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Okay, folks, I tried to put down my thoughts last night but just wasn't able to so will give it another try today. Maggie had her ultrasound and liver biopsy this past Wednesday. Since she just had one in January, I wasn't really expecting much to be different. Unfortunately, that isn't the case ... the Internal Medicine Specialist (IMS)found several lesions on one lobe of her liver -- he believes they are hemangiosarcomas (malignant, blood-filled lesions). Maggie had fluid in her abdomen and IMS believes that is caused by the lesions leaking. Also, Maggie's red blood cell count was dramatically reduced -- the first time that has occurred -- it was normal five days ago. The IMS was also shocked to see how Maggie's body has changed due to weight loss and what he called a "pendulous abdomen". He was very concerned about her lack of interest in food. He did a fine needle aspiration and a biopsy during the ultrasound procedure -- unfortunately, he could only aspirate around the lesions because he was afraid of causing a bleed and the biopsy was actually taken from another lobe that has been abnormal for some time now. Regardless of how either test comes back, he said the next step would be the same -- major surgery involving removal of the lobe that has the lesions. Then they would do biopsies of the lesions themselves and that would be the only way to definitively determine if they were cancerous or not.
I have to take Maggie in to the vet every three days for a red cell count and check her gums and tongue every day to make sure there is not a bleed in her system -- also look out for dazed look and even more lethargy.
It is almost decision time ... we are still dealing with Cushings in addition to this new stuff. I am leaning towards treating Maggie with the melatonin implant and flax seed oil for the Cushings and see if there are improvements and not doing the surgery. As you all know by now, Maggie is my very special baby but the reality is is that she is twelve years old ... okay, that's it for now -- too many tears to type.
I have to take Maggie in to the vet every three days for a red cell count and check her gums and tongue every day to make sure there is not a bleed in her system -- also look out for dazed look and even more lethargy.
It is almost decision time ... we are still dealing with Cushings in addition to this new stuff. I am leaning towards treating Maggie with the melatonin implant and flax seed oil for the Cushings and see if there are improvements and not doing the surgery. As you all know by now, Maggie is my very special baby but the reality is is that she is twelve years old ... okay, that's it for now -- too many tears to type.
