Lump on Flame's leg - Reports back - Good News!

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Donna and Flame

Donna and Flame

Very Active Member
Hi Everyone,
I haven't been around as much lately, life has gotten very hectic, but I was hoping you might give a read and hopefully, offer some insight / suggestions cause I'm a little scared.

First, let me say that I have already called the vet and have an appt. for Wed. nite right after work, but if you all think he needs to be seen sooner, I'll take the time off to get him there.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Flame, he had broken his left rear hock joint twice... once in 2007 and once in 2008. He walks a bit stiff on that leg now and has arthritis in it. He gets Dasuquin daily and a good quality Salmon oil for essential fatty acids a few times a week.

Yesterday, I noticed him walking a bit more stiffly than ususal. So, I put him on my bed and was feeling around his left leg to see if he was especially painful or anything. I found something I wasn't expecting.

He has a mass / lump about the size of a large marble on the very back of his left "thigh"... below his backside, but above the first joint in the leg. There is no scaliness, no drainage, but I can't see thru his thick fur to tell if there is any discoloration.

I palpated it gently and it feels fairly hard and feels as if it is attached to the muscle in the leg. (This leg had atrophied pretty badly and never regained total muscle tone so is skinnier than his other leg).
I have felt everywhere else on his body and I feel no other lumps or bumps... only this one.
He lets me touch it and doesn't wince or anything... although he hates having his legs/feet touched so he does try to pull away but not like he is in pain... more like he's uncomfortable with me touching him there.

I have no idea how long this has been there, but it amazes me that I haven't felt it before. Flame is my "velcro" kitty, my snuggle bug... he is constantly on my lap, in bed with me and I am holding him, brushing him, petting him and snuggling him constantly... so the fact that I haven't felt this before is puzzling to me.

He's eating OK (both my cats have been eating a little less the past few days, but the weather turned hot very quickly), using the litter box, jumping up on furniture/bed, going up and down stairs, preening, etc. So, behaviorally he seems OK.
As a matter of fact, he just jumped up and is sitting next to me as I type.
But, we all know that cats are masters at hiding pain and discomfort, so although he seems OK... I will take no chances with this.

He is a total indoor kitty... never goes out... so bite wounds, insect bites, spider bites, etc. are unlikely. Oh also, I'm not a huge fan of vaccinations, so he hasn't had any in at least 3 years, so VAS is also unlikely.

So, my first question is, do you think he needs to be seen before Wed. nite? (That was the first evening appt. I could get)
Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?
Other than physical exam what should I be asking the vet to do in order to diagnose?
I plan to have a full blood panel done as he hasn't had one in a while, but are there other tests I should request?

Lastly, I'm going to ask for a little "Board Magic" for my boy. Please keep him in your thoughts and pray that this is nothing serious. If you all can spare some positive thoughts and healing "vines", I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks for reading this far and any suggestions, advice, insight is more than welcome!!

((((Hugs)))) to all of you and your precious furkids!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Sure hope that Flame will be okay. I posted about lumps and bumps on cats, as my Schooner has several that have been strange and worrisome.

Here is the link to that post: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=12256

Maybe you can check that out and see if you get any information from the link I posted on there.

Sending lots of prayers for your boy to be okay.

Jean and Charcoal (GA)
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Hi Jill,
Thanks for posting that link again! It's a good one. Actually, I remembered that Jean and Charcoal had posted this link a short time ago and this was the first place I checked before I came and posted here.
The only one that fits the description so far is a fibroma (I think). I had no idea that VAS could show up years later! UGH!
I will definitely have them check for that.

Thanks for the hug and well wishes! It is very much appreciated!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Donna, besides blood work, does your vet use digital x-rays? they are the best. Vet may also want to do a needle draw if he thinks it may have fluid in there. If he even thinks it might be VAS, I would immediately want whatever is necessary done to see if it is confined, spread, possible ultrasound, etc. If it is a VAS and no signs showing of spreading, and ultrasound shows no signs anywhere else, then amputation is the way to go. It might also be bone calcification......not sure about it being a hemangioma. Haley(GA), my drooler, had one on her leg and it was removed and benign. So many possible causes and unless you think there is something your vet cannot do that a specialist could, then I would keep that appointment for Wed. Sending all good thoughts and prayers for Flame.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Hi Hope,
Boy, am I glad to "see" you! Yes, they have digital x-rays. Will havethem do needle draw, biopsy, ultrasound... any or all of them if they think it is necessary. OK, not sure what hemangioma is... will look it up.

