Eddie & B12 & Sarcoma

Status
Not open for further replies.
Terruscats

Terruscats

Member Since 2016
Eddie had surgery to remove a mass from between his shoulder blades & we are awaiting the biopsy results, which could take 7-10 days. It was located where a microchip was inserted 11 years ago. It's also his main injection site for insulin. At the time, I had not heard about cancer & microchips. It's my worst living nightmare. I am getting vibes from his vets that sarcoma is most suspected & a benign lipoma is a possibility. What I am wondering in the meantime is if I should continue his Zobaline as I had heard that B12 can cause cancer to spread. I am not sure if it means any dose of B12 or high doses over time? He has been on it for almost a year now & it has cured his neuropathy but not sure I should continue it. I guess if we are dealing with a sarcoma, it may not matter but if anyone has heard about B12 & cancer would appreciate your thoughts.

Since the flooding we had in the Midwest weeks ago, my internet connection has been horrible & I never know from day to day or hour to hour when I will have a stable connection, so if I don't respond immediately, that's why! Thanks!
 
I have read about the possible connection of high b-12 levels and cancer growth but I have not found much about it in felines. I started researching it because Leo's serum b-12 levels are abnormally high and I haven't been supplementing so I am curious as to the cause. His specialist says not to worry but I do- Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences may have something on their website in regard to research articles. They won't however give you advice if you email them. (I tried). Personally I would be little concerned about supplementing if it turns out it is a sarcoma. Have you had his b-12 serum levels measured? It's a pricey test and it doesn't really tell you how much active b-12 is being absorbed into the cells. It only tells you how much serum b-12 is circulating. But it would be able to tell you if he is deficient.
 
Lillie said:
I have read about the possible connection of high b-12 levels and cancer growth but I have not found much about it in felines. I started researching it because Leo's serum b-12 levels are abnormally high and I haven't been supplementing so I am curious as to the cause. His specialist says not to worry but I do- Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences may have something on their website in regard to research articles. They won't however give you advice if you email them. (I tried). Personally I would be little concerned about supplementing if it turns out it is a sarcoma. Have you had his b-12 serum levels measured? It's a pricey test and it doesn't really tell you how much active b-12 is being absorbed into the cells. It only tells you how much serum b-12 is circulating. But it would be able to tell you if he is deficient.
Click to expand...

I have been reading up on it too & haven't found anything related to cats either. It's frustrating but am going to check out TX A&M site & ask his vet about the cost of a B12 level. In the meantime, I guess might look into changing his insulin in hopes of gaining better diabetic control & hopefully quell the need for Zobaline. Thanks for the info!
 
There is a new test that is called active b-12 test that shows if the b-12 is being absorbed on a cellular level. Not sure how much it is used right now and not sure if it is being done on felines yet. It is something I'm looking into for my cat if it can be done. He has IBD and I want to know if he is absorbing the b-12. Not sure if his vet will go along with me, but I can be persistent.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
I checked the test indexes for the two labs that tst animal samples, Antech and Idexx and the only B12 test they have is for Cobalamin.
https://www.idexx.com/small-animal-health/directory-tests-services.html
http://www.antechdiagnostics.com/Main/TestGuide/Cobalamin-Vitamin-B12-and-Folate-45.aspx

Same for Texas A&M GI lab
http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays
Click to expand...

Luckily, Eddie's vet is very excited to learn new tests & procedures & will go as far as I want to with tests & treatments. She always takes the info I bring her & researches it & then will give her advice but will go along with my desires. Of course the B12 Eddie takes, or took, is the methylcobalamin. Thanks for the links. I am going to get together with my vet & get her thoughts. So far have been dealing only with the surgeon,who has no interest beyond his surgical needs. Good luck with your IBD kitty. Just lost a kitty with IBD, but she had concurrent CRF, which was the cause of her demise, but quite a balancing act caring for both. She was a little trooper though & dearly missed.
 
Active b-12 testing is testing cobalamin but a different approach. There are labs that do this type of testing, some in the UK and one in Scotland. Some feel it is a better way of seeing how much is absorbed on a cellular level. It may not always be necessary but it seems to be catching on to get a more relevant picture of b-12 absorption if needed.
 
Yes treating IBD cats can be very frustrating, and confusing. Luckily Leo's IBD at this point is mild and consists of periodically runny poos. Lucky me!
It sounds like you have a very good vet that you can really communicate with. That's wonderful, and also good for your kitty. I hope the diagnosis comes out to be benign. Let us know what happens.
 
Lillie said:
Yes treating IBD cats can be very frustrating, and confusing. Luckily Leo's IBD at this point is mild and consists of periodically runny poos. Lucky me!
It sounds like you have a very good vet that you can really communicate with. That's wonderful, and also good for your kitty. I hope the diagnosis comes out to be benign. Let us know what happens.
Click to expand...

My girl had IBD-C. Constipation. She has multiple ultrasounds & definitely not mega colon. She had thickening that never changed over six months or more. So lymphoma was ruled out. Her kidney disease was too severe for a biopsy. Pred & miralax kept her comfortable most of the time. I will let you know when Eddie's diagnosis is known. Thanks for all the useful info. I have a call in to his vet. She's off on Monday, so expecting to talk to her tomorrow.
 
Eddie's biopsy results are in for a mass removed from between his shoulder blades & amazingly it is a benign lipoma & not the suspected sarcoma! God is good! Everyone was sure we were going to get bad news but he dodged the bullet! Been doing the Snoopy dance all morning!
 
Terruscats said:
Eddie's biopsy results are in for a mass removed from between his shoulder blades & amazingly it is a benign lipoma & not the suspected sarcoma! God is good! Everyone was sure we were going to get bad news but he dodged the bullet! Been doing the Snoopy dance all morning!
Click to expand...
SUCH good news!!! :):cool::D:joyful::smuggrin:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top