Neurofibrosarcoma and Radiation Therapy

Two weeks after I lost my Angel Kitty Kinko I got the news that my littlest sweetheart, Sasha, has Neurofibrosarcoma.

It's extremely rare and in an unusal spot (her nose). 

They believe radiation therapy will work but I'm uncertain of the procedure and if she might be radioactive after her treatments.

If anyone has any information on after care for radiation treatments I would love some information.

Two cats with cancer in a 9 month period. Dang. 

I am not familiar with this treatment for neurofibrosarcoma, but am wondering if it is similar to the treatment for hyperthyroidism.  I know there is a radiation treatment for that where you have to be careful with their litter for a few months (the way you dispose of it, etc).  I think your best source of information is your Vet in this case, especially since this is so rare.

I would also like to add that I am so sorry. First about the loss of  Kinko , and second about this new news about Sasha .   Thankfully it appears she can be treated \\

Thank you for the feedback mrsgreenjeens!

I finally got the consultation today:

20 treatments over 4 weeks of laser radiation therapy

The location of the treatment is far from where I live so I may board her there from M-F and bring her home on the weekends. 

I hate doing it, but I think it might be the better option than stressing her out in the car every day. I'll try it at least the first week and see how she does. 

I just want to get this over with.

I'm a little peeved as my general vet's office didn't stitch her nose up well. I looked at it yesterday when they took the sutures out and I asked if it was supposed to look the way it did. I was reassured it was fine but the oncologist said today that he couldn't believe they would send her home like that. 

So now she has to have a new surgery to close up her nose and then we wait 3 weeks for her to hopefully heal. 

Yes, I guess you'll just need to see how well she takes to car ride.  I've heard that harp music is soothing to them, and you could try spraying a calming aid in her carrier, plus just get her used to being IN her carrier.  I don't know about you, but I always have their carrier open with cat beds inside as well on on TOP of them, so they are used to them.  They still squak when we put them in them, but once we get going, we place soft music and talk to them and they calm down.  You can try taking her for short rides now, just around the block every day to get her used to riding in the car.  Here's an article given to me which I will now share with you on getting them used to their carrier, and riding in the car:  http://www.felinexpress.com/cat-care/cat-carrier.asp

Keep us posted on how it all goes

The situation sounds really hard, and what the oncologist has said about the initial surgery / biopsy site is awful.  Feel so sad for your Sasha having to have more, unnecessary, surgery on top of everything else.  Not to mention the additional stress for you. 

I haven't had to transport a cat regularly for long distances veterinary care but have found the following helped my cats when traveling both short and long journeys:

Carrier split in to two sections, one a box just the right size to curl up in with a familiar little blanket in the bottom of it.  The remaining section, probably a little smaller, place a tray such as disposable foil roasting tray and pour in a shallow amount of your cat's usual litter.  

20 minutes or so before you are going to want Sacha in to her carrier spray the blanket in the box with some Feliway spray.  If you cover the carrier with a blanket you can spray that one as well.

Having the neat fitting box in the carrier seems to give my cats more of a sense of security when the car is in motion and they are far more inclined to settle and not meowl for the entire trip (however long it is).  The litter in there seems to have a similar effect, and for cats that like to be clean and usually find they are panicked in a vehicle, need to go and of course don't have anywhere so adds to the panic.  Mouse will meowl for a bit, avoids toileting but gradually gives in and uses the litter, then once he's comfortable and over the unfamiliarity of it all he settles for the journey.  It makes it a whole lot more pleasant in the car too as the litter absorbs the odour and you can wait until you get to a convenient stopping point if you feel a need to scoop out and top up.

I have a harness that is designed as a car harness eliminating the need to use a carrier that you might want to look at, esp if you can travel with someone so one person can sit with Sacha.  I'm not sure how you cope with the toileting needs if no one is there to ensure litter or puppy training pad is there if you're on your own.  It is pretty easy to put on, doesn't restrict movement and has a padded breast panel that isn't shown very well in the photos on the link.  The clip has a safety clip that prevents any accidental release from the harness during journeys.  Mouse tolerates wearing it really well in the apartment and communal stair area but he freaks out if I try to take him outdoors so not tried in the car as yet, which is why I got it originally - then devised the carrier adjustments described above. 

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_carriers_travel/harnesses/78255

Will be thinking of you all as this treatment goes on and sending loads of vibes that it goes well.   

Thanks for the great tips!

I was so lucky with Kinko. He loved car rides. I bought a carrier that had an attached hook that connected to his harness. He could stand up and walk a bit or curl up to sleep but it was taught enough to keep him from being able to jump under my feet while driving. He was so wonderful to travel with - my husband was working in NorCal and I couldn't find a good sitter since Kinko needed so much medication. Every weekend Kinko and I would drive from LA to San Jose and then back. At gas stations I would take him out and walk him on his leash and let him have a potty break. Truckers were charmed by him! He was just too cute. 

Sasha is very complacent once in a setting she is used to but has always been nervous about new surroundings. I have the feliway spray (we keep a wall unit plugged in to help ease some aggression in the house but the spray for the couch) and some cozy towels I can leave out to let the other cats sleep on with her.

My main worry is that from my house to the location is at least 90 minutes and then another 90 minutes to work - that's three hours of driving for each drop off pick up IF traffic is good. I hate the idea of boarding her - but driving her home after work, she'd have but 6 hours or so before I'd have to turn around and drive her back. That's a lot of stress on her and me.

It's $54/night for boarding - if I go with this option how should I make her comfortable? I'm thinking to make sure to send her with a few of the fluffy towels that the cats would have slept on, her favorite food, a few toys (???) - she's not into catnip so I don't think that would help. 

mrsgreenjeens or MServant - do you have any good ideas for boarding?

Edited to Add:

This is the carrier I purchased   but I wish I had seen that harness!

Great carrier for the car!  If it does have enough space for a little tray of litter with Sacha in there it does work well for those longer journeys.  I've had Mouse on a few trips that long but not regular ones and he had to use litter each one, and if it's not there he gets very distressed.

I have never boarded any of my cats so afraid I don't have any tried and tested advice.  Certainly making sure she has familiar blankets / pillow / toys, and maybe a jumper or someting soft with your scent on it.  Making sure her regular litter, food, preferred tray type and food / water bowls are available too. Anything that minimises change in detail she is used to.  Others who have boarded their cats will be able to give much better advice as I am just thinking what I would try to do for Mouse.  

I've never boarded mine either, sorry.  But I would certainly think anything with your scent on it would be helpful.  And if she does have favorite toys or snuggle items, that would be good too.  No matter what, I'm afraid it's going to be stressful for you both

Gosh, you're in the Southern California area and there is only one place within 90 minutes that does this procedure?  That seems odd, just because the population base is so high there.  I wonder if maybe someone else closer could do it that you just don't KNOW about.  Otherwise won't they give you a break on the rate since it's for so long?  (although $54/night sounds really reasonable to me.  I think prices are much higher here in the Phoenix area) 

There are a few other places - but all equally as far. I'm at the northermost tip of Los Angeles and all options lead to places that are far in distance (LA is huge!). A few places recommended were in Tustin and Oxnard which are so so far away!

Ultimately, I opted with the Veterinary Cancer Group as I was pleased with how they treated Kinko. Additionally, the radiation oncology vet is in the valley office (which is close to me) every Friday which makes the followup appointments easier. They are attached to the emergency care center I go to so there is a comfort level of being around people I know and trust and I like how easy it is for them to share information regarding my fur babies. 

I hate the idea of boarding her but I think it will be the best idea. Hopefully, since it is only for 4 weeks, she will forgive me quickly.