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Hello everyone. The vet called me 10min. ago possible cancer, If it is cancer should I go with chemotherapy, Holistic, or put her to sleep? Thank you for any help.
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Ultrasound results = Cancer
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Oh my gosh, I'm so so sorry. 
this is the same situation I was put in with my Candy...they just called me and said "we found a mass, it's probably cancer, taking a biopsy." My brain didn't even have time to process it.
What type of cancer is it? My Candy had kidney lymphoma, and I ended up having to put her to sleep because her kidneys began to fail...I would keep chemotherapy as an option though. LDG has had a lot of success with her Lazlo on chemo. Holistic treatment, such as ES Clear, is also an option. If it is very advanced, consider sending kitty to the Rainbow Bridge. I'm so so sorry.
for you and kitty.
this is the same situation I was put in with my Candy...they just called me and said "we found a mass, it's probably cancer, taking a biopsy." My brain didn't even have time to process it.What type of cancer is it? My Candy had kidney lymphoma, and I ended up having to put her to sleep because her kidneys began to fail...I would keep chemotherapy as an option though. LDG has had a lot of success with her Lazlo on chemo. Holistic treatment, such as ES Clear, is also an option. If it is very advanced, consider sending kitty to the Rainbow Bridge. I'm so so sorry.
for you and kitty.
First of all, This was us in July of last year.
I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about your kitty, and I don't think you have enough information yourself to make a decision yet. :rub:
Where is the cancer?
Have they suggested what type of cancer it is yet? (Lymphoma is most common, but that does not mean that's what it is)
What is the vet recommending as next steps?
How old is your kitty?
What were the symptoms that led to the diagnosis?
Does she have other health issues?
How does she handle vet visits?
Our Lazlo was diagnosed with a "massive" tumor in his stomach. It was fused with the stomach wall lining and inoperable. He was given about four weeks to live without treatment. He had lost a lot of weight and was vomiting because he had bleeding ulcers that also made him anemic. He was living under a chair, at that point. When the ultrasound showed cancer, we had a biopsy done, because to determine a treatment, the type of cancer had to be definitive.
We were seeing a holistic vet. She said there were holistic treatment options, but that his best bet was chemotherapy.
Of course, ultimately the happiness and quality of life of your baby is what matters most. And if your kitty completely stresses at vet visits, then chemotherapy most likely isn't the best option for your kitty. Of course, there are things that can be done to make the trips less stressful. But chemo is done in cycles of four treatments over a six month period (usually). It is expensive. And you should know, as it probably hasn't been explained to you yet, that the goal in chemotherapy of our pets is different than chemo in people. The focus is quality of life, not length of life, so the doses given are much smaller on a per weight ratio than in humans - this means that chemo itself is usually well tolerated in animals. Lazlo needed an anti-nausea medication, an appetite stimulant, and an anti-inflammatory dose of prednisolone is almost always part of the standard of care. Each chemo treatment his appetite would dip a little bit for maybe a day or two. At the beginning, we needed to support him with assisted feeding - but he didn't fight it.
He didn't overly stress at the trips (even though the oncologist was 1.5 hours away) - and trips were weekly for the first two months.
I suspect the next step is biopsy. Then likely a referral to an oncologist, where you will discuss treatment options.
We decided to start and see. We figured we could always change our minds and not continue.
But the treatment options and prognosis depend on the type of cancer.
I know you're in shock right now. We're here to help walk you through this - and for support. :heart3:
This was us in July of last year.I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about your kitty, and I don't think you have enough information yourself to make a decision yet.
:rub:Where is the cancer?
Have they suggested what type of cancer it is yet? (Lymphoma is most common, but that does not mean that's what it is)
What is the vet recommending as next steps?
How old is your kitty?
What were the symptoms that led to the diagnosis?
Does she have other health issues?
How does she handle vet visits?
Our Lazlo was diagnosed with a "massive" tumor in his stomach. It was fused with the stomach wall lining and inoperable. He was given about four weeks to live without treatment. He had lost a lot of weight and was vomiting because he had bleeding ulcers that also made him anemic. He was living under a chair, at that point. When the ultrasound showed cancer, we had a biopsy done, because to determine a treatment, the type of cancer had to be definitive.
