I posted a thread last week about our cat's ultrasound results showing GI lymphoma. The vet said she had masses in her stomach and intestines (and inflammation around her kidneys). We were just waiting for the fine needle aspiration results to show whether she had small cell or large cell.
It turns out the results are inconclusive because there was blood in the sample. The vet said that the masses could be granulomas which would indicate FIP.
So now we need to do an endoscopy or surgical biopsy. I don't know if we should skip those procedures and treat her as if she has cancer. I am not too thrilled about subjecting her to anesthesia. If she has FIP there is nothing we can do so why subject her to invasive medical procedures?
We are on a waiting list for one oncology practice but another one won't see us unless we have an official cancer diagnosis. I also have an appointment for next Monday with a holistic vet. I set up the appointment when I thought she had cancer but now I am hoping he might be able to run some lab tests that will help us make a better guess. I realize there is no official diagnostic test for FIP but maybe some testing might help us lean in one direction or another.
I want to do everything possible for my cat but I also don't want to traumatize her if there is no benefit for her.
Any suggestions? Has anybody else been through something similar?
It turns out the results are inconclusive because there was blood in the sample. The vet said that the masses could be granulomas which would indicate FIP.
So now we need to do an endoscopy or surgical biopsy. I don't know if we should skip those procedures and treat her as if she has cancer. I am not too thrilled about subjecting her to anesthesia. If she has FIP there is nothing we can do so why subject her to invasive medical procedures?
We are on a waiting list for one oncology practice but another one won't see us unless we have an official cancer diagnosis. I also have an appointment for next Monday with a holistic vet. I set up the appointment when I thought she had cancer but now I am hoping he might be able to run some lab tests that will help us make a better guess. I realize there is no official diagnostic test for FIP but maybe some testing might help us lean in one direction or another.
I want to do everything possible for my cat but I also don't want to traumatize her if there is no benefit for her.
Any suggestions? Has anybody else been through something similar?