Yesterday Jasper was sitting in my lap and I found a lump in the middle of his thigh. It's about an inch wide. We rushed him to the vet this morning. Dr. Cody wants us to watch it for 10 days and bring him back in. If it is still there he is going to run a biopsy on it. I'm trying not to panic and luckily with all the records we have from his Foster Mom, our vet will be able to talk to the vet that did the vaccinations though our vet doesn't think it was caused by a shot. I called them today and they do remember Jasper. It's pretty deep into his thigh and if I wasn't deliberatly looking for lumps, I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

I am not ready to go back to the grief side of this board. Please keep our little guy in your prayers.

Michelle

My prayers and thoughts are with you and Jasper Michelle. I know it's hard not to worry when a discovery like this is made. In May my Gidget had a tumor removed from her face. When I first found the lump last summer the vet told me to watch it for any change. It stayed the same until May of this year. Suddenly it took on a larger and different shape and had grown into her lymphnode. My very first thought was, "Oh Lord......NOT AGAIN!!!???" Thankfully it was benign and I was spared in having to face another deep sadness so soon after my Goliath had passed away.

May God answer your prayers and keep Jasper well, happy, and in your arms for many years to come.

Hugs,
Beth

I hope that everything works out well for Jasper. Sometimes a lump is just a bit of damaged tissue. I found a lump on Sebastian's tail and frantically took him to the vet. I was told to watch it. I have been watching it now for 5 years and it has not changed in size. Sebastian is 10 now and doing great. Keep watch on it and if it increases in size take Jasper back to the vet immediately. Otherwise it may be nothing to worry about. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

Ken Albin

The lump has doubled in size since yesterday. We are waiting for the vet to open in the next 20 minutes. When I was 10 I had a cist that did the same thing. They removed it, then did a biopsy. Buck is running Jasper to the vet this morning when they open and suggesting just removing it, then doing a biopsy. Other than the lump, he's fine. Running, playing, purring, eating, drinking.

Frankee is going with Jasper. I just can't believe the bond between these two. Frankee loves our vet and will keep Jasper calm. We're doing this more for Frankee though since he will be searching the house for his little buddy.

If it doubled that quickly it implies it is not C...... Even Mile's "Lump" took a long time to cause trouble. - Which is one of the reasons I kicked myself for not jumping on it sooner..but even at the end, the growth was NOTHING like that. At All.

Let us know, huh?

We took Jasper back to the vet. Also since yesterday Jasper has started sneezing and coughing about 4 times a day. So Dr. Cody did diagnose a respitory infection in it's early stages and put the little guy on antibiotics. He said by Wednesday it should be cleared up then he will remove the lump. He made it clear that he would not operate until the infection is cleared up which makes sense. A change of households on a kitten can upset the balance I guess. New germs, kitties, etc.

Other than the occasional cough/sneeze and lump, you wouldn't know anything is wrong with Jasper. He's full of energy and purring. I'm trying to stay positive but the occasional scarry thought keeps creeping in.

We can't lose Jasper. I've explained to him that the elderly ladies are finally happy, Frankee is ecstatic, Mommy loves her precious cuddle bunny which in turn makes Daddy very happy. For the first time in 2 years there is a part of our family that has healed over night. No one will ever replace Nickels, but Jasper is filling his quite large shoes like no one else could.

Thanks for what you said Jon. I'm tending to agree with you. I've had my share of cists and they grow at an amazing rate. When I was 10 I had one removed 3 times from the inside of my lip and it was benign.

After this, I'm thinking of following holistic guidlines. Since our cats are only indoors, I don't want to vaccinate Jasper. My gut feeling makes me think this lump started as an irritant from the needle. I still have to think things over but I don't want Jasper to go through this again if there is even the slightest chance that's how it started. It's tearing me up that this sweet miracle has to have surgery so young. I'm just thanking God that we trust our vet. I'm praying to God that this will be over soon and to leave Jasper with us healthy and sound.

I noticed that vets do not usually sterilize the injection site like is done with furless human patients. At a guess, some dermal bacteria was taken into the muscle and it is an encapsulated infection that may not show on a Leukocyte count. Just a quick guess from experience. Being localized, he feels fine, but it has to come out to be identified. Good luck.

