12/6 Shadow - osteoarthritis or cancer tbd

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rhiannon and shadow (GA)

rhiannon and shadow (GA)

Member Since 2012
yesterday and beyond

please, please, please, please, please let this just be a bad dream. :cry:
This is so hard to type.


Everything is starting to make sense.
I've said something still wasn't right since she went into remission. (those of you who have been tuned in with my past condos)

When she was 5 months old, my dd fell off the bed holding her and landed on Shadow. It sheared off the head of her left femur. We almost pts but
we didn't want our dd to think she had killed her cat. So she had surgery to remove the ball.
She would do okay without it since she was an indoor cat.... maybe a little more issues when she got old.

They did 3 x-rays... no sedation... she layed still for them....
The xray from her post surgery shows a nice clean line where they corrected her femur, cut off the jagged parts.

The xray from today shows fuzziness, it's not a clean line anymore... And her pelvic area is a little off too.....
My vet thinks it is likely cancer.
They are sending the xrays to the radiologist to get his opinion.


This explains why she'll attack my hand in the morning when we lay in bed and I try to stroke her nicely or touch her backside.
She's been doing that for a few years.
This explains her grumpiness even though she will play some but not for very long.
This probably even explains why she doesn't always want to eat especially when the selection isn't what she really wants.


It is not operable, especially if it is in the pelvis too.... You can't amputate a pelvis.

For now, Her quality of life isn't any different than it has been for the last 2 years.... since before her dx.
Now we know for sure she is still in some pain.... and they will give me the tiniest dose of bupe for her. ( I have to go back and get it)
Bupe has made her dysphoric in the past. Hopefully she can tolerate a tiny amount without getting overstimulated.

I don't know how long we have but as you all know I am completely devastated.
I fear this times out with my dd 's wedding ( aug 1) and her moving out..... and I was already grieving the empty nest that is coming.


This is my worst fear.
Having to pts before her qol gets really really awful.... that point where you feel guilty if you don't do it.
I'd rather her just have a heart attack..

I don't know where her line will be.... obviously .... to be determined.

And do I just let her go back to her favorite foods..... 14% friskies shredded turkey and cheese ........

:cry: :cry: :cry:

i'll be back... I just have to go scream for a while.... :YMSIGH:
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Maybe the x-rays look a little fuzzy because Shadow has wear and tear from aging with a "modified" femur. I know that still means some pain, but maybe it's not cancer. It would seem like a big coincidence that she would develop cancer right where she had her surgery. We are sending tons of prayers that the radiologist has different news from your vet's speculation. And hopefully the teeny bit of bupe will help her without agitating her....we're with you.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Dear (((((Rhiannon))))),
Things always look worse when we don't really know what is going on. Please wait for the radiologist's report. It may not be as bad as it seems. We are sending lots and lots of good thoughts and prayers for Shadow to be OK--just older.

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

vet just called.
radiologist is saying not necessarily cancer. It could be osteoarthritis. And added her intestines might have a little turgidity. ( thickening)

The vet who did the original surgery on her femur is gone until Monday so they will all discuss this and call me back on Monday.
Shadow could be facing another surgery to go in and clean it up (the fuzziness) which would definitely give us a better look at if it's just arthritis effects vs cancer.
But the surgery would probably be painful for her ..... again. nailbite_smile


So I will be in limbo.... @-) nailbite_smile
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Sending prayers and good luck PAWsitives for Shadow and calming vibes for you.
jeanne
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: Oh, Rhiannon, I'm sorry you had such an upsetting vet visit. How scary to be thinking of all the worst-case scenarios. I hope that they find it is something that can be treated while maintaining a good quality of life for Shadow, and that she does okay with the bupe. If something can help with pain surely that would make her feel a lot better right away.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

((((Rhiannon))))

What a horrible heart lurching day you have had :YMHUG: My prayers are with you that it is something like osteo, and that the wee bit of bupe helps her to have a great qol, as both she and you deserve. Loads of calming vines coming to you, and health vines to Shadow. No matter what , you will always do the right thing by her because she is your family and you love her.

:YMHUG: cat_pet_icon :YMHUG:
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

So sorry to hear the news Rhiannon :YMHUG:

Hopefully they'll be able to nail down what's going on for sure and it's something that can be treated to keep her as comfortable as possible.

Sending lots of good news vines to you and Shadow
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Hi Rhiannon: Good luck with your Shadow. Hopefully the osteoarthrisis theory is correct. We all, both cats and people, eventually get some of that; especially with bone surgery in the past. Hang in there. Cat's are way tougher than they look.