I keep thinking not VAS only because of location. It is literally on the back of his thigh, below his butt and above where the "knee" bends. I don't remember him ever being given a shot back there. They usually shoot into the side of the leg, but I could be wrong. Who knows what they did at the shelter before I got him in 2005.

I plan to start with regular vet on Wed. but am prepared to take him to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital or Garden State Veterinary Specialists if I have to. Those are the 2 largest vet hospitals near me and both have various specialists and are very well equipped with advanced diagnostics and medical equipment.

Thank you so much for the prayers and good thoughts Hope! You know how much I love this little boy!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Hey - I left you a phone message yesterday and only now am seeing this.

I was going to suggest biopsy or draw, or whatever that is to test it. Before panicking let's see what the tests say - and I think Wed is fine - he's not in pain, so doesn't sound like an emergency and a couple days to wait, I don't think is a big deal. Just keep feeling it see if you can feel it changing in anyway and let the vet know.

If after the tests are done, you don't feel like you're getting the right answers, you can always go to red bank you know.

Here's hoping that it's not a big deal. Call me and let me know what happens.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Agree with Hope...if the needle aspiration shows cancer(VAS) amputation is the best route. And seeing an oncologist. My Remi's VAS was in a weird place too, on his flank. Of course I did not know about vaccination protocol until after he was diagnosed so I never paid attention to where he got his vaccines. Still hoping it is nothing!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

hi donna,

I hope flames lump turns out to be a little blip and nothing serious. good you are going to get it checked out.

healing wishes being sent.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Just wanted to say thank you for the support, advice, prayers and well wishes you all have offered for my boy. Please keep them coming.

A little worried. He seemed a bit "off" this morning. Didn't come down for breakfast...which in itself, is not all that unusual if he is snuggled up on my bed and feeling lazy. But then I couldn't find him and finally found him under my bed. He did come out when I called him and came over for scritches and snuggles.

He came downstairs, but didn't really see him eat anything. After I came back down from my shower, I couldn't find him again and then saw him laying on the floor in a corner under a table in my living room. This time he didn't want to come out when I called. He acknowledged me, but stayed where he was.

Don't like it when he acts like that. The only time he ever withdraws or hides is when he's not feeling well. Otherwise, he is constantly underfoot, on my lap, or otherwise asking for and getting my attention.

I am going to see how he is tonite and if he's still acting funny, I may call in sick tomorrow and see if I can get him into the vet before Wed. nite.

Thank you all for being here!! Please keep the prayers coming... I know what miracles can happen with the power of this board!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Donna did he ever have any surgery on his leg, or it was just casted? If he had surgery, did he have any hardware (metal) put in? Why not give a call to his orthopedist while you're at work, and ask him about the lump? I am not sure if it's possible, based on your description and the fact that I don't know exactly where the fractures are, but I do wonder about hardware problems or a possible latent infection. I don't like the fact that he seems not to be feeling well now. The ortho should be able to give you some info and help decide how urgent it is to see him or her. As for the regular vet, if the ortho doesn't think you need to see him or her (the ortho), ask your vet if you can drop off tomorrow morning before work and pick up afterwork. They can do x=rays, an aspirate, bloodwork, etc. as they need to during the day.

Are you able to take his temp at home?
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Hi jess,
Thanks for chiming in here. Both of his fractures were in his left rear hock joint and neither required surgery, so no metal. He was in a splint both times for 6 - 8 weeks. The last fracture was in March 2008 so it was more than 2 years ago. (same time he was DX with FD... diabetes discovered on pre-anesthesia blood work prior to x-rays for fractured leg).

