A difficult decision.

 Its been about 4 weeks since Lila's been to the vet. In that time her lump has expanded, ruptured, scabbed over, and partially broke off. In the name of science I bagged up her tumor. The remaining part scabbed over again and the loss helped with her mobility. She seems to be eating, drinking, and pooping normally. Other than her condition and some excessive sleeping, she seems to be a normal hedgie.

She was a good girl at the vet today. He just kept telling me how easy she was to handle. He did the normal exam, but today she resisted him touching the lump. The last appointment she had no problem with him putting some pressure on it or the leg. I offered up the "old lump" to give to the pathologist, if he was curious. Dr. Harvey thought we would at least like to see it for his own benefit.

During the exam he observed growth since the mass fell off and he noticed considerable change in size as well as texture. He also told me that the odor coming from it was due to it being sorta "rotten". We did not run any test today, however he was able to visually check the "old lump" that I kept in a zip-lock. That thing smells horrid, by the way. No tests means we don't know for sure, but he strongly believes it is a carcinoma tumor.

Before we left Dr. Harvey gave me the rundown on our options. First was a extremely costly amputation, that I could never afford in my wildest dreams. the second treatment plan was a pain killer and antibiotic duo. The meds will cost about $100 and he didn't even tell me how long that supply lasts. Then there's the au natural way, which is to wait it out.

I have never had to make a decision like this before. Her well being is my number one concern and I want to make the right decision. 

 

 

 

--the decision has not been made yet.

Lila, Lila, Lila

Last night I mixed up some of lila's normal food with hedgie care formula and baby food. I thought Turkey and gravy baby food would mask the smell of the new diet food, and I think it did. She either hated it or it hardened before she could finish it. This morning it looked as if she ate some of it but the rest was crusted to the dish. I'm doing my best to round off her diet but shes being picky. There's got to be something I can do to get her to eat the new food.

I finally got a good picture of Lila's mystery lump. Normally she wont let me flip her over for a up close picture, but today during bath time I figured out how to get one. I have a water proof camera so I started recording, picked her up in front of the camera, then got a screen shot while watching the video.

Poor baby. I feel worse and worse as each day goes by. I get paid this upcoming Wednesday and I will skip class if I have to, to take her to the vet. I turned to Craigslist to see if people in my community knew of a vet I could take her to. I hope this thing isn't cancerous, but my gut feeling is not good. The waiting is killing me but theres nothing I can do until Wednesday. I feel so hopeless.