Ignorance is bliss, cowardice of a sort

[cupcake_goth]

I need to take the Dread Beast Trickster (my 13 y.o. giant black cat) to the vet. Why? Because not only is the spot on his nose not fully healing because he keeps clawing it open, but there are ... lumps on his brow above his left eye, and a large lump on the upper left side of his muzzle.

I called and made an appointment for next week. And then had The Husband call them back and re-schedule the appointment for *after* Christmas.

I check the lumps daily, to make sure they're not getting larger AND to make completely sure they aren't abscesses. They're not, which means that theres a very good chance the lumps are something worse. And, emotional wimp that I am, I don't want to be told my cat has cancer until after Christmas. Because right now, I can look at Beastie and not start crying (much or often). But if I took him to the vet and had my fears confirmed, I don't think I'd deal very well.

I'm consoling (deluding maybe?) myself with the knowledge that other than some strange bumps on his face, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him. He's still alert and playful, there's been no obvious signs of illness or deterioration.

Ignorance is bliss. For a short time, at least.

Comments

Without trying to get your hopes too up or down...

[nil8r.livejournal.com]

My parent's russian blue had a couple episodes or lumps around the muzzle and they turned out to not be life-threatening or the "c" word. Something that medication healed and at 17+ years old is still a happy kitten. :)

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I hope he is okay.

I will be thinking of the beastie.

[septembergrrl.livejournal.com]

That sounds rough. Knwing an animal is sick is really hard.

I hope the vet finds something completely curable.

[minim_calibre]

In the event that it is the Big C, he'll probably remain alert and playful (which is to say, happy and comfortable, if unsightly) for quite some time.

At least, the cats I have known with cancers in that area remained so.

[makaidiver.livejournal.com]

It could be something odd, like an allergy or whatever. One of my cats had cat acne (true!).

Ask lots of questions. A petsitter/former vet tech friend & I were listing Qs for a vet, in general. What is it? how do you know? is the test definitive? *Could* it be any thing else? What's the usual treatment option? What other treat options are there? What else? Anything else that you don't do but others do? What about diet? etc.

Sorry to go on. She suspects that our mutual friend's cat who was just put to sleep for the big C actually had ringworm, which is cureable. Too late now. Also, her dog with arthritis is "a new dog!" after accupuncture (by a UC Davis-educated vet who then studied pet accupunture).

[blackavar.livejournal.com]

I will be thinking many positive healthy-Beast thoughts, and hoping for a simple, non-dangerous explanation. He's a good guy. *sigh*

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

I hope that it turns out to be nothing serious. Thinking good thoughts for you and kitty.

[gchick.livejournal.com]

Aww, sweetheart. Assorted fingers and paws are crossed around these parts.

Just remember that alert and playful is GOOD. May he continue that way for years to come.

[ouranophobe.livejournal.com]

I'll light a candle for you both tonight.

[ozitonaranjo.livejournal.com]

Hugs!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for Beast.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Poo. I hope it works out all right. Her Puppiness needs to go in for what I hope is just a new lipoma on her chest. She's also been a nozzlehead on and off for weeks now because of a hot spot on her left foreleg that she won't leave alone. We seem to have parallel pets.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Poor monster! Give him a pat.