P.S. I also want to thank you for your support with my Shadow while I was getting his BG under control. It's so under control now his is OTJ! and holding steady under 100.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Holding you all in my prayers and hoping for the best possible outcome.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

{{{{Rhiannon}}}}. What a horrible day! You must be just spent already. It's great that there's some hope to hold onto. I'll be keeping you and Shadow in my prayers that it will be osteo and you can keep the worst of the pain at bay. Hang in there. You have a lot of support here on the board. Prayer and positive vibes can work wonders.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

(((Rhiannon))) - it's hard to say the positive news is "just" osteo, but that's what I'm hoping for. My DM had a knee that needed polishing due to osteo, it did make a world of difference to her. You are so in tune with your Shadow. Please give her tons of cuddles and scritches from us. I wish I had known about bupe a few years ago for a very arthritic cat. He had a good QOL in spite of it all. :YMHUG:
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

((((Rhiannon)))). I am so sorry to read this. Please know that I am sending calming healing vines for Shadow and big hugs for you.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Im so sorry this is all happening Rhiannon!
I know how the limbo time can be crazy making.
Give her lots of love an cuddles and hang in there till you know whats really happening
Hopefully its not nearly as bad as your fearing
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

((((rhiannon)))) ella is right - we always jump to the worst possible news when we don't have enough information. already with your phone call back from the vet, the scenario has improved.

take heart and think positively. it may not be as bad as you are fearing. :YMHUG:
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: So many hugs to you Rhiannon. Here's hoping with everyone that it's not cancer and that this situation can be resolved with Shadow healthy and without pain. I think we all think the worse on such things. Think positive. And I'm sending positive thoughts as well.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Big hugs to you, Rhiannon. Hopefully the vet is wrong. Those x-rays can be pretty fuzzy sometimes and it means nothing.
Liz
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Rhiannon, sending prayers and hugs to you and Shadow. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: I'm hoping you'll get better news on Monday.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

(((Hugs))) Try and calm down and wait for the next results. As a thought, have they mentioned Adequan? Equine Adequan works best in cats. Adequan can make an arthritic 1400 lb horse comfortable. It would take a few weeks (about 3) to start working but it is an amazing drug. Most vets prescribe canine Adequan for cats but the Equine works the best. Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

(((Hugs))) Try and calm down and wait for the next results. As a thought, have they mentioned Adequan? Equine Adequan works best in cats. Adequan can make an arthritic 1400 lb horse comfortable. It would take a few weeks (about 3) to start working but it is an amazing drug. Most vets prescribe canine Adequan for cats but the Equine works the best. Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Hi Rhiannon, praying for a good outcome for Shadow. Sometimes we fear the worst and the doctors give the worst possible scenario first. I am so sorry for such a upsetting day that you have had.

Give Shadow hugs for me.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

(((Rhiannon)))

Baby steps, right? It's very, very scary news but Shadow is strong and if they can fix it again, she might do fantastic and then be like her old self. Major prayers for that and also some comfort vines for her until they can decide what best will help her. I wouldn't feed her 14% food.....you want to keep her in remission and let her have a chance whether it be with surgery or something else.

I'm so sorry this has come back around after so many years but there is hope and I'm holding on to that!!
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Rhiannon - BIG HUGE LOOOOOOONG HUG...very hard on your heart today. Lots of extra thoughts and prayers for all of you...

Another BIG HUG,
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Breathe. Right now, it's one step at a time until you have the fact. Try to not let your imagination get ahead of you.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Rhiannon, :YMHUG: :YMHUG: Sending vines that is something that can be fixed/controlled with ease. Feel better vines for Shadow cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

((Rhiannon)), we're sending hugs and hope that this is easily treatable.
:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Try not to think the worst and try not to worry, for one just spend time with her. Hugs and scritches and sure, some higher carb foods as treats. But not too many in case this is just arthritis and then she falls Out of remission!

Many vets jump to the cancer conclusion too soon.

Anyway sending hugs for both of you.

Wendy
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Thank you Amy, Ella, Jeanne, Amy, Kim, Chris, Steven, Tonya, Tricia, Wendy, Melissa, MJ, Michele, Julie, Hillary, Jennifer, Liz, Carla, Barbara, Catherine, Marje, Lyresa, and Sienne.
I very much appreciate all the hugs and support.

