cat fibrosarcoma treatment
Question :
Barney (male neutered American shorthair 14years old), our male cat had a quarter size mass on right flank which was diagnosed as vaccine associated fibrosarcoma. Surgery was done in December 2004 to remove the tumor. Pathology for determination of clear margins was done after surgery and a few neoplastic strands were still present.
He's done very well since and is alert and active. He's developed several small nodules in the same area and a new mass up on his back spine area. We just took Barney back to the vet suregeon who did the original surgery and he is recommending a second surgery to remove the new nodules and mass. He did blood work and urinealysis but di not do a needle biopsy.
Our question is at age 14 and with a tumor that is almost sure to reform following surgery - does it make sense at his age and with this type of tumor to put him through the surgery again.
If we don't elect the surgery - can you give some guidnae on how the cancer would progress and the quality of life Barney would then be subject to. My understanding is that this type of tumor does not normally metastisize and would simply continue to grow and invade his connective tissue.
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Dog with problems walking
When I came home from work yesterday, Sparrow(6yo female neutered mix breed), who stays in my basement with access to the crawl space under the house, was having trouble going up the stairs. She seemed sick - hot nose & depressed. She has a knot midway up her tail about the size of a quarter. Her hindquarters are slightly swollen and tender. Her behind was dirty with dust, some fecal matter, and little black dots that looked like flea eggs (she doesn't have fleas - she's on med from the vet.) It seemed she had been dragging her bottom on the ground. My gut feeling is that she may have been bitten by a spider or god forbid a snake (in my basement?!!) but I'm also worried that she's hurt her back. She can still walk - even jump on the bed - but she is not moving correctly. She is still eating and drinking. She's not any worse this morning, but no better. She's not limping, but she acts stiff - is not moving her hind legs with ease, but I don't see where they look out of whack. For example, when she goes up steps, she just goes one step at a time, very slowly and carefully when she usually bounds & skips steps. It doesn't look like she's knuckling over, and her feet and legs look normal. Another thought after babying her this morning - she has had trouble in the past with her anal glands being blocked. Usually I try to massage & expel them when I bathe her. I haven't noticed her dragging her butt, which usually happens when her glands are filled and need expelling, but is it possible this could be the problem? Or constipation?
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