Disclaimer: I am not a Vet. I am a burned-out Materials Scientist who worked in the healthcare industry, and now, being retired, I am nothing. And I like being nothing but Iggy's employee. The pay is not great unless you count him leaving his catnip mouse on my pillow.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement Jon. They make the wait easier. By the way, I love your disclaimer! I enjoy reading your posts. I march to the beat of your drummer humor wise! You have such a wonderful sense of humor and I so look forward to the adventures of Iggy.

Right now Jasper and Frankee are doing something up in their room. Almost sounded like they were putting our shoes on and walking around, (front paws on hips) "Look at me! I'm Mommy!" Who knows what they're up to but we are down here laughing coming up with scenarios. As long as Jasper is acting like a normal kitten I feel a sense of hope. He has added so much to our little household and I don't even want to think of life without him.

We had to go to the mall tonite, (I must be the only woman alive that doesn't like the mall), and Buck ate bourbon chicken at the food court. He saved some and I cut it up into kitty bites when we got home. Little Jasper went nuts! I think the only thing he was fed before was Science Diet kibble. Well we've successfully put an end to that. He was a little thin for my liking and he has gained some weight this week. We do eat well at Casa La Reed.

I don't know what just happened but Jasper just ran downstairs and jumped on the couch. Frankee called to him from the top of the stairs, then Jasper ran back up. Since we don't have carpet upstairs you can hear every step. Lots of running and jumping. Ah Oh. Something just fell then complete silence! Better go check it out. They are such characters!!

Thank you Beth and Ken for your words of encouragement. I couldn't get through this without all the wonderful people on this board. I'm so thrilled that Gidgets tumor was benign. These situations shave years off our lives I swear.

Think positive, Michelle. I too liked what Jon said about the quickness of the lump. Benign is the ticket. I have special thoughts and prayers for Jasper. I am sure he will be okay. It is tough to go through this but I bet he bounces back quickly.

I love that he and Frankee are so bonded...it is wonderful when our special ones get along with each other. That was funny when you mentioned about both of them wanting to be in the same carrier. What loves!

Keep us updated. Did the vet isolate him for the respiratory? IF so, he and Frankee will miss each other soooo much.

Something guided you to find that and take care of it quickly. I really believe Jasper will be just fine. Such a sweetheart.

Kisses and hugs to both of your babies plus another special one for Jasper.


Judy

Hi Judy,
Thanks for your good thoughts and wonderful Prayers.

The vet felt that the respitory problem was caught at such an early stage that he didn't feel a need for them to be separated. I, personally, think it could be allergies. I'm going to tear this house apart next week cleaning and install filters in all the air vents. When we started remodeling I wanted all the carpet removed. We installed marble downstairs and tile upstairs. Since we have 4 cats I felt this would be the most sanitary and easy to clean flooring. In the past 3 years, since we have had this done, we have not seen one flea. The elderly ladies used to get sick a couple of times a week and this also helped with those germs. When I switched them over to Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance cat food they only get sick once every couple of months. I can pretty much open the front door and hose the place out if I really wanted to LOL.

So I'm going to attack the house next week from an allergy point of view and keep him on the antibiotics. I also want to get confirmation of the proper amount of benedryl to see if that helps. Wednesday, hopefully, we will have this tumor removed and have a biopsy done. I love this little guy so very much and will get to the bottom of the problems. By the way, the lump is a little larger today and harder. It has moved to the surface of his skin, much as mine did. I still tend to think it's a cyst from my own personal experience. I still get cysts but they are different in women than kitties but are not fatal in both thank God.

I'll keep you updated. The updates also help me to keep things in writing for the record. Thanks Judy.

Michelle, Jasper, & Frankee a.k.a. Frankenkitten

Michelle:

I'm glad the kitties don't have to be apart due to the respiratory problem. I understand what you mean about carpeting. It just inhales every bit of dust and whatnot in the air. I found I have very glad with the 3 kitties we had...that when we moved here..we took out the drapes and installed vertical blinds. The cats couldn't climb them and they are a lot easier to keep clean than heavy draperies. I would like to tile our floor and throw away the carpeting...it's a wonder we all don't sneeze more.

About fleas...I was so glad to hear they don't exist here in the desert. They sure exist in California. Also I really never see flies but had a major summer problem with them in California. They swarmed inside my front screen door between the screen and the door...dozens of them...no where else but I hated that. Here once in a while we have to watch out for ants.
I liked to joke that the flies have to stop at the Cal-Neva border...not allowed in this State

Joanne (jackjackbojack) here (her thread is Rassy Cat in D&D) has been dealing with allergies and has found some good ideas about food and things. You might check out her thread for ideas.

