Baby Otto

Originally posted on MySpace Blog

Sometimes I feel silly being this upset about the situation with Otto, but I just can't help it - he's my baby.

I didn't want to post too much info until I heard more information; however I'm thinking it's kind of like watching the phone and waiting for it to ring - it's not going to ring until I leave it at home or in another room. So, here's what I know so far.

I took Otto to the Vet last Thursday. He had a fever, the base of his tail was super sensitive and swollen and they discovered some masses in his lower abdomen. They kept him there all afternoon to do some blood work, take x-rays and do a needle-aspiration of one of the masses. When I went back to pick him up the Vet went through the wacky blood work results (they had to run it twice) and then showed me the slide with the aspiration sample on it. He said what he saw scared him but he doesn't know what it is. He sent it off to be tested and I've been waiting for those results. He doesn't want to speculate but the masses and their location resemble mammary cancer - which he's never seen in a male cat. It took me a few days, but I eventually looked up feline mammary cancer. It is rare in male cats but possible. Unfortunately, it's usually very malignant cats (apparently not so much in dogs).

I was sent home with some anti-biotic for the possible infection and told that the sample wouldn't be looked at until Monday and hopefully I should know soon after. In the meantime, I've been of course babying him. Trying anything to see if he'll eat more and that he's comfortable. At first, I thought the anti-biotic may be having an effect as he seemed a smidge less lethargic. Then yesterday he just seemed so blah. He didn't move all day when I was at work. (I put him on my bed in a cozy little nest I made for him with my super soft robe and he was still there when I came home. He can't jump up that high since he's become ill.) That was the longest I've been away since I came back.

I worked from home this afternoon and I will again tomorrow. He seems a tad more "up-beat" when I'm around. I'm hoping my presence and some attention soothes him or something. Tonight I noticed that there is some wound at the base of his tail. I don't recall that being there before and the Vet didn't say anything about it. Every time I attempt to start thinking somewhat positively about it all, something happens to take me back to day one. It's hard to look at him sometimes. He looks so frail and honestly I still tear up or cry. I hope he's not in pain or anything. He's only 20 months old, too young to be so sick.

Thanks for the thoughts and well wishes thus far. I know he appreciates it all. I'll post an update once I hear something. I'm not sure how much longer I can take it.