Zappa in the hospital

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Zappa’s mom

Zappa’s mom

Member Since 2022
So not good news. Any feedback appreciated. Zappa went to the ER yesterday because of vomiting and they ran an ultrasound on his belly.

His pancreas is inflamed and there is a fluid filled cyst next to it. They can’t tell if it’s coming from the pancreas or not and they can’t tell if it’s infection or cancer. They also found a leision next to his kidney. Don’t know what that is either.

I will probably do the surgery. The other option would be a needle biopsy but that could spread the infection if it’s just an infection.

Anyone have thoughts or comments?
 
Update
- the lesion is not at his kidney, it’s in the front of his bladder
- the cyst close to his pancreas is 3 centimeters
- his white blood count is double what it should be
- his pancreas is inflamed
- his X-rays are unremarkable

my vet says that with a white blood cell count that high, it’s likely to be cancer.

I am just sitting here in shock. The surgeon is going to call me after the CT and if surgery is recommended, he will move forward.

Does anyone have experience with any of this?
 
I would question the vet about the WCC being high and it being cancer. A high WCC is also indicative of infection.
Please keep us updated. I’m sorry you and Zappa up are going through this. :bighug:
 
It's a nightmare. Apparently, he has a large cyst wrapped around other organs. The surgeon says that Zappa has a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery - the fluid inside the cyst could cause an infection throughout his body. He says he would have to lance it because he can't cut it out. But looking at his labs, there is NO metasis anywhere. I do not want to put my cat to sleep if this is not cancer.
 
@Bron and Sheba (GA) Hi Bron, I don't know how to upload all Zappas labs...I've read through everything - can you recommend people on the forum who are experts with pancreatitis? I need to know if anyone has experienced removing a cyst like this. I did more reading online, and apparently this is not uncommon for diabetic cats with pancreatitis. Also, I do not even know this surgeon - I have no idea as to his experience or credentials. Can you tell me how to upload labs? THANK YOU!
 
Zappa’s mom said:
Can you tell me how to upload labs? THANK YOU!
Click to expand...
you can either copy and paste them here or there is a labs tab up with your SS where you can type in the results.

I have had experience with pancreatitis…treatment is pain meds, antinausea meds and sub Q fluids. Some cats recover quickly and others can have it for much longer. I’ll tag @tiffmaxee as she has experience with pancreatitis as well.
Zappa’s mom said:
need to know if anyone has experienced removing a cyst like this
Click to expand...
I have no experience with cysts in cats. But most cysts in humans can be removed successfully. It is good there is no cancer. I think I would get a second opinion. The surgeon doesn’t sound like a surgeon I would want to have operate on my cat. Some of them are so pessimistic!
Of course you wouldn’t put him to sleep with his current diagnosis.
If the surgeon is worried about infection from the fluid from the cysts, he should put Zappa on a broad spectrum IV antibiotic before the surgery.
 
One of my cats who had intermediate cell lymphoma did have a high white count and thickening of intestines bout no cysts. Surgeons and oncologists are often pessimistic so that would not deter me but I would get a second opinion asap as it seems it could be an infection. Maybe also see an oncologist. I’m so sorry you are experiencing this. :bighug: Keep us informed when you can.
 
@tiffmaxee
@Bron and Sheba (GA) @Diane Tyler's Mom

Thank you ladies. This has been one of the worst weeks of my life.

you bet I got a second opinion. The first hospital ran a ton of tests. Told me they saw lesion on his bladder and multiple cysts around his pancreas. Pushed hard for surgery. Discussed euthanasia. They did a sonogram, then did a cat scan - the CT did not see a bladder lesion. I did every test. He tested negative for pancreatitis.

I pulled Zappa out and got him into the best hospital in LA. They did a needle biopsy and pulled all the fluid out of his large cyst. They told me today they didn’t not find cancer cells. They also ran 2 sonograms and no lesion on his bladder. They don’t think surgery is necessary or advised with him being 15. I will pick him up tomorrow and go back for a second scan Tuesday to look at the cysts. The other 2 cysts were so small, they could not biopsy. He has no ketones. He is on IV antiobiotics, gabapentin and I don’t know what else. He will be on antibiotics for probably a month.

still waiting for his urine test.

I am beyond exhausted. Can’t eat or sleep, shaking constantly.
 
That’s encouraging. Which hospital do you consider the best? I’ve yet to be able to say that about any of them in L.A.
 
@tiffmaxee I initially went there because my other cat Ursula suddenly was unable to move her back legs, it was the most pathetic thing you’ve ever seen. I took her to MASH - I thought she was going to die. She has a heart murmur also. That VCA is like a people hospital. They’re the only vet in LA with both a neurologist and cardiologist in house. The neurologist found a tiny piece of her spine which lodged and blocked her spinal fluid, causing paralysis. In about a month, she was walking again. Now she races all over the house like a kitten. It’s pretty incredible. But that neurologist found it. So yeah, I give them high marks.

Even today, Zappa looked so good I was really surprised. He has not thrown up once. He is also on Cerenia, forgot to mention that.
 
I am so glad you got a second opinion It was certainly well worth it. Please keep us updated with any news.
Try and get a rest yourself if possible:bighug:
 
Zappa’s mom said:
I’ve had great experiences with West LA VCA. There’s an amazing doctor there, Joseph Marciano. Are you in LA?
Click to expand...

Yes. Good to know I’ve been using ASEC. In the past I used City of Angels in Culver City. I had heard MASH in Hollywood is good but too far.
 
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@tiffmaxee @Diane Tyler's Mom

Thank you all. I just brought him home. I asked the vet again to confirm I understood the first time - they did not see any cancer cells in the FNA (fine needle aspiration). They’re now trying to grow a bacteria to see what it is. Meanwhile, he’s home on Clavamox and Gabapentin. His nadirs are ranging from 50-100 at the hospital.

He peed, pooped and ate a good amount of food. He’s sleeping but will be alert if I test him.

These pancreatic cysts are just bizarre. I searched through the whole FDMB and found no instances reported. He’s still in danger if one erupts and it spills toxins into his body. But they drained the big cyst as much as they could, so there is a lot less fluid. He’s also on antibiotics which could help counter if something happened, but it’s still nerve wracking to think there might be a time bomb inside my cat.

I’m still exhausted. Glad it’s the weekend. I forgot to ask about the B-12 shot. It was recommended from the GI panel.

Tamu test:

TLI Fasting
Interpretation: Result is within the reference interval.

Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity Fasting Interpretation: Serum Spec fPL concentration is within the reference interval. It is unlikely that the cat has pancreatitis. Investigate for other diseases that could cause the observed clinical signs.

Cobalamin Fasting
Interpretation: Consistent with distal or diffuse small intestinal disease or EPI. Check feline TLI to rule out EPI. Oral or parenteral cobalamin supplementation is indicated Please see http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin- information

Folate Fasting
Interpretation: Result is within the reference interval.
 
@tiffmaxee
@Bron and Sheba (GA)

Thanks. I did read through and honestly, not many positive outcomes with these cysts. Downright awful, to be honest. I don’t know what to think. I guess one day at a time.

Right now, he seems ok. Already ate a can of food - I got the Royal Canin PD, he did so well with it at the hospital. I have some concerns about the Stella and Chewy raw because of the bone. Both foods are duck. His BG was 350 PS - I’m going to check at +3.

He’s on gabapentin and Clavamox. I want to add SEB. My vet said it’s safe, but I want to be sure no problem giving it to him with antibiotics and gaba. Please advise.

I’m going to get the visbiome, hopefully I’ll be able to find it close by. Fortunately I work from home so I can keep an eye on him.
 
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