TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Please Help My Cat - He Has Leukemia - Hes on Interferon - PLEASE!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Please Help My Cat - He Has Leukemia - Hes on Interferon - PLEASE!

post #1 of 36
2/15/11 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
I am in desperate need of help for my cat.

Recently my cat who is 3 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia. His red and white blood cell count is very low and he is anemic. He is very very lethargic 24/7.

I love my cat more than anything So 2 days ago ( 2 days after finding out he has Leukemia) I got him a blood transfusion. I Have him on Clavamox, Viralys, Baytril, Fatty Acids (fish oil), Mirtazapine to make him eat and I even have him on Feline Interferon Omega which is very expensive.

It is day 2 for all medications and day 2 after the blood transfusion and he is still very very lethargic. He only gets up to eat and drink. He sleeps all day and is not very responsive. I Took his temperature and it was around the normal range.

Please anyone have any advice. I do not know if I should bring him back to the doctor. I feel like they will try to only hydrate him and than want to put him to sleep if he doesnt become more active.
Reply
post #2 of 36
2/15/11 at 9:30am
I am so sorry to hear of your cat's problems. I have no specific advice to offer - it seems that your vet has already got him on all that can be done, but I would not give up yet. Two days is a very short time for him to respond, and it does sound as if he is very seriously ill. As for putting him to sleep, unless there is a marked change in his condition, I do not think the vet would want to do that so soon after starting him on the medication plan. And only you can give that final decision, whatever the vet might say. So give it a chance to make a change, and keep a careful watch for any signs that seem as if he is feeling either better or worse. Cats have a way of telling their loving owners when they have had enough, you will know when the time comes. Meanwhile many vibes to you that you have some more quality time with your beloved pet.
Reply
post #3 of 36
2/15/11 at 9:35am
Hello,

I am very sorry to hear about your cat. I agree with Jenny, 2 days is not long. I had high dose chemo myself last fall, and became anemic and neutropenic, had blood transfusions, etc. Still, it was a good month before I began to feel better, so if he's not in obvious pain/discomfort, and just lethargic, I would let him rest.

You might want to call your vet and give a report and see what they say as well. You may find that this is completely normal.

Good luck.

C
Reply
post #4 of 36
2/15/11 at 10:09am
Thread Starter 
Thank you all so much. I love him so much. I adopted him about 8 months ago and he is the greatest cat. Hes like a dog in the way that he acts lol. Its so sad.
Reply
post #5 of 36
2/15/11 at 10:14am
I'm so sorry your kitty has FeLV.

Right now, the best thing for him is rest. We have a kitty with an autoimmune disease and we've been battling his anemia for seven years now. Your kitty's white blood cell count is low because FeLV affects immune response, and he is very lethargic because he is anemic. The very very best thing he can do right now is rest, and do NOT encourage him playing or being active. As Jenny pointed out, you need to give the medications time to do their work, and the best thing to help that happen is rest.

There's no reason for the vet to suggest putting him to sleep. He's not in any pain.

for both you and your baby.
Reply
post #6 of 36
2/15/11 at 10:21am
Could you specify whether your cat have FeLV or lymphocytic leukemia? It's going to cause a bit of confusion as most people automatically think FeLV as the virus is much more common. Advice for dealing with that virus will be different than dealing with cancer.

If it is lymphocytic leukemia, do you have a oncologist vet working with you for his care? If not, that may help his treatment.
Reply
post #7 of 36
2/15/11 at 12:45pm
I'm sorry your cat is so sick. It has only been 2 days since starting all the medicines. Just like medicine for people, you've got to give them a chance to work.
Reply
post #8 of 36
2/15/11 at 2:44pm
I agree, you have some time to see if these meds are going to work for your cat. I pray that they will.
Reply
post #9 of 36
2/15/11 at 3:47pm
I agree....my cat had a really bad URI, and it took the meds almost a week to kick in. Prior to seeing improvement, I really thought she was not going to pull through. Hang in there...

Prayers for your kitty...

Keith
Reply
post #10 of 36
2/19/11 at 1:28am
I know Interferon is used for treating FeLV, we were going to treat Attitude and Nuts until we realized it was way too expensive to even consider(I couldn't have afforded to treat myself or my human child with it at the price they gave me.)

You need to discuss this with your vet as he can give you a good idea of how long it might take to see an improvement in him and when you should see an improvement in him(max times, as in we know this isn't working after x amount of time has passed with no improvement.)

