False Positive- Lymphoma?

[Liam Murphy]

Anyone have experienced with a false positive for lymphoma? We were told that my 12 year old diabetic guy most likely has lymphoma. The Vet claimed that he had thickening of the intestinal walls and lower platelet count- I'm assuming RBC.

It's been 23 days since he had an extraction and a convenia injection. He was given a clean bill of health(diabetes aside) prior to the dental work. He had an initial bad reaction to the Convenia, but improved for a week. He was vomiting occasionally for a week before his last visit to the vet.

I'm prepared for the worst. At the same time, I can't help he skeptical. I've read accounts of cats having anemia after convenia. I feel that could explain the lower platelet levels. They've said nothing of his white blood cell count. Unfortunately, one of his liter mates did die from lymphoma.

My questions for The forum-

Have any of you used Lantus and Prednisone together successfully?

What do you think about the chances for a false positive? Am I wrong to think that the lower platelet levels could be related to the convenia?

Thanks
From Liam + Rasmus

 

[Sean & Rufus]

I am of no help, but why do they think lymphoma and not IBD? What are his symptoms? Praying for you little buddy

 

[Liam Murphy]

I am of no help, but why do they think lymphoma and not IBD? What are his symptoms? Praying for you little buddy

Thanks S&R!

His only real symptom was vomiting. Other cats in the house all experienced vomiting in the past 2 weeks.

I don't necessarily think lymphoma over IBD. The vet seems to think so because of the platelet count being low. I'm hoping the platelet levels being low can be attributed to something else. Time will tell

 

[Sean & Rufus]

Hmm, I read that platlets could be low from IBD also. Tough to say. I know the vets try their best, but just like doctors they don't always know. So he had an ultrasound? Lastly have you tried changing proteins? Could be allergic. Sorry, I'm just trying to help not pretend I know more then the vet

 

[Lillie]

Severe IBD is treated pretty much the same as intestinal lymphoma with pred and chlorambucil and possibly other immune suppressing meds and also B-12 injections. When my previous kitty had her ultra sound done her intestines were so thickened and her lymph nodes were so swollen the specialist said she didn't need a biopsy to diagnose that she was 99.9% positive it was lymphoma. I relied on her judgement as she was a specialist who treated this almost on a daily basis. Symptoms can be identical with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. Have they mentioned maybe using Budesonide in lieu of the pred?

 

[Liam Murphy]

Severe IBD is treated pretty much the same as intestinal lymphoma with pred and chlorambucil and possibly other immune suppressing meds and also B-12 injections. When my previous kitty had her ultra sound done her intestines were so thickened and her lymph nodes were so swollen the specialist said she didn't need a biopsy to diagnose that she was 99.9% positive it was lymphoma. I relied on her judgement as she was a specialist who treated this almost on a daily basis. Symptoms can be identical with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. Have they mentioned maybe using Budesonide in lieu of the pred?

I'm going to see my local vet tomorrow. I'll know more after the appointment. He seems to be himself. The other vet did not mention anything about swollen Lymph Nodes. I decided to hold off on the pred until after tomorrow's appointment.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Anyone have experienced with a false positive for lymphoma? We were told that my 12 year old diabetic guy most likely has lymphoma. The Vet claimed that he had thickening of the intestinal walls and lower platelet count- I'm assuming RBC.

The only way to diagnose lymphoma is via a biopsy. Thicken of the walls of small intestines can be due to IBD/IBS as well as small-cell-intestinal lymphoma. Thus, you really never really had a diagnosis for lymphoma.

A low platelet count is as it say, low platelet count. It is not red blood cells (RBC). In cats platelets tend to clump and thus machine counts of platelets will be low if they clump. If the machine count is low then typically a blood slide is reviewed by a human and noted on the lab report. My Patches had recent blood work and the machine count was low and the lab report included:
Slide reviewed microscopically. Sananning of the blood smear revealed adequate platelet numbers. Due to clumping, the automated platelet number cannot be adequately determined.