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Had CT done of my cat Lucas due to no resolution of respiratory problems with antibiotics. Here are the results.
Moderate to marked thickening of the roof of the nasopharynx
• Otitis media bilaterally
• Lymphadenopathy left medial retropharyngeal lymph node
The marked thickening of the mucosal lining of the roof of the nasopharynx in conjunction withthe enlarged left medial retropharyngeal lymph node are highly suggestive for neoplastic
, and round cell neoplasia is the top differential diagnosis. Differentials include mast-
cell tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, other. The mucosal thickening of the roof
of the nasopharynx can explain the bilateral otitis media due to mechanical obstruction of the
openings of the auditory tubes into the nasopharynx. A differential to neoplastic infiltration is
marked non-infectious inflammation (e.g. lymphocytic plasmacytic, eosinophilic) or
granulomatous inflammation (e.g. Cryptococcosis) but the later one is considered far less likely
here. The findings are not typical for inflammatory polyps.The bilateral otitis media is explains the history of head tilt and Horner’s syndrome.
Rhinoscopy/retrograde pharyngoscopy is recommended for further evaluation including FNA
sampling and biopsy. FNA sampling of the left medial retropharyngeal lymph node is warranted
as well. The prednisolone treatment may influence results of the samples.
I think all the tests and surgeries that may follow will be out of my budget. Already spent over $1000 to date with no resolution.
Wondering if there are veterinarians who would go in and remove the polyp – appears to be a poly under soft palate – just to give the cat some relief and time.
Opinions and suggestions are welcome.
I rescued a box of kittens that were thrown in a cardboard box wet to die four years ago. My fiancé kept one that we named Stoker (a tuxie that reminded me of Bram Stoker). Three months ago he blocked. We got him in to the emergency vet and transferred him to our regular clinic. Over the last three months he has had nothing but complications from infections of the sutures outside, to irritation and swelling. We finally got the last two outer sutures out at the vet about a month ago and were not charged. However today temperatures soared and he has been panting nonstop. His body temp is 101.9, and I have been wetting him down with a wet wash rag. He then vomited nothing but hair and water (assume from over grooming because of heat). Finally got him in an a/c room and he vomited again. He is twitching in his hind end. I tried to insert a sterile curved syringe into the new opening and cannot get it further than 1/4” so instead of heat stroke I am now worried the hole may have healed over. We have no income as we have both become unemployed. I am desperate for help.
We let another cat that was a month younger in that box who had the same PU surgery and he had never had complications. He did have his within six months of age (he has Manx size and tail issues they said his urethra was smaller than it should have been and it was necessary or else he would have issues). So I am not a stranger to this surgery and recovery and I know everyone is different.
Heather- I would make a phone call to your regular vet who is familiar with this cat and situation right away.
Hello,
Based on the temperature you took I don’t think the panting is due to fever. I would be worried about pain, stress etc. I often see cats pain with pain or stress. I am so sorry about all that has happened. I am also sorry to say that the only way to help your cat is with a vet. Someone needs to examine him. Call you vet and ask for help. Or find a car specialist to assist. Or call every shelter and rescue.
I am at his primary vet now although the vet who has been handling his issues is off today. Praying they can help us.
I rescued a box of kittens that were thrown in a cardboard box wet to die four years ago. My fiancé kept one that we named Stoker (a tuxie that reminded me of Bram Stoker). Three months ago he blocked. We got him in to the emergency vet and transferred him to our regular clinic. Over the last three months he has had nothing but complications from infections of the sutures outside, to irritation and swelling. We finally got the last two outer sutures out at the vet about a month ago and were not charged. However today temperatures soared and he has been panting nonstop. His body temp is 101.9, and I have been wetting him down with a wet wash rag. He then vomited nothing but hair and water (assume from over grooming because of heat). Finally got him in an a/c room and he vomited again. He is twitching in his hind end. I tried to insert a sterile curved syringe into the new opening and cannot get it further than 1/4” so instead of heat stroke I am now worried the hole may have healed over. We have no income as we have both become unemployed. I am desperate for help.
Stoker is a very handsome boy! I sincerely apologize as this response in coming forth quite a while after, but I do hope you received the answers you were looking for. 101.9F is a pretty normal temp for our kitty friends. Please let us know if there is any thing we can help with or any questions you may have!
My cat just had a litter of kittens and I’ve never seen this before but all of the kittens were born with their eyes wide open, I couldn’t find anything recent on the internet about this, just wondering if anyone knows what could be going on.
Hello,
Yes it is normal to be born with the eyes closed. But. Like everything kitten related we can’t do anything to change this so we should just make sure mom is kept happy, well fed, and in a quiet peaceful and safe place so she can take the best care of her kittens.
