What's the outlook for my FIV+ cat after mast cell tumor removal?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Mi! When kittens are diagnosed with FIV we tell the owners that they can live well in to their geriatric years. FIV is like HIV in people. The pet will do fine until the immune system is compromised then the pet gets sick with secondary infections or cancer. If Mi is otherwise healthy I would recommend full mouth extractions for the stomatitis. He could have nasal discharge due to dental disease. While he is under anesthesia the vet can get skull X-rays to look at his nasal cavity. But the nasal discharge can also be due to lymphoma (cancer), bacteria, viral or fungal infections. If the stomatitis can not be managed and he is too painful to eat then I wouldn't expect him to live comfortably very long. If your Vet can control the pain and inflammation then I don't see why he couldn't have more time. I don't think I can give you an exact time frame with out examining him or knowing more about how he is feeling currently. I hope this helps and I wish Mi the best!

So sorry about your cat. It Is sometimes hard to predict the likelihood of neoplasia versus a benign cause. I have had cases that I thought would be lymphoma and turned out to be an infection/inflammation. I know it is hard waiting on the biopsy results but try not to worry until the results are back. Hoping for good news when the results are in.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that Max has a lump. FNA (Fine needle aspirate) is the name of the procedure your vet performed. Some types of cancers, including Mast Cell Tumors, will exfoliate (give off) a lot of cells when this procedure is performed, and have a very classic appearance under the microscope. Therefore yes, this is a proper procedure and diagnostic test. I would recommend that you chat with your vet about staging (looking to see if the cancer has spread to other locations of the body- usually using ultrasound and chest x-rays), and if it has not, have the tumor removed. Ensure you chat with your vet about if they are comfortable doing the surgery to get proper margins (3cm diameter and 3 facial planes) or if a surgical specialist is required. This will depend on the location of the mass. Best of luck with Max, hopefully it is a low grade and will be cured with surgery!

Hello. FIV is a very serious disease that is often fatal. We sometimes will aspirate the effusions , but for the most part it is a very uncomfortable process that is very temporary at best. The effusions come back very quickly. You did nothing wrong. You cared for your friend until the very end, but the virus was just too overwhelming for his system. I am so sorry for your loss, but you honestly did nothing wrong. Please accept my condolences on your loss & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Oh dear, poor Atticus! It is difficult to determine if his significant weight loss is due to his respiratory condition or FIV. If these bacteria are present and causing problems, then yes, he should be treated for them. Anemia can be caused by chronic disease processes that decrease red blood cell production, blood loss, or destruction of the red blood cells. I'm glad to hear that his lymphocyte count is normal. Without examining Atticus and evaluating all of his test results, I can't help to determine his prognosis and if his condition can improve. I hope that all goes well for Atticus.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats with FIV can live a very long and healthy life! If he has dental disease and needs teeth removed I recommend doing it. The dental shouldn't cause progression of his FIV and will likely improve his quality of life. Leaving diseased teeth in the mouth of an immunocompromised animal isn't good either! i hope this helps!

Aspects of these disease can be painful, such as stomatitis (severe, painful inflammation of a cat's mouth and gums) that is caused by FIV, but Bones's symptoms can be managed symptomatically by his vet. With these cases, it's very important to have him seen by his vet whenever there is an issue.