5-4 Gizmo Devastating News at Vet’s

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Chubba (GA)

Chubba (GA)

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So we took Gizmo to his vet visit yesterday feeling the best we have about his health in a year. He is doing great ... numbers under 114 (mostly in the 80s and 90s) this week, eating well, and gained a little weight (1/2 pound since last vet visit 3 weeks ago). He is his happy, purry self!

Then the vet feels a mass in his stomach and wants to take an x-ray. The x-ray showed a definite mass pushing up against his stomach. She said could be on the spleen (which is removable), Liver (needs a specialist to remove), or on pancreas (her guess since these types of tumors are known to produce excess insulin and would explain his sudden drop in insulin needs). She wanted to schedule an ultrasound today to determine more and if surgery was an option.

We declined the ultrasound at the moment (not sure if surgery is the best option for Gizmo at this moment). From what I understand acro makes surgery more difficult, Gizmo is going to be 13 in a few weeks, and I’m just not sure I want to put him through all that. He is doing so well ... how can this even be happening?!:arghh:

Also weighing in my mind is that I lost a miniature schnauzer 3 years ago in June to a similar (if not same) mass. We tried everything to save her ... even to the point of exploratory surgery just in case the tumor could be removed. Once her vet began the surgery, it was discovered the situation was way worse than he thought (and he already said the odds weren’t in our favor ... but we had to try to save her) and she didn’t make it. I said a long time ago that I would never put another animal through all that. But it is so difficult because what if his mass could be removed?

The vet did draw blood for the blood work, but said she wouldn’t send it if we just wanted to keep Gizmo comfortable. We decided to go ahead and send the blood work. Basically going to “pretend” this isn’t happening (as best as I can) and pray that Gizmo continues to defy the odds and do well. We did ask how long Gizmo has (knowing she can’t really answer that question). She shared with us that her friends dog had a similar mass and she told her probably a week or two and the dog lived another year and a half ... also the other end where the animal only lived a few days longer.

I had my husband ask about steroid use when he took the puppy back for her appt today since she mentioned it yesterday, but said nope that isn’t an option because he is diabetic. I would rather him be diabetic if there is a chance of the tumor shrinking. But today she said that she wouldn’t give him steroids.

So our next step (if we decide to look for more answers) is an ultrasound, but being so unsure about surgery, I’m just not sure what to do at this point. I will post an update with his blood work results when we get them back (expected late tomorrow night).
 
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Oh! I’m so sorry to hear this news. :( I am glad despite all this, Gizmo is feeling good and is happy! That’s a big deal. :bighug:

You’re right, these are very tough decisions to make and you already have some experience making them. No easy answers, but I’m sure whatever you end up deciding will be the right course of action and it will be a loving decision.

I hope the blood work or an ultrasound will somehow make it more black and white one way or the other.

Sending vines for answers and comfort. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Awww so sorry to hear this. My only thought is - if it's the mass causing the good numbers is it really good? Or a false sense of security? If it were Silver I'd research and find out all I could and get the tests needed to find out how invasive and how complex the surgery is. I guess you'd need to know where it is to determine that. Exploratory tests aren't usually too invasive. Once you have facts to hand you can make a more informed decision.

Big hugs :bighug:
 
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Golly, and just after OTJ. We are sending our strongest vines and prayers that answers will be found and a course of action decided upon. Stay strong. Don't forget that Gizmo is happy and purry right now and that he will take his cues from you.

Lots of :bighug::bighug::bighug:s
 
Juliet said:
My only thought is - if it's the mass causing the good numbers is it really good? Of a false sense of security?
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I know and I have been worried about cancer since his numbers starting dropping and he was losing weight, but I assured myself it was just his hyperT and everything would be alright once we got his thyroid straightened out. Our previous 2 animals who have passed have been due to internal masses thought to be cancer. :(​
Bronx's dad said:
Gizmo has defied the odds before, he can do it again
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I sure hope Gizmo has another amazing odd defying trick up his sleeve again this time.
Tracey&Jones said:
Would the ultrasound tell them if operable or not? Hard decision.
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Yes, it should at least tell where the mass is at and what it is attached to, but she said it would be hard to say that it definitely hasn’t spread yet. And that’s what worries me. Why put Gizmo through a surgery if it has already spread? I’m still upset that my mini-schnauzer’s last hours were spent in a cage at the vets office waiting for surgery when she could have passed peacefully in my arms. No matter what decision I make ... I will second guess it for the rest of my life.
 
Oh hon, I'm just in shock, I can't imagine what you must be going through, but maybe try and focus right now on how well Gizmo is feeling and acting. You just need some time to process the information, then go from there. You know you have all my support and healing vines :bighug::bighug:, whatever you choose to do.

