* AN OLDER CAT WITH A YOUNG VIEW ON LIFE

Over the past year we have been treating a 23-year-old cat called Paris for chronic renal failure. As well as renal failure, Paris has high blood pressure that also requires treatment. She has been remarkably stable over this time and despite her age, Paris is remarkably well. She is a very reluctant patient though. Every time Paris comes in she clings to her owner for dear life. She particularly dislikes having her blood pressure taken.

 

Most recently, at one of Paris’ regular check ups, we noticed she had an abdominal mass. After discussing our options with her owner it was decided to pursue a diagnosis in the hope that treatment may be possible. Many of you may be thinking that in such an old cat perhaps it would be better not to take it further. This is a view that is certainly understandable, however (age aside) Paris was healthy and well and had a good quality of life. All parties felt that it was worth gaining a diagnosis and treating the mass, if at all possible.

 

The first step was to sedate Paris, then ultrasound and radiograph her abdomen. These tests showed the mass to be 4cm in diameter and small intestinal in origin. We put a needle into the mass under sedation and retrieved cells. These cells were sent to an external laboratory for assessment. Unfortunately the samples obtained were non-diagnostic and a biopsy was recommended. This would require surgery, and would be more invasive. After discussing this option with Paris’ owner, and again due to her good quality of life, we decided that we would biopsy the mass surgically.

 

The surgery confirmed the size and the position of the mass. A biopsy was performed - this means we took a small portion of the mass rather removing the entire mass. The entire mass was not removed due to its size and position. We were hopeful the mass could be treated with medication. This small piece of tissue was sent to an external laboratory and a diagnosis of a small cell lymphoma of the intestine was gained. Paris recovered well from the surgery.

 

Since receiving her results we have started Paris on oral medication for the mass. Currently she is doing well, and the mass can no longer be felt in the abdomen, meaning the medication is working well.

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Paris unfortunately lost her battle with her pain and passed away on July 25, 2009. She is well and truly missed by both her owners and all of us here at Allambie Vet Clinic