He needs to be put under not because it is an ultrasound but because they are doing a core biopsy of his liver, which not only is painful but for which they need him to be absolutely still or it could be dangerous. He already had an ultrasound without being put under on Friday afternoon, but they could not diagnose without a biopsy because there were no tumors.
I finally got an emergency vet to talk to me on the phone because they are next door to the oncologist and I insisted to the receptionist (not entirely truthfully) that the oncologist said I could call them with questions over the weekend. She said I could bring him in for IV fluids and some reglan and new blood work and monitoring until his 9 am appointment, but that she would not insert a feeding tube because 1) he is going to be put under tomorrow morning and can get one then if necessary, 2) he can not eat after midnight tonight anyway, 3) the number of hours between now and then is not significant and 4) she would want him diagnosed first, which will happen at 9 a.m. She said I could also keep him here and feed him a little at a time via syringe and continue sub q fluids for the day/night. I am not sure what to do and am waiting for my partner to get home to decide. I am leaning toward bringing him in, just because I am so unsure. However, he is curled up and purring right now, and I hate to make him spend the night in the hospital if it will not help him, especially if it weakens him before his biopsy tomorrow. What would you do? In a message dated 12/5/04 2:36:35 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << You are doing good Michelle. But I would question why he needs to be put under for an ultrasound when he is weak. My vet at the Wisconsin vet school, Dr. Bortnowski, never did that for the ultrasounds my kities have had with her except when she did call once and ask if she could mildly sedate my little FIP kitten, Nicky, who was being "a little squirmy". Bonnie >>
