? 02/05 Snickers: Dental, lipoma, and remission question

Snickers and Chrissy

Snickers and Chrissy

Member Since 2019
Hi, Snickers is enjoying her new remission and going to see her vet today. She needs a dental (her teeth were not great when we got her and have gotten worse), and I know dental disease can throw cats out of remission, so I want hers done sooner rather than later.

She also has a lipoma. She had it when we got her. Our vet pulled some with a needle months ago and checked, and based on that and how it feels is 99% sure it's just a lipoma. We can leave it alone or have it cut out during the dental to make sure it doesn't grow and to be 100% certain it's nothing major.

So my question is should we have the lipoma cut out during her dental? I'm worried that cutting into her so soon after remission will throw her out of remission? Is that an unfounded worry or a valid one?

Thanks to your help and suggestions!
 
How big is the lipoma? Will the surgery be very invasive? Where is it?

George did well after his dental (his teeth knocked him out of remission), if she is given antibiotics or other meds make sure they are sugar free, and no steroids unless essential (they knocked George out of remission a second time). He's still off the juice at the moment.
 
Gill & George said:
How big is the lipoma? Will the surgery be very invasive? Where is it?

George did well after his dental (his teeth knocked him out of remission), if she is given antibiotics or other meds make sure they are sugar free, and no steroids unless essential (they knocked George out of remission a second time). He's still off the juice at the moment.
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It's not super big, maybe the size of a nickel or so? Maybe a little bigger. The vet said it would be easy and not very invasive, she said she does them all the time. It's located near Snicker's scruff area, but more off to the side. Glad George is doing well!
 
I am facing a similar dilema. George has a tiny one about the size of a pea, in his belly. He's 20, so I don't fancy putting him under anaesthetic just for that. But if he had to have a dental, then I would consider getting it removed at the same time.

I know our vet has removed some of my friends elderly collie without any complications it seemed a very straightforward procedure.
I guess if Snicks is having a dental, then they are going to give him some antibiotics post dental surgery. If you decide to have the lipoma removed later, he's going to need more anaesthetic and more AB's.
Question is, is it bothering snickers? is it likely to get bigger and cause her discomfort/pain? How quickly is it growing? or is it stable?

From what I understand if it was causing pain or discomfort then I would do it, otherwise its six of one half a dozen of the other. (as long as vet is sure it is a Lipoma, and not anything else)

Ultimately, seeing as it's a straightforward procedure, as long as it goes smoothly (no infection/complications) it shouldn't really affect his OTJ status. Ask the vet what post op treatment snickers would need, just to be sure she is not going to require a course of steroids post op.
 
Gill & George said:
I am facing a similar dilema. George has a tiny one about the size of a pea, in his belly. He's 20, so I don't fancy putting him under anaesthetic just for that. But if he had to have a dental, then I would consider getting it removed at the same time.

I know our vet has removed some of my friends elderly collie without any complications it seemed a very straightforward procedure.
I guess if Snicks is having a dental, then they are going to give him some antibiotics post dental surgery. If you decide to have the lipoma removed later, he's going to need more anaesthetic and more AB's.
Question is, is it bothering snickers? is it likely to get bigger and cause her discomfort/pain? How quickly is it growing? or is it stable?

From what I understand if it was causing pain or discomfort then I would do it, otherwise its six of one half a dozen of the other. (as long as vet is sure it is a Lipoma, and not anything else)

Ultimately, seeing as it's a straightforward procedure, as long as it goes smoothly (no infection/complications) it shouldn't really affect his OTJ status. Ask the vet what post op treatment snickers would need, just to be sure she is not going to require a course of steroids post op.
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Hi, thanks, those are all great questions. Frankly, I don't think it does bother Snickers, but that doesn't mean it won't in the future. I think it's fairly stable right now. However, as long as it shouldn't affect OTJ status, I may just do it. I'll take your advice first and make sure I understand the post-op procedure. I definitely don't want any steroids, and I'll check on the type of antibiotic used. I think my doc has an antibiotic shot she mentioned she could do, so I'll double check on that. Thanks for the advice!
 
Snickers and Chrissy said:
I think my doc has an antibiotic shot she mentioned she could do,
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If it's a long acting AB (convenia) be aware that some cats can have a reaction to it, and it can prove nasty, once it's in you can't take it out. Marje had issues with her Gracie with it.
Personally I wouldn't go for any long acting med, not after my experience with steroids.
George was given a long acting steroid shot, he wasn't eating and nothing conclusive in bloods. It was a nightmare, his BG s rocketed in 24hrs, knocking him out of remission, and the steroids remained in his system for two weeks, he was stuck in reds and any insulin I shot was like water for those two weeks. We continued insulin for a while and managed to get him to the falls again.
Had he been given an in out steroid, I could have just stopped the steroids altogether. Anyways you live and learn.

So if you are able to pill Snickers I would chose that option, not worth the risk.
 
Gill & George said:
If it's a long acting AB (convenia) be aware that some cats can have a reaction to it, and it can prove nasty, once it's in you can't take it out. Marje had issues with her Gracie with it.
Personally I wouldn't go for any long acting med, not after my experience with steroids.
George was given a long acting steroid shot, he wasn't eating and nothing conclusive in bloods. It was a nightmare, his BG s rocketed in 24hrs, knocking him out of remission, and the steroids remained in his system for two weeks, he was stuck in reds and any insulin I shot was like water for those two weeks. We continued insulin for a while and managed to get him to the falls again.
Had he been given an in out steroid, I could have just stopped the steroids altogether. Anyways you live and learn.

So if you are able to pill Snickers I would chose that option, not worth the risk.
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Thanks!! I'll definitely consider that! That sounds scary.
 
Gill & George said:
It was, I kicked myself for not being on the ball with that.
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I think it actually is Covenia my vet had mentioned. I'll double check when I see her today. I'll just go with pills. Snickers actually takes her pills pretty easily, though I probably can't use pill pockets any more given the diabetes. Hmm... I bet I could put them in some steak and she'd gobble them up. I'll ask the doc for the possible pill options and research them before I make any final decisions. Thanks!
 
I’d take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of the lipoma since he will be under anesthesia anyway. Knowing me I would worry about it if left. Max had one but it was very small so my vet took it out when doing a biopsy and it was benign.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I’d take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of the lipoma since he will be under anesthesia anyway. Knowing me I would worry about it if left. Max had one but it was very small so my vet took it out when doing a biopsy and it was benign.
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Thanks! That's what I'm leaning towards. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a huge mistake for some reason. Right now, I'm worried about anything throwing Snickers out of her newfound remission :)
 
Gill & George said:
They do have corn syrup in them so could affect BG.

I wrapped George's AB's in a small amount of soft cheese which he inhaled, he'd had a huge dental, lots of extractions so I couldn't pill him conventionally, his mouth was too sore for me to get anywhere near it, I'm sure he would have liked steak LOL though with virtually no teeth......
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I guess I'll have to see if Snickers needs any of her teeth removed or anything. She has a sensitive stomach, so I'm not sure if cheese will work. It might though. The only thing I know for sure she can't have is poultry. Maybe I'll just try sticking it in with her normal food, she usually scarfs it down. :)
 
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