Polyps/Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome

[Rysiek]

The most common side effects of pred are increased appetite and drinking, sometimes urination. There are other side effects at high doses or that occur with long term use. If this was a 2 day prescription, I don't think that what you are seeing is related to the medication, but I am not a vet, so this is only my opinion.

I think that the mass in his mouth is causing the problems.

Or possibly the Prednicare has impact on the mass, therefore it feels differently for him?

 

[fionasmom]

It is hard to tell what is going on. In humans, pred is sometimes used as part of cancer treatment as it shrinks tumors.

 

[marshmallow2013]

My cat was given a shot of prednisolone for tumor under the tongue. I feel it initially helped him with appetite and pain and overall made him feel better for about 48 hours. But his mass at the base of the tongue was squamous cell which keeps growing quite fast, The vet told me that my cat’s base of the tongue was basically paralyzed only the tip was working.
I‘m praying that since your guy is still young, only has an inflammation and gets better soon.

 

[Rysiek]

My cat was given a shot of prednisolone for tumor under the tongue. I feel it initially helped him with appetite and pain and overall made him feel better for about 48 hours. But his mass at the base of the tongue was squamous cell which keeps growing quite fast, The vet told me that my cat’s base of the tongue was basically paralyzed only the tip was working.
I‘m praying that since your guy is still young, only has an inflammation and gets better soon.

I am unsure why, but he has been scratching and shaking his head more often...
Maybe the tumor is shrinking???

I don't know what to think anymore...

 

[marshmallow2013]

IMO it would be a good idea to get in touch with the vet office and let them know what is going on. If he is scratching and shaking his head, something is really bothering him.

 

[Rysiek]

I contacted them, the vet will call me tomorrow

 

[fionasmom]

I agree that the scratching and shaking of the head signals irritation. Good that you have called the vet.

 

[Rysiek]

I agree that the scratching and shaking of the head signals irritation. Good that you have called the vet.

I think he is not good on steroids...
Loxicom was better...

 

[silent meowlook]

It could also be a progression of what’s happening.

 

[Rysiek]

Yesterday was really good, he was so playful and ate much more

We have a referral for CT and biopsy. I am in two minds as he will need anasthetic and intubation. This is what made things far worse last time. Since then he had started having problems with eating and the mass has grown bigger...
Sometimes I feel like cancelling all the investigations, as this is an additional stress for him + his tongue will be even more affected...

 

[heatherwillard0614]

When ordering invasive tests and even prescribing medicine vets and doctors alike will only do so if the benefit outweighs the risk.. if it were me and you are seriously considering canceling all further investigations maybe seeing a different vet for a second opinion first would be best?? IMO I would do one of the 2- either keep the upcoming tests or find another vet for a second opinion because in my mind if it is something that can be taken care with the right tests done and if caught early enough it would be beneficial for him in the long run. Yes it may cause some discomfort right after but if it shows them more information to possibly treat it to where he never has this issue again I think that would be on the forefront of my mind.
I'm just trying to help you see the long term positives of any short term risks.

Also I'm so glad he is feeling better and eating well

 

[Rysiek]

When ordering invasive tests and even prescribing medicine vets and doctors alike will only do so if the benefit outweighs the risk.. if it were me and you are seriously considering canceling all further investigations maybe seeing a different vet for a second opinion first would be best?? IMO I would do one of the 2- either keep the upcoming tests or find another vet for a second opinion because in my mind if it is something that can be taken care with the right tests done and if caught early enough it would be beneficial for him in the long run. Yes it may cause some discomfort right after but if it shows them more information to possibly treat it to where he never has this issue again I think that would be on the forefront of my mind.
I'm just trying to help you see the long term positives of any short term risks.

Also I'm so glad he is feeling better and eating well

All the tests will be done at another vet surgery, so it would be a second opinion...

I worry that anasthetic means he will be intubated again, meaning they will stretch his tongue, as before. He never recovered fully from the one one month ago...
+ Biopsy is a bit more invasive, again will affect his tongue again
+ Stress of going to the vet, this time driving 30 miles
+ Medication for anaesthesia etc

But it has to be checked out...
I have an appointment for his solensia next Thursday, so I will talk to my vet...
The referral is to a different surgery...

