Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As posted previously, I took my cat in a few weeks ago since I noticed that he was losing weight. The vet said he was slightly dehydrated and kept him overnight to give him fluids and also take an x-ray and do some bloodwork both of which turned out fine. Still bothered by the weight loss, my vet suggested I take my cat in for an abdominal ultrasound. I took him in a week ago last Monday and the vet called me later on to say that my cat has masses/lumps in the mesentary lining very near to his intestines. She told me I could either have some fluid aspirated from his tummy to get an accurate diagnosis or do exploratory surgery for a biopsy. She also said that either way would only give me a “name” of what he has (she strongly suspects cancer) and that it would put him through a lot when there is really no cure. She said that she believes he is not suffering at the moment but that what he has is fatal.

I have done a lot of thinking the past week and have decided not to put my cat through exploratory surgery followed possibly by chemo. I just can’t put my cat through all that if the outcome is going to be the same. He’s perfectly happy at home and I don’t want to disrupt that for him. I also don’t think that he is strong enough for any surgery. He is eating okay but not as much as he probably should be to maintain the 8 lbs that he is. I do have to coax him sometimes to eat but he does still seem to have some spunk left in him since he makes it down two flights of stairs to his litterbox and back up again to his bed.

Ever since he had the ultrasound, I’ve been curious as to the exact findings so I called the vet’s office yesterday to ask for a copy of the imaging report. The following is what was reported regarding the findings (all other areas were WNL):

Other: A moderate amount of echogenic effusion is present. The mesentery is ropy and nodular with small mineralized foci. A ~1.5cm mass is seen at the root of the mesentery. R/O LN vs mesenteric root mass.

Diagnostic Impressions: R/O neoplasia such as carcinomatosis or lymphoma vs FIP. Abdominocentesis recommended.

I guess I’d like to pose my question for another opinion based on the findings. Part of me feels some guilt about not doing the abdominocentesis but the other part of me feels that either way (cancer or FIP) it’s not worth it to put my cat through it just to hear that it’s not good and the inevitable is going to happen.

Sometimes I feel like I’m in denial. I question whether or not I am doing the right thing for my cat. Thank you.

I am not a vet and can't even begin to understand the findings, however I do understand what you are saying. We had a cat who suddenly presented with a lot of fluid on the lungs. We asked for testing, but before we had it done, she passed away.

Good luck!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thank you for your kind response.

My cat went from 11 pounds in June to 8 pounds last week which prompted my taking him in to get checked. The place where I took him for the ultrasound is one of the best in New England (VESCONE). My veterinarian has been in practice for 23 years. When she told me of the ultrasound findings she said that the abdominocentesis or exploratory surgery would be a 95-98% way to get a “name” and I’d be putting my cat through a lot for just a name when the outcome is going to be the same. She also said that she doesn’t even know that she can get any fluid from his belly and if she couldn’t, she’d have to go right to exploratory surgery. Also, I don’t know if the masses within the mesentery can all be removed without some major complications. She also said that he is already sick (although sometimes he doesn’t look it) so why put him through all that. As mentioned, I did a ton of thinking and reading about the situation and came to the conclusion that I’d make him as happy as possible and not put him through all the poking and prodding he’d be subjected to. I don’t know if I have the heart, and if he has the strength, to go through surgery, possibly followed by chemo if it will only prolong and not cure. She told me to keep an eye on his eating and when he no longer eats then I’ll know it’s time. He is eating okay and I’ve been giving him Hills a/d and Nutrical.

I guess the nature of my posting was probably out of guilt that I feel by not doing the abdominocentesis. I’m certainly not doubting my vet but sometimes I’m in denial and feel like I need to hear from others that it’s “not good” and that I am doing the right thing. I feel like I am but certainly get my moments where I feel I could do more but…when I see my cat happy and purring at home, I want to leave him that way. For what it’s worth, I do plan on having post-mortem testing done since if it is FIP I need to know because I have two other cats. My vet doesn’t suspect that, however, as much as she suspects cancer.

I’m sorry if this message seems rambling. My mind has been going in circles since last week. I appreciate any further insight.