2 days is not long, but your vet really is your best source of advice on this. If they recommend euthanasia it is usually or a very good reason, especially when they have a 'long term' relationship with the pet and owner. It isn't really even a specific amount of time needed for long term, I had one with my vet in a year with my FeLV+ cat Attitude who passed away in Nov at 15 months old. I had known Attitude since she was 4 weeks old and she had been going to this vet since 6-8 weeks old. They are also the vet who treats Nuts, who is also FeLV+ whenever he needs a vet, which, other than regular yearly exams, is never. He is surprisingly very healthy.

Talk to your vet, seriously, they aren't going to suggest euthanasia unless they think it's in the cat's best interest. They make a lot more money keeping your cat alive than they do putting it to sleep(Attitude's "last bill" was actually one of the cheapest vet bills I ever had with her.) I had to realize that when it came to Attitude. When our last chance effort failed and she was still getting worse I had to let her go.

Taryn
Reply
post #11 of 36
2/19/11 at 7:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cd32505n View Post
I am in desperate need of help for my cat.

Recently my cat who is 3 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia. His red and white blood cell count is very low and he is anemic. He is very very lethargic 24/7.

I love my cat more than anything So 2 days ago ( 2 days after finding out he has Leukemia) I got him a blood transfusion. I Have him on Clavamox, Viralys, Baytril, Fatty Acids (fish oil), Mirtazapine to make him eat and I even have him on Feline Interferon Omega which is very expensive.

It is day 2 for all medications and day 2 after the blood transfusion and he is still very very lethargic. He only gets up to eat and drink. He sleeps all day and is not very responsive. I Took his temperature and it was around the normal range.

Please anyone have any advice. I do not know if I should bring him back to the doctor. I feel like they will try to only hydrate him and than want to put him to sleep if he doesnt become more active.

i am so sorry about your kitty has felv, my orange tabby has it to and she is 4 and half yeras old. there is not much can be done except high pro food, NO STRESS and keep her indoor. since you have been trying different things i have a suggestion to try this product: they call it immuno dmg tablets for dogs and cats.. i have been giving to my cat for last 2 years and it suppose to help with immune system. go online look for link PETABBEY or other suppliers and order this pills.. they are small tablets size of asprin and you can give it to her with soft treats or her favorite can cat food.
knock on the wood my cat doing really well but needs more dental cleaning. good luck to you and hope everything turns out for best

product name: usan-immuno-dmg-tablet 90 tablets for dog and cats ( pettabbey.com) or other suppliers.
just make sure order the one for dogs and cats and not human.
Reply
post #12 of 36
2/19/11 at 2:36pm
When Gabriel & Ricochet had problems with anemia, my vet recommended giving them chicken livers or clams. Garbriel didn't like the chicken livers but gobbled up the clams, and vice versa with Ricochet. In both cases, it seemed to help and they got their strength back. Maybe one or the other will help your kitty.

Regarding the Interferon (for everyone who needs to use it), my old vet was robbing me blind by over-charging for the stuff. I found another vet who charges $100.00 for the first 4 ozs., then only $20.00 for the 4 oz. refills till he has to reorder it again. My old vet was charging $100.00 for EVERY 4 oz. bottle. Maybe y'all will want to shop around. Just an FYI.

I don't have any other advice to offer, except to give the meds some time to work. I sure hope your kitty improves soon!
Reply
post #13 of 36
2/20/11 at 1:02pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone thanks for the support. It means so much.

I received bad news recently. My cats face was swelling so I brought him in and they said something is in front of his heart. Most likely a tumor. They gave him some steroids to reduce the swelling and it worked 2 days later. They send me home with meds but I couldnt give it to him anymore he was just not having it. His throat was to small. That was 3 days ago. I woke up this morning and the swelling is gone but he cannot move. He has not eaten or drank anything in 2 days. I am trying everything even meds but its not working. He can stand for about 3 seconds than falls down.

I am beyond sad and i even ran out and got him his favorite treat thinking he would atleast eat that and no go.

He is basically gone already. Idk how to deal with this and i feel like I am being selfish. I have decided to bring him in tom (monday) to put him to sleep. I love this guy more than anything. Hes my little buddy. I cant even fathom life without him around. He made it so much better.

Best way to describe my cat is that he made me smile.. An honest feel good smile. Its very rare to feel that in life. Just looking at him made me fill up with joy. Just like a son or a daughter would.

This is my last day with him and i cannot deal with it. Lets just say I have been hitting the scotch hard.

I feel like there is nothing left I can do. The next step would be trying to find out what is in front of his heart and they would have to stick needles into his chest and do many tests etc and i cannot do that to him. I even stopped the other meds ( i finished the first stage of interferon ) i cannot take the way he looks at me after I stick pills down his throat.

WHAT DO I DO!?! Im losing my best buddy.
Reply
post #14 of 36
2/20/11 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Please anyone have advice.. Please
Reply
post #15 of 36
2/20/11 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...43#post3026243
Reply
post #16 of 36
2/20/11 at 1:46pm
It sounds like it is his time. From your description, he is getting no pleasure out of life. He can't muster the energy to stand or even eat. You know it is his time, and it really sounds like it would be the best for him if you did the humane thing tomrrow as you have planned. I know this is hard, but when you look back at it you will be glad you put him to sleep instead of prolonging his pain with no real purpose. You don't want to look back and remember him struggling to exist just for you to have a few more days or a week with him.
Reply
post #17 of 36
2/20/11 at 2:46pm
It's never easy when they hit that point.
I agree with rad65. It sounds like it may be his time and the last kindness you can give him would be to take him in tomorrow. If it's not his time, something will happen between now and tomorrow to prove that to you.

Only advice I can give is to try and have a 'normal' day with him today. If he liked sleeping on the couch with you, bring him over to the couch and hang out with him. If he liked curling up in your bed, put him there, grab a book and join him. Anything that's something you would have done with him when he was well...
Reply
post #18 of 36
2/20/11 at 2:56pm
I doubt there's any advice we can give that will lengthen the time you have your special cat. Their time with us is too short in the best of circumstances, and cruel fate can cut it even shorter. We have lost one young, and it hurts even today, 15 years later.
Reply
post #19 of 36
2/20/11 at 3:28pm
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I lost my girl two years ago and it was horrible even though I knew she was really sick. It's hard to imagine not seeing their face when you wake up in the morning. The only thing that made me feel better was the knowledge that I could now give a home to another cat that so desperately needs it and I know that my baby girl would have wanted me to help another cat. She also would have wanted me to be happy. I adopted a little black girl that nobody else wanted in honor of my angel cat and it felt good knowing that her passing brought with it something good - life and love for an unwanted cat.
Your boy loves you as much as you love him and he wouldn't want to see you sad. Also remember that he's not going to be gone. He's just going to a better place where he will watch over you, free of pain and illness. Although it will be painful for you it will be a relief for him. Try to do what you think he would want for both you and him.
Maybe something good could come out of your boy's passing too by giving an unwanted cat a home with you. That way it would not be in vain. You can never replace a cat but you can start a new chapter with a new friend.

Please come back to let us know how you're doing. We're here for you. Hugs
Reply
post #20 of 36
2/20/11 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad65 View Post
It sounds like it is his time. From your description, he is getting no pleasure out of life. He can't muster the energy to stand or even eat. You know it is his time, and it really sounds like it would be the best for him if you did the humane thing tomrrow as you have planned. I know this is hard, but when you look back at it you will be glad you put him to sleep instead of prolonging his pain with no real purpose. You don't want to look back and remember him struggling to exist just for you to have a few more days or a week with him.

As much as I hate to agree with the others, I truly believe that it's time to do the humane thing and end your poor kitty's suffering. My heart goes out to you: I know how hard it is to make that decision. I've had to make it several times - most recently last year, when I had to have my precious Maverick put to sleep after his health failed him and he quit eating. He had no good quality of life left, and as much as it killed me to make the decision I knew it had to be done for his sake. I won't lie to you and say it'll be easy, but you'll feel better knowing that he's no longer suffering. You somehow need to find the strength to do the selfless thing. I assure you that your kitty will be grateful to you for ending his suffering.