 

[fionasmom]

Any mouth involvement in a dog or cat puts the owner in a very difficult place. Not knowing what it is, even a very intelligent guess from a very experienced vet, leaves you wondering if there is pain, if something is getting worse, if something (even benign) is growing larger. Having procedures in the mouth is also no picnic. If this were on the cat's leg, it would be a whole different story when it came to determining what it is.

I agree that discussing the risk vs benefit question with the vet, one or both of them, is a good idea. Express all of your concerns that you have brought up here. They are all very good questions and show your understanding of the problem.

I might be completely wrong about this, or drawing a conclusion that is not the same that the vet would, but I wondered if when they did the CT scan any conclusion could be drawn. If so, would that inform going through with the biopsy?

 

[Rysiek]

Any mouth involvement in a dog or cat puts the owner in a very difficult place. Not knowing what it is, even a very intelligent guess from a very experienced vet, leaves you wondering if there is pain, if something is getting worse, if something (even benign) is growing larger. Having procedures in the mouth is also no picnic. If this were on the cat's leg, it would be a whole different story when it came to determining what it is.

I agree that discussing the risk vs benefit question with the vet, one or both of them, is a good idea. Express all of your concerns that you have brought up here. They are all very good questions and show your understanding of the problem.

I might be completely wrong about this, or drawing a conclusion that is not the same that the vet would, but I wondered if when they did the CT scan any conclusion could be drawn. If so, would that inform going through with the biopsy?

CT scan does not show the structure of the tumor, at least this was when I had myself some in the past.
I will ask all the questions...

He had had better days...eating more, playing and sleeping in his favourite cardbox. We were trying to wean him from this as he constantly bites and spits bits out. But I thought that maybe in some way this helps...He is much happier with this, and no exacerbation...

 

[Rysiek]

The scan has been scheduled for 19th July

 

[Rysiek]

He is much better, but still has problems with chewing. I read a bit about this process and how the tongue is involved:
When we chew, the tongue and the cheeks work together to constantly move the food between the teeth so that it can be chewed. The tongue presses the crushed food against the palate and moves this bolus, which is then ready to be swallowed, to the throat.

I worry that after biopsy he will be even worse...

I also wonder if he knows that something is wrong?

 

[fionasmom]

He knows that something is different. Animals certainly know pain, and it did seem as if he were in pain before. One vet told me that animals accept changes as a progression of their lives and try to deal with it that way. If the pain has passed, he may just be wondering why he has to chew differently.

Mouth biopsies can be difficult, so discuss all home care with your vet, including the use of pain killers. Just my opinion, but I would not let them pass it off as "most cats do fine, so don't worry."

 

[silent meowlook]

I share in your worry about the procedure making things worse for him. Of course, I am not saying to do or not to do. But, please discuss all of your concerns with the specialist before the procedure and how he didn’t do well after the last anesthesia. Make sure they know all this. They will have your records but not everything is put into a cats medical record.

 

[Rysiek]

I will make a list of all my questions, definitely...

It makes me wonder, what could have happened one month ago during his general anaesthetic and intubation that made things worse? Before that he was able to eat normally...he has never fully recovered...
I am aware that the mass under his tongue has become bigger...would it get bigger if not intubation??? As I think it irritated his tongue...or maybe additionally damaged something???
I often regret that this procedure was done to him...I often think, if I only hadn't follow through the vet's suggestion (I am aware there was no other way to investigate this...), he would have been just his normal self...

 

[Rysiek]

This is his box, he bites and spits it out daily...
The vet thought that this may have irritated his tongue, so we tried to wean his off this and I bought a new replacement bed...
But,
Since he wanted to bite any other boxes, I gave him one back for himself, and he has been much happier with this...
In one way, he may be damaging his tongue, which I doubt, as not signs of exacerbation...
But, it may also work as a way of keeping the blood circulation...also almost as if
massaging his gums...