I have been researching brain tumors in cats and strokes in cats. I have already expressed my discontent for the vet we saw regarding this issue and her "quick" assessment. I just found info from a vet website that states prednisone is used to shrink (which she told me this would happen) a tumor by cutting blood flow but what she didn't tell me is that IF this is a tumor....this will extend her life for 6-8 months. And we don't even KNOW if it is a tumor and I am feelilng less and less confident in her ruling because I am not seeing any changes in her regular behavior since this started other than being more aggressive about the circling.

UGH! I have no idea how to handle this. This vet and I know one another from the previous clinic she worked for and now she has moved to my current vet's office. I already expressed to Sara that I was uncomfortable seeing her but she was the only available vet and the situation seemed urgent to me. I have decided if the circling is seen again this evening as it was last night I will be calling to make an appointment with Sara or Amy to see Libby and probably do some bloodwork and I want to ask where to start for looking for other reasons for this besides a tumor...such as thyroid, diabetes or even liver/kidney issues...no I don't want those to be the causes either but I can't stand her suffering and so far I am not seeing a change with the pred she started on Tuesday night. How long do I wait to see a change for the better??? Is preferring to see Sara going to cause conflict for me with this vet office? I love Sara and Amy and have a great relationship with them I think...but this other vet and I have had issues in the past....and honestly I am not buying this work up. Sure I could be wrong and I don't want to push this to the point someone is angry or I am told to do this CT that I in no way can afford. I just don't think it is wrong to request blood work to rule out other problems that could cause this symptom. It sounds like I am putting what they will think of me in front of the care for my cat and that isn't it at all! I just want to be careful how I proceed so as to not alianate the vets I have come to adore and still push to see if more is going on here.

Suggestions? This is touchy.

There is absolutely no reason for you to feel guilty because you have a preference of vets. Even people prefer one doctor over another. If you're not comfortable with the diagnosis, the best thing for all is another opinion...especially from a vet with whom you've a good relationship.

Yup, no compromises! We should expect and demand the best in our Vet. If I don't feel I'm getting that or I don't like the bed side manner, I'd find another one. Did that once with my horse and once with the late Gabby, my CRF kitty.

Thanks Cat! I decided to call and see if Amy or Sara were available. I figured Amy wouldn't be because she is off on Thursdays but hoped Sara was in...she is also off today. Sherry listed to me who was in the office today and Andrew is in (he owns the clinic and I have worked with him before). I asked Sherry to have him call me to discuss Libby's situation and did tell her through tears (I don't want to alienate anyone) why I wanted to get a second opinion and to talk this through.

My questions are:

From what I am reading about Frontal Lobe Tumors -- they don't start in the brain and she could have cancer somewhere else in her body. Possibly mammary cancer as she was not spayed at an early age because she was a breeding female...the article says this is less than 1% because more cats are spayed earlier...however that is not the case with Libby. So this is a possibility.

Strokes can be caused by other underlying issues in cat under the age of 11 such as hypertension, thyroid, diabetes, and organ issues primarily liver and kidney. Now Libby is PKD negative but there are other liver/kidney issues that could be possible so I don't want to rule it out.

My thing is...if this IS a tumor, does she have cancer somewhere else? If this is a stroke can we try to rule out causes of a stroke such as I have listed above?

This apointment was just like you walking into your doctor's office and he tells you that you have cancer after looking at you -- no tests! Nothing to support it other than this behavior which could be anything else as well. I cannot aford the CT...that is for sure! But surely we can rule out other problems by doing some bloodwork...surely chemestries would be off somewhere to support one of these two diagnoses if they are indeed true...or even rule them out.

I hate the thought of something underlying going on and we could be making it worse by giving prednisone to her! I just hope that my track record with this office will stand for itself and he will hear me out.

Heather - baby girl....

You have told Amy/Sara how you feel about Dr. P. That is okay.... those are your feelings and they know you as a kind and loving pet guardian. Restate how you feel about Dr. P. and why and how you feel about them.. they should want you to feel comfortable at their office/practice. As should Andrew. If they would try to push a treatment on you to stand by Dr. P. then they are not who you think they are..... sigh

I think you should wait to see Sara/Amy unless Libby is in more distress. I know this is killing you watching her go thru this... and not knowing what it is, what you can do about it... and facing MAYBE having to lose your special girl. But, waiting to see Sara/Amy probably is not going to change the facts. But, talk to Andrew maybe he has a different point of view and the experience to help.

Reach out to your breeder network. See if anyone else has seen this, and what they did, etc.

Believe in miracles, don't give up on Libby. You have wonderful Kevin there who loves and supports you and the babies.. you couldn't ask for more, and you have us. I am not much good with medical stuff human or kitty... but, I care and all of us would do anything we could to help you... ANYTHING!!!!!

Take a breath... hug all of those babies and know that you are in our hearts and prayers!!!

we u

Thank you so much Judy...all of you (Dan you too)!

I don't see Andrew much but when I do he has been great. Chances of getting in to see him are low because he is always busy with his own established clients but I do think he would be a good one to talk this out with in lue of Amy/Sara. He was wonderful with Maury -- all of them were to be honest. But Andrew let Maury stay in his office for a few days hoping that getting him out of a cage would relax him. And I guess Maury lounged on his desk or his chair when available most of the time...but sadly he was still "leaking" urine so had to go back to a cage. But my point is he was open to try something else. I'm sure if he agrees with bloodwork or other avenues I will see Amy or Sara for those...but want to talk this out as I am really worried after watching Libby more aggressively circle last night for 2 hours and not hardly eat any dinner. That is why I wonder too how long do you give the pred to start showing a sign of change?

Love you guys! Thanks for letting me vocalize my thoughts. I am just not willing to accept a death sentense without rulling other possibilities out. There was no effort made to do that here.

In no way should you feel bad for wanting another opinion, if you are not comfortable then you need to get to the bottom of it. Also it sounds like your instincts are telling this is wrong and sometimes that's the thing you need to listen to. There is a vet in my vets office I will not see, and to make matters worse his daughter is the receptionist your regular vet should have no problem with this, and if the one you don't care has a problem oh well, you have a problem with her

Libby is young and I would question what they said also. Do they want an MRI or an ultrasound ? An ultrasound should not be that expensive and it may at least show if there is any cause for concern I would think.

You are Libby's voice so follow what your gut is telling you.

Give Libby anything you can get her to eat... junk food doesn't matter, she needs to eat, drink, sleep and be in an environment that eases her. Would she be better alone, or, with her friends??? Did she sleep last night???

hugs

I have no advice, just sending lots of hugs

Me, too!