My Tabs has cancer or FIP

I just want to share what is going on with my 10 year old Tabs. I don't have many people I can talk to and I am feeling so alone and depressed right now. I'm trying to be strong for my other 2 but it is so hard for me.

I noticed he had lost some weight and then Monday night he didn't eat his canned which is very unusual for him, and he was under my bed all night. Took him to the vet Tuesday who said he had lost muscle mass and was dehydrated. Bloodwork was done, and she his liver values were high. Took him for ultrasound on Thursday. The Dr came in with the most grim look on his face, and goes, "I am very very concerned about Tabs." My heart sank...at this point I put my head back, closed my eyes, and starting screaming, "No No No, this is not happening to MY cat!!"
There is a mass in his pancreas. They extracted some fluid from the mass and he showed me this cloudy yellow liquid in a test tube. He said he thought it is pancreatic cancer, large cell lymphoma, or FIP. Best case scenario is a fungal infection which is treatable.

My primary vet called yesterday and said that the results came back on the fluid in his pancreas. It did not test positive for cancer, but she said that it very well could be, but the tumor isn't shedding cells. I was crying and begging her to help and she said that unfortunately this is very worrysome because of where the mass is, and that his kidney is enlarged. If could also be FIP. She said it's highly unlikely that it's a fungal disease, because that's out west and there are changes to his kidneys and fatty tissue.

My options were to bring him back to the Emergency Hospital for another biopsy so they could try to determine whether it's cancer or FIP, or do a midline incision to try to gather a piece to test. She said its hard to get a positive for FIP..usually it depends on how they act. She said that either way, it is fatal.

I brought him in this morning to I get him on steroids and so they could show me how to give sub Q fluids at home. she can show me how to give him fluids at home. . She said something about how in some cases of FIP, cats react well to the steroids and can perk up and live for months.

I asked point blank, is there ANYTHING at all that can be done? The answer is no. Cannot do surgery because it's not just in one area. It's hopeless. I was given the Sub Q fluids as well as steroids and an appetite stimulator. She said he might have a month IF he responds well to the steroids. That's the best case.

He still hasn't eaten since we got home, even after the appetite stimulator. I will have to force feed later...she said I should because then we can have a little more time together. I still can't believe that he is going to be leaving me very soon.. He has perked up since we got home, walking around a little. I just laid down on my bed and he climbed on my back. I just lost it and started bawling. Now he's back to just laying on my bed.

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that I am losing him. I have not stopped crying since the Dr told me what he saw on the ultrasound. I am absolutely devastated...I cannot cope with this. I keep thinking that maybe there is some way I can fix this...I don't care what it costs.

I can't even look at him without getting hysterical...i just want to curl up and die with him to be honest. I am trying to spend every moment I have with him, but it's killing me to see him dying in front of me..I haven't eaten in days. I am such a wreck...I can't handle this pain anymore. This is the most painful thing I've had to go through.

I've been trying to do as much research as I can...I found this one page http://catwithcancer.blogspot.com where some people have had luck with holistic medicine...in the case of cancer. Should I even bother with this? I hate not knowing whether it's cancer or FIP.


I know in my heart that there is nothing anyone can do, but any thoughts, advice, well wishes would be really appreciated right now.

Here he is with his BFF Petey. They have always been so close..this afternoon Tabs curled up next to him and Petey swatted at him and jumped down..it made me so upset..the only thing I can think of is the smell Tabs has on him from the hospital/vet?

What terrible news - I am so sorry. Sadly, your vet is right, there are no 100% certain tests for FIP - they can only go on symptoms and probability. Biopsies and blood tests can usually detect cancer, but not necessarily how far it has spread. And some cancers are untreatable. You must stay strong for his sake, what will he do if you get sick and are unable to look after him? Cats are very good at sensing underlying emotions and health in others, so give him all the loving you can and try to be positive around him. He is likely to live longer and to have better quality of life if you are at least acting positively. Talk again to the vet, and seek a second opinion if you feel it would help, but if the general opinion is that the illness is terminal, then if he were my cat I would not subject him to any aggressive treatments that are not going to work and may distress him. Give him essential pain relief if it becomes necessary and just spoil him rotten, that will give you some good times with him and some happy memories.

