My very first feral...

Several years ago I began updating on the feral colony my mom and I cared for in Indiana... Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s been almost 9 years since I first met Casper, the black ball of fluff that had been left behind by a neighbor. At first he was evasive, he was shy. But as time went on he started to trust us little by little… He brought us all the girls in the neighborhood, and one by one we had them “fixed†and they added to our now ever growing colony… When Casper got hurt in an attack of some kind we were finally able to catch him and get him neutered. He was ‘Ours†after that. When I moved to Vermont 5 years ago, knowing my mom would be moving here soon, I left Casper with her… Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s been two years since she moved up. Bringing our once feral colony to live here with her father as we cared for him in his old age.

And there is Casper… All grown up and scarred, his eyes tell the story of a cat three times his age, the adventures heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s had…

We noticed the lump a couple of weeks ago… I should have taken him in… I should have been more concerned… but he was eating, drinking and using the box… When his appetite dropped last Saturday I made an emergency appointment for Monday morning, (I think itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s odd that they call it an emergency appointment, if there is an emergency should I have to make an appointment?)

The vet chastised me, rightfully so for not bringing him in as soon as I noticed the lump… Heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s on 2 antibiotics to see if the swelling will go down, his fever has broken, and he goes back to the vet on Friday.

I feel awful. What kind of horrible mommy am I? I should have taken him in sooner, I know I should have, if this is something that can be fixed that easily Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m a really awful person, I let him down… But if it isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t easily fixed, If it is cancer (which is my BIG fear) I hope he knows I would do anything to save him, to make it better, even if it means letting him go.

Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been with him for 3 days straight, took 2 days off work to be there with him… I hope he knows how much I love him. As I sit at work today writing this I can think of nothing else but his face, how he looks at me with such love, and follows me from room to room looking for a bigger, better treat… I need some major good vibes for him to get better... and for me... Because I havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t slept more than 2 hours a night since he got ill…..

No words can make your pain go away, but he knows you care.

There are many people out there who would have never brought him in. Sometimes we don't worry when we should, and sometimes we worry when we have no reason. Don't get it in your head that it's cancer just yet. It can just as likely be a fatty tumor.

Cancer is one of my biggest fears too, it's an evil thing.

Keep you spirit up, even if it's just for Casper. for even managing a feral colony, it's a tough job - many turn the other cheek.

that the vet visit goes well & that you can get some sleep tonight.

Aww.... I am sorry you and Casper are going through this... I am also sorry your vet treated you that way... You didn't deserve it - you clearly love your kitties very much, and do so much for them that instead of leaving a feral colony behind when you moved, you took them with you... There are not many people who do that. So please don't beat yourself up... You love Casper dearly, and he knows it... Let's all pray and hope that this is just a fat lump, or an abscess, and that he gets better in no time!

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Aww.... I am sorry you and Casper are going through this... I am also sorry your vet treated you that way... You didn't deserve it - you clearly love your kitties very much, and do so much for them that instead of leaving a feral colony behind when you moved, you took them with you... There are not many people who do that. So please don't beat yourself up... You love Casper dearly, and he knows it... Let's all pray and hope that this is just a fat lump, or an abscess, and that he gets better in no time!

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I could not find better words to say it.

You are doing what you can now, and Casper knows how much you love him.

Many vibes for his recovery and that this is not cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laurie

Thanks so much for those words of hope! I will be updateing today after the vet appointment... Im very nervous.. He is putting up one heck of a fight to get his meds in him, which I take as an encouraging sign, since he had very little fight when we first started him on them. The lump is still there but he is having an easier time breathing.. Maybe Im just very opptimistic or unrealistic, grasping at anything that will make him be okay.. even if just in my mind until we find out differently... But I am encouraged and I really do believe he is feeling better... he's acting like it anyway...

Originally Posted by phendric726

Thanks so much for those words of hope! I will be updateing today after the vet appointment... Im very nervous.. He is putting up one heck of a fight to get his meds in him, which I take as an encouraging sign, since he had very little fight when we first started him on them. The lump is still there but he is having an easier time breathing.. Maybe Im just very opptimistic or unrealistic, grasping at anything that will make him be okay.. even if just in my mind until we find out differently... But I am encouraged and I really do believe he is feeling better... he's acting like it anyway...

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That is great news!!!!
more vibes for your baby!! Please keep us updated, ok?

Fiesty is always a good thing! Keeping up the vibes for your baby!

And some for you!

Laurie

Having enough energy to put up a fight is never a bad sign

Well the vet trip was...helpful. The vet said that more than likely the lump is cancerous; HOWEVER he's doing pretty well. He also had an infection which the Baytril and Clavamox took care of, the swelling has gone down a lot, and his fever is gone. He is still eating, drinking, using his litter box and cleaning himself. He is not hiding. All of these things are encouraging to me. I know I will lose him, the vet said when it is time she will come to my house and do what must be done. I couldn't imagine taking him to a vet office for that last moment with him, so cold and not his home. I feel like this should be done in Indy, where he roamed and loved and brought all our ferals together. He was the first, he taught us so much about compassion and the TNR movement. We could have three days, or three months, there is no way to tell since we can't put him under for a biopsy. The vet did say that there is no reason to consider euthanasia at this point, he's not uncomfortable, and heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s not in pain. I hope when the time comes I don't lose my nerve, I hope I can recognize the time when it comes, or that I don't have to and he slips away gently in a nice sleep, dreaming about his harem and the battles he's won... For now I will love him and watch him, and pray everyday that He will have just a little more happy time with us... He deserves so much more than I could do for him

Can this tumor be removed?? Or the leg amputated??