We were seeing a holistic vet. She said there were holistic treatment options, but that his best bet was chemotherapy.
Of course, ultimately the happiness and quality of life of your baby is what matters most. And if your kitty completely stresses at vet visits, then chemotherapy most likely isn't the best option for your kitty. Of course, there are things that can be done to make the trips less stressful. But chemo is done in cycles of four treatments over a six month period (usually). It is expensive. And you should know, as it probably hasn't been explained to you yet, that the goal in chemotherapy of our pets is different than chemo in people. The focus is quality of life, not length of life, so the doses given are much smaller on a per weight ratio than in humans - this means that chemo itself is usually well tolerated in animals. Lazlo needed an anti-nausea medication, an appetite stimulant, and an anti-inflammatory dose of prednisolone is almost always part of the standard of care. Each chemo treatment his appetite would dip a little bit for maybe a day or two. At the beginning, we needed to support him with assisted feeding - but he didn't fight it.
He didn't overly stress at the trips (even though the oncologist was 1.5 hours away) - and trips were weekly for the first two months.
I suspect the next step is biopsy. Then likely a referral to an oncologist, where you will discuss treatment options.
We decided to start and see. We figured we could always change our minds and not continue.
But the treatment options and prognosis depend on the type of cancer.
I know you're in shock right now. We're here to help walk you through this - and for support. :heart3:
BarbB's kitty is receiving chemotherapy right now: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/243465/toby-vomiting-and-losing-weight-fine-otherwise
It took a little while to get a diagnosis, so the cancer discussion is a little bit into the thread.
It took a little while to get a diagnosis, so the cancer discussion is a little bit into the thread.
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Thank you for the responses. Princess has a tumor on the wall lining of her stomach and her lymph nodes are enlarged, Her vet says it looks like cancer. A sample was taken and I will know on Friday if it's cancer, or some other thing I can't remember the name but the vet said it's just as bad as cancer. She's great with the vet (at least she is when I'm in the room with her) I have had her for 20 years and it's looking like our time together is coming to an end. Chemotherapy sounds so expensive I don't think I could afford it, I don't want to put her to sleep either. When she dies I'd like her to die to the right of my pillow were she sleeps.
I'm so sorry to hear this about Princess!!
. And she is 20 years old, she has been with you for a long time!
As Laurie said above, my Toby also has cancer and he is undergoing chemotherapy. Toby is 12 years old. His symptoms were vomiting and weight loss, and also his fur was looking rumpled. His thread is on here as Laurie said.
The chemotherapy that they give to animals is not the same as for people, it is milder and more tolerable, so that a lot of animals do very well with it. I don't know if the doctor is advising you to have Princess take oral chemotherapy or injections/intravenous chemotherapy. In the case of small cell lymphoma they give oral chemo, and they also sometimes give this kind of medicine for inflammatory bowel disease. Both IBD and small cell lymphoma are very treatable with oral chemo.
In the case of Toby, he has large cell lymphoma and needs to have intravenous/injectable chemotherapy. He has been doing pretty well on it. His vomiting has stopped and he has not had any side effects. He is on his fifth week now. The main problem I have is taking him on the long car ride to the vet. He hates riding in the car :-(.
In the case of both large or small cell chemo they usually also give oral prednisalone for your kitty once a day or more. It is a steroid, anti-inflammatory. It helps to stimulate appetite and it also will help with the cancer.
Yes the injection/intravenous chemotherapy is very expensive. I think your main issue though, may be that Princess is very old to endure chemotherapy. If it were me, I would ask the vet to please tell me how older kitties do with this kind of treatment. Princess might be a good candidate for the oral chemotherapy. I would definitely ask the vet what they have in mind. The oral chemo is this one and she may do well with it. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1328&S=2
Please do let us know what you decide and how Princess is doing- what are her symptoms and how did you end up at the vet? No matter what you decide, the people on this site can help you with her, to make her feel better. You don't have to do anything immediately, and there is a lot you can do to make her feel better. My thoughts are with you!
As Laurie said above, my Toby also has cancer and he is undergoing chemotherapy. Toby is 12 years old. His symptoms were vomiting and weight loss, and also his fur was looking rumpled. His thread is on here as Laurie said.
