Monkey's tumor, breathing, and lost of weight

[PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger]

Hi all,

Monkey has a big lump in his rear. (picture attached) The vet said it is not dangerous after some lab work and it is not necessary to surgically remove it, and he added that there can be a risk to surgically remove it because diabetic cats have compromised the ability of wound healing. The wound may be harder for Monkey to heal. I ask the reason for the occurrence of a lump, but the vet said "because he is old"

Recently Monkey has some wound on his lump and I believe it is because his lump is rubbing the floor. I tend to surgically remove it because I think the benefit outweighs the risk. But I am not sure how serious is the risk, it does not sound serious to me, any advice?

Also, I find that Monkey has seemingly heavy breathing, any idea? Also, Monkey lost some weight, from 13 lb to 12 lb, he is still heavy in terms of weight, however, I found that the muscle mass around his spine is less than before. I wonder if this is triggered by the departure of Penpen (his father) that he was deeply attached, three weeks ago. Monkey is still eating and drinking as normal, but he is less energetic than other cats.

Tomorrow I am taking him to see a vet, but I want to have your opinion too, thanks.

@Bron and Sheba (GA)

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Peter, how are you?
I am sure Monkey is missing PenPen…that would only be natural.
The breathing in the video is not fast but does look strained. I would show this video to the vet.

I would ask the vet again about the lump on Monkey’s rear. If it is being rubbed on the floor and causing a wound it may need to be looked at again and reaccessed.
I will ask @Marje and Gracie if she has an opinion about this. Hopefully she will see this tag.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Hi all,

Monkey has a big lump in his rear. (picture attached) The vet said it is not dangerous after some lab work and it is not necessary to surgically remove it, and he added that there can be a risk to surgically remove it because diabetic cats have compromised the ability of wound healing. The wound may be harder for Monkey to heal. I ask the reason for the occurrence of a lump, but the vet said "because he is old"

Recently Monkey has some wound on his lump and I believe it is because his lump is rubbing the floor. I tend to surgically remove it because I think the benefit outweighs the risk. But I am not sure how serious is the risk, it does not sound serious to me, any advice?

Also, I find that Monkey has seemingly heavy breathing, any idea? Also, Monkey lost some weight, from 13 lb to 12 lb, he is still heavy in terms of weight, however, I found that the muscle mass around his spine is less than before. I wonder if this is triggered by the departure of Penpen (his father) that he was deeply attached, three weeks ago. Monkey is still eating and drinking as normal, but he is less energetic than other cats.

Tomorrow I am taking him to see a vet, but I want to have your opinion too, thanks.

@Bron and Sheba (GA)

Hi Peter, how are you?
I am sure Monkey is missing PenPen…that would only be natural.
The breathing in the video is not fast but does look strained. I would show this video to the vet.

I would ask the vet again about the lump on Monkey’s rear. If it is being rubbed on the floor and causing a wound it may need to be looked at again and reaccessed.
I will ask @Marje and Gracie if she has an opinion about this. Hopefully she will see this tag.

Peter…..I do not like the way he is breathing. Is he purring in this video? How long has he been doing this and has he done it before? Any open- mouthed breathing? How about his activity level?

I’ve had cats breathe like this before and it was not good. If Monkey is not purring and this has started today and he’s lethargic, I don’t want to cause you undue expense but if Monkey were my cat, breathing like this, I’d take him to the ER. We aren’t vets here but I don’t like the looks of that breathing.

 

[PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger]

Peter…..I do not like the way he is breathing. Is he purring in this video? How long has he been doing this and has he done it before? Any open- mouthed breathing? How about his activity level?

I’ve had cats breathe like this before and it was not good. If Monkey is not purring and this has started today and he’s lethargic, I don’t want to cause you undue expense but if Monkey were my cat, breathing like this, I’d take him to the ER. We aren’t vets here but I don’t like the looks of that breathing.

I noticed that Monkey has had this kind of breathing for at least a few months. But this week his breathing seems to be worse. Monkey visited a vet 3 weeks ago, the vet said he may have tracheitis due to his age, but he did not tell us to take any action, which made me think it is not that urgent.

I think he is still purring, let me ask my family first.

 

[PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger]

Hi Peter, how are you?
I am sure Monkey is missing PenPen…that would only be natural.
The breathing in the video is not fast but does look strained. I would show this video to the vet.

I would ask the vet again about the lump on Monkey’s rear. If it is being rubbed on the floor and causing a wound it may need to be looked at again and reaccessed.
I will ask @Marje and Gracie if she has an opinion about this. Hopefully she will see this tag.

How are you Bron.

I am recovering from the sadness caused by Penpen's departure. I don't feel too guilty now, perhaps it was just the time for Penpen

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

How are you Bron.

I am recovering from the sadness caused by Penpen's departure. I don't feel too guilty now, perhaps it was just the time for Penpen

It is always very hard to say goodbye to our beloved kitties.
I think Marje was asking if he was purring in the video.
Has the vet listened to his chest to taken any X-rays of the chest?

 

[PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger]

It is always very hard to say goodbye to our beloved kitties.
I think Marje was asking if he was purring in the video.
Has the vet listened to his chest to taken any X-rays of the chest?

I just returned from the vet. The vet said the sound of his chest was ok but it was still strange that Monkey had that kind of breathing. So ultrasound on his heart will be carried out 2 days later. After knowing more about Monkey, then the risk of removing the tumor can be more certain.

Yes, I think he is purring in the video. Monkey purs a lot as usual.

This time I think that can be a possible sign of a health crisis for Monkey, better be careful.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I just returned from the vet. The vet said the sound of his chest was ok but it was still strange that Monkey had that kind of breathing. So ultrasound on his heart will be carried out 2 days later. After knowing more about Monkey, then the risk of removing the tumor can be more certain.

Yes, I think he is purring in the video. Monkey purs a lot as usual.

This time I think that can be a possible sign of a health crisis for Monkey, better be careful.

Please let us know how the ultrasound goes in two days please Peter

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Hi Peter. You know in your heart you have nothing to feel guilty about.
Did I miss something? When did the vet say it was a tumor?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Hi. I didn’t know about PenPen. I’m so sorry. I think the ultrasound is a very good idea. I sure hope it’s okay. You would need to figure this out before contemplating surgery. Prayers being sent.

 

[PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger]

Hi Peter. You know in your heart you have nothing to feel guilty about.
Did I miss something? When did the vet say it was a tumor?

Hi Noah, it is a lump, but unlikely to be cancerous.

 

[Ann & Sister]

Hi Noah, it is a lump, but unlikely to be cancerous.

Did you get a chest xray at the vet today? When my Starla breathed like that, a lesion was seen on the xray which turned out to be lung cancer.
The harsh breathing was due to the fluid build-up within the lining around her lungs.
Fingers crossed for Monkey.