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Zoey | 5 years ago
My 11 Year Old Cat Was Diagnosed With A Nasopharyngeal Polyp Via CT Scan And Rhinoscopy Last …

My 11 year old cat was diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal polyp via CT scan and rhinoscopy last year. A biopsy was taken and found not to be cancerous. A nasal flush was the only intervention taken (which improved her symptoms) as I was told it was too small to remove. 3 weeks ago she was taken back with the same symptoms (noisy and difficulty breathing, quacking noises, and problems swallowing food) and another nasal flush was done under anesthesia and an antibiotic injection given with steroids also. Since then she has gotten progressively worse in her symptoms. The same vet wants to do another rhinoscopy and flush and cannot guarantee any results. I am not a rich person and so far between last year and now I have spent over $4,000 to help her. I was hoping you or someone in the Brooklyn area can recommend a reputable veterinarian for at least a second opinion as I am beginning to feel that I am being taken advantage of monetarily because of my dedication to getting help for my cat. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Sarah

    Hello-
    I’m sorry you are finding yourself in this situation. I would make a few phone calls to see about finding a second opinion. Your local humane society or scpa may be able to recommend another vet. I would also have a candid discussion with your current vet about your financial situation and your concern for your cat. Perhaps together, you can come up with a good plan that works for the both of you and more importantly, benefits your cat. Hope this helps- best of luck!!!

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Amanda | 5 years ago
My Almost 6 Month Old Puppy Is Having Diarrhea. We Changed His Food About 2 Weeks From Purina …

My almost 6 month old puppy is having diarrhea. We changed his food about 2 weeks from Purina pro plan puppy to the purina pro plan large breed food. He is a lab/mastiff mix. Do you think it’s the food causing the diarrhea? Should I switched him back to the old stuff? Or give him more time? He is acting fine other then the diarrhea. Thanks!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    At that age I would be most worried about intestinal parasites. Has your vet done a fecal exam for parasites? This is done by sending a fresh fecal sample to lab to be examined under the microscope for parasites eggs. Please ask your vet.

    1. Amanda Post author

      Dr.Magnifco he sees Dr.Graf. I will call and see what I need to do.

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Radioiodine Treatment For A Hyperthyroid Cat. Treatment For Hyperthyroidism In A Cat With I-131.
Treatment Cost (USD): $1962.00
Bica was experiencing weight loss. This was also muscle loss. She seemed healthy, was eating well, but losing muscle mass.
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Elza | 5 years ago
Hello! I Have A 14.5 Year Old Japaenese Splitz Who Had Disc Surgery 2 Years Ago. This Year …

Hello! I have a 14.5 year old japaenese splitz who had disc surgery 2 years ago. This year he developed new weakness in his lower extremities and had a 2.5 kg weight loss so he had a full body ct with contrast and ct brain.
Findings included a chronic herniated disc explaining his weakness and an incidental finding of a splenic mass with some splenomegaly and no evidence of metastasis. Ultrasound findings were non significant. The nature of the mass remains unknown. His blood tests were good and he has no anemia. My veterinary doctor recommends a splenectomy. But i am worried of putting him through general anesthesia given that he has a heart murmur (on no medical Tx). I want to maximize his quality of life. I dont know if i should put him through major surgery given that he is asymptomatic but i am also worried abt internal bleeding and the suffering of metastatic disease if i dont operate. What should i do?

4 Responses

Comments

  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    The first thing that I would do is sit down with the vet and have a heart to heart about your thoughts and concerns. Hopefully you have a good relationship with them, and you are able to have an open discussion regarding whether or not surgery is the best option. I would mention your concerns (anesthesia, etc.) about quality of life and surgery risks for sure. I would also recommend having a “family” meeting with the household of applicable, regarding the pros and cons, the vets advice, and the recovery process (if you go through with surgery) or any other day to day changes that will be necessary in the near future for your pet. But again, my first step would be with my vet to weigh the options for my pet. Best of luck.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I had the same situation a few weeks ago. I am asking that patients mom to contribute to this question too.
    My first piece of advice is to ask for an echocardiogram exam. You don’t mention the degree or severity of the heart murmur (usually graded on a scale of 1-6) and it is important to say that a low grade doesn’t always indicate it is safe or irrelevant.
    From here you can better assess anesthetic risk.
    In general I tell clients to take out the spleen before it becomes a problem. A bleeding spleen can kill a dog quickly. So quickly you may not even have time for successful surgical intervention.
    You have done an amazing job with diagnostics and treatment options. Don’t stop here.
    Please let us know what happens.
    Best of luck

