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- May 19, 2016
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My 16 year old cat, Ella, has had a whirlwind of a time the last few weeks. She had a pseudo-pregnancy and infection (not sure if there was a connection between them), during which her mammary glands became substantially enlarged. She also got extremely constipated to the point where she had to have an enema to get things going again. She was given an antibiotic shot, and then a different antibiotic when the first didn't make a difference.
Now, she's halfway through the second antibiotic and seems to be doing better- not as lethargic & not as restless (those seem mutually exclusive, but she somehow seemed to pull both off). And her mammary gland enlargement has disappeared; however, she is still acting hormonal (for lack of a better word)- she enjoys having her belly rubbed and seems to act like she's nursing. She is also very needy, following me and my husband around the apartment most of the day.
After the mammary glands decreased in size, we noticed a lump near one of her nipples on her belly. We immediately took her in, as we had never noticed it before, and with everything going on with her hormones, I was immediately worried it could be mammary cancer. However, the vet was not very concerned. He said it felt like relatively normal mammary tissue.
My husband was worried the vet might have been feeling the enlarged mammary tissue, not the lump, so he took her in again (I was on a business trip) and the vet said it was likely a fatty deposit, and to keep an eye on it for growth. Upon returning from the business trip, I noticed that the lump was bigger than it was when I left. I've, of course, called the vet's office and let them know. I am waiting for the vet to call back.
So, I'm wondering what is normal growth for lipomas (fatty tissue). Is it possible lipomas could grow over the course of a week? Does anyone have experience with lipomas? I am a worry-wort of a cat parent, so I take Ella in for everything (especially since she's 16). I just think that I won't stop worrying until we get a biopsy, even if the vet sill says it still feels like a lipoma and not to worry. I also worry that, if it is cancer, that the vet might not be moving as quickly as he should be to prevent cancer from spreading. My limited experience with this vet so far has been very much "lets wait and see what happens," which is a hard pill to swallow when it's your baby not feeling well and acting completely differently. I know lipomas do grow, but how quickly do they grow? If the vet recommends waiting and watching it, should I go with it, or insist on a biopsy?
For some context, Ella was very likely fixed when she was a kitten (we had an ultra sound done and she has no uterus); however, when she lives with a male cat, she will go into heat as if she was never fixed. The vet said this could be caused by leftover ovarian tissue or by her adrenaline gland.
Thanks very much for you help and insight!
Now, she's halfway through the second antibiotic and seems to be doing better- not as lethargic & not as restless (those seem mutually exclusive, but she somehow seemed to pull both off). And her mammary gland enlargement has disappeared; however, she is still acting hormonal (for lack of a better word)- she enjoys having her belly rubbed and seems to act like she's nursing. She is also very needy, following me and my husband around the apartment most of the day.
After the mammary glands decreased in size, we noticed a lump near one of her nipples on her belly. We immediately took her in, as we had never noticed it before, and with everything going on with her hormones, I was immediately worried it could be mammary cancer. However, the vet was not very concerned. He said it felt like relatively normal mammary tissue.
My husband was worried the vet might have been feeling the enlarged mammary tissue, not the lump, so he took her in again (I was on a business trip) and the vet said it was likely a fatty deposit, and to keep an eye on it for growth. Upon returning from the business trip, I noticed that the lump was bigger than it was when I left. I've, of course, called the vet's office and let them know. I am waiting for the vet to call back.
So, I'm wondering what is normal growth for lipomas (fatty tissue). Is it possible lipomas could grow over the course of a week? Does anyone have experience with lipomas? I am a worry-wort of a cat parent, so I take Ella in for everything (especially since she's 16). I just think that I won't stop worrying until we get a biopsy, even if the vet sill says it still feels like a lipoma and not to worry. I also worry that, if it is cancer, that the vet might not be moving as quickly as he should be to prevent cancer from spreading. My limited experience with this vet so far has been very much "lets wait and see what happens," which is a hard pill to swallow when it's your baby not feeling well and acting completely differently. I know lipomas do grow, but how quickly do they grow? If the vet recommends waiting and watching it, should I go with it, or insist on a biopsy?
For some context, Ella was very likely fixed when she was a kitten (we had an ultra sound done and she has no uterus); however, when she lives with a male cat, she will go into heat as if she was never fixed. The vet said this could be caused by leftover ovarian tissue or by her adrenaline gland.
Thanks very much for you help and insight!