Is the Vet absolutely sure that they are tumors? In cases of severe
allergic bronchitis, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, and asthma in
humans, we can see opaque masses which look radiographically all the world
like tumors, which are actually inflammatory (bacterial, fungal or viral)
in origin. There is a condition called bronchiectasis or atelectasis (a
consolidation/inflammation of the bronchi and alveolar sacs ) when they are
occluded mucous, an inflammatory agent, or even fibrosis, in chronic cases
the airways actually collapse as in emphysema. These can possibly resolve
with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment.
You may want to discuss these possibilities with your Veterinarian. Don't
be too quick to rule out a benign inflammatory condition, particularly
considering your kitty's history of asthma etc. You may even want to try
a course of antibiotic/anti-inflammatory therapy and then re-evaluate the
chest X-ray to see if the masses have changed in size.
If your kitty is immunocompromised in any way, this could be culprit. This
is something that you would want to rule out prior to making a decision as
critical as euthanasia.
Finally, and this may sound like an outside or excessive idea, but If your
Vet is very progressive, and has access to the appropriate facilities, he
can perform a Bronchial Washing or even Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of
the masses with radiographic guidance (ultra sound). If there are
cancer cells in the lungs, you may be able to get a definitive diagnosis
via Cytology. Or even take a tissue biopsy and send it off for diagnosis to
a Veterinary Pathology facility. Of course, there is always the choice of
doing an open lung biopsy with tissue confirmation. (It is sometimes hard
to get around doing an invasive procedure, even in human medicine.)
I don't know where you are located, but if you do have access to a
Veterinary School, you might want to see if this course of action is an
option for you. I hope that things turn out well for you and your kitty.
Robin L. Davis, SCT (ASCP)
Supervisor Cytology Laboratory
UC Davis Med Center Dept of Pathology
pager: 762-6362
office: 916-734-7531
"Becki Boyd"
<rebgmb@bellsou To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
th.net> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Hi, I need help
owner-felvtalk@
vlists.net
04/13/2000
01:49 PM
Please respond
to felvtalk
My 8 year old cat had been diagnosed as having allergic bronchitis that was
causing allergies. She was put on amoxicillin and prednisone. She seemed to
be doing better, but I took her in for a complete physical today. The xrays
show tumors in the lungs. She is currently in an oxygen tent. I know
absolutely nothing about lung cancer...I have dealt with other serious
conditions before. The vet is urging me to put her down. But yesterday she
seemed fine, even purring. Does anyone have any advice, or know of sources
of information on this condition? I hate to make a decision like this
without knowledge. Is there any treatment that anyone knows of? If, this is
hopeless, I will make the necessary decision and go be with her while she
is
put down. Been there before more times than I wanted to be. But I need help
knowing what to do...
Thanks for any advice or sources.
Becki
ps. I own her two siblings. I think this will be a very difficult time for
her as well as for me.