I wish I could put my hands through the screen and give you a big hug. I know how much you're hurting right now and my heart goes out to you. I will pray to God to give you the strength you need for tomorrow. We are all here for you.
Reply
post #21 of 36
2/20/11 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy'smom View Post
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I lost my girl two years ago and it was horrible even though I knew she was really sick. It's hard to imagine not seeing their face when you wake up in the morning. The only thing that made me feel better was the knowledge that I could now give a home to another cat that so desperately needs it and I know that my baby girl would have wanted me to help another cat. She also would have wanted me to be happy. I adopted a little black girl that nobody else wanted in honor of my angel cat and it felt good knowing that her passing brought with it something good - life and love for an unwanted cat.
That's a good idea. Whenever I lose a beloved kitty, I adopt another unwanted one that probably otherwise may not end up in a good, loving home. I adopted BlackJack after losing Maverick. It doesn't replace the one you've lost, but you feel better knowing that you've given another kitty a chance at life that it may have not gotten. It may take time to consider adopting another kitty because you need time to grieve, but when you're ready you'll know in your heart.
Reply
post #22 of 36
2/20/11 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all soo much. Im dying here. Its hard to be selfless. Everytime he looks at me I break down crying. I only had him for 8 months. I adopted him because I wanted to help him and I feel like I let him down.
Reply
post #23 of 36
2/20/11 at 4:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cd32505n View Post
Thank you all soo much. Im dying here. Its hard to be selfless. Everytime he looks at me I break down crying. I only had him for 8 months. I adopted him because I wanted to help him and I feel like I let him down.
Don't ever feel like you've let him down. He would have wasted away alone in a shelter if you hadn't come and picked him up. You made the last 8 months of his life the best they could possibly be, rather than spent in a cage.
Reply
post #24 of 36
2/20/11 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad65 View Post
Don't ever feel like you've let him down. He would have wasted away alone in a shelter if you hadn't come and picked him up. You made the last 8 months of his life the best they could possibly be, rather than spent in a cage.

You didn't let him down just like Rad said. You gave him a chance at life that he may not have gotten otherwise. It's not your fault that he got sick. You did the best you could for him.

I'm so sorry you are hurting so much. I'm crying with you because I know how you feel. I thought I would just die when I knew I had to let Maverick go. It was the most helpless, sickening feeling in the world. I wanted so badly to save him, but I knew I couldn't do anything more for him and I had to let him go so he would be free from his misery. I know he's looking down on me with nothing but love & gratitude.

Oh sweetie, I wish I could be there for you. I'm so sorry you are having to face this alone.
Reply
post #25 of 36
2/20/11 at 4:59pm
You did NOT let him down. You gave him happiness and love. A chance to experience what life should be like before he goes on to the next world. Had you not come along he would have spent these 8 months suffering. He now got to know what it's like to be loved and wanted and he can go on knowing that he's with someone that truly cares about him.
Reply
post #26 of 36
2/20/11 at 5:36pm
You definitely did not let him down! You gave him love and a good home for what time he had.
We can never know how long they'll be with us when we bring them home, we can only give them the best for that time.
I still cry for my Cotton, and I still replay the night we lost him and try to think of something I could have done, but now at least I know he's not sick anymore.
There's really no advice I can give to make this easier, just thinking of you right now.
Reply
post #27 of 36
2/20/11 at 7:11pm
My advice would be to love him. Show him all the love you can in the time you have left. I am so, so sorry. I lost one to Leukemia in 1985, and his last moments still break my heart. I am so sorry. Hugs and prayers...
Reply
post #28 of 36
2/21/11 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 
This is very strange. I wake up this morning and like every morning i try to give him food. But this time he ATE! I was shocked.

He than got up and walked around even though he is still very very weak he was able to go to his litter box.

Yesterday he was dead weight. He couldnt even get up now hes walking...


I have no idea what to think anymore. This cat is amazing and strong. Idk if this means he will keep getting better but just to see him eat and a little bit stronger made my day.

Yesterday he had about 1% energy and now he is about 10%.

Thank you God and thank you all.

Even if its just for 1 more day I appreciate the cat wanting to stay alive and fight.
Reply
post #29 of 36
2/21/11 at 9:31am
I read your thread about your cat. You have had good advice, so I won't add any. I just want to say we are here for you. Most of us have been in the spot where you now are. It is very hard and it is not something that you bounce back from quickly. Please post and give us an update on where you are with this and how you are doing.
Reply
post #30 of 36
2/21/11 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946 View Post
I read your thread about your cat. You have had good advice, so I won't add any. I just want to say we are here for you. Most of us have been in the spot where you now are. It is very hard and it is not something that you bounce back from quickly. Please post and give us an update on where you are with this and how you are doing.
This is very strange. I wake up this morning and like every morning i try to give him food. But this time he ATE! I was shocked.

He than got up and walked around even though he is still very very weak he was able to go to his litter box.

Yesterday he was dead weight. He couldnt even get up now hes walking...


I have no idea what to think anymore. This cat is amazing and strong. Idk if this means he will keep getting better but just to see him eat and a little bit stronger made my day.

Yesterday he had about 1% energy and now he is about 10%.

Thank you God and thank you all.

Even if its just for 1 more day I appreciate the cat wanting to fight for his life.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Please Help My Cat - He Has Leukemia - Hes on Interferon - PLEASE!