[Samantha and Evie]

Hi all,

Evie's been doing much better ever since we switched her over to wet cat food. Her weight has dropped to a solid 12 pounds and her blood glucose levels were a little low at her last glucose check (50-100), but the vet said to lower her insulin to 3.5 (from 4) and that it was looking good!

However, today Evie was acting a little strange. She kept twitching and wouldn't move very much. Or really at all. She was still alert and purred when I pet her, but didn't attack me like she normally did when I pet her in places she doesn't like. I gave her some food, and soon she became more active. She kept sniffing around the house obsessively and outside, which was really out of character for her.

I took her to the vet and he did the exam. Her level was at 94, still under but not incredibly terrible. The vet did a normal exam and found a mass where he said he imagined her pancreas to be. He took her for an X-ray, but nothing could be determined. He wants to see her next Tuesday @ 2pm for an ultrasound, and in the meantime to lower her insulin to 2.5.

I'm trying super hard to keep it together. I spoke with my mom and she stated that she really thinks it might be cancer. She's somewhere between the ages of 6-10, but it's impossible to know for sure since she's a stray. The ultrasound will cost $250-300, and if there's nothing to be helped if it is cancer, what's the point in doing the ultrasound?

Has anyone had any kind of experience like this? Either with the twitching/lethargy or the mass located around the pancreas? I would like to hear good and bad news both, as long as they're honest! Thank you for reading and I hope everyone's day is going better than mine.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

When you say nothing was determined from the X-ray, is that because they didn't see anything? Like the pancreas was enlarged or of a weird shape? Cancer is a really hard mass, dense. The ultrasound may allow them to see that and but not sure, maybe allow for them to get a biopsy for further analysis?

I have no experience with this type of cancer however. Anti-jinx.

 

[Lillie]

I'm puzzled as to how the vet could feel a mass but not see anything on the xray? If it was large enough to be felt it seems like it would be showing up on an xray. It may not necessarily be cancer and possibly be something that can be surgically removed. I would wait to see what the ultrasound shows and possible needle biopsy before getting too upset. I had a lumpy mass taken off my previous kitty and it turned out to be just a fatty tumor. I think the ultrasound is worth doing for your own peace of mind.

 

[Samantha and Evie]

I'm puzzled as to how the vet could feel a mass but not see anything on the xray? If it was large enough to be felt it seems like it would be showing up on an xray. It may not necessarily be cancer and possibly be something that can be surgically removed. I would wait to see what the ultrasound shows and possible needle biopsy before getting too upset. I had a lumpy mass taken off my previous kitty and it turned out to be just a fatty tumor. I think the ultrasound is worth doing for your own peace of mind.

I was wondering how he had felt it but couldn't see it on the X-ray. I even asked if I could feel the mass and he said that it would be hard to feel if I wasn't sure what I was looking for. He seemed purposely elusive, but I thought it was because he didn't want to freak me out without knowing anything else. He also didn't show me the x-ray... and I realize that I should have asked to see it but was trying to keep myself calm in the process.

 

[Samantha and Evie]

When you say nothing was determined from the X-ray, is that because they didn't see anything? Like the pancreas was enlarged or of a weird shape? Cancer is a really hard mass, dense. The ultrasound may allow them to see that and but not sure, maybe allow for them to get a biopsy for further analysis?

I have no experience with this type of cancer however. Anti-jinx.

He didn't say the word "cancer." He didn't really say anything at all. This wasn't my usual vet, but my typical one will be there on Tuesday for the ultrasound (if I decide to do it, which I probably will). Will they be able to do the biopsy at the same time?

She seems to be doing well right now, she's sleeping on the bed next to me and demolished her dinner for the evening like usual lol

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

I have had biopsy done at the same time on my drooler. Did an aspirate done on Jones. It is like a poke and the take a sample. They didn't need to do any sedation either.

You will find most vets don't say the c word until they know.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Are you home testing?
It sounds as if Evie's BSL might have been too low with that twitching. Then when you gave food her BSL came up and she improved. If that happens again I would give a drop of honey or some high carb food.

My cat Sheba had pancreatic cancer. A mass was seen on the X-ray but an untrasound was needed to determine the extent of the mass. I had the ultrasound done at a specialist centre and it was about $500. I was with Sheba when it was done and it was a very extensive and detailed ultrasound.
Previously she had had a bladder ultrasound which was done by my normal vet and I was only charged less than $100 for that. I was with her during that and two vets were present doing it.

Is it your local vet who is doing the ultrasound? If so the cost seems excessive to me.
I think I would be asking a few more questions before I paid $300 for an ultrasound.
I'm not saying not to get it done but I would be asking how detailed the ultrasound will be and if it will be on a disc that can be taken to a specialist if necessary. You don't want to be paying twice for ultrasounds if it is unnecessary.
If it is cancer and found early, they can maybe treat it. Sheba's was found too late and was very advanced.
However it may not be a cancer at all. If might just be an inflammation.
I hope you get it sorted out quickly and it is nothing serious.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

X-rays are not definitive for a lot of cancers/tumors. Yers ago I had an old cat with problems and x-rays did not show anything definitive. Ultrasound showed many tumors.
It is up tp you if you want to sped for the ultrasound. Like you said, if tumors are found further necessary tests (biopsy) and treatment (chemo) are expensive and success not that certain.
I myself have opted for ultrasound for problems with my other cats and opted for ultrasound to more definitively find the problem knowing that if tumor I would not spend further for additional diagnostics/treatment.

 

[Samantha and Evie]

X-rays are not definitive for a lot of cancers/tumors. Yers ago I had an old cat with problems and x-rays did not show anything definitive. Ultrasound showed many tumors.
It is up tp you if you want to sped for the ultrasound. Like you said, if tumors are found further necessary tests (biopsy) and treatment (chemo) are expensive and success not that certain.
I myself have opted for ultrasound for problems with my other cats and opted for ultrasound to more definitively find the problem knowing that if tumor I would not spend further for additional diagnostics/treatment.

That's what I'm thinking about doing: the ultrasound just to find out and then nothing further beyond that. Ugh.. I don't know. I guess I'll have to ultimately make that decision when we find out what's on the ultrasound. But it's nice to know that there's other people out there that were thinking what I am, about not spending further for additional testing. I just want her to be happy and comfortable.