Thanks, Momma is very happy and the kittens seem to be healthy 6 kittens, 5 born with their eyes open, but all alive and healthy momma is taking good care of them, I just wasn’t sure if I should take them to the vet or not
I have a cat 10 years of age, Flash. He had a tumor that was detected after he chewed on his privates and was unable to pee. I took him to the vet and was told they had to remove tumor and his male parts. So after spending about 1500.00, a discount because I also had my other cat that cost 500 for shots and fixing and chipped. After about two months my cat once again had issue peeing. I am now told it will cost another $2000 to do another surgery where they will make a knew opening. I am at ends wit because I can’t do another $2000 when thinking the first surgery was to fix the issue. Was something not done correctly the first time? All I am told is that he heals too fast and the tissue is weak and can’t maintian an opening to pee needing a new one.
@kristamagnifico any thoughts on my situation? I have been following you and can see your passion and honesty
Hello,
I’m sorry but I am not quite sure what is going on here. I think that I would recommend that you get a second opinion from a feline specialist or a vet your friends or family recommend. Or go back to your vet and ask for assistance in exposing what’s going on and why?
I think you need some clarification before making any big decisions. In the meantime you can ask about intermediate palliative care. Please keep me posted on progress and good luck!
Hello,
1 of our 2 orphaned newborn kittens (6 days old of age) started eating less the last 12 hours. Before 3 hours I noticed his right front leg was swollen and took him to vet immediatelly. The vet said it might be broken bone or soft tissue injury but she cant tell or do anything before the kitten reaches 3 weeks. I keep the routine of feeding, cleaning + toilet. Is there anything more I should do?
Thank you
Good morning. I would call the vet right away and let them know about the change in appetite. I would also ask if there is anything at all that you should be doing… rest, for example. I would definitely watch her closely, and make note of any changes at all and call your vet right away if you notice anything.
Thank you, Sarah, for your reply. I had taken him to a vet near me 5 hours ago and the vet said cant do nothing but wait until the kitty gets older to fix his (perhaps) broken leg… Because I see this poor kitty in pain I booked an appointment to another vet for a second opinion 3 hours from now.
I have an 6 year old ridgeback. she had a hernia op two weeks ago. she got discharged three days after the op with drain. another three days later we took her in for a check up and and her vet wasn’t happy with a hard swelling on her abdomen. he discovered that there was a re-herniation and re-sutured. two days later she developed a seroma. she is still admitted at the veterinary hospital. is this normal healing? i am very worried. When i visit her, she is active and happy, eating well and passing stools and peeing well.
Hello,
I don’t know if I would call it normal. But it’s not uncommon. If you are concerned please express that to your vet. As long as your pet is acting and behaving normally I think it is ok to give them time to heal.
My cat was taken in to the vet in May to treat allergies, difficulty breathing (snoring sounds) and a head tilt. Was given an anti inflammatory, antibiotic (convenia), vitamin b-12, ear drops, and an X-ray. Diagnosed with asthma brought on by allergies. Lungs ok. Three weeks later breathing and itching had improved, but third eyelid started showing.
Vet would not see him and said to go to a specialist.
Took the cat for a second opinion. That vet said we should check for nasal polyps. Was sedated and had an exam of ears and throat. No polyps were visible. Vet felt a small enlarged area under the soft palate, but could not confirm this was a polyp. Head tilting stopped after first visit. Recurred a few days ago. Not present now. Second vet recommended going to a specialist for ct scan. It is cost prohibitive and I’m not sure it is necessary. Third opinion from an online site recommended we try antibiotics for the respiratory issues. Started on one antibiotic today for ten days. And started on purina fortiflora.
Looking for any other advice or experience with issues like this. I’ve never had a cat with these problems.
Thanks.
#cats #nasal #headtilt #respiratory #polyps
Hello,
This is a tough one. The problem really lies in the inability to localize and identify the lesion causing all of the clinical signs. I would look into Horners Syndrome and see a cat specialist. I also would consider a long discussion with a trusted vet on what is treatable and what isn’t based on most likely diagnosis. That’s really what you need. Help from someone who will talk about your case within your budget and comfort zone. I have to add one more thing. It really bugs the heck out of me to have a vet who won’t talk to you further after you discuss and confide in your inability to see a specialist (who will likely want a ct that you also can’t afford). Sorry. Soapbox moment.
Keep me posted on your cats status please.
Thank you. I just found your videos on removing nasal polyps on you tube. Was so hopeful yesterday that the second opinion vet who did the exam with Lucas under anesthesia would find a polyp in his throat and remove it. But instead she said she felt something kidney bean size under his soft palate. She wasn’t real confident of what it was. I went for the second opinion and told them I could not do the specialist route due to cost. Then I ended up being told I need to go see a specialist and spend 1-2 thousand for a CT. After that I could not pay for anymore treatment. So I searched around and had a vet online recommend the antibiotics. No one yet has given me options. Although the second vet said well he could live with polyps. I said but he is getting worse. The head tilt went away and came back. She said nothing else. I feel like I’m in an airport being moved through the system in the midst of storms that no on wants to discuss. And when I ask questions like can we give him steroids for inflammation – she says oh no I wouldn’t do that.
I am scheduled for a consult with a vet from Cornell on Sunday. Maybe that will help.
The other option I’m considering is just paying for a consult with a specialist – internal medicine I guess. When you call they won’t tell you what anything costs until you beg them. So I am leary of spending more money twith a specialist who may tell me they can’t do anything until I spend even more money on a ct.
Sorry, frustrating week.
Here’s Lucas – before the Horners syndrome started.
Hello,
I completely understand your frustration. For al of the reasons you mention we added a storyline section to this site. If you can please add a story of your experience at each vet you went to and include the prices of each visit. I hope it is a way for others to see what the cost of care is and even which bets are affordable and helpful. Stories are entered by service provider. So each visit is entered separately but reference that you added one for each. It is a new feature so let me know if you have any questions or problems. We really are working hard to help people like you. Keep us posted. Good luck. Ps I think Cornell is a great option.
For more information on this subject please see these credible resource pages; ACVS Nasopharyngeal Polyps; https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/nasopharyngeal-polyps
Dr Magnifico, this is the link you posted. Figure 5 sounds like what Lucas has – a small polyp under his soft palate. Is this a surgery that a general practice cat vet could perform. Or only a surgeon. Cost is an issue for me. But I want to help Lucas before things get worse. Thanks.
It says the mass will regrow with the simple removal shown. But it would be some relief and I’m not sure how fast they grow. Thanks.
Went to a new vet today. What a difference from the others! Quiet, calm environment. Cats only patients. The vet was so thorough. Spent a long time with Lucas. When Lucas got anxious, he allowed him to go back into his carrier and calm down. Then he continued the exam by removing the top of the carrier. Lucas stayed in the corner and was much calmer. Going to try a new antibiotic – to hit what might be a middle ear infection. Onward!
Awesome! Sounds like you made great helpful progress. Very best of luck.
Thanks Dr Magnifico,
The consulting vet from Cornell recommended I find a good vet interested in pursuing what is going on with Lucas, and listening to me regarding my budget. That was the same advice you gave! By the way the Cornell consult was excellent. The vet was very familiar with nasal polyps – and did not feel like this is the problem.
My bunny’s breathing and nose twitching is very fast. My city is in the middle of a heatwave and my bunny has recently just been laying on my kitchen tiles. My sister is staying over and she is very loud and has startled my bunny a lot. I tried to have her lay down on an ice pack but she kept trying to EAT the ice pack so I took it away. I put water in a spray and tried spraying her (it was a mist, not that much water came out) but my bunny would take one spray and run away. Her nose is twitching VERY fast and her breathing is crazy. I was wondering if there was a way I could calm her down. Is she doing OK as well? Her coat is not very thick and she is albino. Thank you.
Good morning. Is there anyway that you can call your vet right away?
hello,
I would be worried about overheating, but stress, pain, and disease are also possible. Its best and safest to head to the vets.
My cat has thrown up 3 hairballs in the past week. This started after we had began packing to move, he has also had a diet change. I noticed no other problems with him. Could this be due to stress or is it something bigger?
This could be a combination of stress from the move and all that goes along with it and the new food. Your cat may be grooming more often to sooth any stress they are feeling. I would keep an eye on him…maybe jot down how often he is grooming, when hairballd occur, what is going on just before or around the time they occur, and if it continues share this info with your vet. Best of luck!
My cats also went through a stage of throwing up hairballs; one of my cats was a domestic long-hair. I solved her issue by shaving her each summer in May and she stays short through December. Also, it made it much easier on her grooming habits, which would lead to hairballs each month. I switched both to a high fiber dry kibble, grain free and hairballs have almost completely been eradicated. I’m wary of highly “colored” kibbles found in the cheaper grocery stores that include many dyes and artificial flavors/colors. These caused both of my cats to vomit commonly. Finally the good news; my vet said the best place for a hairball is one that’s been thrown up. As violent as the act of expelling a hairball is, it beats the alternative of a colon obstruction. Hope this helps!
Good morning- I’m sorry you’ve been through so much already, and still are having issues. Did you speak candidly with your primary vet already about all of these findings and your wishes? (Meaning the removal of the polyp or at least some relief) That is probably where I would start. I would also make a few phone calls… local rescue organizations that may be willing to help fund your surgery. Or possibly your vet may let you pay a little at a time as you have already paid so much? I hope things get better soon!????????
I agree with Sarah! Ask around to find someone locally to give you affordable options.