It's been a rollercoaster type of day.
I went and picked up the bupe.... her dose is as small as we can make it.. 0.1ml to see if she can tolerate it.
The vet said maybe we should explore finding an orthopedic vet where it could be scoped, something less intrusive to see what's in there rather than the owner/vet who did her original surgery cutting her open to "clean it up"
That sounds better to me.... hope I can afford it. nailbite_smile
But first she thinks we should do the ultrasound and check out the thickening intestinal wall since x-rays don't show much about that to know if that is
a real issue or a non-issue.
That just has to happen in January.... the u/s guy must have already taken off for the holiday.
That's okay too.
I've still got all the stuff I'm doing getting ready for my dm and dgm and getting them moved out here around dec 20. We will drive down there next Saturday
to deal with their house and stuff.
It doesn't even feel like Christmas to us... my dh has been trying to get a car back in working order, I'm rearranging the entire house (closets mostly)
trying to stash as much as I can and getting the rest ready for storage.
And of course today, my dm starts waffling about it all.... but I can't blame her. No one "wants" to go in a nursing home or give up their pets.

I did look up osteoarthritis and cats and the symptoms fit very well for Shadow.
I am praying that it's just that as that is pretty much in line and it's "normal" for Shadow. She's always had a touch of this, as predicted when she was a kitten.
That gives me reason to take a breath and wait and see instead of feeling like it's almost over.

And all of your comments help me do that too. :YMHUG:

So in keeping with my Indian name.... ;-) "She who grasps at straws" .... I am going to grasp at the hope instead of the doom.....

After all, I have Rheumatoid arthritis, I can relate to being in some pain.... she's probably in more than I am but she's just as used to hers as I am to mine.


oh... and she is on Adequan.... she get's it every 3 weeks. ( the typical 4 week dose seems to be inadequate)
I'm going to get her some cosequin too.... and the Nordic naturals fish oil. The dasuquin is going away..... since it has soy.
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

It doesn't do any harm to start cosequin, takes 4-6 weeks to see any effect and if you don't see any difference, it can still be improving her comfort level.

Wendy
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

Oh Rhiannon, my heart is hugging you. What a stressful time it is to wait to find out what's going on with Shadow.
I'm hoping and praying that it's "only" osteoarthritis.
In the meantime, I'm going to pray hard that the bupe helps her pain level, as much as it did Checkers. He had bone rubbing bone in his back, and the bupe helped tremendously.


Barb
 
Re: 12/6 Shadow - returned from vet - awful news

(((((Rhiannon)))))
Hoping that this is treatable and sending you and Shadow tons of feel better vines ♥
 
I'm sorry you had a rough day and that you have to wait the weekend for the news, so hard on the beans :cry: (((Rhiannon))) I hope the bupe can help for now and that the news it the best possible for you, I am sending many vines to sweet Shadow. Hugs! :YMHUG:
 
(((Rhiannon)))

Shasta and I are sending GIGANTIC feel better vines to Shadow. My prayers will be that Shadow is experiencing osteo and with a little veterinary assistance, she'll be back to her sassy ways very soon. I'm so sorry that this has just piled on top of you at such a hectic and stressful time in your life. Shasta and I are sending you great, big, gigantic hugs!

Hugs.jpg
 
Oh my gosh Rhiannon, what a roller coaster day you have had with all the info you've received from the vet. Things do sound a lot better than where you were this morning. Maybe with the meds & vitamins Shadow will start feeling lots better.
Both Monet & Picasso have been taking cosequin since they were kittens just as a preventive supplement. I have always heard such positive things about it so maybe it will help.

Sending thoughts, prayers, and hugs to you and Shadow :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Oh Rhiannon, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll be thinking of you and am sending healing vines. I'm sure this is so very difficult. Please, please, please, let it just be the osteoarthritis. Hang in there! :YMHUG:
 
Fingers and paws crossed here. I hope it's osteoarthritis and treatable. Hugs to you from our house.
 
I'm so sorry that you have had such a horrid day! :YMHUG: :YMHUG: Paws crossed that is osteoarthritis and not the other. Our minds always do leap to the worst alternative. The later news seems a little more positive.

We had Tess on Cosequin for a long time, but i found these Joint treats that actually have more glucosamine and MSM as well. Tess loves them and I even crumble them on her food to get her to eat sometimes, they are that tasty. They cost about the same as Cosequin if you buy it on Amazon (the best price I found.)
 
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