Having read too your recent past history with your pup is heartbreaking, I'm sorry... I know how it feels. We do so much to try and help them, it's so sad when some things are just out of our control. That said, my best friend had a terrible diagnosis with her dog, It came as a huge surprise, the mass was in the liver, likely inoperable. My friend and her husband chose not to do anything but just keep feeding her healthy food, added pain meds, other herbal supplements, just taking it day by day. The vet's prognosis was very poor, she was only likely to live 3 months. Guess what?...she's still alive and doing quite well actually, and it's been now more than 2 years! I'm just saying take some time, see how things go, you will do right by Gizmo because you love him :bighug:. Give a few extra chin scritches and kisses to Gizmo from me.
 
Chubba said:
We declined the ultrasound at the moment (not sure if surgery is the best option for Gizmo at this moment). From what I understand acro makes surgery more difficult, Gizmo is going to be 13 in a few weeks, and I’m just not sure I want to put him through all that.
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No reason acro makes things harder. Neko had some pretty major dental surgery, removing a growth from her jaw bone. However, there are some secondary issues to be aware of. Many acros get heart issues, which Neko did and could no longer have anesthesia after that point. Some acros have soft tissue growth in the throat, which means using a kitten sized tube for intubation. Not an issue for Neko.

Ultrasound doesn't need sedation much less anesthesia, unless the cat is fractious. Mine never did. It's a good first step.

I am going to continue to believe it's the cabergoline that put him OTJ. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: How is his appy?
 
Chubba said:
I know and I have been worried about cancer since his numbers starting dropping and he was losing weight, but I assured myself it was just his hyperT and everything would be alright once we got his thyroid straightened out. Our previous 2 animals who have passed have been due to internal masses thought to be cancer. :(​
I sure hope Gizmo has another amazing odd defying trick up his sleeve again this time.
Yes, it should at least tell where the mass is at and what it is attached to, but she said it would be hard to say that it definitely hasn’t spread yet. And that’s what worries me. Why put Gizmo through a surgery if it has already spread? I’m still upset that my mini-schnauzer’s last hours were spent in a cage at the vets office waiting for surgery when she could have passed peacefully in my arms. No matter what decision I make ... I will second guess it for the rest of my life.
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Try not to get crazy worried until you have all the facts to hand. Easy to say when you've lost two other pets - I know. But Gizmo is not them. You may have caught this early and, depending on where and what this is - can be treated. We don't know yet if this is cancer or a mass of something else - could be a benign syst. Get the ultrasound and go from there. And breathe :bighug:
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Many acros get heart issues, which Neko did and could no longer have anesthesia after that point. Some acros have soft tissue growth in the throat, which means using a kitten sized tube for intubation.
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His heart is good. Thankfully. The soft tissue growth in the throat is what I read about but couldn’t quite remember what I had read. Good to know that it is something that can be worked around.
Wendy&Neko said:
Ultrasound doesn't need sedation much less anesthesia, unless the cat is fractious. Mine never did. It's a good first step.
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I know he will be fine with the ultrasound. He is a perfect angel at the vets. We just were not sure about putting him through surgery and figured no sense in getting the unltrasound if not getting surgery. I kinda also want to see where his kidney values end up at once we get the thyroid numbers down.
Wendy&Neko said:
I am going to continue to believe it's the cabergoline that put him OTJ. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: How is his appy?
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. Me too (at least I’m trying to). I told my mom, I’m in denial at this point. He is happy and that’s what I am trying to focus on the most. Appy is still great!
 
So sorry to see this.:(

But happy+appy is wonderful. Like Carla said, Gizmo doesn't know anything is different. Prayers and vines that it stays this way a long, long time.:bighug:
 
Gizmo and you are so inspiring... Both of you are in out thoughts! :bighug::bighug::bighug: Whatever you decide I know will be the right choice, because it will be in Gizmo's best intrests.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this news. And I really understand trying to figure out what is worth doing and not doing test and treatment wise.

Here's how I'd approach it, if it helps: is there a possibility that the mass could be operable with a decent chance of success? And would the ultrasound help us know if that's the case? It's hard to get odds out of vets, but I've found that asking what is more common/less common often helps figure things out.

Also (this might not help) ultrasounds are not quite as good as really looking inside. When we did Quintus's ultrasound last fall (before Dx) there was a largish mass on one end of his pancreas. It looked so bad the vet wasn't very hopeful, saying that with everything else we were observing, odds were it was a tumor. Seems it was not the case, as he improved dramatically and is still around. So an ultrasound can show you stuff, but interpreting them is a whole other story.

I wouldn't worry about him being 13 regarding the surgery. What counts more than age is general state of health.

Sending lots of vines and courage. You might be in a situation where there is no one right decision to make, and whichever way you choose to go will be "fine", you know.

:bighug:
 
I have made the mistake of trying everything and ending up regretting it because the kitty suffered. I have also been in the position of trying everything and buying my kitty an extra year of quality time. ECID, and only you can know what is best for Gizmo.

