Friday - Walk & Pet Dilemma

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

My workout today was a 2 hour walk outdoors w/ my friend. I really was going to attempt some yoga, not sure if that will happen though. I really should try to do s bit tomorrow......I'm find it very helpful in terms of flexiblity and stress relief!!I also have an ethical question regarding pet care. Last Feb my cat had a fairly large tumor removed from his side (sort of under his left arm). At the time, we didn't have it biopsied (mistake!) figuring it wouldn't come back (silly!) Recently, we discovered that the tumor is back - in the same general area. My vet did a needle biopsy of it on Tuesday - and sent it off to the lab - the results, of course, are inconclusive. She said my options are: do nothing and see what happens; she can do a core biopsy and send it to the lab; or we can remove it again completely and biopsy it. My cat is 13 years old. I spent $180 for the needle biopsy. The core biopsy will be $350. I know from experience having

it removed will run between $700-$800 and will involve a kitty with a very large wound w/ a drain in it to take care of. He healed very well the last time and it really wasn't that difficult to take care of him. I don't know what to do....it isn't totally about the $$, but in a way it is. I don't know if you remember but I spent several thousand dollars on my dog last fall when her spleen ruptured.....I also have some expensive dental work coming up, some car issues, I need to make summer camp final payments for my DD. UGH. I don't want the decision to be solely about money b/c if push came to shove I could pay for it to be removed again (not w/out some pain, but...). I'm just not sure if it is worth it b/c my cat is not young and whatever it is seems to have a tendency to come back. I don't know if benign tumors come back, so it may be cancer.....How much time would I be buying if I had it removed?Ok - sorry to burden you with that - just not

sure what to do and would like some advice!! (I do plan to discuss with DH and then with our vet to see what her recommendation is - sort of like "if this were your cat, what would you do?")Take care,

Donna