10 yo cat fluid on lungs, chf, high protein

[Coyoteco]

[QUOTE=Beethoven;8660996]
Is the plural effusion on both sides or just one? I had a cat with neoplasia that developed effusion only on one side.

I’d be looking for a internal medicine veterinarian and a cardiologist for your cat. I’d also not judge an entire veterinary school’s graduates off ones you’ve met in the past.[/QUOTE]

I’ll stay with this clinic until they recommend that I go somewhere else. We did talk about a cardiologist, but she didn’t mention an internist. So, that may happen soon, depending on what happens.

As for the vet school, I used their clinic for a couple of years. I got very upset with the results. It took me awhile to realize that the really bad results had to do with cats. I base my concern on a lot of personal experience. That doesn’t mean that there are no good cat vets from there, but it means I do count a degree from there as not positive.

Yes. It was on both sides, and was removed from both sides.

[Coyoteco]

[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;8660966]
Sorry to ask if this has already been stated (may have missed it in the history) but was his abdominal ultrasound clear?[/QUOTE]

Yes. It was.

[Coyoteco]

[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;8660962]
There are definitely some internists who have a strong interest in cats over dogs. We have one (out of 4) here who primarily work with cats. She is excellent. My own kitten at 12 weeks had chylous effusion in both the thorax and abdomen. Every other vet said FIP and to put him down. He is now 15 and never had a recurrence. It may be worth the drive to find an internist who has an interest in cats and that have acess to diagnostic tools such as a CT as these are usually quite sensitive with thoracic cases. Good luck![/QUOTE]

Well, now I’m wondering about his litter mate who died many years ago with “FIP”.

Oh, and there isn’t a place farther than the specialist I go to and drive. We drive a long, long time to get there. The vet school is closer, but you’ll see my opinion of that in another post.

[Coyoteco]

I really appreciate the insight and discussion. It gives me ideas to follow up on and things to think about. I hate thinking that my young cat may not have had FIP and that my old vet was wrong:( though.

I do think this vet clinic is particularly good and caring.

[SquishTheBunny]

It’s definitely important to have trust with your chosen vet. A good relationship is key to ensuring the best possible care. Second opinions however are very much worth perusing in difficult cases as well. If your cat is stable for the time being, waiting for cytology is probably the best course of action.

Fwiw, I’m suprise a cat specialist would give convenia. It can be a great drug for uncompliant clients or very difficult patients but it sounds like you are spot on with your cats medical care. We rarely use it because of the potential detrimental “long lasting” effects, especially cats. Howe er if it is working for your cat and the effects are non existent then it’s no harm continuing as planned.

If only they could talk

[Coyoteco]

[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;8661244]
It’s definitely important to have trust with your chosen vet. A good relationship is key to ensuring the best possible care. Second opinions however are very much worth perusing in difficult cases as well. If your cat is stable for the time being, waiting for cytology is probably the best course of action.

Fwiw, I’m suprise a cat specialist would give convenia. It can be a great drug for uncompliant clients or very difficult patients but it sounds like you are spot on with your cats medical care. We rarely use it because of the potential detrimental “long lasting” effects, especially cats. Howe er if it is working for your cat and the effects are non existent then it’s no harm continuing as planned.

If only they could talk :([/QUOTE]

The administration of the Covenia is of concern to me also. I’d have to look back through the thread to see what I have actually said about this, as I have started to post a lot, and generally thought better of it.

All of my cats (except a few very old cats I got from my mother) have come from a feral cat colony that existed here when I bought the property. (Through spay and other things, there are no longer any outside cats here.) The cats all share strong genetic traits and throughout their lives, we had to be very careful of things like vaccinations, as they had severe reactions to them. I would not be surprised if the majority of the problem results from the administration of this drug.

In any event, it is a drug I will not be allowing ever again. This cat is very cooperative and I don’t know why it was given.

[Coyoteco]

The vet called. The results of the tests of the plural effusion fluid reveals very irregular cells - carcinoma. She could not tell which kind.

Currently his breathing is better. His diuretic is decreased and he is feeling better.

She hasn’t yet proposed a plan to address the carcinoma.

[jetsmom]

I’m so sorry about your kitty.

[Zu_Zu]

Jingles continue for your beloved cat ~ ((hugs)) for both of you ~

AO ~ you two are able to share more time together ~

[Foxtrot_s]

Our aged white Bull Terrier had an enlarged heart and fluid on the lungs. He had a raspy deep cough and the vet had him on medicine to reduce the fluid. He slept all the time, went in and out to do chores and then put himself back to bed.
I can say that I did not feel he was unwell in himself - seemed to eat, but less, seemed happy to see us, still had his waggy, and felt we were doing what we could for hime.

One day I was on the phone with my daughter and he was in his bed sleeping, as usual. My husband came in and all we heard was my husband say, “Uh oh”, and our boy had gone on his way. Not a gurgle, not a moan, gasp, pant, so silent and still.

I’m telling this because he just simply wore out and had the best parting possible, near his people and quietly…so, while I want the best for your cat and feel for you, just thought I’d pass this on. We have such good memories of that crazy boy. Take care.

[Beckham03]

Older cats can develop FIP. We call it a young cat/old cat illness. Not something completely off the list, sadly. Hard to prove since most cats test positive for the corona virus.

