End stage lymphoma - what to expect?

mpdito

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Hello! My beautiful 14 year old kitty was diagnosed with lymphoma 3 weeks ago. She had a growth in her chest and was struggling to breathe. The Emergency vet kept her overnight on oxygen and did some limited tests with the diagnosis of lymphoma. The vet said she had a mass in her chest and that we could put her to sleep that night or give her Lasix and see what happens though there is no long term hope. At her age and in her advanced condition they recommend no treatment.

The Lasix has helped. She is very lethargic but does not seem to be in pain. Tonight she had a seizure. The first that I know of. It was heart wrenching.

I keep toying with making the apptmt for in home euthanasia but hate the idea making the apptmt since it seems so final.

Has anyone had a cat with lymphoma that did not do chemo? What was the end like? Did the symptoms come on fast? What kind of symptoms? I ask since I feel unprepared and maybe I need to understand what could happen in the next days/weeks to push me to make that appointment. She is still eating some moist food and drinking but she is pretty reclusive and has stopped grooming herself. The seizure likely lasted about 2 minutes. My kids are devastated and I want them to be there if we have to make a decision.

Thank you!
 

denice

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I am so sorry.  How it will end really depends on where the cancer is.  The main one I know about is in the intestines which would be completely different.  A seizure is really a very concerning sign and I think your kitty may be close to the end.  Do you have a regular vet?  I would call tomorrow and get his or her opinion.  One thing I will say is that generally when people have regrets about how they handled things with a terminally ill pet it was that they waited too long. 

I know how hard this is and it is even harder when there are children who also love the kitty.
 
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mpdito

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I am sensing that the seizure is a big sign. I think it was a wake up call for me to not think this is weeks off. She seemed scared afterwards but seemed to have her normal abilities after. I considered another trip to the Pet ER but I decided to wait until I can talk to our normal vet tomorrow. My mind will not rest tonight on this subject...
 

raintyger

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I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty.

I had a kitty with lymphoma, took her to the vet for the very same breathing symptoms. I did not opt to go chemo or steroids, though, pretty much knew immediately it was the end of the road--she was a scaredy cat and it would've been a nightmare for her to endure chemo, and we had tried prednisolone for other reasons. It had bad side effects, so we were cornered.

I do know that even with chemo the average time is about 6 months before the cancer comes back (although one member here went the chemo route and her kitty has lasted years), and on steroids there's about 1-2 months of life left. If you feel she's in pain, though, it may be better for her and your family to say goodbye and give everyone an easier end. Don't feel guilty. I hope whatever decision you make it is the best and you feel comfortable with it.

Best wishes.
 
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riley1

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Hi, I am so sorry your kitty is dying.  Mine had intestine cancer.  I did not allow the biopsy because there was nothing else he could have had. I knew what he would want for himself & that is what I did.   The vet told me that as long as he continued to eat a little, used the box, etc.  I could keep him for a little while.  We lasted 3 weeks before I felt he was in discomfort even though he was still doing the kitty things.  Your kitty sounds like she is in discomfort so I would go ahead & make the appt.  This was the very first time in my adult life that I had to make a decision like this.  Be brave.  You are doing the very best for your loved one.  It is so hard to let them go.
 

fionasmom

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My story is very similar. Pangur Ban was an adult white stray, so loving. He was dxed with intestinal lymphoma after I rushed him to the ER for a massive seizure.  Within a period of about 2 months, as we tried to basically support him comfortably, he went blind.  I could never tell someone else to let their cat go, but in our case, I did bring him in once to be released and the vet talked me out of it as he perked up a little in the office....so I brought him home to a miserable week and then let him go.  It is possible that something else was going on as well and the lymphoma and blindness and seizures may have had separate causes. I am so sorry about your cat.
 

kenneth haley

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My best friend Oliver had Lymphoma in his chest and intestines. We elected to put him down while he was still sedated from the needle aspirate. If/when you make the decision to euthanize your cat, have him put to sleep, then euthanized.

I mistakenly thought that Olivers sedation was him sleeping. He was just half in, half out.

I got to see his eyes grow wide with the shot of pink fluid, him gasp his last breath, suffer cardiac arrest, tail grow bushy and finally the life leave his eyes. All in all about 40-60 seconds.

I'm told that he felt nothing. Even if he was not sedated the process is blackening out, respiratory arrest and then cardiac arrest.

I've had to put down other cat's . I've done it with them being put to sleep first (takes 7-10 min) and direct euthanize.

The method where you wait a few minutes for your cat to fall asleep is my preferred method. Less traumatic for all IMO.

I'm sorry that you are in this situation and have this difficult decision to make. Your cat loves you. There is no one else that she would rather have make this decision. You know your cat best.
 
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