Asia, second opinion
Have an appointment today at 4 pm with an oncologist/internal medicine vet for evaluation of Asia. This is a relief just knowing I can get to Dr. Ward today. Been there before with dogs and she will tell me the blunt truth. Then I can decide what to do next. Have a friend in NY that is a cancer vet and radiologist who has now become involved and will send test results to him too. Dianne and Asia
Re: Asia, second opinion
I'm glad you are going to get a second opinion. Please keep us posted elizabeth In a message dated 11/24/06 08:38:34 Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Have an appointment today at 4 pm with an oncologist/internal medicine vet for evaluation of Asia. This is a relief just knowing I can get to Dr. Ward today. Been there before with dogs and she will tell me the blunt truth. Then I can decide what to do next. Have a friend in NY that is a cancer vet and radiologist who has now become involved and will send test results to him too. Dianne and Asia
Re: Asia, second opinion/report from Wed
hemothorax could be: Pneumothorax refers to air accumulation in the chest cavity. As odd as this sounds, the chest cavity must have a vacuum (no air) to work properly. There should be no air pressure outside the lungs. This enables them to inflate when the muscle of the chest are relaxed and it expands. The air is then forced out of the chest by contraction of the muscle of the chest. When the lung is damaged and leaks air, it collapses the lung. The same thing happens when there is a hole in the chest allowing air in. Either situation can be the cause of pneumothorax after a traumatic even like being hit by a car. If there is only a small amount of air accumulated it can be reabsorbed. This is commonly the case with blunt trauma in which the lung ruptures, then heals itself quickly. If there is a lot of air or continuous leakage of air, it is usually necessary to place a drain in the chest to remove the air and maintain a vacuum. This usually leads to difficulty breathing, or rapid shallow breathing. It is a weird thing to consider to be FELV related. Pneumothorax usually indicates trauma to the chest. Like being hit by a car, kicked, or slammed in a door. NOT typical of a FELV diagnosis. Makes me wonder why, if the vet saw this, did he still say it's FELV and recommend euthanasia? He should have decompressed the air in the chest cavity by aspirating it out with a needle. Also, a BIG BIG BIG factor to consider when you see a lack of blood clotting is rat POISONING, which should be considered VERY serious, and treated immediately. Poisoning can ALSO lead to fluid in the chest cavity that MAY be seen on an x-ray as a Pneumothorax or Pneumonia, except it's BLOOD in the chest cavity from the organs bleeding out due to the anticoagulant properties of many rat poisons. Regardless, if he had DONE THE ASPIRATION with the needle, he would have KNOWN if it were air, fluid, or blood (or nothing). Phaewryn VT low cost SpayNeuter, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners: http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.html Special Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
Re: Asia, second opinion/report from Wed
PCV 32 means that she is not anemic. I would not worry about her blood count. It sounds like she has fluid in or around her lungs. This could mean pneumonia, which would be treated with antibiotics. Or it could mean mediastinal lymphoma (see my previous email) or congestive heart failure (which is treatable with medications). You need to see another vet who will do appropriate tests to diagnose (even an x-ray might help), an internist preferably. Michelle In a message dated 11/24/2006 12:42:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I also picked up the records from Wed.Temp was 101.90 muffled heart sounds and a bpr (?) or hpr of 180---something I can't read FELV (+) FIV (-) strong positive PCV 32 ...lack of severe anemia , suspect pulmonary edema/??? can't read but looks like homotherax??? significant hemotoma noted at blood draw on neck, no clotting/platelet issues likely present will take this report with mehe wrote that I wanted to proceed with conservative action until Friday when euthanasia likely. I did not say that! He kept saying I don't know how much you want to spendI asked him how bad it was and what was normal given her status. HE said euthanasia is the usual and recommended course at this time. interesting and angering... Can anyone shed some light on what the PCV-32 means or anything else in his notes? Dianne
Re: Asia, second opinion
That's great. Please let us know what happens. Michelle In a message dated 11/24/2006 11:44:17 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Have an appointment today at 4 pm with an oncologist/internal medicine vet for evaluation of Asia. This is a relief just knowing I can get to Dr. Ward today. Been there before with dogs and she will tell me the blunt truth. Then I can decide what to do next. Have a friend in NY that is a cancer vet and radiologist who has now become involved and will send test results to him too. Dianne and Asia