Come on here as often as you can, we are all very supportive. Most of us have has similar experiences and will be there for you when you need it most.

jennyranson said:

You must stay strong for his sake, what will he do if you get sick and are unable to look after him? Cats are very good at sensing underlying emotions and health in others, so give him all the loving you can and try to be positive around him. He is likely to live longer and to have better quality of life if you are at least acting positively. Talk again to the vet, and seek a second opinion if you feel it would help, but if the general opinion is that the illness is terminal, then if he were my cat I would not subject him to any aggressive treatments that are not going to work and may distress him. Give him essential pain relief if it becomes necessary and just spoil him rotten, that will give you some good times with him and some happy memories.

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I'm sorry that your boy is terminally ill; that's about the worst news that you can get, but you need to stay strong for him. He needs you to cope for his sake. The most important thing right now is keeping him comfortable and spending as much quality time with him as possible. The memories of your last loving days with him will be so precious later.

Thank you both for your kind words...it means a lot to me right now.

I was just reading about Low Dose Naltrexone. It will only work if the cancer is opiate receptive. Unfortunately I don't even know if it's cancer. But I keep thinking I know the vet told me that there's nothing to do, but I keep thinking that maybe there is something out there I need to try.

There is alot of interesting information on the website I linked in my original post..the woman has a cat diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago and was given a few months to live. They mention Naltrexone, Curcumin, Essiac tea, black cumin seed oil, black currant oil cap, and pawpaw. I don't know of any holistic vets here I can take him to, and some things would need to be ordered online, and I can't wait. I know most people would say to just let him go, but what if there is some alternative method of healing? I want to fight for him until the end. Has anybody tried any of these things?

I don't have experience with any of the things you mentioned.  I just wanted to say I'm so sorry.  I think Jcat is right--whatever you decide to do in terms of treatment, the most important thing right now is to spend as much quality time with Tabs as you can.

Petey more than likely senses that Tabs is sick. My other two dogs and my cat are very aware that my elderly dog has cancer. 

I'm so sorry. I'll join you in giving a rude gesture to pet cancer.

Sweetie, I'm so sorry for your devastating news.  News like that is never easy to accept or comprehend. I have no experience with the herbs you mentioned, but If you want to fight for Tabs, then that's what you should do, just always keep your eye on what's best for him. Quality of life, enjoyment of your time together, for both of you, that's what's important.

Thank you guys. You are helping me through this. Today my mother came over and we spent some time with Tabs..watched a movie with him on our laps. I was able to hold it together for the most part..I don't feel comfortable getting emotional in front of her so I tried to keep it together.

Made a canned salmon/water and a sardine/water purée, but he only took a few licks of the salmon. He is still drinking water. He has had an appetite stimulator and nausea mess, I don't understand why he won't eat.

Force fed the hills ad but the second time, he vomited it up. Guess it was too much at once.
This force feeding is brutal. I'm using an oral syringe. The pills are bad too. Anybody have any suggestions? The sub Q fluids are going to be hard to do on my own as well.

I guess I will ask the vet about the Naltrexone...not feeling positive anymore though. I found a holistic vet..I guess I will call to see if there is anything I can do.

He's climbed on my back. I know I should be happy but I want to burst out crying.

Oh, that's a sweet photo.  I understand the bittersweet feeling.  When my first kitty was dying from kidney disease, we called a holistic vet.  I don't think she had much to offer, but between the subq fluids and keeping her eating and drinking, we ended up getting a couple more months of quality time with Skittles.

At that time, I didn't know about this site unfortunately and really didn't know how to help her.  I just put her food in a blender and mixed it with water so she could pretty much lap it up and it didn't take much energy for her to eat.  That helped some.  Several people here have said that Gerber or Beechnut baby food is an option to help them keep eating.  Here's one thread:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/257313/what-to-feed-my-muffin-boy-in-his-last-days#post_3394072    Scroll down to around post #20 or so, that's where the discussion of baby food is.

I give subq fluids to the older cat I have now, who also has kidney disease but hubby helps me so it's relatively easy.  There are threads about doing it yourself.  I did a search for "giving subq fluids" and came up with this thread:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/185966/sub-qs-by-yourself  

It wouldn't hurt to call a holistic vet--even if there's not much they can offer, you will feel like you've done all you can and that's important so you don't feel guilty or second guess yourself about what you should have done.

Thank you..I am an absolute mess now, I keep imagining the day when it all comes to an end and I want to die.

I did get some baby food a few days ago, won't touch it. It's heartbreaking because he has always been such a good eater...I can't bare to look at him if he gets thinner..


I had posted a link in my original post... a cat was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago. This woman started giving her cat Low Dose Naltrexone, as well as Curcumin, Essiac tea, and some other stuff. The cat was given 3 months to live and is doing well now. Not trying to get my hopes up, just wondering if there is something I can possibly try. I guess I'll have to ask my vet about Naltrexone...not sure how quickly I can find the other things. I know it's a longshot, but has anybody tried any of these things?

