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My sister-in-law called today in tears with her brain scrambled. Her black cat Willow was not herself and she decided to take her in for a check-up. She called, got lucky with a cancellation, and went in to hear (best she can remember, being in shock and having a fast talking vet) that there is a blockage and they did an x-ray and there's a mass and Willow may be bleeding into it because her red blood cell count is bad. They gave her steroids and pain meds and said to make sure she doesn't run out of them and that leukemia is a possibility. The only thing she could think to ask was how long she might have. They don't know. Something mentioned about going to a different kind of vet, but no referral given. No follow-up appointment.
I wondered where exactly the mass might be and decided I would ask you guys if there are other questions she might have asked and if there is anything you think she can or should do. Any bloodwork questions I can find out the answers.
If the meds stabilize her and improve her immediate quality of life, that at least gives them time to think about their options. A second opinion, or an appointment with an oncology specialist would be the next step, depending on how far they want to go, and how much Willow can tolerate.
How much messing about and trips to the vet a cat can tolerate is as important as anything else, and needs to be included in the quality of life assessment, in my opinion. What's the point of trying to extend a cat's life if she is miserable with the treatments?
If there is a vet school near by (within 2 hours drive) she can ask for a referral there, or call them and see if a referral is needed. Or if she is in an urban area that has those kinds of specialists practicing, she can ask the vet for a referral, or ask people who they recommend.
I do hope the meds help Willow feel better. Cats are so good at hiding illness, by the time they show something is wrong, sadly, the illnesses are often very far advanced. Please remind SIL of that so she doesn't blame herself on top of everything else she has to cope with.
Thank you for the response and suggestions. I'll pass them on. Unfortunately, she's in a rural area and went to the go-to vet. I'm sorry that Willow doesn't seem to be responding and ate very little today, a few licks. I don't think she blames herself, but Willow is only 6, so very sad.
It' awful to lose a pet so young. If she's not responding to the meds then immediate quality of life must be considered, and too soon is better than too late. I'm so sorry.
Yes, SIL talked to the original vet and got the name of an oncologist (rare as hen's teeth in the boonies) who is ON VACATION, so she's waiting for an appointment. She left a message.
Willow ate a little canned duck cat food. That's all I know for now.
She said thank you, much appreciated, for the suggestions and questions.
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Willow