Due to Casperâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s age removing the tumor is not an option, they are afraid he would not survive the surgery. It is actually on the left side of his neck, which is why we were so worried about his air passage being blocked with infection… I am taking him for a second opinion at a cat specialist on Monday… I hope they will say something I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t already know but Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m not counting on it… The most important thing to me is that he isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t in any pain and I make him as comfortable as possible, while letting him know how very special he is to me, all he has taught me, with out making him feel obligated to hold on for me… Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a hard path to travel…

Originally Posted by phendric726

The most important thing to me is that he isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t in any pain and I make him as comfortable as possible, while letting him know how very special he is to me, all he has taught me, with out making him feel obligated to hold on for me… Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a hard path to travel…

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I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. It's a very hard path to travel. Cherish whatever time you have left together, and the memories when the inevitable comes. He feels your love, and will always be a part of you.

So.. I have been up most of the night looking for anything that might at least make him more comfortable should the need arise and I found EC Clear for cat Cancer. It has really good reviews, however all miracle cures say those things... It not that expensive so I might try it out.. has anyone ever heard of it?

I'm sorry, I have no experience with cat cancer. Have you tried asking in the health forum?

I know some people with kitties with a chronic illness use a product called Transfer Factor. I believe it helps boost the immune system. Again - perhaps a question for the health forum where people with experience may have input.

Many continued for Casper, and of strength for you. Yes, cherish each day.



Laurie

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm sorry, I have no experience with cat cancer. Have you tried asking in the health forum?

I know some people with kitties with a chronic illness use a product called Transfer Factor. I believe it helps boost the immune system. Again - perhaps a question for the health forum where people with experience may have input.

Many continued for Casper, and of strength for you. Yes, cherish each day.

Laurie

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I use Transfer Factor, and truly believe it has helped Bugsy quite a bit!
It is not the only thing I use, but definitely plays a big part.
Bugsy used to be called my lemon kitty, but no more... He has Chronic URI, Gingivitis, food allergies...
The key for me was to get his immune system in check, which I did with Transfer factor, L-Lysine and digestive enzymes+probiotics. He also takes CoQ10. Yes, it is a concoction, but he hasn't gotten sick in a LONG time! His Gingivitisis way better also...
I get my transfer factor from here:
http://www.transferfactor-us.com/tra...ri-factor.html Even though they have a transfer factor Feline, I recommend the human Transfer factor plus - it is the strongest one, and the one that will give you the best results. If you can afford, you can also give him Transfer Factor Stress pack for a week until he gets better from this infection.
I give Bugsy 1 capsule/day of the TF plus, mixed into his wet food. For cancer I would probably give 2 capsules/day. You can call them, and they will help you with the dosage.
I highly recommend L-Lysine as well, another known feline immune system booster... Here is where I get mine: http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-L-Lys...454-g/653?at=0 It is great as it is a powder, and easy to mix it into their water or wet food... Use this coupon code to save $5.00: VES097.
I wonder if this cancer was in the vaccine site?

We just went through a similar situation with my mom's cat. We took him in to his regular vet when we first noticed the lump. The vet didn't think it was cause for concern but told us to bring him back if it grew. When we took him back, they wanted to operate.The tumor was still relatively small at this point, about a centimeter across.

I'm angry that they brushed it off the first time we took him in...

We took him to a different vet, and had the tumor removed. Not long after, we noticed another tumor. Now we're waiting for some indication that he's not feeling well. I've looked up a service that will come to my mom's home when it's time. I agree that it would be sad for your baby to spend his last moments scared at a vet's office.

Thanks so much for that information. I have ordered some of each and hope to see something worth reporting soon! again thanks for all the well wishes, he seems to be doing really well, the lump has reduced considerably so we are very happy with his progress right now!

Was a biopsy done? We don't know for sure it is cancer - right?

Continued vibes!



Laurie

So the antibiotics helped the lump go down a WHOLE bunch, a whole whole bunch, although he still has a lump it is SOOO much SMALLER!! We were having a hard time getting him to eat, I boiled some chicken for him and he gobbled it up, has been eating it for about a week now, yesterday he decided he didnt want to eat it anymore so I cooked up a peice of salmon and he ate the whole thing. I have been trying to get him top put on weight so I am very encouraged by this and when we weighed him last he had put on a good 3 ozs.!! He is still grooming and using the box. I know that I may lose him someday, but I will lose them all someday... for now Im just going to enjoy him and let him own me, He has all along any way...

I just want to thank everyone for all the encouragement and good thoughts, keep them comming, it seems to be working!