Now, the 2nd fracture gave him some real trouble. He kept getting the splint off and had a really hard time with it. He was tring to tell me something was wrong. Long story short... whoever was splinting the leg was not doing a very good job and his foot ended up being completely rotated with the paw pads pointing toward the other leg. The primary ortho surgeon finally saw this (I had been telling them something was wrong for weeks and they kept telling me his leg was fine inside that damn splint) and immediately asked my permission to do another set of x-rays and told me he could not put the splint back on his leg like that. Needless to say, I was furious!!

Bottom line is that, no thanks to the ortho vet... who gave me 2 options... fusion or amputation... both unacceptable to me... I took matters into my own hands. Did gentle phys. therapy with him at home and started getting him Reiki treatments and acupuncture and his foot eventually began to unrotate.
Still not "normal" but he gets around fine... runs, jumps, plays and has been a happy kitty.

So, that's a little history on Flamie and his leg injuries. I am not sure calling this ortho vet will do any good, frankly.

Jess.... do you still think I should take him in sooner? I can call and ask them if they would do that, but not sure if they would keep him all day for me... but maybe will ask anyway. ACK! Trying so hard not to get stressed over this, but it's hard.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Donna and Flame said:
I am not sure calling this ortho vet will do any good, frankly.
Click to expand...

Yea if there's no metal (which can cause trouble years later, suddenly), I don't know how likely it is that it's related.

Jess.... do you still think I should take him in sooner? I can call and ask them if they would do that, but not sure if they would keep him all day for me... but maybe will ask anyway. ACK! Trying so hard not to get stressed over this, but it's hard.
Click to expand...

Are you able to get his temp at home? I wonder a bit if you are describing a swollen lymph node. You said his whole leg isn't painful, correct? And you've looked all over the leg, including the toes and toenails and up around the butt?

I dunno. If he refuses to eat anythign at all this evening, I think you have a good case to get him in sooner ... Part of my advice is guided by you, who seems to know him so well and feel that something is wrong here.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Jess,
I've never taken a temp at home. Can you advise how to do it? What kind of thermometer do I use? He's not gonna like this... but if I have to do it, I will!

No, I don't think his whole leg is painful, except for the arthritis in the hock joint which always bothers him. He doesn't like you touching that leg much (or any of his feet/legs for that matter. Trimming his nails is always a chore!)

I have felt all around his body... under armpits, on abdomen/chest, legs, trunk, butt, tail and I feel nothing else but this one lump.
What would I be checking the toes and toenails for? I haven't checked really, but I will if you can tell me what to look for.

He was eating OK all day yesterday and didnt' seem to have much trouble using the leg to jump up on furniture or onto my lap, etc. He just looked a little punky to me this morning.
Any other info I can give you that might be helpful?

Two more hours to go at work till I can go home and check on him! Can't wait to get outta here!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Hi Donna

It's best to use a quick-reading, flexible tip thermometer. If you don't have one and you don't have an extra set of human hands, I wouldn't have a knock-down dragout with Flame to get his temp. How does he seem to feel this evening?
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

Well, he seems OK. He greeted me at the door when I came home, he came for snuggles, he ate a good portion of food, his eyes look bright, he headbutted me for more rubs and he raced me up the stairs and jumped up on my bed. All normal behavior. He's MIA at the moment, but I have a feeling he's snuggled up on my bed. A little unusual that he's not downstairs in the kitchen, but not horribly.

I did notice he was licking and biting that spot before a little bit, so I stopped him and laid down on the bed with him and he actually let me try to move his fur away from the lump to see if I could get a better look at what was under all that thick fur. Unfortunately, I couldn't really see much... he's one of those cats with a soft as cotton undercoat and another "normal" coat on top. But, he didn't flinch or try to pull away when I was doing that, so I guess that's good. Lump hasn't grown or changed from what I can feel.

He doesn't appear to be feverish or dehydrated or anything. Nose is cold and wet, skin test OK.

So, I dont' know what to think. I guess I'll just take him in as planned.

Thanks so much for checking on us Jess. You have no idea how much I value your input. ((((HUGS))))
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please!

hi Donna:

I'm just seeing this post and have no real advice to give - just want you to know that I'm sorry to see your Flame is having a problem and hoping that the tests and vet visit today only show something that can be remedied easily for him - and you.

Sending lots of hopeful vibes and will be watching for your update.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Help, Suggestions Please! - Update

Hi everyone,
Just got home from the vet. They gave him a good exam.

Temp normal, she felt no other lumps or bumps. Internal organs felt normal on palpation.

I wasn't sure they'd do a biopsy tonite because it was so late, but they did a fine needle aspiration to collect some cells. They'll send them off to the lab and she said I might have the results as soon as tomorrow or Friday. She'll call me. She said that the liquid looked almost pussy and yellowish and thick. So, it may be a cyst or abcess of some kind, but won't know for sure until the cytology report comes back. Fingers crossed... BIG TIME!!

I also asked her to do a complete blood work up as he hasn't had one in a while, so they drew blood too. Should get the results from that at the same time.

Poor guy is so tired now. Pooped in the carrier on the way home... 5 mins from house. Figures! I don't think we've ever made it to the vet and back w/ out a poop incident! He gets a little stressed.

I have to say, I am happy with this vet practice. Thank you again Hillary for the referral!
They are very caring and wonderful with the animals. The doctors really listen and they're thorough... you don't feel rushed.

Several of them are younger and not stuck in old ways. When I told her about Flamies FD and hometesting when he was on insulin and feeding him raw food and low carb gluten/grain free food... she was ALL for it and told me I was a great owner. She even supported the fact that Flame gets Reiki and Acupuncture. It's so nice not to have a vet that looks at you like you have 3 heads when you talk about some of these things!!

Gave him a big hug when we got home and told him it was from me and all his friends at FDMB who are praying and sending him positive, healing vibes!!

Please keep sending those good thoughts his way!! Thank you all for alway being here for us! I'm eternally grateful!
Will let you all know about the blood work and cytology report when i get it.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Update below

Been watching for an update. So glad you like the vets.......that is so important......and prayers still coming that it is just a weird abcess or infection. I know what you mean about mentioning Reiki to some people. At least my vets are all on board with that also.
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Update below

Thanks Hope! I'm hoping it's a cyst or abcess or something too. I know nothing about cancer or anything but when she said she got pussy looking liquid out of the lump, I was a little relieved cause that sounded more like a cyst or infection or something. All fingers and paws crossed!

Thanks for the prayers... can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Update below

Been waiting for an update too. Couldn't get on pc last night to check. Well fingers and paws crossedhere that it jus a cyst or abcess

Who did u see dr mason. Did u happen to mention my name. Lol

I think for general diagnostics and such they r good place. See I didn't steer u wrong. :)




Now the hard part waiting for the phone call. But distract yourself at work and the call will come with good news! Paws crossed
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Update below

Will be waiting to hear the news and keeping paws and fingers crossed it is a harmless cyst!
 
Re: Lump on Flame's leg - Good news!

Thank you Jesus!! And thank YOU for all your prayers, positive thoughts and love for my sweet little boy!! We felt it!

Cytology report is back and it's an abcess! Has to be on Clindamyacin for 10 days and then have a re-check. If the Clinda does not clear it up, then she may have to sedate him and drain it, but I will take this news over the "other" option ANY DAY!!

I'm sooooooo relieved!!

She also said his blood work came back fantastic! From his blood work, she said he looks to be in tip top shape! His blood sugar was not even elevated! (Even though he's OTJ it does sometimes go up at the vet)
Didn't get the actual numbers because she was calling me in between clients, but will pick up the report when I pick up the meds. Will probably go tomorrow AM to get them.

I want to do the Happy Dance in my cubicle at work! I can breathe again! Can't wait to go home and hug him!
 
Oh Donna!
Isn't it so wonderful when you know your prescious kitty is going to be all right.
Now you can be happy and have such peaceful rest tonight.

Tell Flame i love him.
 
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