Sady's nose issues veterinarian appointment #3

Sady

Sady's bandage. For a blood test, they shave her leg,
take the blood, then wrap it.
Trying to get it off later is a trick as she's skittish.
She's pretty ticked off with what's going on.

My dear readers, many pet owners, or naturalists, have asked about Sady. It's not good.

Back to the vet we went. Dr. Sarah is a vet with a mission, bless her heart. We adore her! Sady's nose is still dripping. Here is what we did:
1. First visit: She was sedated. Her nose has been drained ($340). They suspect something rare: Nasopharyngeal Polyps.
2. Last visit she had a 1-month antibiotic needle. It didn't help the white discharge she keeps sneezing all over the place.

3. a) This time, since the meds don't seem to be making a difference (she is no better, no worse), Sarah took an x-ray. It's not like the doctor's office, where you have to go to a lab. They have fabulous equipment. This bill was only $130.

head-left, spine-top

b) Sarah took blood, again, for a blood test.  Her 'mono' count was up, meaning her body is fighting something. All else was normal. They could giver her steroids to reduce the swelling, but if it is a tumour, that will rob her body of the immunity cells required to defend her body. It's no-win.

The x-ray was inconclusive. There is, obviously, swelling. It could be a polyp, or it could be a tumour. The next option would be a more definitive MRI. Now, there is a vet with an MRI machine in Ottawa. We would have to drive her in, this cat with whom we fought to get her INTO the vet today (see the video below!). "How much," we asked. She wasn't sure, except that a dog had one, and it was $3000. As hubby said, even if HE needed a $3000 MRI that would simply confirm diagnosis, but not lead to treatment or a 'cure' – we probably wouldn't borrow money to do it!

nasal swab - poor Sady!

c) Dr. Sarah took a swab from the offending nostril. She immediately put it under the microscope. The beauty of a scientist with equipment! All she found were epithelial cells, which is perfectly normal. Sady's nose is too small for any sort of probe, even if another vet had the equipment.

Treatment plan

Well, we said, we've had the end-of-life conversations for each other. We shall monitor her and keep her comfortable. She is relatively happy, despite loathing the other cats (video: playing with pretend mice) and only tolerating me! She is eating, playing, and enjoys watching curling and

state-of-the-art

holding hands with hubby. We shall simply wait and watch for discomfort, mobility and pain symptoms.

Sarah laughed when I was taking photos. Hubby said, you should have seen the video she made of my bladder cystoscopy! "Make your bladder gladder!" said our male nurse. We are waiting and monitoring him, as well.





Capturing Sady from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Sady needed to go to the vet. It is a tricky proposition!