Help! Kitty with intestinal lymphoma won't eat!

Just read through this thread and I am really sorry you're going through all this.   My 15 year old Siamese passed away last year also from what they believe was cancer.  With him, it started when he was about 11 or 12 ... so he hung on for about 3 years.  But I spent so much money trying to cure him and figure out what was wrong with him... he had sonograms and tons of medication and not to mention food.  With our boy, it was slightly different than yours he would eat and eat and eat and eat and not be able to absorb any nutrients from his food.  He had every test under the sun and we could never figure out what it was so they sort of guessed and said he probably had some form of cancer.  Every year he kept loosing weight.  He went from a 12 pound cat down to about 6 in the end.  With him, I fed him everything and anything he wanted to eat.  I knew I didn't have much time with him left and I felt if he wanted to eat chinese food then by golley I would let him eat chinese food.  He was nuts he would eat a subway sandwich right out of my hands... he would just come up and take bites out of the sandwich.  He got to the point eventually when it was a struggle for him to use the litter box... he started peeing just outside the box cause it was hard for him to get inside it and bend down.  I was so attached to him and I knew I was probably fighting a losing battle but I just never gave up thinking things would turn around.

Then, finally one night I came home from work and he was just sprawled out on the floor looking like a pile of bones.  We thought he was already gone but his little heart was still beating slightly.  So we had to take him in and have them put him down.  I think his body finally just gave out and he had a heart attack.

Anyhoo, I say all this cause I wish I hadn't let it get that far and made him suffer all that time.  Maybe your kitty isn't at that point yet and I really do hope he pulls through.  But just something to think about.  I know others have already shared some of their stories too.  But I also wrote all this to let you know I know what you're going through and how hard it is.  I had my kitty for 15 years and raised him from a little baby and they really are like children.  So, I really do wish you and your ktity the best.  Hope he gets better.

Krashballz said:

Also, can cats have soy milk? It's what I use in my coffee, and he seems to want to try it. I wasn't sure if he should though.

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Soy has been linked to hyperthyroidism in cats, because of the goitrogens. And most soy milks have carrageenan in them, and this is a known irritant to kitties with IBD (and many kitties without IBD, in fact). But that's the long term perspective, and that's not where you are right now.

I know you're at the point you really just want to let him have whatever he wants. :rub: From that perspective, because he'll likely have such a small amount, it might not hurt. And he may REALLY enjoy it if he thinks he's getting away with something - you know, the guilty pleasures.

Continued for your boy.

I'm sure leaving town will be hard.... so and just focus on the fact that he WILL be in capable hands. :heart2:

Can you get cat milk. Daisy and Missy aren't keen on it but my sisters cats love it. It would even get a little nutrition into him. We also gave one of my previous cats glucose which he loved and we think this helped build him up a bit. X

amythyst That is exactly how I feel. Like I know inside that even if I can make him better for now, eventually it's going to get him. I have no intentions of letting it go too far. That's partly why I'm struggling with how far it's gone already. He isn't suffering, he's not even miserable. He has bad days, but honestly most days aren't that bad at all. He's not quite his normal self, but hasn't changed all THAT much. But every time I have to wrestle with him to take 3 or 4 pills twice a day, and the look he gives me afterward like I just betrayed his tiny trust or when he's sick from the meds, I feel awful. Like if he could tell me what he wanted, would he pick this? But then when he climbs on my lap and gives me kitty kisses, snuggles up and purrs, I think that it's all worth it and he understands. I let him eat just about anything as long as he eats. He's been finishing at least one can of Fancy Feast a day. He never likes the same flavor twice, but he never really did before either. Even if he doesn't touch it after he gets it, this cat screams for food like it's his job!
I am being careful not to give him things that will upset his tummy or make his diarrhea worse. And I'm still TRYING to go low carb (cancer cells feed on carbs) and at least gluten free. I'm going flat broke between the vet visits, tests, medications, special foods, treats, etc. I hardly ever leave my house now because I can't stand not being around him.
My little brother had leukemia 15 years ago, and now I know how my mom felt. Only I feel like this is almost more frustrating because my "kid" can't tell me what's going on
Im so sorry about your kitty. I'm sure he knew you were only trying to help him feel better. Thank you for your post.
Thank you, everyone for your help on the soy milk issue. I figured I'll let him have a few licks. If it aggravates his tummy, we won't do it again. And you're right, ldg , he really thought he was smooth getting away with it. Lol
I got a little carton of cat milk at petsmart earlier. He got really excited when I opened it, and I got hopeful that he might drink some. But then he smelled it, looked at me like I'm insane, and walked away. Then went to the kitchen and started asking Daddy to feed him. Of course, he didn't touch it, but he got his way so he was happy. Lol

Big hugs!  That is what my vet told me too... she said if he doesn't appear to be suffering or in pain then it wasn't time to put him down.  But sometimes I wondered if he really was and I just didn't see it or want to.  But I'm glad you have quality time with him.   My kitty used to sleep on my pillow with me and he would take his front paws and kneed my face and lick my ear lobe.  My husband thought it was disgusting but I loved it... it was his way of saying thanks Mommy and I Ruvvvvv you.   I miss that.

