Mass Behind Bladder On My Cat – Should I Get An Expensive Ultrasound?

[CS Santo]

Hello all,

Buster has been my steady companion for 15 years, since he was a kitten. He's never had any major health issues until recently.

3 weeks ago I had to take him to the vet for an emergency visit. He was straining to urinate and only released bloody drops outside the litter box. 1 overnight stay, 2 days and $1500 later, I was told it was a blockage and bladder infection. No kidney stones, no UTI – just a blockage and bladder infection. He had contracted E coli, which caused the bladder infection.

This morning, I had to take him in again for more straining while he was trying to pee. He could only manage to get bloody drops out and wasn't using the litter box. He's been acting fine otherwise - eating, purring, active.

He also passed some bloody tissue in his urine which I took to the vet. Unfortunately, the vet couldn't get a urine sample because his bladder was empty by the time I took him in.

She said she was able to detect a pulse behind his bladder. I was told that pulses indicate some sort of mass or vein blockage (hence the pulse). She wants to get a $500 ultrasound so they can see what is exactly happening. I'm not sure what to do.

If there is indeed a mass that needs to be removed, it would require surgery. He's 15 years old and healthy for his age. I cringe at the thought of his being operated on. I'm trying to get some input before I spend $500 to possibly have an elderly cat operated on when I'm not even sure of that would be a good answer, either.

Thanks in advance for listening.

CS

 

[fionasmom]

Is he able to pass any pee....sorry if I am unclear about that. For me, that would be a huge concern. Even intermittent urination would concern me. To get to your question, I have had numerous ultrasounds done on numerous animals over time, and all have been about $500. The most recent was this month on my young cat Jamie due to suspicious blood test results. While I am not trying to spend your money, it will give you some conclusive information. Even if you don't have surgery you may be able to determine another course of action.

I have huge reservations about surgery on an elderly animal but that does not mean it is always unsafe and you can cross that bridge if you have to when you get results from the ultrasound. Having said that, I have refused to do ultrasounds if I completely felt that the results would only be academic; however, these were in questions about liver function. The whole bladder question would be a bigger worry to me and in fact Jamie's was the result of suspicious kidney numbers. I am sorry that your boy is having this problem and hope it is something that can be successfully resolved.

 

[CS Santo]

He's passed a bit of pee, but not since his trip to the vet. I know it's serious if they can't pass pee, so I'v been keeping a close eye on him and his litter box.

Thanks for your quick response about the price. I have no idea how much they cost and it seems really high. Also, this particular vet I go to is super convenient – but there is ALWAYS an upsell in their services, so I'm a bit cautious.

The vet I go to also is bringing in a specialized vet for the ultrasound, since their ultrasound equipment isn't as specialized.

I appreciate your concern and I'll keep you posted on what happens. Yes, it's hard when they are elderly and you have to weigh the rationale behind costs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will be better and able to pee tomorrow! lol

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[DreamerRose]

I agree that it would be best to get the ultrasound to find out specifically what's wrong. Then you can decide about the surgery. Also, for urinary problems, make sure he gets a lot of water. If he isn't drinking enough, mix a couple tablespoonsful in some wet food.

 

[FeebysOwner]

You do need to get the ultrasound. But, what is the deal about specialized ultrasound equipment? I am suspicious about that, especially since you mentioned your vet tends to 'upsell services'. Maybe you could call around to other vets, clinics, even a vet university if you have one nearby and see if you can find out what they would charge, and if they also explain to you about the need for specialized ultrasound equipment and/or a specialized vet.

 

[white shadow]

.
Nothing to suspect there.

It's NOT at all unusual for Veterinarians to use, to "call in", this kind of specialty service.

Where it come to understanding what an US is showing, the expertise of the diagnostician is everything. It is a specialty.

I'd say that the cost as quoted is reasonable.......whether/not to proceed, well, that's a personal choice.

