CAT – Scan?

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’m really worried that my cat could have cancer. I’m not really sure why I think she has cancer but my mother died of cancer a couple of years ago and ever since that time I’ve been really worried that my cat may be coming down with the same thing. They are acting the same way – crabby, losing weight, and not wanting to interact. This is just what happened before my mother got her diagnosis. Now I am worried that it is happening to Abbey as well. I know it is probably just a figment of my imagination, but the thought of losing two of the most important figures in my life is more than I can bear right now. Can you tell me what things I should look for before I get absolutely worried past the point of no return?
Loves the cat

Dear Loves the cat: Well, let me start by giving my condolences on your mom. You are not the first one who has gone through that loss. I remember the difficulty I had saying goodbye to my mother and not realizing her farewell would be open casket; I needed to muster all the courage I could in order to stand up and say a Hail Mary. Good thing I had pets to come home to for comfort. Pets can be a wonderful and soothing memory of our loved ones who have passed on, but it is important to keep clinical signs in check and not project the pet’s clinical signs to those of a dearly departed loved one. Perhaps your kitty’s crusty behavior and distance is due to an easily treatable problem such as arthritis or a bladder infection. Try not to over diagnose at home based on the painful experiences you have from the loss of your mother, for while they are more than justifiable, they are not helping your happiness or your pet’s health. I suggest you remember some important facts that most veterinarians associate with cancer in pets. Most of the time cancer is associated with: a lump, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, non-healing sores or lesions, labored eating or swallowing, prolonged lameness, trouble urinating or defecating, abnormally foul odor (especially oral), disinterest in physical activity.
If your kitty cat is displaying more than one or two of these clinical signs, an exam by the family veterinarian would be a good idea to rule out a serious problem. Aside from this, I’d suggest you move forward and enjoy your wonderful kitty cat and concentrate on your happy memories of your late mom. I know that my mom was actively involved in my “pet” activities while I was growing up, so there is nary a day that goes by where I don’t think of her fondly at some point with a little “thank you” in my heart.
Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My pet “Licorice” is overdue for vaccines but I am really worried about getting them done. I’ve read so much about adverse effects including immune reactions, kidney disease, and even death that can occur after a pet gets vaccines. Not only that, but some pets have allergic reactions and I’m afraid that my pet could die right after getting the vaccines. I’m afraid that the vaccine could be worse than the disease. Please let me know if there is anything I could do that is better than this but I could still help my pet. Could I give a medicine instead? (She has never had a reaction before).
Thanks,
Holistic dad,
Boyes Hot Springs

Dear Dad: Thanks for a great question. There is a lot of concern about the need for vaccines, the risk to benefit ratio, and that is why your question is both relevant and timely. Most veterinarians have modified their vaccine protocols in the last few years to cater to clients’ wishes to become more individualized to the pet’s particular needs with respect to exposure and lifestyle. This means that a dog that hikes and roams a lot up in the foothills would require more vaccines to protect against more illnesses than the little micro-toy breed that spends most of her time in mother’s designer purse! Either way, your question is excellent. One very reasonable compromise is to ask your veterinarian about vaccine titers: this is a blood test that measures your pet’s “vaccine” levels in the bloodstream. In short, it will tell you whether or not your pet is “covered” for a certain vaccine before you decide to have the vet inject the vaccine into him. For example, you can have a “titer” done for distemper parvo on your pet during his annual visit, and this blood test will measure whether or not your pet currently has the necessary antibodies in his blood stream to protect him/her against those diseases. If the “titer” level comes back from the lab high enough, your pet does NOT need the vaccine for another year (at least). If the titer is negative, you should go ahead and get the vaccine boostered – because he is unprotected and could get the disease if he is exposed. The benefit to having the blood “titer” is that you avoid injecting the vaccine unnecessarily – you only give it if required – and thus you and the veterinarian reduce/eliminate the chance of an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Thanks for one of the best questions I’ve been asked in quite a while. Look into those titers, OK?
Dr. F