Iris update - we are back home :)

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Mandarin'sMom

Mandarin'sMom

Member Since 2014
It's been a crappy couple of weeks and I haven't been on the board much. Work has sucked lately, I haven't been feeling well, and both Mandarin and Walter are back in yellow and pink. Yesterday was Iris's appointment at Purdue. She has had breathing difficulties since she was a tiny kitten and my vet here already suspected a polyp. I took her for a consult and they basically confirmed that theory and recommended a rhinosocpy and, if necessary, a CT scan to see how big the polyp is.

Well, they just called and it's a huge nasopharyngeal polyp. It is already pressing on her windpipe and has to come out before it gets even bigger and obstructs her breathing even more. They are just not sure if, based on its size and how far back it extends, they can pull it or if they need to go in surgically through the bulla (which is a much more invasive and incredibly expensive surgery).

I am anxiously waiting for them to call with another update... send up some good thoughts for my little baby girl. She is barely a year and a half and still has her entire life ahead of her.

Iris at Purdue.jpg
 
Wishing the very best for sweet Iris--may this be easily taken care of and she go on to a long, healthy, happy life. And hope things start looking better for you on those other fronts as well.
 
The resident that's on her case just called to let me know that Iris is waking up. And that they removed the largest polyp the surgeon has ever seen in a cat. Any cat. And she barely weighs 5.5 pounds. They decided to pull it in multiple parts - a smaller part came out through her ear and the much bigger part was in her throat and obstructing her breathing. They didn't need to go in surgically through the side of her head though. I am so relieved!!!!

No news yet on potential neurological issues. There was also a lot of blood loss and she will most likely spend the night in the ICU where she will be monitored closely. The intern will call with a more detailed report in a bit.
 
Geesh Christina, relieved she's out of surgery and sending truck loads of vines and prayers for wee Iris. They boys are just worried about their sister and mama bean. Lots of :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: for you.
 
Oh the poor baby! What a beautiful kitty! My youngest cat had consecutive surgeries last summer when he was only about a year old, and it's awful when they're so young.
 
I talked to the intern at length and the news wasn't the greatest. Since the polyp was so invasive and so close to major nerves, Iris ended up with Horner's syndrome on both sides of her face. So far, they are not sure how extensive the damage is. She is still really woozy and hasn't shown any interest in food. Worst case scenario is that she is not able to chew right now due to the facial paralysis. Horner's syndrome will get better in many cats, but there's a chance that it's permanent. She is spending the night in the ICU and I will get another update from the resident that's on her case later tonight. ....and I will go up there first thing tomorrow. I just need to find someone who can cover my classes (or I will cancel... I don't think I could teach right now anyways).
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
She is a wonder cat and used to adversity.
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Very true. When I was reviewing all of her medical records before the appointment, I was reminded of how fragile she was in the beginning. She only weighed 10.5 oz the day I took her home. She was also suffering from flea anemia and was so weak, she wouldn't even lift her head. And she has obviously survived all of that.
 
Both my civvie Teddy (GA) and his twin Frankie (in his pre diabetic days) had nasopharyngeal polyps. Poor Ted sounded like Darth Vadar whenever he breathed and used to gag when he ate and Frankie used to choke all the time. Ted has his removed at 6 months old and he came home the same day. Frankie had his removed at 10 months (it could not be removed at 6 months as they couldn't get a good grip on the stalk it is attached to and it needed to grow more) and he also got Horners Syndrome, but he was home the same day too. He had no treatment for it and it went away after a few months.
 
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:bighug::bighug::bighug:
Hope the Horners Syndrome is not permanent. Hopefully as some of the post op swelling/inflamation goes down you'll see some improvement.

Bucket loads of prayers and vines.
 
Golly, Christina, I'm just seeing this report and am sending many prayers and vines for your little girl. She's so strong. I'm betting on a complete recovery and a long, happy life for Iris.
Hugs for you and scritches for the kitties,

:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thanks @carfurby. My poor Teddy-boy crossed very suddenly on Sunday 24th September. He was due to be PTS on the following Tuesday as chemo had been stopped because it wasn't working, but I think he knew I would find that near impossible to deal with and also I was due to go on holiday on the Saturday and he wanted me to still go, so he took the decision away from me. He was fine at 6.30pm, but at 6.45 he was gasping for breath and crying out with every breath, and by 7pm he had gone. He died in my arms on the way to the vet. I found it hard to accept as he was (and still is) my heart and soul, so I have been absent from these boards for a while.
 
Sue484 said:
Thanks @carfurby. My poor Teddy-boy crossed very suddenly on Sunday 24th September. He was due to be PTS on the following Tuesday as chemo had been stopped because it wasn't working, but I think he knew I would find that near impossible to deal with and also I was due to go on holiday on the Saturday and he wanted me to still go, so he took the decision away from me. He was fine at 6.30pm, but at 6.45 he was gasping for breath and crying out with every breath, and by 7pm he had gone. He died in my arms on the way to the vet. I found it hard to accept as he was (and still is) my heart and soul, so I have been absent from these boards for a while.
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(((((Sue))))))
I had wondered why I hadn't 'seen' you for a while.
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(((Sorry for hijacking your thread Christina))

Here's a pic for iris
images
 
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