Well, I was hoping for better news. I got a call from our veterinarian last night around 7 o’clock that Eva’s lump was suspicious enough to have it removed. It definitely appears to be Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma, which might be the result of a rabies shot she was given in `06. So hard to fathom that something that was supposed to help her could later be the cause of cancer. How rare is this? The statics aren’t completely clear but somewhere between 3 in 10,000 and 1 in 1,000.
The next step is to remove the tumor. And for this to be successful, the surgeon must have clean margins, which our veterinarian believes she has with Eva. Just in case, more around the tumor is cut due to the fact that the cancer might have already started spreading. That is if it is cancer. After the lump is removed, the vet will know within 7–10 days whether or not the lump was cancerous. I suppose I’m just trying to stay realistic.
Now, if it is in fact sarcoma, there is a 60%–80% chance that it will come back. In that case, we will have to have Eva’s back leg amputated. My goodness, that sounds so bizarre. Still again, staying grounded here. So next Friday, Eva will go in for surgery to remove the lump. And then we’ll just have to go from there. I will certainly keep you posted on any new developments with her condition.
For right now, Eva is completely herself. Lazy one second, and a bolt of energy the next. As I write this, she’s napping on my arm. Luckily, not like this:
This photos always reminds me of Laser Cats!
Here’s another link: This one is for a petition demanding safer vaccinations for our pets.
Hayden, so sorry about Eva, i am hoping for the best!
Comment by Summer — February 8, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I appreciate that.
Thanks Summer.
Comment by Hayden — February 8, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Another site that those of you with kitty cats might want to check out is VAS-Awareness.org, especiallythis page with handouts about the latest guidelines for vaccinations. And this problem might also occur in dogs, although there is less information. Here’s a link to a message board post in which a woman mentions an article on the topic from a 2003 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, which she will send to you if you email her.
Comment by Apryl — February 8, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Adam and I will be praying for Eva. Give her some petting from us!
Comment by Steph — February 8, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Thinking of Eva and praying for the best.
Comment by Nancy-Marmee — February 12, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Thanks everyone!
Comment by Hayden — February 12, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
Best wishes for the kitty! Hope y’all are doing well too, of course.
Comment by Jennifer — February 14, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Oh no! I hope that everything turns out okay!
Our thoughts will be with you on Friday.
Comment by Rachel (& Trey) — February 18, 2008 @ 9:12 am
I know I’m late in on this one, and I apologize. It made my heart hurt. Now that the weekend has come and gone, I hope the news is positive (although positive is often relative). I suppose the only thing I can really say in this case is that I am thinking of you and Eva.
Comment by Caroline — February 18, 2008 @ 10:10 am
Thanks Rachel and Caroline.
Comment by Hayden — February 18, 2008 @ 9:50 pm