I had an indoor cat that contracted FIP years ago and I had to put him down. Luckily I had a friend who was a veterinarian who told me it was either kidney failure or FIP. I noticed nothing except his belly was pretty fat until one night I came home and noticed he had edema in his back legs. He was retaining fluid. My friend drained 2 liters of fluid from his abdomen. He said at that point the only way to keep him alive awhile longer was to have his abdomen drained every 2 weeks. I couldn't do that to him and he was in pain. When he stopped sleeping with me I knew it was time. I donated his body for research so they could study FIP and try to find a cause and cure. At the time the vaccine was less than 5% effective. It still isn't very effective today from what I've been told. If I didn't feed him a certain brand of food he would have bloody stool. There were so many things wrong internally that were found during a necropsy that my friend said it seemed as though he was living on sheer willpower. He had never seen a cat with that much internal organ damage that was still alive. I'm very sorry you are going through this. It's hard as it seems to come on so fast and there's nothing you can do. I still think about him all the time but now I remember what a good life he had and I know he was living for me and I knew it was time for me to let him go and end his pain. This is a terrible disease and that's why I donated him for research. If people do that even though it's a hard thing to do then maybe one day there will be an effective vaccine or a cure. Stay strong. My old girl currently has an appt this week. I know she either has kidney failure or diabetes. I've had her almost 13 years. She was a feral kitten & I can't give her meds without being attacked so I don't see a good outcome on this end. I've put the vet off as I know it's bad and I may lose her. I know exactly what you are going through. One week I had a normal cat and within a couple weeks I had a cat with FIP which is fatal. Hard to wrap your mind around it when it's so sudden. I recently adopted a rescue cat in case my LuLu can't remain with us as our Bengal can't be alone & he's been with her 5 years. Do what you think is best for him. If he isn't suffering I would let nature take its course. My guy was in severe pain. I just couldn't make him live that way.

I posted before about my cat long ago with FIP & how my cat LuLu may have kidney issues. Went to vet...no need to test for kidney or diabetes. She has bone cancer in her jaw. That's why her eyelashes have been hitting her eye...the tumor is pushing. Had a surgery done for her eye. She has a couple months to live now. She will be unable to eat and when that happens I will be putting her to sleep. Right now she's on a pain med called ValTorb. She is eating critical care wet food which is super fattening so she loves it. All my best to you. It's hard. My girl is almost 13. Have had her since 2 weeks old.

Here is what I would suggest.  Call the Ohio State University Small Animal Clinic at (614) 292-3551 and get a referral for someone close to you who might be able to help. My brother drives his cat regularly up to Ohio State for chemo treatments, even though it's hours away.  His cat is doing beautifully, by the way.

They should be able to tell you who is the best in your area - not necessarily who is closest to you, but who is the best.  Then pack your kitty up and drive there, even if it takes several hours. If Ohio State University (in Columbus, OH) is anywhere near you, go there.  I understand there are a handful of veterinary schools in the country that are just top notch.  Ohio State is one of them. 

I know your post is a few years old, so I don't know if you're on this site anymore, but pretty much the EXACT same thing is happening to my cat, down to the other cat snubbing him. Right now we have some tests that suggest cancer and some that suggest FIP, but nothing conclusive. I live in an urban area with easy access to high-quality specialists, and it's so frustrating to not get a definitive answer. Please let me know if you learned anything from your experience!

My boy in my profile pic died at ten months old due to FIP. He went down fast- he was showing signs of a respiratory infection according to my sister who was catsitting him. I was out of the country at the time. He had wet outside the litter box just before she left to pick me up at the airport. Three hours later when we got home he had peed all over himself and was clearly extremely ill. By the next morning we put him down, he was so ill he was barely moving, even with the care from the vet. A necropsy confirmed the FIP.

I now have his brother who is healthy and robust and just over a year old. It's been nearly three years since I lost him and I still miss him every day. It happened so quick. FIP is a nasty, evil disease. I'm so sorry about your boy, whether it's FIP or cancer

I am so sorry for what you and Tabs are going through, my heart breaks for you both. Unfortunately none of us get a guarantee of how long we have. However long you have with him, and i hope it is a long time, love him to pieces. Enjoy what time you do have, try not to let fear and grief take the joy out of your time with him. I will keep you guys in my thoughts. Best of luck to you and Tabs!