  3. Trish Powers

    Wow, what you are going through sounds quite sillier to what I just experienced with my oldest dog, who is almost 12. He is a Lab mix weighing about 54 lbs. A few months back he had is senior checkup, including a full blood panel and all looked good except trace amounts of blood in his urine and he has had a heart murmur his whole life and had never been on heart medication. He ate carpet a few weeks ago and while doing X-rays and ultrasounds to be sure it wasn’t causing a bowel obstruction, we found he had an enlarged heart and two masses on his spleen, with no indication of metastasis. He was acting himself, except for the belly issues from eating the carpet. Once we knew the carpet issue was under control, I got a second opinion about the spleen and had long talks with my vet about the situation. Both veterinarians suggested a splenectomy, and also to consider a cardiology evaluation to be sure his heart was strong enough for surgery. I was so nervous about what to do, he is older, acting fine and his quality of life is great. The thought of putting him through what I felt was major surgery was so frightening, especially since he is older, but I was also getting nervous about internal bleeding and ending up in emergency surgery and that being life threatening. I made the decision to see a cardiologist and they cleared him for surgery, and started him on heart medication; he then had the splenectomy the next day. The recovery was quick and he actually wasn’t much bothered by the surgery, maybe a day or two of lethargy. By the end of the first week I was having to keep him from playing and running, he was back to himself. Now, a few weeks later, I am so thankful I made the decision I did, he is just so happy, playful and back to being his energetic (in the old man style) self and even starting play sessions with his siblings. It was a roller coater ride for the few weeks after getting the diagnosis, getting a second opinion and making the decision to go forward with the surgery, but it was all worth it to have him back and not sit here and worry if he might be bleeding internally. I learned your mind can play those games with you when you know there is a potential unseen problem with your dog. One thing that made the decision a little easier was my vet telling me the surgery wasn’t much more on him then say a spay for a girl, it really wasn’t as major as I thought it would be, and based on the experience I went through, I’d agree it really didn’t take much out of him at all. I wish you all the best in making your decision, and I’d be happy to help answer any other questions you may have.
    Trish

  4. Krista Magnifico

    this is the answer from my client, Trish, who’s dog had a very similar issue (heart murmur and incidental splenic mass found via ultrasound).

    “Wow, what you are going through sounds quite sillier to what I just experienced with my oldest dog, who is almost 12. He is a Lab mix weighing about 54 lbs. A few months back he had is senior checkup, including a full blood panel and all looked good except trace amounts of blood in his urine and he has had a heart murmur his whole life and had never been on heart medication. He ate carpet a few weeks ago and while doing X-rays and ultrasounds to be sure it wasn’t causing a bowel obstruction, we found he had an enlarged heart and two masses on his spleen, with no indication of metastasis. He was acting himself, except for the belly issues from eating the carpet. Once we knew the carpet issue was under control, I got a second opinion about the spleen and had long talks with my vet about the situation. Both veterinarians suggested a splenectomy, and also to consider a cardiology evaluation to be sure his heart was strong enough for surgery. I was so nervous about what to do, he is older, acting fine and his quality of life is great. The thought of putting him through what I felt was major surgery was so frightening, especially since he is older, but I was also getting nervous about internal bleeding and ending up in emergency surgery and that being life threatening. I made the decision to see a cardiologist and they cleared him for surgery, and started him on heart medication; he then had the splenectomy the next day. The recovery was quick and he actually wasn’t much bothered by the surgery, maybe a day or two of lethargy. By the end of the first week I was having to keep him from playing and running, he was back to himself. Now, a few weeks later, I am so thankful I made the decision I did, he is just so happy, playful and back to being his energetic (in the old man style) self and even starting play sessions with his siblings. It was a roller coater ride for the few weeks after getting the diagnosis, getting a second opinion and making the decision to go forward with the surgery, but it was all worth it to have him back and not sit here and worry if he might be bleeding internally. I learned your mind can play those games with you when you know there is a potential unseen problem with your dog. One thing that made the decision a little easier was my vet telling me the surgery wasn’t much more on him then say a spay for a girl, it really wasn’t as major as I thought it would be, and based on the experience I went through, I’d agree it really didn’t take much out of him at all. I wish you all the best in making your decision, and I’d be happy to help answer any other questions you may have.
    Trish”

    hope this helps.. i am going to ask Trish to add Reggie’s story to our storylines section asap!

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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
A Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) Surgery On A 5 Year Old Feline (cat) With A History Of Blockages
Treatment Cost (USD): $1891.26
Lewis had previously been unblocked twice at our vet center. About a month after his second unblocking procedure was completed, Lewis's owner noticed that he was straining to urinate again. He was also crying and peeing around the house. He was brought in immediately and after an exam it was determined that Lewis was blocked again.
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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
An Unblock Procedure On A 5 Year Old Feline (cat). Needed Multiple Unblocks
Treatment Cost (USD): $1395.00
Lewis came in to the clinic with urinary problems. His owners suspected a UTI. After an exam the veterinarian determined that he had a urinary blockage. With a prescription diet, medication, and an unblock procedure, Lewis was feeling better. About a month later Lewis was straining to urinate again. After an exam this time, it was determined that Lewis had another blockage. He was x-rayed and had another unblock procedure completed.
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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
An Unblocking Procedure On A 4 Year Old Feline (cat)
Treatment Cost (USD): $1446.00
Ricky came in to Jarrettsville Vet Center with symptoms of not urinating and hiding in his house as well as vomiting. His owners were concerned that he wasn't acting like himself. After an examination he was determined to have a urinary blockage. Ricky had urinary problems for about a month prior to the eventual blockage. This is a common occurrence with cats and it is important to talk with your vet about a treatment plan.
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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
A Unblocking Procedure On A 7 Year Old DSH Cat
Treatment Cost (USD): $860.00
Riachu came into Jarrettsville Vet Center because he was having trouble walking. After an examination it was determined that he had a urinary blockage.
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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
A TNR On A 5 Year Old Female Cat
Treatment Cost (USD): $169.00
This cat was brought in by a local rescue to be spayed as a TNR (trap, neuter, release). This rescue is approved by JVC to have a spay cost of $65.00. Below is a breakdown of the pricing for a typical TNR Spay at Jarrettsville Veterinary Center.
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Lydia Schlitzkus | 5 years ago
Mass Removal On A 14 Year Old Domestic Medium Hair Cat
Treatment Cost (USD): $556.00
Lucy came in to have a mass removed from her back. It began as a lesion on her back, and repeatedly did not heal. The next step for Lucy was to take a surgical approach to remove the mass.
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