Just talked to the vet on the phone. The radiologist came in to do the ultrasound & look at her X-rays. He doesn't think she has cancer. He thinks her organs are enlarged simply because she's old and overweight. Instead he thinks she has a spinal infection. Her blood work doesn't indicate it but he said she has scarring on her spine that does suggest it. They didn't even do the ultrasound because he thought it was unnecessary at this point.
I'm intensely relieved and also intensely suspicious. Going from "she has a cough" to "she has cancer" to "she has an infection" in a week is just crazy. Also, I know that overweight is supposed to cause problems in old age, but I never heard of it making your spleen and liver swell up so much they push your heart out of place. I'm just concerned that they really have no idea what's wrong with her & maybe they're missing something that needs to be treated now.
I go back to pick her up this afternoon and get some antibiotics for the spinal infection that she may or may not have. I'm going to ask Dr. Lindeke what other tests we maybe should be thinking about.
4 Comments
i'm very relieved that they think she doesn't have cancer, but i agree with you that this seems weird.
if you can afford it, i think a second opinion is in order.
the vet school would be the best place, but i think my vet is well worth considering. he's very thorough and meticulous. his name is dr. jim miller and he owns durham animal hospital on roxboro rd. if you call them be sure to tell them that you may need extra time to discuss things, and that you specifically want to see dr. miller. the new guy is ok but i don't know him that well and i know i trust dr. miller.
an addendum: if you see dr. miller, ask him about the age/overweight theory. if he says it's legit, he'll be able to give you a rational, scientific explanation as to WHY it's legit. just be sure and ask him LOTS of questions-- he responds well to questions and likes to get into detailed discussions. basically-- he's an animal geek.
I'm seriously considering a second opinion, thank you for the referral to your doctor. I used to go there when I lived out that way & see Dr. Koontz, but I moved around the same time he gave up the practice. He was wonderful.
yes, i started going there when dr. koontz owned the practice and he was great! it was nice that he did homeopathy and acupuncture as well as traditional western medicine.
however, i have to say that for sheer scientific fact and reasoning, dr. miller is better. he really likes to work a problem, especially a challenging one. he reminds me of the really good sys admins i've met.