The chemotherapy that they give to animals is not the same as for people, it is milder and more tolerable, so that a lot of animals do very well with it. I don't know if the doctor is advising you to have Princess take oral chemotherapy or injections/intravenous chemotherapy. In the case of small cell lymphoma they give oral chemo, and they also sometimes give this kind of medicine for inflammatory bowel disease. Both IBD and small cell lymphoma are very treatable with oral chemo.
In the case of Toby, he has large cell lymphoma and needs to have intravenous/injectable chemotherapy. He has been doing pretty well on it. His vomiting has stopped and he has not had any side effects. He is on his fifth week now. The main problem I have is taking him on the long car ride to the vet. He hates riding in the car :-(.
In the case of both large or small cell chemo they usually also give oral prednisalone for your kitty once a day or more. It is a steroid, anti-inflammatory. It helps to stimulate appetite and it also will help with the cancer.
Yes the injection/intravenous chemotherapy is very expensive. I think your main issue though, may be that Princess is very old to endure chemotherapy. If it were me, I would ask the vet to please tell me how older kitties do with this kind of treatment. Princess might be a good candidate for the oral chemotherapy. I would definitely ask the vet what they have in mind. The oral chemo is this one and she may do well with it. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1328&S=2
Please do let us know what you decide and how Princess is doing- what are her symptoms and how did you end up at the vet? No matter what you decide, the people on this site can help you with her, to make her feel better. You don't have to do anything immediately, and there is a lot you can do to make her feel better. My thoughts are with you!
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Princess was vomiting and not eating the vet gave me pills to stimulate appetite, she won't eat without the pill. She has been on the pill for 4 days and eats a 5.5oz can of wet food a day. She's urinating fine and her bowel movements take 50 seconds and are soft and thin, I'll be mixing powdered lactulose in her wet food. I have the liquid version of lactulose but Princess hates it. Her vet told me to call on friday for results of the sample.
I'm assuming the pills to stimulate appetite are prednisone? It's so good that she's eating though 
. I'm glad the pill is working.
And I'm so so sorry you have to wait. I know the waiting killed me!
. I'm glad the pill is working. And I'm so so sorry you have to wait.
I know the waiting killed me!Hey for ME personally I would not treat an animal for cancer. If suppose if they were a really young cat..but a 12 year old..for me NO. Having said that we did allow our vet to operate on my 5 year old male ragdoll. He had bladder crystals. As it turns out his issue was not due to diet but a congential abnormality. So he got a repair on his bladder and he is great now. All in all we are at abut 4000.00 for this cat. But cancer..I just don't know..my 12 year old himalyan had cancer...a tumor under his tongue. I spoiled him rotten for about a month and then had him put down.
To be honest, if chemo would have given Candy a good quality of life, I would have done it. But her cancer was too far advanced.
Oh that's great she's eating again!
Is she keeping it down? :cross: Prednisolone can really help them feel better. :rub: :heart2:
Why? 12 is a relatively young age.
I'm so sorry about your himmy.
There is no "right" or "wrong" in deciding what to do if your cat has a cancer diagnosis. I strongly urge anyone who gets that diagnosis for their cat to just take one step at a time.
With Toby, there was no situation where he was on death's doorstep, nor was it a situation where the cancer could be easily removed. He is our sweet loving boy and we talked about the options. We didn't feel that we could just let him go down the tubes and the treatment sounded very reasonable.
I know people who have made other decisions. But I agree with LDG- 12 years old is not very old for a cat. And Toby is a pretty active boy. Here he is right in front of my computer as I type this. He is so sweet. He had to get his belly shaved for his ultrasound. But anyhow he has a good quality of life :-)
With Toby, there was no situation where he was on death's doorstep, nor was it a situation where the cancer could be easily removed. He is our sweet loving boy and we talked about the options. We didn't feel that we could just let him go down the tubes and the treatment sounded very reasonable.
I know people who have made other decisions. But I agree with LDG- 12 years old is not very old for a cat. And Toby is a pretty active boy. Here he is right in front of my computer as I type this. He is so sweet. He had to get his belly shaved for his ultrasound. But anyhow he has a good quality of life :-)
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Princess is keeping her food down, but she did start smacking her lips again vet says its from nausea. She gets 1/2 a tablet of Periactin (that's what it says on the bottle) 30min. before her feeding time. She has started to sleep underneath my covers almost all day. I was going to wash the covers but I think she prefers them smelling like me.
