10/31 Max--Back From Vet--Waiting for Bloodowork

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max&emmasmommie

max&emmasmommie

Member Since 2012
Yesterday:http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=82221

Hello. The vet, a male, was dressed as the female doctor on staff -- essentially in drag -- leopard print heels, dress (with a stuffed bra), and a blonde wig. His counterpart was wearing his usual outfit -- tye dyed scrubs and tennis shoes with a dark, curly wig. Quite entertaining. It was amusing to watch the vet with a beard and mustache awkwardly push his long, blond hair behind his ears every five seconds. I said, "Aren't those shoes fun?" and he said, incredulously, "They're awful!!! The worst part is that my TOES hurt!" I had a good laugh.

The vet did not think the tumor had shrunk at all, but Max has lost another 1/3 of a pound. Not good. The vet is going to get a full blood panel, and we will see how high his White Blood Cell count and his neutrophils level is. If the numbers are sky high, maybe this is an abcess in which case he would need surgery to remove it. Not good, but better than cancer? I don't know for sure. No way to really know. If the numbers are slightly elevated or somewhat higher than normal, we will be in no better position than we are now -- could be cancer; could be an abcess, but it's probably cancer.

I don't think we are going to do a biopsy unless he needs surgery for an abcess. If this IS cancer, then the vet thinks )and so did the radiologist) that regardless of whether it is carcinoma or sarcoma, with or without surgery, he will live no more than 6 to 12 months. I feel that putting him through all of that when he has CRF and is 16 1/2 isn't fair to him. I'm not sure what we'll do in terms of radiation or chemo if we can be reasonably sure that it will not make his quality of life worse. However, our main focus is going to be on that quality of life and keeping him pain free and happy.

It is very, very hard to think of not treating him for cancer to try to save his life. Nonetheless, I am trying to remember that he won't be able to understand what is happening or that it is being done to save his life. If he suffers more because I am trying to save him just so I can have a minimum of 6 months more with him, that is putting my wants and needs ahead of his. Chances are that unless this becomes a very aggressive, invasive cancer, as carcinoma usually is, we will probably get that 6 months with him anyway. If it is carcinoma, nothing we do is likely to make him live much longer than that, and I want that time to be peaceful, happy and enjoyable for him and for us.

We just have to love him and cherish each day we still have him. By the way, Max's WCR is fine today except he's a little dehydrated, and I'll be giving him fluids today.

We hope you are all well. We are so happy for Rhiannon and Shadow; we are worried about Carolyn and hoping she gets well quickly; and we are rooting for everyone who is trying to get their cats regulated, keep them regulated, or otherwise struggling with health issues and the sort.
 
Oh ((((((Dale)))))),
That's so hard. I'm sorry.
It doesn't seem right to have come so far, getting him otj. I sure hope it isn't cancer. I pray it isn't cancer.
I'm still praying for a "better" outcome.

I guess in my mind I keep hearing a line from a movie, "I'm going to save you..... " and the reply is " you already have". LOTR

I will continue praying for that better answer!
 
Hi Dale. Your vet sounds like a funny guy. Hopefully the full blood panel will give you a decisive answer. If it is something that will cause you to have to make that difficult decision for Max nothing we can say will make it any easier but knowning that everyone here supports and cares about you and Max will hopefully bring you some comfort. I know if the time comes you and your DH will make the best decision for Max. We have you in our prayers and will be praying for the best possible outcome. Hope you have a great evening, Dale.
 
So sorry to hear about Max, not the result we were all hoping for... You must do whatever you think is best for him to get the best quality of life.

Once you know for sure maybe some investigation is needed in terms of how to best keep him comfortable.. Pain killers, fluids but also how to keep his weight and strength up and maybe vitamins/ supplements too. He is a strong boy, perhaps he will surprise you.. He did already with the diabetes. There are likely other forums that can advise, but above all.. Stay optimistic!

Funny about the vet in drag ;)
 
Sending lots of :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: s to you tonight, Dale, and prayers for Max. He is very lucky to have you as his mamabean.

Thinking positively,

Ella & Rusty
 
Cats are very funny creatures, they do have nine lifes. Too often Ive seen stray cats ( a lot of my friends are volunteer for stray cats, and that's how I go to have my lovely family of 21) with a huge bulge at its belly, got so bony skinny that my friends took to vet & confirmed cancer with a nasty blood test results. Often, the caretaker will take it home, feed & let it nourish itself till the final. As long as it's not in pain, a home is the best cure. These cats , some live longer than most of us expected. Some even "sort of" recovered.
Yes, I agree with you quality of life is more important than the length of the life span. Our furry friend came to teach us leason of life. They canbe more resilient than most human.
My thoughts are with you. Take care Dale!
 
You are doing what you can for Max, and doing the best thing you can, placing his best interests ahead of yours. Praying for the test results to not show cancer. Hugs to you and scritches to Max.
 
Hi, Wendy,

We are doing blood tests for signs of infection to try to guess whether it is pancreatitis. This is because the vet thinks that the fancy, expensive test for pancreatitis will show elevated levels even if there is only cancer in the pancreas. Therefore, he doesn't think that that test will tell us anything. I'll look into it to see if he might be mistaken, but it makes sense to me.