Personally, I feel there is no such thing as too much info when you are trying to make a decision, so assuming the cost isn't an issue, I'd go for the ultrasound.

The fact that Gizmo is happy and seems to be doing well is encouraging. I'm sure your very dedicated care has had something to do with that. As others have said (and as my vet told me about one of my cats), Gizmo doesn't know he has a mass - don't tell him!

Whatever decisions you make, we all know they will be made with love and with Gizmo's best interest in mind. We are here for you, and we support you in whatever you do or don't do.

Sending mega healing vines and lots of :bighug:s.
 
Sorry to hear about Gizmo.....sending prayers and vines and hopefully in a couple of days you’ll have more info... your heart will tell you what’s right, stay positive. Wish we could do more for you but know you’re in our hearts.
 
Much like several others noted, I'm a glutton for information. I'd ask your vet what information can be gained from the ultrasound and how that would help decision making. The biggest downside of an US is that the quality of the results are entirely dependent on how skilled the person doing the procedure and making the interpretation of the results is.

I'm a bit perplexed about your vet's response about steroids. I wonder what your vet with do with a diabetic cat with IBS -- prednisolone is how you treat the condition, especially in the acute phase. This could be a matter of your vet not having a huge amount of experience with FD. You can always increase the amount of insulin in order to offset the effect of a steroid. There are any number of kitties here who need a steroid for some other condition and they simply adjust their insulin the same way anyone would based on what the numbers indicate.

 
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@Chubba I wish I saw this yesterday. Olive and I are in the exact situation. When Olive arrived I noticed the hard distended abdomen and it didn't go away. Without my vets referral I had the ultrasound done. Had no idea if she could have eaten something that was stuck in the abdomen, (she found in dumpster). She was so uncomfortable.

Fast forward. Ultrasound was done, very quick non invasion procedure, no anesthesia, not even shaved. Mass was found near kidney probably involving the adrenal gland and they say it's pretty big. The IM wants a CT scan so they know (makes sense) as to where they are biopsy or removal. However, 1. I can't afford the CT scan and surgery that would follow, 2. Its one of three types Lord knows I can't pronounce or spell them. One would be benign and could be left alone, one cancerous and removed and third which they were sort of leaning to is what they say is like a stick of dynamite. Should they even try to biopsy it will rupture and kill her instantly. That was the deciding factor on what to do. I'd only had her 3 weeks by then. I am not about to take the chance. However, we now know she has it and time may or may not be limited. It could also be why she needs a higher dose of insulin. We don't even know how old she is, 3 doctors are thinking 10+ years. Rescue estimate was 3-5 yrs, 1st vet says 5-10 yrs. So it's anyone's guess.

So I have chosen to let it be. We know it's there. For me the risk to losing Olive is not worth taking.
 
Stephanie & Quintus said:
Also (this might not help) ultrasounds are not quite as good as really looking inside. When we did Quintus's ultrasound last fall (before Dx) there was a largish mass on one end of his pancreas. It looked so bad the vet wasn't very hopeful, saying that with everything else we were observing, odds were it was a tumor. Seems it was not the case, as he improved dramatically and is still around. So an ultrasound can show you stuff, but interpreting them is a whole other story.
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So true ... his vet actually did hook him up to the ultrasound machine Thursday night to try to get more information before talking with us, but unfortunately also told us she tried, but isn’t skilled in using the ultrasound. The owner of the practice is the one she recommended. We have decided that we are going to at least get the ultrasound. I’m going to talk with her about getting it scheduled tonight when she calls with his blood work results.
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
I have made the mistake of trying everything and ending up regretting it because the kitty suffered. I have also been in the position of trying everything and buying my kitty an extra year of quality time. ECID, and only you can know what is best for Gizmo.
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We are getting an ultrasound. I feel like I tried everything with the dog and it was to much, but I also feel that if I don’t at least get all the facts before deciding on surgery ... I’m going to regret not pushing enough. Information is power ... so we need to keep pushing foward for Gizmo. Originally we thought he is doing well why risk it, but on the other hand he is doing well and is healthy overall, if the mass can easily be removed then why not.

@Love-Paula aka Woodsywife - thanks for sharing your story. I think getting the ultrasound will help us also. I need more information to make a decision and feel comfortable with that decision.

Thank you to everyone for your support! It is so very helpful to have people who understand and “get” everything we are going through. :bighug:
 
Chubba said:
We have decided that we are going to at least get the ultrasound. I’m going to talk with her about getting it scheduled tonight when she calls with his blood work results.
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Good. I wasn't trying to discourage you from getting it. Just remain cautious about the interpretation. It's worth having a long detailed discussion with the vet who did it if you can.
Chubba said:
Originally we thought he is doing well why risk it, but on the other hand he is doing well and is healthy overall, if the mass can easily be removed then why not.
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I'm with you on that one. If surgery needs to happen, now is probably the best time.

More vines. We need a vine emoji.
 
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