Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / June 2006

Looking for some advice in respect of a relative's 17yr old ginger tom...
approx 3 weeks ago it was noticed that his urine was becoming "fizzy" or
"frothy" (owner's words)... took to vet about a week ago who diagnosed liver
tumour on basis of simply feeling the cat's abdomen - said in fact it was
quite large. No other tests. A urine test was carried out of the request of
the owner - all was apparently o.k. except the vet stated some elevated
white blood cell levels found which indicated the cat was "definitely
fighting something". Other aspects of the urine sample apparently normal.
I have to ask one question - are we all swinging in the wind on the basis of
the "magic fingers" of this particular vet and his accompanying ego?
He offered a blood test if required but stated would not really provide any
more data than the vet believed he already had...
The cat is not displaying any jaundice or symptoms I would traditionally
relate to liver problems (maybe I could be confusing liver "disease" with a
liver "tumour" when expecting to see those particular signs?). The cat has a
very strong heart - to the extent that it has been commented on by vets when
carrying out routine checks previously and in fact his heart is still
"strong" - but to put even more of a dampener on the situation they advised
the owner that this might count against him when fighting the advanced stage
of the disease as would possibly lead to fitting in the later stages. Not
the sort of thought his elderly human mother can sleep on easily.
I cannot help wondering, in the absence of any full and proper diagnosis,
whether this large tumour is not directly attached to an organ and therefore
could be surgically removed? Or am I being ignorant - i.e. do ALL tumours
need an organ to feed off?
Finally, assuming it is a liver tumour as suggested - do I assume it is
inoperable?