Kisses to that sweet boy, Jasper (I'm sorry he has that darn lump) but it will be out soon and I expect to hear very positive news about it all.

Hugs to you and Frankee too and your other furbabies.

Judy

The coughing and sneezing has almost ended. Jasper is feeling better. On the other paw, the lump has grown, hardened, and come to the surface. He's also stopped playing. Please, everyone, pray for him. I am so worried.

Michelle

Jasper has my thoughts and prayers..give him a hug and a kiss from me.


Judy

sweet little Jasper, your mom`s baby, we all are thinking of you.
much luck, much love to you and your mom.
sincerely
Eva

Thinking of Jasper. Keep us updated.

Jasper has 5 more anitbiotic pills to go (2 a day). At 5:00 a.m. this morning I was woken up by him DEMANDING a love session. He was pushing his head into my hair and kissing my eyelids, ouch! Purr, Purr, Purr. I made the mistake of sitting up and he stole my pillow staring at me with such love in his eyes. Hubby was up so I came downstairs. Jasper has been running at 100 mph around the house for 3 hours. The lump is bigger today, but Jasper looks better. His watery eye looks a lot better. He is still sneezing but not as much. He does appear to be on the mend.

Gillian, a year ago exactly, I was taking care of my 88 year old Mom in her home. I walked outside to the back patio to enjoy the morning sun and my coffee. A pack of 7 King Charles Cavaliers appeared in our neighbors backyard. I thought I was seeing things, these were the cutest dogs I've ever seen. And a PACK of them?! I quickly rounded them up (quite a feat) and asked Mom who they belonged to. I found the owner and we have been good friends every since. Evidently these little dogs can be great little escape artists! They are a wonderful breed and Ronnie, the owner, would lend them out to me for my Mom before she went into the nursing home. They are precious little dogs and will jump onto my Moms lap and sit for hours. Moms smile says it all.

Well, we're not out of the woods yet with Jasper, but, I thank God he is feeling better. Thank you to all that have been praying for him. By the way, I think we're nearing the count of 5000 kisses on him. He's the only one that doesn't get in any type of trouble. The other cats look at him when he is on the counter and are confused when we pick him up and kiss him on the head. They only see the pointy part of the spray bottle! I'll keep everyone informed on his progress.

Oh absolutely. My Jack Russell is a very loyal dog who would never leave our yard even if the gate is opened and he is unsupervised. As he has proven a few times when my fiancé accidently left the side gate opened. But my CKCS Nieko will just wander off and I'll get a call from a concerned person who has spotted him and knows he shouldn't be out on his own, and used his ID tag to contact me. Thank God there are such people in the world. Bono wandered off a few times too. They aren't running away, only can't resist disappearing off to goodness knows where. They have very little sense! Which is why it was worrying the 2 times Nieko has disappeared, he has no road sense and will just dander across a busy road thinking cars will stop for him, and he'll run up to big scary looking dogs who are growling at him, wagging his tail thinking everyone wants to be his friend. Bono was exactly the same. But I do love them. It's impossible to be cross with them when they wander off. The big brown eyes are to die for.

Good to hear Jasper is feeling better and is on the mend.

Jasper has grown overnight. Evidently he will be the long legged breed of Siamese. He was so funny this morning. He darted under a chair when he was running around with Frankee. His head bumped the bars on the chair twice. I can't believe how long his legs are getting! He is as tall as frankee at only 14 weeks. Frankee is a year old but his growth was stunted by the disease he had when we found him. He tends to ocassionally get a bit rough with Jasper and we keep having to remind him that Jasper is a baby. When I scold Frankee, his feelings get very hurt. We keep an eye on both of them when they play, and Frankee is such a good boy, that when we tell him he has to calm down playing, he immediatly does. I love my boys! Frankee has passed the one billion mark of kisses and is repulsed by each one. He still lays on the desk though and tolerates each one.

Does anyone else have a kitty that "flips you off" with a shake of the paw when they are upset with you?

Does anyone else have a kitty that "flips you off" with a shake of the paw when they are upset with you?


No, I don't have that but sometimes when I tell Lucky to do something, he actually
shakes his head back and forth "No". My husband hasn't seen it and says he doesn't believe it
but there are times I will order Lucky to back up or go eat or whatever and just like a person...he gives a fast shake back and forth quickly 2 or 3 times.