In an otherwise healthy cat, I'd have no hesitation to go forward.
.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Where it come to understanding what an US is showing, the expertise of the diagnostician is everything. It is a specialty.

That's precisely the point the diagnostician is the specialty - not the equipment.

 

[She's a witch]

from my personal experience (on my human body ) I know that both the quality of the ultrasound specialist and the machine is everything, so if you decide to go ahead with it (what I would totally do for my cat), make sure they do have a best service in both human and machine.

I am not sure if this is common in US but I would also ask for a written description of everything that will be seen during an ultrasound - it may be super useful for a comparison later on.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Sad to say, I think - at least here in my part of the US - the sophistication of ultrasounds is probably not comparable between humans and animals. I think it would be very difficult to determine what machine is better - in either situation. Obviously, if you are dealing with a vet whose equipment is not 'state of the art', it might not be a good as one that is. That is where, you unfortunately have to rely on the vet offering their recommendations.

Hence the reason I suggested C CS Santo call around, since there was suspicion on the OP's part about 'upselling' with her current vet. Maybe even a second opinion from another vet would help in this case.

I guess I am lucky in that my vet has the equipment and expertise to perform/read/evaluate ultrasounds, and doesn't have to rely on another vet for such procedures. If C CS Santo could find such a vet, that would be the most ideal situation.

 

[FeralHearts]

I'm so sorry you are going through this with your kitty.

Did they prescribe an antibiotic for the ecoli?

A couple of thing here. Having just gone through this. (My kitty just finished his meds two weeks ago after 3 months of tests and sample etc.) Yes - I would do the ultrasound as the cat is otherwise healthy.

It's normal to call in a specialist for an ultrasound, at least where I am. I've paid 500- 700 for ultrasounds so it is in the ballpark.

Here is where I am suspicious - of the ER vet. Ecoli diagnosis take 3 -5 days to come back as they try to grow bacteria in the lab with the urine. Usually 2 days to see bacteria growth and another day or three to determine what bacteria, and what strain, so they know what kind of anti-biotic to prescribe that will eradicate that particular bacteria. Minimum time I've seen complete and accurate results come back is 4 days.

Not all anti-biotics are equal when it comes to strains of bacteria.

What did they do for the blockage?

What did they tell you about the surgery and prognosis if its's needed?

XOXOXOXOXO

 

[CS Santo]

Hi everybody and thank you so much for the responses.

Buster peed normally yesterday and was back to his usual affectionate self. I woke up early as I had a dream about him. I went downstairs and he greeted me from his bed. This is our usual routine. He greets me, I give him some pets and then he gets fed. He eats a few bites and then comes over for some lap time. He's a truly sweet boy and I treasure all the moments I have with him. Bonds with cats so special, aren't they?

It's NOT at all unusual for Veterinarians to use, to "call in", this kind of specialty service.

@whiteshadow, I wasn't aware that it was normal to call in for specialists of this kind, so I appreciate the info!

Maybe even a second opinion from another vet would help in this case.

FeebysOwner , I considered doing that. I found one other specialist and will be calling today to see the price. I'm just a little reluctant to actually go, though, as Buster has been seeing this vet clinic for 10 years. He also gets incredibly distressed when he's in the car. He cries like he's being tortured and I try to minimize his stress. What's nice about the current vet is that it's literally 3 minutes away in the car!

What did they do for the blockage?

What did they tell you about the surgery and prognosis if its's needed?

F FeralHearts . When he had the blockage and bladder infection 3 weeks ago, he was given a pain injection, catheterized, administered IV fluids and hospitalized overnight. A blood panel and urinalysis was taken. An x-ray also performed to see if he had kidney stones (he didn't have any). He eventually passed pee on his 15 hours later. Bacteria was found in the urinalysis and a culture sent to a lab.

