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Lympho sarcoma - signs of disease progression

post #1 of 8
4/2/10 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
In February, my cat was diagnosed with lymphoma sarcoma.
His spleen had unusual masses in it during an ultrasound
He takes Prednisone 5mg (x 4 a day) to stop vomitting he was having
He takes a chemotherapy drug once every three weeks. I dont have the name on hand.

The vet said he had about 7 months.

I know change in appetite and lack of energy are things to look for as his condition gets worse.
What other symptoms can I expect to see as signs of the disease progressing?

He just started a wheezing like cough, like cats get when they have a fur ball. I saw an article that respiratory changes is a sign of failing health. I dont know if its related.

For those who have been through this illness, when did you know it was time to put your cat to sleep?

Thank you,
Mark
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post #2 of 8
4/2/10 at 10:31am
My beloved kitty Serena had lymphoma. When she was diagnosed they told me without chemo she'd be gone inside a month - chemo would give her maybe six. I went with chemo. She rallied. And rallied. And rallied. She lasted another three good years - was the star of the oncology center because she was such a trooper. When she would start to flag, her doctor would adjust the chemo and she'd bounce back. Finally, overnight, she just shut down. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink, nothing. (turned out it was renal failure) I got on the floor with her and she put her paw on my cheek. It felt like she was telling me something. I put her to sleep that night and still miss her to this day. But we got three healthy extra years and I'll always be grateful for that.
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post #3 of 8
4/2/10 at 10:52am
Dehydration is definitely something to watch for.
My B.C., toward the end, was getting saline injections twicea week.
He was twelve when diagnosed, and his was wide spread, so I opted to go without treatment.
He was given 4 months, and he was with me for 7 months before he told me to let him go.
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post #4 of 8
4/2/10 at 11:19am
I don't have knowledge to share on this. But I did want to say I hope you will still have some good quality time with your cat. Maybe someone else will come along who can help you with your questions.
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post #5 of 8
4/2/10 at 11:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arlyn View Post
Dehydration is definitely something to watch for.
My B.C., toward the end, was getting saline injections twicea week.
Second this. I had to do saline injections toward the end, as well.
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post #6 of 8
4/3/10 at 1:50am
I would get her breathing checked by the vet just in case. I have had two cats with intestinal lymphoma, the first was an apparantly healthy cat at the rescue, but it was obvious as soon as I got her home there was something not right, I thought it was liver issues though, but turned out to be cancer - she only had 2 weeks after diagnosis, as the steroids just couldn't get on top of her diarrhea, and the vet said as everything was going through her, she would effectively starve to death.

My second eldest cat was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma in Jan, she is on half a steroid every day (vet said we could reduce it last week, but she doesn't seem to be eating as much on every other day). Symptoms he told me to watch for was her bloating, not eating, and signs of her being in pain. I know someone who used a chemo/steroid routine and got just over a year with their cat, the vet said it would give them a year.
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post #7 of 8
4/3/10 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the replies.

Someone had said to me that you will just know
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post #8 of 8
4/3/10 at 9:35am
HI and welcome to TCS. I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through with your kitty.

You will know when he's had enough, pay close attention to him, and he will tell you. Quality of life is the most important thing, and only you can judge if he is suffering and has lost any interest in his life.

It can seem very hard to know, I know, you want to be sure you are doing what is best for him, not what is best for you, but if you ask him he will tell you.

If he is still taking pleasure in his favorite things, perhaps he's not ready yet. I know life with a cat with a chronic illness is a roller coaster, sometimes it comes down to a matter of how long the bad times are vs the good.

Remember that he doesn't know how ill he is, and does not suffer the emotional anguish that is left to us humans. All he knows is that he is with his human who loves him and whom he loves above all else.
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