My other thought is neoplasia. You said there were chest radiographs taken. Who read these out? Current vet or a radiologist? I would be looking for a mass in the chest. Not sure how clear the roads are with fluid.

I would be seeking a specialist now. Internist, oncologist…

Not to be a downer, but a coworkers cat presented Sunday with abnormal breathing and they pulled 120 mls of fluid off her chest and found a mass. They aspirated the mass and it came back as lymphoma. She tried taking her home on meds but she ended up in respiratory distress. She had to let her go today. She was on,y 3 years old.

I really hope you get some sound answers and care to have more quality time with your kitty.

[SquishTheBunny]

I’m sorry for the diagnosis.

[Coyoteco]

Thank you all. It is very unfortunate that he is facing this. We have another cat who is two years younger who was diagnosed with advance mammary cancer in August. The prognosis was six weeks, with a “cats can surprise you” suggestion. That cat is still doing very well. Hopefully, Caspian will beat the odds for awhile. He has had a rough month, though. It also causes me to fear that my other cats who are all related will face similar things at a younger age. I’m used to cats living well into their 20’s. This 10 yo old terminal disease thing is very bad:(.

I will talk with the senior vet. He isn’t an oncologist, but has a special interest in cancer. I’ve had discussions with him about the cat with mammary cancer and he’ll go the extra 1000 yards to help the cat, and stay within its best interest. He has knowledge and connections, and compassion, so I will be talking with him.

Becham03 I will have some questions for you after I read a little.

foxtrot, I understand why you posted your post, and even talked about it when I was discussing this with my son. It is very relevant. I’m sorry you lost your beautiful boy.

[Coyoteco]

Beckham03, OK, I read up on Neoplasia. It doesn’t quite seem to fit. Even if it was a squamous cell carcinoma neoplasia, the prognosis would not be improved.

It was the vet who read the readiographs. She is confident in her skills, while recognizing that she isn’t a radiologist. Now, if a radiologist were to find a mass, would that change anything? With significant congestive heart failure, would surgery be something he would likely survive? If he survived the surgery, and such a lump were removed, would that provide any actual benefit?

I will be discussing this with the senior vet, and go from there. I have a lot of confidence in him.

Thanks for the input, suggestions and ideas.

[Beckham03]

It would probably not be operable, but perhaps would give a more definitive diagnosis and help with other treatment options. Such as if they would want to add in a chemo drug, etc.

That’s great that he’s still stable!!! I’m hopeful you have more time with your kitty.

[Pancakes]

If your vet can’t see a large mass on plain radiographs, it’s probably not operable. Your best bet is to have a thoracic ultrasound or CT done to see if you can find a mass to confirm diagnosis 100%. If that’s the case, chemo might be able to help delay the disease progression to some extent.

Honestly though, it’s a very poor prognosis. Carcinoma = neoplasia. Neoplasia is a generic name for cancer. You’re probably looking at weeks to months of survival, if that. The best thing you can do is enjoy the time that he is feeling good now, and be thankful for that.

My coworker came to me a few weeks ago-- her cat, who was 13, never sick a day in his life, started breathing heavily. I took over 200 mL off her cat’s chest – he had pleural effusion. It was a malignant effusion. He felt OK for a few days but the effusion kept coming back. She put him to sleep 2 weeks after diagnosis.

http://www.winnfelinefoundation.org/docs/default-source/cat-health-library-educational-articles/lung-cancer-in-cats-2c-2014.pdf?sfvrsn=4

[SquishTheBunny]

If you want to peruse further diagnostics to see if there is a surgical lesion, a thoracic ct would be 100% recommended over radiographs. CT scans are much more sensitive to metastasis as well and can pick up smaller lesions than radiographs. Cats ca often be done with no to little sedation however your own vet will likely not have this as an option, generally cts are usually only with specialists. Not saying it’s something you should or shouldn’t peruse, just trying to help give you information. Glad to hear kitty is still hanging in there.

[Coyoteco]

Well, I thought I would tell you all, since your are always so helpful and get so involved in helping.

I’ll give a bit of background first. We have a cat that was diagnosed with advanced mammary cancer. With the vet, we decided that surgery was not the right thing for her. He thought she would live for only six weeks, but gave the outside chance of three months. That was in early August. He put us in touch with various cancer trials, and we followed through. Ultimately, there were none that included cats. So, my daughter followed the line of medical thought with anti-inflammatories. This cat continues to do well. Of course, the vet said that if the main tumor remained, it would slow the growth of sister tumors. We don’t “know” why she continues to do well.

Now, with the cancer diagnosis on the cat that is the subject of this thread, it was noticed that he got worse with the antibiotic shot, but better with the anti-inflammatory shot. So, on request, the vet prescribed an anti inflammatory med.

My daughter is giving curcumin (an extract from turmeric) and will start the anti-inflammatory med soon - there is an adjustment with his heart meds that is in the process. As soon as she started the curcumin, he started feeling better.

So, that’s the course of action for now.

[BUSY]

Jingles !

[CindyCRNA]

OP, I am so sorry! I know what you mean about your cat being young. My current kitty is going to be 21 next month and her “sister” lived to be over 18 so 10 is a baby to me! You may have mentioned but what kind of cancer are they suspecting?