I hope he continues to fight the good fight!    You are a great person for taking such good care of him.  I also went broke taking care of my cat and eventually had to include my vet bill in my bankruptcy but what wouldn't you do for your kids.

I woke up this morning, and Krash had eaten everything that I gave him last night before bed, plus he was asking for more food- doing figure 8s between my ankles while I got it ready for him. When I put it down for him, he started eating like he hasn't eaten months!!
I don't know what's going on, but He's acting more like his old self today, and I couldn't feel more blessed

It sounds like the leukeran and the steroids have kicked in.  I know with the steroids, at least with my kitty, there wasn't a gradual improvement.  It was a sudden night and day type improvement.  I think there is a very good chance, if it is small cell lymphoma rather than IBD, that he will go into remission.

I was so glad when I read your last post. I hope his appetite keeps improving. Daisy is off her food today but it's the second day after her weekly chemo so not unusual. We are broke too but I would sell my house and move into a shed if I thought it would make her well, even for a little while She also looks at you with the biggest, saddest, eyes when pilling her but forgets 10 minutes later when the chicken and treats appear. I've been told I'm cruel putting Daisy through this but if only everyone could see her purring and cuddling in to us they they might think differently. Why does nobody question mummies and daddies of human babies who get sick. Do their babies know that mummy and daddy just want them better?

Fingers and toes crossed. Hope this is the turning point for Krash x

So, I had to go back and look up your regimen - it was 2x for 3 days, 1x on 4th day, then not again for 17 days.  You are past the 1x on day 4?  I do think they develop some tolerance for the medicines and since he is only getting the one chemo..  Hopefully, you have turned an important corner.

Thank you all for the good vibes & rooting for my little guy!
Oh my gosh, you guys! I just got home from work, & Krash was at the door waiting for me like he used to. He wanted food. I gave him a can of fancy feast and he ate it all immediately. His water dish was completely empty, even though I filled it to the very top this morning before I left. He's eating!! I'm so excited.
Yes, dan32 , his 1x on the 4th (last) day was Monday. He was in sad shape Monday night and I got really worried. But yesterday afternoon sometime, he started wanting to get up and move, and sit on my lap. And then this morning...he's just doing so much better today. I hope you're right and that maybe we've turned a corner.
Honestly, I haven't felt this good about things for over a month now. I know he hasn't won the war yet, but this is still a victory. Thank you all again. I just know the universal kitty love is helping. I'm gonna go snuggle with my kitty

Oh....this is very good news...VERY GOOD   I'm guessing you are cloud 9 right about now , and who wouldn't be?  I'm so thrilled for you that he is eating and drinking like a champ .  Sounds like you'd better get out a couple more water bowls for him

Go Krash...keep on eating and making getting stronger and stronger!

Thank you! It's amazing news! I am on cloud 9
He's decided that he only wants to drink Smart Water now. This cat is getting more expensive by the minute lol. I think I could buy a gallon jug of distilled though, and maybe he won't gripe too much.
I did notice something new with him last night that's still ongoing today. He's twitching. A lot. He's always been a sleep twitcher, but now it's even when he's just sitting awake. It's like spasms, but they're getting stronger. Should I be concerned? Or maybe it's a harmless side effect of the Leukeran...?

Twitching/tremors can be a side effect of the leukeran.  You might give your Vet a call and tell him what is going on and see what they say.  Is this the drug that he doesn't have to take again now for 17 days? 

that this is a side effect that goes away quickly

Yes, it's the chemo pill he won't get again for 17 days. I've done a lot of reading on the medicine, but I haven't come across twitching listed as a side effect. I'll be talking to his dr in the morning since I'm leaving Friday. I want to make sure there's nothing else my husband will have to take care of while I'm gone. I will be sure to mention the twitches to her. I just got a little worried because I've read other threads on TCS about cats twitching and epilepsy and seizures and such. He's sleeping peacefully with a full tummy in his new bed right now. That means I can actually get a good night's sleep

Glad to hear Krash is feeling better and eating! 

The oncologist said 5-7 days to purge chemo from their system, so if his twitching is from the Leukeran - should start to subside by the weekend, right?

At least he's eating.  That's so huge.

goholistic - thank you! How is Sebastian this afternoon?
Yeah, dan32 , Saturday will be 5 complete days since his last dose. Unfortunately, I won't be here, but my husband will keep me updated. I've already told him he's going to need to let Krash use his phone for Skype calls every night while I'm gone lol. Video chatting with my cat doesn't mean I'm crazy, right?
Unless the twitching is him having seizures (which if it is means he's having one every 2 minutes or so), I think it can wait until his next vet visit on 11/1. My gut feeling is that it's just from the meds.
He's not eating as much today, but he's eating and that's what counts to me. And he's being super cuddly which is nice. I have so much prep to do for my trip, but I can't make myself put my kitty down and get up

So I just came home and was about to give Krash his pills. He went to stand up from his bed, fell over, got up and did a circle and then fell down again with his feet in the air. I'm supposed to leave town tomorrow!! I'm about to come unglued. He's eating ok today, and the only medication he's had is prednisolone and a half tab of Cerenia about 4 hours ago. What's going on?! Has anyone seen this before?

He also meowed deeply like he does when he's about to throw up

We're taking him to the kitty ER. I think he may be dehydrated. I'm not chancing it.