Thank you to all the well-wishers. Your message and support are very helpful! THANK YOU!
 
Hi Dale, oh my on the Vet in drag and the hair and heels. I have a good imagination. :-D Those are some cool Vets to join in on Halloween!
I am so sorry for what you are going thru with Max. I hope and pray that it's an abscess or pancreatitis. You're doing everything with Max's best interests at heart, with the main focus on quality of life and keeping him pain free and happy. We'll be waiting to hear an update on the b/w.
Healing vines and prayers for Max and you today. Lots of hugs.
 
HI Dale, and ((((hugs)))

Your vet sounds like a lot of fun! I have a lot of respect for people with enough nerve (balls) to go out and have fun with things like this - making other people laugh by putting themselves out there, so to speak. I hope that helped break the stress of the visit at least a little bit.

I am praying this isn't cancer, and whatever it is, that it can be treated or its progression slowed by less drastic means that surgery. It is such a hard thing when you get to that point of assessing your furrkid's needs above your own. Every purr seems to want to keep you going. Only you can decide what is best, and treasure each day so you know you are doing right by all of you. And I hope that day is a long way off.

Stay strong for Max, and also do take care of yourself.

(((hugs)))
Lisa & Leo
 
HI Dale, and ((((hugs)))

Your vet sounds like a lot of fun! I have a lot of respect for people with enough nerve (balls) to go out and have fun with things like this - making other people laugh by putting themselves out there, so to speak. I hope that helped break the stress of the visit at least a little bit.

I am praying this isn't cancer, and whatever it is, that it can be treated or its progression slowed by less drastic means that surgery. It is such a hard thing when you get to that point of assessing your furrkid's needs above your own. Every purr seems to want to keep you going. Only you can decide what is best, and treasure each day so you know you are doing right by all of you. And I hope that day is a long way off.

Stay strong for Max, and also do take care of yourself.

(((hugs)))
Lisa & Leo
 
Hi Dale (((hugs)),

I am so sorry for what you are going through with Max. Sending positive vines and lots of love your way. I think I would be thinking the same way you are if it was Scratchie in this predicament. I know that you and DH will make the best decision for Max.

Jo
 
Hello. Thank you to all who stopped by since I was last here. You are so kind.

It's early here, 7 a.m. I have been monitoring Max's intake carefully and trying to get him to eat. He's eaten less than 6 ounces of food in the past 24 hours.

I have tried spoon feeding him, and that seems to work, but I'm being careful not to overfeed him at this time. I'm afraid vomit if I give him too much at a time.

The fact that the spoon is elevated to allow him to eat standing up might be the key. If he has stomach acid in his esophogus, he might be feeling heartburn when he bends down to eat or drink. I gave him water by holding a bowl up for him and he drank a couple of times. He sometimes sits by his water bowl as if he wants to drink but isn't sure. I think he might be reluctant to lean down to the bowl.

Poor baby. I'm going to try to feed him every two hours during the day by holding the food up where he can reach it without bending over. Maybe that will work.

I'm so tired, and back to bed I go. Hope you all have a good morning.
 
I just caught this condo .. I don't know what to say .. I hope and pray that whatever amount of time you have left with max is peaceful and full of sweet memories .. give him a hug from us ...
 
Dale, I'm so sorry to see this. Max should have some peaceful, comfortable time after OTJ; it's not fair. You're not alone in having to make hard choices - I've been in your shoes several times over the years and the only decisions I've ended up regretting were the ones that kept a cat with me after QoL was gone.

Big hugs and I hope the above will be irrelevant and Max will turn out to have Pancreatitis and will recover and have more happy years with you.
 
((((Dale & Max))))

At Petsmart and elsewhere they sell a bowls and stand combo that elevates the bowls 5-6 inches off of the floor so kitty doesn't have to bend over to eat. Maybe that would help?

Thinking of you,
Carl
 
Ho Dale, thinking of you and Max. Sending good vines for Max's b/w results. How has he been feeling the rest of the day? That's some good info from Carl about the elevated bowls and stand at PetMart. I may check them out for Mags. ((Hugs)))
 
Dale I'm still praying for you and Max and hoping you get some better news and this is something that can be treated.
 
6oz of food isnt too bad depending on his ideal weight? But maybe you can find a higher calorie food that would help him sustain his energy without him having to struggle to eat all the time? Maybe take a peek at the diabetic foods list and see if you can find something higher cal (I thought maybe kitten food?) but still not too high carb. Or maybe the vet can recommend.
 
I remember a post earlier when I got here about some food for feeding that was a higher calorie ...
I will go hunt for that post..... I hope my memory as to where to go look is accurate.
Will let you know....
I hope I can find it tonite....

ETA: It was MaxCal --an Iams prescription product.


I also found this one while looking for the MaxCal name.
Nutri-cal: Nutri-Cal is a high-calorie palatable dietary supplement used for stressed or debilitated pets, pets suffering from illness, surgery or whelping, aging pets or picky eaters, who need increased caloric and nutritional intake

Something you can explore to see if it suits your needs....
 

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