The explanation for the blockage was the that the bladder infection created a blockage. He was sent home with liquid Orbax for 2 weeks to temporarily until the lab culture came back a few days later to see what bacteria was in his urine. E coli was found (lab report came back 3 days later) and because it was e coli, Orbax was what the vet would have used to treat it, so there was no need for an additional antibiotic.

Much wasn't said about surgery. Just that getting the ultrasound would be a closer step to finding answers about a course of action.

 

[CS Santo]

I forgot to add that the appointment for the ultrasound is next Tuesday. I'll keep everybody posted about what happens. Thank you all again for your replies. It's amazing finding this community!

This is Buster during one of our cuddle sessions. He's a very affectionate little fluffball!

 

[FeralHearts]

Hi everybody and tha
F FeralHearts . When he had the blockage and bladder infection 3 weeks ago, he was given a pain injection, catheterized, administered IV fluids and hospitalized overnight. A blood panel and urinalysis was taken. An x-ray also performed to see if he had kidney stones (he didn't have any). He eventually passed pee on his 15 hours later. Bacteria was found in the urinalysis and a culture sent to a lab.

The explanation for the blockage was the that the bladder infection created a blockage. He was sent home with liquid Orbax for 2 weeks to temporarily until the lab culture came back a few days later to see what bacteria was in his urine. E coli was found (lab report came back 3 days later) and because it was e coli, Orbax was what the vet would have used to treat it, so there was no need for an additional antibiotic.

Much wasn't said about surgery. Just that getting the ultrasound would be a closer step to finding answers about a course of action.

Awesome. I'm very glad to hear that. I've had experiences, too many, where the ER vets - who are great at dealing with emergencies - get the long term diagnostic not quite right, or they miss an explanation. So I wanted to be sure all was good there. :-)

YAY!

I forgot to add that the appointment for the ultrasound is next Tuesday. I'll keep everybody posted about what happens. Thank you all again for your replies. It's amazing finding this community!

This is Buster during one of our cuddle sessions. He's a very affectionate little fluffball!

Aweee Buster is so sweet! What a gorgeous guy!

Yes please keep us posted. I'm going to hope for no mass and just a one-off bad infection that gets cleared with the antibiotics!

XOXOXO

 

[fionasmom]

He is so sweet looking! I am glad that you are having the US for him. Also hoping for a bad infection that can be treated and resolved....just take one step at a time.

 

[CS Santo]

Hi everybody,

Sorry for the delay in update. It's been a crazy week! So I took Buster to the vet and decided not to get him an ultrasound after all. I was shocked at the estimated total I was presented with when I checked in.

After all was said and done, the total estimate was $1119.87 on the high end. The minimum was $500 for the ultrasound itself. Everything else was "optional" of course, but I wasn't ready to have him biopsied and that was never explained to me when I was told he needed an ultrasound. This was the breakdown of the cost estimate I was provided:

Abdominal ultrasound: $500
Sedation/dormitor: $100
Fine needle cytology - ultrasound: $150
IDEXX cytology w/desc (3 sites): $369.87

TOTAL: $500 – $1119.87

I was told that the ultrasound was $500 when I made the appointment, but wasn't aware there were plans for a biopsy, etc during the autopsy. I told the vet that I was still paying off his last bill of $1500 and wasn't ready to put another $1100 on my credit card.

So for now, his ultrasound will have to wait until I can pay off his last bill, which may take a few months. Buster has been behaving normally, so I'm praying that he continues in health until I get him back for an ultrasound.

Hope all my cat lover friends are having a great Monday!

 

[She's a witch]

This is beyond crazy. Last year my cat had a ultrasound in Germany and I paid 50€.

 

[fionasmom]

Jamie's ultrasound was $615, but I do have pet insurance on him and they paid for most of it. I hear you with those add on charges though; when my dog had his amputation for melanoma the breakdown of every single item covered two pages. At that time, with all his pre existing conditions, he was completely uninsurable. I can understand monitoring Buster and hoping that he will stay in good health for as long as possible.