Civvie situation - just need to share

Unemployed with three furkids, and Jester was eating up a storm but still losing weight while the others were (mostly) eating fine - although Bastian seemed to not like his canned as much anymore.

Finally was able to take care of Jester's testings and things were on their way to becoming under control. With all my worries about him, I just didn't really notice anything subtle going on with either of my other kids.

Then I noticed a trickle of blood on Bastian's - my middle furkid's - chin. At first I figured he and Jester might have been tussling and they got a little rough. But the next day there was some pink liquid in the same place.

When I was able to get a look inside his mouth, I could see something seriously wrong with one of his teeth. Couldn't get a great look, but I knew I needed to get him checked over too. After multiple calls and no low cost vets to help, I put together a gofundme for Bastian.

One of the sites I posted the link is a neighborhood version of FB called Nextdoor - and a local vet offered to look Bastian over that evening for free.

The tooth absolutely had to come out and Bastian definitely has some periodontal problems.

But the agonizing part is that he may also have a tumor in his lower jaw. The vet said a lot of people will put their cats through reconstructive surgery - a lot of pain, fear, and stress - just to keep them alive. But I can't do that to my baby - even if I could afford it. I'd rather let him live happily and pain-free as long as possible than to put him through that kind of torture on the chance he might live a few months longer.

The vet gave Bastian a shot of antibiotics and said there's a fifty/fifty chance of it all being a very bad infection - but it could also be a tumor. And he seemed to be gently preparing me for that.

Monday evening we go back to find out which it is. Bastian's jaw doesn't look much different and I fear the worst right now.

He's only been my baby for three years - this month, in fact. He was dumped in our neighborhood and I rescued him.

I just don't want to believe I may lose my Bastian so soon.

 

Sending tons and tons of prayers that it's just from an infection. It could well be an abscess caused by the bad teeth. I know you must be worried sick, I would be, too, but take a deep breath and try not to let it prey on your mind until you have more information. An abscess would not be unusual with bad dental issues!

 

Yikes I hope it's just an abscess.

 

Yes, we will all hope for an abscess! (And so nice of the vet to look at him for you for free.)

 

I think the free visits are limited.
Once the dental work begins, I'll need to be able to pay him something.

 

☹️ Hopefully it's just an abscess or something minor.

 

Best of luck. At least you are caring for Bastion and giving him love. That is more than a lot of cats ever get.

 

FWIW - I had a kitty years ago that developed a hard bump on his lower jaw that looked like a tumour but ended up being related to an abscessed tooth. Antibiotics and tooth extraction solved the problem.

 

TBH, I've had so much bad news in the past few months, I'm afraid to hope for a positive outcome on this.

 

Nothing to add, just sending hugs

 

thinking of you, fingers crossed.xx

 

Bastian update:
The vet still won't commit about whether the problem is a tumor or not.
But he's now leaning 60% towards that probability.

Two more weeks plus two days and Bastian goes back for x-rays and that will be the final determination.

According to the vet, we could do a biopsy, but that would be very expensive. This way, he'll eat most of the costs as everything will be done in-house. That will save my gofundme money for any other costs that will come up down the line.

He's being extraordinarily kind - especially considering I've never met him before.

Apparently, there is a cancer treatment center for pets in the area. But I've been advised the costs could be in the tens of thousands for chemo and radiation therapy - if that's even an option.

So for the next two weeks and two days, Bastian and I will pretend again that all of this is just over some dental problems.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with support.
If anyone would like the link for Bastian's gofundme, please PM me.

 

Wishing for the best.

 

I could not tell from you posts, did he have the dental to remove the bad tooth? If not then it may be difficult to completele cure the infection until it is done. You also may want to ask the vet if they can do a culture of the infection to make sure Bastain is getting the best antibiotic to treat it. One of my cats had a bad infection that would not clear up. After the culture was done the vet changed his antibiotic and it cleared the infection. This was several years ago and I don't remember the name of it.

 

Yes, the vet removed the tooth during the first visit.
What the vet originally wasn't able to determine was if the infection was so bad the tooth had to come out or if there is a tumor that was pushing the tooth out.

Right now Bastian's upper canine tooth is now poking into the side of his lower jaw - which shouldn't be happening. But his lower jaw is still swollen and the vet said he didn't smell any infection.

Also, his lower jaw is still jutting out. Not a good sign.

But right now, he's eating, cuddly, playful, and pain-free.

I'll take that for as long as it lasts.

 

Sending lots of vines your way.

Eating, cuddling and happy are worth everything.

 

Diagnosis confirmed this week.

I pressed the vet about how long Bastian might be with me - whether he might still be around for Christmas.

His exact words were "That would be a stretch."

My heart is breaking.

 

I'm so sorry you've had such awful news.

 

Oh no no I was so hoping for different news for you. I'm so so sorry

 

I'm sorry to hear your news about Bastian. I hope he lives longer than December. It makes every day more memorable.

 

I'm so sorry. What a gift to be given in the form of that caring vet. Now you know for sure and can make every day as wonderful as you can for your boy. I pray he has many more days with you.

 

Oh dear, I am so, so sorry to hear your news about Bastion. My heart truly hurts for you. Sending tons of prayers and vines that he makes it to Christmas, and beyond. Every day is precious and special.