Remember that when you leave this Earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given, a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. -St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Kit Kat update



Kit Kat, today, after dinner and pills

We had an 11:30 appointment in Durango for the ultrasound.  We arrived early and they started the test early.  She did not want to lay on her back to be shaved so they had to sedate her.  They shaved quite a bit of fur.

No surgery for Kit Kat.  She has cancer and there are too many lesions.

They gave me the ultrasound pictures to take back to the Vet in Cortez. I took some pictures of the ultrasound pics using my iPhone.

The large one at the top of her intestines is still a mystery, it does not have the typical characteristics of gastro-intestinal lymphoma.  She has several other lesions on her intestines that are definitely lymphoma.  There is a new experimental, expensive blood test to confirm what the ultrasound shows, but I am not going to have the test done. The clinic I went to in Durango has seen several cases of this lymphoma recently.

GI tract and intestines with lesions


She has a spot on her bladder, there are also several stones, but the large spot does not look like a stone.  They think it is a type of bladder cancer (TCC) that cats typically get.  The vet tech was surprised to see that she would have both types of cancer.





black area is her bladder
with the tumor circled
There is a medicine for the bladder cancer but it can not be taken at the same time as steroids.  Steroids are the treatment for the lymphoma and may also shrink the bladder tumor and help with the UTI.

The bladder tumor is a host for bacteria, so Kit Kat now has a (UTI) bladder infection also.

I hope to have the typed out report, from the ultrasound, in a few days.

For now, I have to give her 2 pills a day (Prednisolone 5mg) and some special food to get her eating again.



17 comments:

  1. :( I'm sorry to hear about Kit Kat's condition.

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  2. Sorry to hear that. I've been down the same road with my first and favorite basset hound years ago. Same meds and Science Diet Prescription food for his bladder. He lived to be 14. Your picture is amazing because she looks like young and very healthy cat.

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  3. Oooh I'm so sorry to hear about Kit Kat~just breaks your heart. My Sophie (Cairn Terror...oops Terrier) is on that dog food only k/d. She has kidney failure. She was doing ok on it, but now she's stopped eating it. She's been hunting and eating locusts. ick!!!! Guess she's craving protein (which she's not supposed to eat) I'm at my wits end trying to get her to eat. Oooh for the love of our fur babies... Do keep us posted.

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  4. I am so very sorry to hear the news about Kit Kat. At 17, she looks great in the photo and obviously is enjoying such a loving home with her Mom. My wish is that her road is easy and that the two of you have some very special time together and many loving memories. Gentle hugs to you both . . .

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  5. Teri, I'm sorry Kit Kat's results weren't good. Hopefully the meds and new food will help her feel better and keep her going longer with a good quality of life. I hope she feels okay. Katie eats only Royal Canin dry food for Chihuahuas. Other brands upset her stomach, and she's not had any problems on the RC brand. Give Kit Kat snuggles for me. :)

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear Kit Kat's news. My dog, Millie, was diagnosed with cancer last December and has had a year of ups and downs. Just take each day that's given and enjoy it for all it's worth

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  7. Sorry about the out come of the tests. Like the others have said she looks so healthy. Hope Kit Kat's road will be easy. I will keep you both in my deepest thoughts.

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  8. I am so sorry the news wasn't better for Kit Kat. Hopefully you will still have some wonderful time together and that she will tell you when the time comes. Hugs to both of you.

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  9. so sorry that the news was not good for you beloved Kitty...hope the medicine keeps her comfortable. :*(

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  10. aw... jeeez, Teri... so sorry... she looks so fine?! you just never know.

    My thoughts are with you ... I've been there ... mine was 18 years old - greatest pal I ever ever had...

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  11. So very sorry to hear about Kit-Kat. Anyone who has ever had a pet knows how hard this is. Hope she feels better with the meds. Hugs to you and kitty ♥

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  12. Teri...oh my...not good news. Enjoy each day with her..

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  13. So sorry to hear about Kit Kat. She looks amazing for her age. But you can't see the things on the inside. Wishing you both happy loving days together as you work through this.

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  14. Sorry to read the bad news. Now all you can do is keep her as comfortable as you can and give her lots of extra special love.

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  15. So sorry about Kat... I hope their is something that can be done to extend her time, if she is not in pain. We look forward to hiking with you some other time when things are more settled. Take care Teri.
    Mark and Bobbie

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  16. sad news... my thoughts are with you guys.

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