Even though I had an appointment set with my old nasty mean vet Sunday, my gut told me to use the vet recommended to me by a reliable source. Glad I did, at least I know now.
As it turned out, the lump under Simon's chin is a large tumor. They prescribed ClindaMed liquid drops 2x's a day to fix infection and said as long as he's eating and has good quality of life, enjoy him while we still have time. At first I was surprised this new vet didn't even do a blood test or recommend anything else be done, he was a straight shooter, which I appreciated. He said to remove it they would have to remove half his jaw, he said putting him through chemo wouldn't help but would recommend an oncologist if we wanted, since we can't remove it, treatment like that would ruin his quality of life. We are to keep an eye on the growth, but be mindful we will be faced with the hard truth of having to say goodbye, sooner than later.
I know if I went to my usual vet they would have ran all kinds of tests, costing us $$$$$$$, when I called them this morning to discuss my girls meds, they were nasty, told me to call back in 3 hours because computers were down, then I was told the vet would speak to me, only to be told what to do by the receptionist. This made me make the executive decision to call the recommended vet ASAP. I could tell Simon was a bit more swollen and couldn't wait for the weekend.
My word to anyone reading this, if you feel a lump under chin take your cat to the vet ASAP. Also, if you feel you're not being heard by your vet, or if your vet has no time to listen to your concerns, FIND A NEW ONE! No one should be treated like this. If a vet can't take into consideration how much WE LOVE OUR WEE ONES and don't want to educate us on what may be wrong with them, then they're in the wrong business. What happened to compassion! I knew as soon as I spoke to the front desk at the new vet, I was going to be treated with respect.
I wish the outcome was only the tooth, but that's not gods plan apparently. I'm beside myself, heartbroken. I truly understand what members in Crossing the Bridge are going through, and I am so very sorry you have to experience this emotion.
Simon at 3 weeks Simon at 5 months
As it turned out, the lump under Simon's chin is a large tumor. They prescribed ClindaMed liquid drops 2x's a day to fix infection and said as long as he's eating and has good quality of life, enjoy him while we still have time. At first I was surprised this new vet didn't even do a blood test or recommend anything else be done, he was a straight shooter, which I appreciated. He said to remove it they would have to remove half his jaw, he said putting him through chemo wouldn't help but would recommend an oncologist if we wanted, since we can't remove it, treatment like that would ruin his quality of life. We are to keep an eye on the growth, but be mindful we will be faced with the hard truth of having to say goodbye, sooner than later.
I know if I went to my usual vet they would have ran all kinds of tests, costing us $$$$$$$, when I called them this morning to discuss my girls meds, they were nasty, told me to call back in 3 hours because computers were down, then I was told the vet would speak to me, only to be told what to do by the receptionist. This made me make the executive decision to call the recommended vet ASAP. I could tell Simon was a bit more swollen and couldn't wait for the weekend.
My word to anyone reading this, if you feel a lump under chin take your cat to the vet ASAP. Also, if you feel you're not being heard by your vet, or if your vet has no time to listen to your concerns, FIND A NEW ONE! No one should be treated like this. If a vet can't take into consideration how much WE LOVE OUR WEE ONES and don't want to educate us on what may be wrong with them, then they're in the wrong business. What happened to compassion! I knew as soon as I spoke to the front desk at the new vet, I was going to be treated with respect.
I wish the outcome was only the tooth, but that's not gods plan apparently. I'm beside myself, heartbroken. I truly understand what members in Crossing the Bridge are going through, and I am so very sorry you have to experience this emotion.
Simon at 3 weeks Simon at 5 months