Our cat Boogie has had constipation issues for several years.
He’s been back and forth between taking Lactulose and Miralax, and has had several enemas at his vets office.
In December 2019, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
His vet put him on Methimazole, 1 pill every 12 hours.
A couple weeks ago we took him to a specialist to see about the I-131 (radio-iodine) therapy for hyperthyroidism.
After Boogie was inside with the specialist for a couple hours, she called us as we were waiting in the parking lot (curbside pickup/due to the pandemic). She said she was concerned with his constipation and there could be a serious issue going on. She asked if she could do an ultrasound, chest x-rays, and blood work. We told her to go ahead.
We got really bad news and we are completely devastated.
Boogie has a tumor on his kidney and his red blood cell level is very high. She mentioned something about his blood being like sludge, but I can not remember if she said its due to the kidney tumor, his red cell level being high, or both.
He will not be having the I-131 done due to this.
Here is the email I received this week about his labwork results:
1) His calcium results are fine and within normal limits.
2) His thyroid level is good on the lower dose of Methimazole - please continue as directed with this medication. *She recommended giving him 1/2 Methimazole, every 12 hours.
3) His blood cell count shows his red blood cell level is HIGHER - this is due to the tumor of his kidney. If you are not interested in pursuing surgery for Boogie, the Dr.’s recommendation would be an oncology consult to discuss any palliative care options.
She also said to give him lactulose and cisapride 3 times a day for his constipation.
I have a few questions.
Question 1) Would the tumor have come from taking Methimazole, even though he just started taking it in December?
Question 2) His constipation has gotten much worse since starting the Methimazole in December. I thought maybe it was the methimazole that was the cause of his constipation getting worse. Maybe his dose was too high, I don’t know. Or do you think the tumor on his kidney is making his constipation worse?
Question 3) What would you do in our situation?
I asked the specialist on the phone before we left on Monday, how much surgery would cost to remove the tumor from his kidney. She quoted me $5,000 - $6,000
We had just spent almost $2,000 for the tests she did on him, the ultrasound, chest x-rays, calcium level test, blood work.
She said I could call around to try and find someone that would do it for less, someone that would be comfortable doing this type of surgery (removal of tumor from kidney).
Any help/advice would be very appreciated.
Thank you so much.
Terri
Cat mom to Boogie, Tux, Muffy, Daisy, Bailey, Pippy, Leo, and Allie
He’s been back and forth between taking Lactulose and Miralax, and has had several enemas at his vets office.
In December 2019, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
His vet put him on Methimazole, 1 pill every 12 hours.
A couple weeks ago we took him to a specialist to see about the I-131 (radio-iodine) therapy for hyperthyroidism.
After Boogie was inside with the specialist for a couple hours, she called us as we were waiting in the parking lot (curbside pickup/due to the pandemic). She said she was concerned with his constipation and there could be a serious issue going on. She asked if she could do an ultrasound, chest x-rays, and blood work. We told her to go ahead.
We got really bad news and we are completely devastated.
Boogie has a tumor on his kidney and his red blood cell level is very high. She mentioned something about his blood being like sludge, but I can not remember if she said its due to the kidney tumor, his red cell level being high, or both.
He will not be having the I-131 done due to this.
Here is the email I received this week about his labwork results:
1) His calcium results are fine and within normal limits.
2) His thyroid level is good on the lower dose of Methimazole - please continue as directed with this medication. *She recommended giving him 1/2 Methimazole, every 12 hours.
3) His blood cell count shows his red blood cell level is HIGHER - this is due to the tumor of his kidney. If you are not interested in pursuing surgery for Boogie, the Dr.’s recommendation would be an oncology consult to discuss any palliative care options.
She also said to give him lactulose and cisapride 3 times a day for his constipation.
I have a few questions.
Question 1) Would the tumor have come from taking Methimazole, even though he just started taking it in December?
Question 2) His constipation has gotten much worse since starting the Methimazole in December. I thought maybe it was the methimazole that was the cause of his constipation getting worse. Maybe his dose was too high, I don’t know. Or do you think the tumor on his kidney is making his constipation worse?
Question 3) What would you do in our situation?
I asked the specialist on the phone before we left on Monday, how much surgery would cost to remove the tumor from his kidney. She quoted me $5,000 - $6,000
We had just spent almost $2,000 for the tests she did on him, the ultrasound, chest x-rays, calcium level test, blood work.
She said I could call around to try and find someone that would do it for less, someone that would be comfortable doing this type of surgery (removal of tumor from kidney).
Any help/advice would be very appreciated.
Thank you so much.
Terri
Cat mom to Boogie, Tux, Muffy, Daisy, Bailey, Pippy, Leo, and Allie
