My cat Mousie needs a biopsy. Any help appreciated!

[Are_grits_groceries]

Last edited Fri Jan 3, 2014, 07:58 AM - Edit history (1)

My cat Mousie needs a biopsy.
This is the original post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024227699

I took her to the vet. He said it isn't necessarily cancer. She has many allergies and has always had weird skin conditions. He said it could be an autoimmune problem or something else. The vet said if it was cancer, it was at a very early stage.

A biopsy would give us the info to make a treatment plan. I am not going use any procedures that will make her miserable for long periods of time. She is 16 years old and I don't want her last years to be hard. The biopsy would be a simple procedure. The cost is not. It would be $450. (50-surgery,60-sedation,220-dermapathology report,112-bloodwork). I have managed to get $150.

I have a much better outlook for later on in the year. A cousin will be able to help me financially in April. That should allow me to pay debts and give me more money every month. Unfortunately, she can't help me now.

I got a lot of help previously when I asked for help. The generosity of the people on DU was overwhelming.. I was able to pay for some things I dearly needed. After my cousin contacted me, I hoped to be able to contribute to somebody else.

I need help so Mousie can get a biopsy. She needs this ASAP. I know this request is not on the level of others who need help. Anything would be appreciated including good vibes and prayers. I need my Mousie.

If anybody wants to contribute, I don't think the Wishadoo site is up. I guess you can contact me. Good thoughts are very welcome. I am waking up with gigantic anxiety attacks that I am having trouble getting a handle on.

[Katashi_itto]

1. K&R

[Android3.14]

2. Sounds like tough decisions are needed

As a cat owner for most of my 49 years, I've been there, grits, a few times. When you accept responsibility for a stray, it's for life...usually the cat's life. When health issues become a problem, rather than ask for donations, we have to make tough pragmatic choices regarding the expense of extending a pet's life at a reasonable financial cost, or if the current health crisis is the beginning (or even a continuation) of a string of expensive visits to the vet that are simply unaffordable.
If the latter, and of course no one wants to hear this, then it is time to euthanize your pet. It was a choice you accepted when you fished them out of the dumpster.
I'm sorry.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Do you really think I haven't thought about all of this?

I haven't slept for several days because of this. Asking for donations again was extremely hard. That's my choice and if people can't give I understand that.

I don't want to hear this from you because it's roaring in my head anyway. I hope you got whatever it is out of your system with your advice. It wasn't helpful in any way. And now I can't stop crying because this post sent me over some edge. Overreaction? Yes, but there it is.

BTW I have owned cats for over 60 years if this is some kind of contest.

[Android3.14]

11. I meant no offense

With situations that I am close to that require tough decisions, I've found the best advice is the well-intentioned advice of a sympathetic stranger. Good luck.

[Loki]

4. Please keep posted

Let us know when your Wishado page is up. Our fur babies are our family.

[Are_grits_groceries]

8. This is my original Wishadoo post.

I don't know if it still works. When I sign on, it recognizes me as the owner, and I don't know what others see.
http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/199/money-for-repairing-my-car-new-glasses-other/

[LiberalElite]

5. I've been thru this -

please post update re: Wishadoo.

[Ms. Toad]

6. You might want to see about other options.

When we had an older cat with GI issues, the vet gave us the option of an expensive biopsy. I asked her what she might find - and how, if at all, it would change how she treated whatever it was. The answer was, essentially, that knowledge would not change anything. Every condition she listed was either fatal (without extreme treatment measures we weren't willing to take) - or the biopsy would not change the treatment. That made it an easy decision for us not to do the biopsy. Why spend the money if it wouldn't change anything?

Perhaps you have similar options - if the spot is bothering Mousie and not healing so something needs to be done, perhaps the vet could remove that part of her ear (without a biopsy). That might fix it (and the cost looks as if it is within what you have already raised), without subjecting Mousie to extreme measures. If it doesn't fix it, you likely have your answer about her future, without spending so much money.

Good luck, either way.

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Thank you for the suggestion! Grits nt

[brer cat]

10. Grits, such bad news.

When one of my cats was this age, she developed a malignant tumor on her mouth. The vet said it would not be possible for him to remove all of it, but he could remove enough to make her comfortable. We discussed taking her to UGA or Auburn, but it was more expensive than I could handle, and her age suggested that it was not really feasible. She was much better with the bulk of the visible tumor removed, and lived for another 6 years!

I hope for the best, Grits. Our fur babies are family and we want to give them the best care possible.

[NV Whino]

9. Ms Toad has good advice

If you decide to proceed, ask about a payment plan. Or Ask if the vet works with CARE. The vet gets paid immediately. CARE will give you an interest free loan for a year. If you extend payments beyond the year, interest kicks in.

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. I have gotten some help from very kind people here.

It's been given in funds, advice, and good vibes. It all helps. I am over 1/3 of the way there. My anxiety level is down a lot. Connections of all kinds help.
Grits

[BrotherIvan]

13. I agree with what many here have said

If the vet is not sure what they are looking for yet, the cost of the biopsy will eat up what could be used for treatment. Your post doesn't say much about her condition other than her ear is red, but when you mention allergies and autoimmunity, that immediately points to her DIET. If any of her conditions improve/d with the use of steroids, it is most certainly an autoimmune condition.

My mother's dog had horrible asthma for her entire life since she was rescued. The dogs tested her for everything, including lung cancer. She was on steroids for most of her life, and they just kept upping the dosage until they gave her Cushing's Disease. Three weeks on a raw diet, and she stopped coughing and wheezing. This was a dog who when you took her for a walk would cough for an entire city block and spit of phlegm until she choked.

I know this may not be the answer, but it is always a good place to start. Especially since she is in her later years and giving her an optimal diet certainly can't hurt. It's a little difficult to switch cats over, but it's worth it. I had the same thing happen with my little cat. He scratched himself until he bled all over--oodles of money in tests and specialists and medicines--changed his diet (figured out he was allergic to chicken) and it's gone.

I am only suggesting this because you said she has had allergic problems her whole life. Vet foods are the worst, just FYI. If her food contains any grains whatsoever, wheat, corn or soy, that is definitely a big alert. Cats are meant to eat only meat as they are obligate carnivores. Anything else is very allergy inducing. As we age, the body can deal with allergies and inflammation even less.

Just a suggestion. But I do hope your little kitty feels better regardless. I will keep you both in my thoughts as I know how much you must be stressed right now. Good luck to you both.