[Rachel Gruhin]

we took our cat to the emergency room last night because it appeared that she was suddenly blind. The two possible diagnosis were high blood pressure or brain tumor. Gladys, already has crf and in July 2009 had several tumors removed from her chest that were found to be malignant. Her blood pressure was found to be not excessively high - 175, so the more likely explanation is that the cancer has moved to her brain. The only way to be sure if it's a brain tumor is to have an MRI - which would require general anesthesia. I wonder if we should put our cat through this. And, if it's a brain tumor, it sounds likely that she could experience seizures while we're not home - this is very scary. We just want to hear from others who might have experienced similar situations and to find out what they have gone through.

[Advert]

---

[CatsRU]

I am sorry that your dear furry is sick but I cannot advise - the only competent person to give you such advice is your vet.

You will make the right decision for your furkid - a very difficult and sad time for you.

[oriental cats]

I am so very sorry, it does sound most proable that the cancer has developed secondaries in her brain but I would just be making a likely guess, this may cause siezures, but again I would be making a likely guess your vet is the person you need to be advised by, take a breath and try to write down all the questions you have to ask, and know we are here to support you,
hugs sue

[Doreen]

I am so sorry to hear about poor Gladys. I agree that you must be guided by your vet, and also by your own instinct. We all know when there is something wrong with our little ones, and we are also able to make sure our little ones do not suffer needlessly. Sending you a hug.

[maigrey]

Im sorry to hear this, its not an easy process for you

[Bethinx Ragdolls (Kaemma)]

Ok, I am only speaking about this from a human perspective, as my mother had bowel cancer that metatisized into her brain, lot of things would depend on if there is only one or if there is multiple tumors, and even where in the brain it is - as a lot of things are not treatable by surgery, and I was told that chemo doesn't work in the brain.
Mum had a CT Scan to diagnose hers.
Mum had mulitple lesions - so it was unable to to have surgery, unable to have radiotherapy, chemo doesn't work - so no treatment options
Most likely cause of death would be that one of the tumors would bleed and mum would have a massive stroke - in the end for her, it was thankfully brain stem compression.
Mums symptoms was severe nausea and the world was revolving for her, and severe sudden and blinding headaches.
Mum had radiotherapy on her largest lesion in the hope of maybe get a few more weeks and getting her home from hospital - Brain Cancer patients should never be left at home alone, and we would have had to have someone with her all the time.
I remember asking the specialist how long and he said it was only a matter of days or a few weeks. It became that advanced that quickly - a full body scan in the feb showed no trace of cancer in her body - by august/september she was ill and she died in oct.


So questions I would be asking would include:
Even if you put her through the MRI to confirm a diagnosis, what is it likely to achieve?ie - you find out if its treatable or not - where and symptoms she will have.
what are the treament options - can you afford them and what is the likelyhood of success?
If it is advanced, what time frame is she likely to have?
What is her quality of life going to be like? Are you able to have someone with her all the time?
How much pain is she likely to suffer?

Only you and your vet can answer these questions, but quite frankly, after seeing what my mother went through, plus some patients at work, I wouldn't wish this type of cancer on anyone - it sux and its horrible and I don't think the success rate is a good as other types of cancers.

Sending lots of hugs and magic for both you and her

Liz

This post has been edited by Kaemma: 28 September 2009 - 08:44 AM

[Ihave18]

Hello Rachel,I to am so sorry about you Gladys condition.I think the only real advice for you is from a Licensed Vet.But here is a site you can post to and get the Answers you need ASAP.Good luck,nic
http://network.bestf...ed/default.aspx

[Heather Sharada]

I am so sorry to hear about poor Gladys. I agree that you must be guided by your vet, and also by your own instinct. We all know when there is something wrong with our little ones, and we are also able to make sure our little ones do not suffer needlessly. Sending you a hug. bearhug.sml

I also cannot advise and want to echo Doreen....it is a very very difficult time you re going through - sending you lots of support while you work it out,

[MATILDA'S MOM]

so very sorry-(Matilda had cancer but it was on her back hip area) All the above advise is great. I wish the best for you and your girl and send hugs as I know this is such a hard time for you. for you and Gladys.So many people are thinking of you and prayers too.

[vengeancethecat]

So sorry to hear about your girl Sending lots of your way.

[ChocolateDots]

Another who cannot advise, I'm so sorry you are going through this

[Bibby]

I'm sorry to hear of what you are going through.
I would be talking seriously with you vet about whether the MRI is likely to find something you can treat- and will it change your vets management.
If there is a brain tumour- not unlikely if she has already had cancer- not a lot you can do- but think seriously about how important it is for you to know what you are dealing with- and help you make decisions.
I am writing as an owner who has put my cat through an MRI for a undiagnosed but very different problem from yours. The main reason I put her through it was hoping something surgery could fix- surgery was not an option - but knowing what was wrong helped future treatment decisions.
My cat is young so I wanted to give her every chance - but it has always been about potential benefit outweighing risk and my number one concern is her quality of life.
If she had been an older cat I would not have done it. I had a cat with CRF for years and did not go through heroics or major treatments for her and have no regrets.
If your Gladys has CRF- I would be concerned about the anaesthetic risk
Hope you have a vet you trust who can guide you with this- and as others have siad- trust your own instints
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time

[Sherin]

I am so sorry to hear this and I really can't advise you what to do. But whatever you choose to do would be the right decision for you.