:nod: Cypro (Periactin) is the appetite stimulant. You might want to ask the vet about an anti-nausea med. Lazlo's issue was more nausea than anything else, and the Cerenia worked wonders for him. It was 1/4 of a pill once a day. :rub:
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She threw up twice yesterday both a little liquid colored like her food, and just 1hr ago some foamy white fluid. I had not thought of a pill for the nausea I'll ask her vet. Thanks.Cypro (Periactin) is the appetite stimulant. You might want to ask the vet about an anti-nausea med. Lazlo's issue was more nausea than anything else, and the Cerenia worked wonders for him. It was 1/4 of a pill once a day.
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Results are in = Large Cell Lymphoma, that's what Princess has. Her vet suggested chemotherapy which I can't afford, she said prednisone could stop or slow the tumor from growing. I can't help but think it's my fault, I fed her crap almost her entire life.
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No, don't think that at all-!!! Lymphosarcoma is the most common illness in cats. Your kitty has lived longer than most cats already! My Toby got lymphosarcoma from his rabies shot. It can come from anywhere.
I agree with Laurie, the Cerenia is a big help, and also the Prednisolone makes kitties hungry. Plus you can buy her all the special foods she usually isn't allowed to eat LOL and she will like them. Toby is loving fancy feast tender beef and liver grilled, which he never had until now.
Also it can take a little while for the steroids and other medicine to kick in, before Princess starts to feel better.
With your kitty's age, I don't know if chemo would be too hard on her anyhow. She sounds like she must be in pretty good health other than this recent illness, but still, 20 years old is longer than many cats live- and chemo would definitely weaken her immune system.
Please keep us posted and let us know how she is doing!! And talk to your vet about how you always thought she should cross the rainbow bridge while sleeping right next to your pillow where she always sleeps and what they can do to help make that happen for you and Princess.
I agree with Laurie, the Cerenia is a big help, and also the Prednisolone makes kitties hungry. Plus you can buy her all the special foods she usually isn't allowed to eat LOL and she will like them. Toby is loving fancy feast tender beef and liver grilled, which he never had until now.
Also it can take a little while for the steroids and other medicine to kick in, before Princess starts to feel better.
With your kitty's age, I don't know if chemo would be too hard on her anyhow. She sounds like she must be in pretty good health other than this recent illness, but still, 20 years old is longer than many cats live- and chemo would definitely weaken her immune system.
Please keep us posted and let us know how she is doing!! And talk to your vet about how you always thought she should cross the rainbow bridge while sleeping right next to your pillow where she always sleeps and what they can do to help make that happen for you and Princess.
Oh hun! 20 years is a long life for a kitty, and I'm sure she's had a wonderful one! :heart3: As Barb points out, it could be SO many reasons. Just like in people, there's (usually) nothing specific you can pinpoint. It's the most common form of cancer in kitties.
I agree: for a 20-year old kitty, chemo might be rough on her. Please, please, PLEASE do not feel guilty! You're doing what you can to make her comfortable. I think with an anti-nausea medication (and you may want to also ask about giving her a 10mg pepcid a/c at night - or half a tablet twice a day, that may help too), the pred, and the appetite stimulant, she'll be a lot more comfortable. Then all you have to do is worry about spoiling her rotten.
:rub:
:heart3:
20 years is a long life for a kitty, and I'm sure she's had a wonderful one! :heart3: As Barb points out, it could be SO many reasons. Just like in people, there's (usually) nothing specific you can pinpoint. It's the most common form of cancer in kitties. I agree: for a 20-year old kitty, chemo might be rough on her. Please, please, PLEASE do not feel guilty! You're doing what you can to make her comfortable. I think with an anti-nausea medication (and you may want to also ask about giving her a 10mg pepcid a/c at night - or half a tablet twice a day, that may help too), the pred, and the appetite stimulant, she'll be a lot more comfortable. Then all you have to do is worry about spoiling her rotten.
:rub: :heart3:
