Some advise and hopefully reassurance about my cat?
My 5 year old Cat Macy, was having problems peeing so I took him to the vet and they did a urinalysis on October 17 and was diagnosed with a raging bladder infection and Calcium Crystals, but no abnormal cells. He was given a three-week dosage of Baytril and a urine check after that. I admit it stopped the antibiotic a few days early since he was better and three days later he started up again. X-ray was done and nothing showed, so another 3 weeks of antibiotics was ordered. Day 3 after these he started to strain when peeing again so another week prescribed. He was like a new cat by the end of the week, eating good, playing and more active and sociable. Day three off it started all over again. I do notice that with each batch of antibiotics he gets better and better even though it seems like he cannot get off them.
He spent Friday night at the vet to get a urine sample and it showed abnormal cells, not sure what type, the vet didn't say. She then did an ultrasound that she said showed her a thickening and an unevenness to his bladder wall and she says its cancer! I am so scared and upset, she gives him less than a year to live! His Crystals are gone and she said there was still some red and white blood cells in his urine, but the infection was gone.
She told me where the spots are on his bladder would be hard to biopsy and she could not remove them by surgery due to they are located where the kidney lines come into the bladder.
I am wondering if I should get a second opinion? Or does this sound right in the diagnosis?
With any diagnosis like cancer you should get a second and third opinion. If money is not a huge issue, see if their is a veternary research hospital in the area. They can offer you more state of the art treatments than your local vet. UC, Davis in NorCal is a top vet school.
Personally, I would have ask why they did not see the abnormal cells in the first few sets of x-rays. Also, from what I understand, you cannot be definate if it is cancer unless a biopsy or blood test is done.
The xray they did showed nothing and when they did the ultra sound is when she said she saw the defects in his bladder. I also asked her why the abnormal cells didn't show up in the urine sample the first time and she said it just depends on what cells come off when the cat pees.
I have been reading that bacterial cystitis can give off readings the same as cancer, abnormal cells and masses on the bladder.
What I don't get is the more he is on antibiotics the better he gets, they claim because it is taking the inflammation away, but it just doesn't seem right to me, he is acting healthier now than when this all started.
Please, get at least a second opnion. A year is a longtime in a cat's life. Perhaps, the abnormal cells are just developing and somethnig can be done. I am surprised that the vet acts as if nothing can be done. They didn't even suggest any treatments?
On a personal note, I have had many vets make wrong diagnosis with my pets. Just a few months ago a vet swore my chicken had Infectious Bronchitis. He refused to do any tests to varify hus claim. Turned out it was just smog that made her a little weezy for a few days. A couple of years ago our dog had food posioning and the vet told us it was liver disease.
Go to a few different repitable vets. If they determine it is cancer, go from there.
Nope she didn't give me any treatment option at this point than take him home and give him more antibiotics and keep him comfortable.
I already have one vet lined up and waiting to hear back from my cousin, they just had a dog with cancer so I can see who she took him to.
Everyone I tell this to are having a hard time believing it because bladder cancer is so rare in a cat, especially a 5 year old.
I also wanted to ask why they gave your cat Baytril? Baytril is not recommended for felines. There has been several cases of cats becoming blind on that medication. Usually, vets only give it to birds or reptiles - who need stronger antibiotics.
That is what they always give me cats, they said it was the best treatment for his bladder infection because it was so bad. I am just concerned that because it is so close to the holidays I am not going to be able to get into a specialist before Christmas.
My cat has cancer as well....it is a tumor above his eye. He has pretty much always had it. It wasn't until 2 years ago it was bad enough to be noticed by a vet. We did a biopsy, and it was determined to be cancer. He was 5 at the time. We've been using prednisone to keep down the inflammation from when it grows....When my dog was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer she was given prednisone as well.
He turned 7 last month. Over the summer, he developed urinary tract issues. He is now on prescription food to help prevent the blockage, but it doesn't always work. When it doesn't, I massage his bladder and squeeze it a bit, and that seems to do the trick, luckily. I also have pain medication to help him relax and let the crystals pass.
Studying homeopathy, I decided to try adding cranberry (overall urinary/bladder help) and cherry (helps dissolve some forms of crystals) to his food. A store near by sells concentrated juices of these. Since he gets canned food, I add a few drops of each with every feeding. For him at least, this has helped HUGELY!! There are a few other things I add (kava, valerian and sometimes chamomile)....but I recommend you consult a holistic vet before you use any of those.
If you have an 'alternative'/health food animal centered store anywhere nearby, I'd go there for recommendations for holistic vets in the area.
I'm hoping to get a meat grinder for Christmas this year, so I can start making his food.
I also wanted to ask why they gave your cat Baytril? Baytril is not recommended for felines. There has been several cases of cats becoming blind on that medication. Usually, vets only give it to birds or reptiles - who need stronger antibiotics.
I worked for a feline specialist for a few years, and baytril was pretty common. Since it has such a broad spectrum of activity (kills lots of different types of bacteria), it was often used before we got culture results back to see what the infection was specifically caused by. Cats have a pretty unique metabolism of everything, so it's harder to find something without such major adverse effects :/
What's interesting, mrssal, is that baytril can actually cause crystals in the urine, so the straining might have been eventually due to the antibiotic. Also, some antibiotics have some non-antibiotic effects... that is to say, the drug's going to do whatever it's going to do in the body, and we decide what we call "side effects" and its "desired effect." With drugs like baytril, one of the side effects is central nervous system stimulation (so they're not given to patients with epilepsy)... when we had older cats on it with kidney disease (with secondary infections), they always seemed perkier when on baytril. it's weird.
like others have said, i'd see if you can get a second opinion... while it's a tumor, a biopsy can show if its benign or malignant. Maybe another hospital will be able to do the biopsy?
I also wanted to ask why they gave your cat Baytril? Baytril is not recommended for felines. There has been several cases of cats becoming blind on that medication. Usually, vets only give it to birds or reptiles - who need stronger antibiotics.
I worked for a feline specialist for a few years, and baytril was pretty common. Since it has such a broad spectrum of activity (kills lots of different types of bacteria), it was often used before we got culture results back to see what the infection was specifically caused by. Cats have a pretty unique metabolism of everything, so it's harder to find something without such major adverse effects :/
What's interesting, mrssal, is that baytril can actually cause crystals in the urine, so the straining might have been eventually due to the antibiotic. Also, some antibiotics have some non-antibiotic effects... that is to say, the drug's going to do whatever it's going to do in the body, and we decide what we call "side effects" and its "desired effect." With drugs like baytril, one of the side effects is central nervous system stimulation (so they're not given to patients with epilepsy)... when we had older cats on it with kidney disease (with secondary infections), they always seemed perkier when on baytril. it's weird.
like others have said, i'd see if you can get a second opinion... while it's a tumor, a biopsy can show if its benign or malignant. Maybe another hospital will be able to do the biopsy?
Really? My vet never gave our cats Baytril for that reason. I have given it to birds, though. I wonder what was the antibiotic my vet gave our cat when he had a UT infection.
Ciprofloxacin is pretty common for a UTI too, as is erythromycin (I think...).
Choosing antibiotics is tricky... a lot of pharmacological parameters to consider. What it often comes down to is what the vet prefers... they might think the MIC is too high for cats, or they may have had a few cases of baytril-caused blindness. For birds, all I know is you can't give it to chickens/turkeys (but that's probably about drug residue/withdrawal time than the safety of the birds).
For birds, all I know is you can't give it to chickens/turkeys (but that's probably about drug residue/withdrawal time than the safety of the birds).
I actually gave baytril to my pet chicken that is also a layer. All of her eggs will have a tiny amount of baytrill. It isn't a problem unless you have allergic reactions to antibiotics. There is no reall withdrawl time for baytril. They will always have some in their system.
I also wanted to ask why they gave your cat Baytril? Baytril is not recommended for felines. There has been several cases of cats becoming blind on that medication. Usually, vets only give it to birds or reptiles - who need stronger antibiotics.
I worked for a feline specialist for a few years, and baytril was pretty common. Since it has such a broad spectrum of activity (kills lots of different types of bacteria), it was often used before we got culture results back to see what the infection was specifically caused by. Cats have a pretty unique metabolism of everything, so it's harder to find something without such major adverse effects :/
What's interesting, mrssal, is that baytril can actually cause crystals in the urine, so the straining might have been eventually due to the antibiotic. Also, some antibiotics have some non-antibiotic effects... that is to say, the drug's going to do whatever it's going to do in the body, and we decide what we call "side effects" and its "desired effect." With drugs like baytril, one of the side effects is central nervous system stimulation (so they're not given to patients with epilepsy)... when we had older cats on it with kidney disease (with secondary infections), they always seemed perkier when on baytril. it's weird.
like others have said, i'd see if you can get a second opinion... while it's a tumor, a biopsy can show if its benign or malignant. Maybe another hospital will be able to do the biopsy?
See that is what the wired thing is, when he is on the antibiotics he gets better and better, his litter box habits are normal and he isn't licking himself anymore. She was trying to tell me that the baytril will keeping the inflammation down. But from what you are saying about the perkiness, could this be why be always seems to be a bit edgy?
I am really scared to get a second opinion because if it is cancer then its final but I am just driving myself crazy now, I watch every move he makes and am reading into everything he does.
but if it is cancer, then the course of treatment could be different, and at least you'll know. Each time I heard my companions had cancer, yes I was sad, but it had made the happy moments all the more meaningful for me. I also know what to look out for, and am better able to judge what type of care they need/have needed, and when it is time to just say goodbye.
I know but I just lost another cat in August to cancer and it is still too fresh for me.
I am at a crossroads now to decide what to do. I did find a local vet in this area that I am thinking about getting a second opinion from and he does practice holistic along with modern medicine. Should I go to him first for a second opinion? Or should I go to an internal specialist right away?
I am so confused.
For birds, all I know is you can't give it to chickens/turkeys (but that's probably about drug residue/withdrawal time than the safety of the birds).
I actually gave baytril to my pet chicken that is also a layer. All of her eggs will have a tiny amount of baytrill. It isn't a problem unless you have allergic reactions to antibiotics. There is no reall withdrawl time for baytril. They will always have some in their system.
Oh, I meant in terms of farms... they're not legally allowed to give baytril to them, I think.
For birds, all I know is you can't give it to chickens/turkeys (but that's probably about drug residue/withdrawal time than the safety of the birds).
I actually gave baytril to my pet chicken that is also a layer. All of her eggs will have a tiny amount of baytrill. It isn't a problem unless you have allergic reactions to antibiotics. There is no reall withdrawl time for baytril. They will always have some in their system.
Oh, I meant in terms of farms... they're not legally allowed to give baytril to them, I think.
Oh, I just wanted to say why they probably can't give them baytril in the poultry industry. A small amount stays in their systems forever. I think they feel this will build up antibiotic resistence in bacteria that effect chickens and humans. This would be a big problem since baytril is such a powerful antibiotic.
It might have to do with resistance, but in general, animals with any antibiotic residue aren't considered fit for human consumption. So with other antibiotics, they have individual withdrawal times that affect when you can give them... e.g., for some, the latest you can give them is 3 weeks before slaughter.