- Joined
- Aug 8, 2019
- Messages
- 1
- Purraise
- 1
I brought my healthy 9 yr old cat into the vet for labored breathing a couple of days ago. X-rays done, showed she had pleural effusion. Thoracentesis was done (basically they tap the chest cavity and withdraw the fluid). Fluid analysis showed cancer cells and chylothorax(chyle accumulating in the pleural cavity due to either disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct).
Vet recommends doing ultrasound of heart looking for chest mass and following up with oncology, the risk of a repeat pleural effusion is always there. He also mentioned biopsy and chemotherapy, as well as euthanasia.
All of this comes as a huge shocker and blow because I feel as though 9 is young for a cat & I thought i would have many years with her more to spend. Also, the day I took her in she was still eating, drinking, playing, all her normal activities.
Although I have the money to pursue chemotherapy, biopsies, repeat taps of the chest I don't want to put my kitty through that for a short extension of her life. Chemo could require going to the vet weekly or monthly and she HATES the vet. Everytime we go she turns into a whole other animal, she even tries to attack us there, and she defecates on herself due to fear.
They will repeat imaging today & she if there is any mass and check if fluid reaccumulated. If no repeat fluid, I could possibly bring her home in the next couple days. My mind is telling me to bring her home, possibly get one oncology consult just to see the options, and let her live comfortably as possible at home, and if its time to cross the rainbow bridge I will call a home euthanasia service so she can be around those who love her most in her own space.
Sorry this is long and drawn out. Has anyone been thru anything similar? Or went thru with chemo w/ their cat? Thanks
Vet recommends doing ultrasound of heart looking for chest mass and following up with oncology, the risk of a repeat pleural effusion is always there. He also mentioned biopsy and chemotherapy, as well as euthanasia.
All of this comes as a huge shocker and blow because I feel as though 9 is young for a cat & I thought i would have many years with her more to spend. Also, the day I took her in she was still eating, drinking, playing, all her normal activities.
Although I have the money to pursue chemotherapy, biopsies, repeat taps of the chest I don't want to put my kitty through that for a short extension of her life. Chemo could require going to the vet weekly or monthly and she HATES the vet. Everytime we go she turns into a whole other animal, she even tries to attack us there, and she defecates on herself due to fear.
They will repeat imaging today & she if there is any mass and check if fluid reaccumulated. If no repeat fluid, I could possibly bring her home in the next couple days. My mind is telling me to bring her home, possibly get one oncology consult just to see the options, and let her live comfortably as possible at home, and if its time to cross the rainbow bridge I will call a home euthanasia service so she can be around those who love her most in her own space.
Sorry this is long and drawn out. Has anyone been thru anything similar? Or went thru with chemo w/ their cat? Thanks