New to the board...my cat is dying of stomach cancer

[boomstick]

I have a cat named Blackie - that's her in my profile picture. I got her in 2007. She was a stray that lived outside my apartment. My landlords fed her, and were thrilled when I said I wanted to bring her in and adopt her.

She's less a cat and more a human. Whenever I'm feeling sad she's right there in my lap, head-butting my face and purring as loud as she can.

She's not a fan of other animals but loves people...even babies and children. Whenever my boyfriend's daughters come over, she's all over their laps and sitting near them and never hiding from them. Whenever a new person comes over, she hops on their lap and rolls around and is very fetching.

I just got back from the vet...a year ago they told me her kidneys weren't well, but thanks to special food she got a lot better. In the past week she's been sluggish and not as excited about her food. Her coat isn't as shiny and it worried me. She spends a lot of time sitting on a chair under the kitchen table instead of by the window like she usually enjoys.

The vet felt a mass in her stomach area. The other vet felt the same thing. They took her blood and urine and are calling tomorrow and they're like 99% sure it's cancer.

I'm a wreck. Based on her size when our landlords found her (two years before I moved in), she's at LEAST 12 years old...possibly older. I'm basically waiting for the vet to tell me to get a biopsy I can't afford so she can either get surgery I can't afford, or chemo I can't afford.

I don't know what to do. How long do cats live after treatment/surgery? Does it really help? Or will it mean her last few years will be painful and miserable?

I'm so depressed. I want to just hold her all day but I can tell she would rather be alone right now.

I want to do right by her but I can't bear the thought of her dying.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

[denice]

I know it's hard but take things one step at a time.  Wait and see what the results of the lab work you have had done come back and then decide the next step.  In general if it is a growth in the stomach and not the intestines the only treatment is chemo.  Chemo is very much a mixed bag as far as results.  It depends partly on the type of cancer but don't jump ahead of yourself, one step at a time.

 

[mainecoonlova]

Depending on IF it turns out to be what the think it is, which it could not be, the best thing I can advise is find some cannabis oil and treat her with it.

It has been proven time and time again to cure cancer of many different kinds.

However, I hope that the tests come back negative.

 

[prince meow]

I am really sorry for your little one.

I agree with Mainecoonlova,
Hemp oil can dissolve tumors.

What kind of food does she eat?

Does she appear to be in any pain?

 

[boomstick]

I am really sorry for your little one.



I agree with Mainecoonlova,

Hemp oil can dissolve tumors.


What kind of food does she eat?
Does she appear to be in any pain?

Thank you...where can I get hemp oil? I tried Google but didn't really find much in my state, NY.

She actually was diagnosed with not great kidneys last year so the vet gave me renal wet and dry food for her. She also eats low phosphorus people food like chicken and fish. She doesn't seem in pain, just...lethargic. She's eating but not as much and not with the same gusto. But she's eating.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

I'm hoping the vet(s) got x-rays of her tummy when she was there? A radiologist will be able to see how advanced the mass/possible cancer is via the x-rays. If you did not have x-rays done, you might consider it (before considering biopsy or cancer treatment). Each step, each helpful test, is a move forward in you knowing more information about what might be going on with her and it gives you the time to get used to the idea that your dear cat may have cancer... and to remember that she is a senior cat in age. Of course, each test or treatment needs to be weighed against her current health and limitations, as you'll want to consider what will cause her more stress in the long run (versus does she have the healthy where-with-all to handle cancer treatment, for example).

I lost my dear cat to advanced GI neoplasia last August. We found out about the spread of her cancer very late in the game. The prognosis was far from good. The best thing for her was to understand what she was going through (she was dying, the cancer had spread to many areas inside of her). We were devastated, but we let her go, surrounding her with our love the whole time. I really feel your pain, and I just recommend to make the most of her time with you and love her and be around her as much as you can, while you consider what's to be done, and what is truly going on with her.

Best wishes to you...

 

[prince meow]

I use asparagus juice for kidneys. I add it in there food. It works fast. 

First, I juice 1 or 2 stems  in my juicer and then I give them a teaspoon in the wet food every other day.

You  hemp oil at most health food stores.

Wholefoods, Toonies, Trader Joes, I use Nutiva. At first add 4 drops to food. The hemp can make them nauseous if they haven't eaten so never give it on an empty stomach.
You can also rub some on the outside wherever the lump is three times a day.

Also, get your cat started on un flavored pedialyte. 

 

[prince meow]

I love to spoil my cats so on top of nutrients, I give them massages and spoon them.

I sometimes use a back massager, I put it on the mattress where they can feel the vibration. 
 

The added blood flow is good for healing.

 

[boomstick]

I'm hoping the vet(s) got x-rays of her tummy when she was there? A radiologist will be able to see how advanced the mass/possible cancer is via the x-rays. If you did not have x-rays done, you might consider it (before considering biopsy or cancer treatment). Each step, each helpful test, is a move forward in you knowing more information about what might be going on with her and it gives you the time to get used to the idea that your dear cat may have cancer... and to remember that she is a senior cat in age. Of course, each test or treatment needs to be weighed against her current health and limitations, as you'll want to consider what will cause her more stress in the long run (versus does she have the healthy where-with-all to handle cancer treatment, for example).

I lost my dear cat to advanced GI neoplasia last August. We found out about the spread of her cancer very late in the game. The prognosis was far from good. The best thing for her was to understand what she was going through (she was dying, the cancer had spread to many areas inside of her). We were devastated, but we let her go, surrounding her with our love the whole time. I really feel your pain, and I just recommend to make the most of her time with you and love her and be around her as much as you can, while you consider what's to be done, and what is truly going on with her.

Best wishes to you...

Thank you <3 I'm sorry about your cat as well. They didn't do xrays yet...I messed up my timeline in my post. Sorry about that, I'm a wreck. So I think after the blood tests are back (just to make sure there's nothing more wrong with her) they wanted to do some kind of scan...they didn't say xrays, I think they wanted to do an ultrasound. Then after that it's either chemo or surgery. The vet felt the lump and immediately her face dropped...she said she knows what it is but still got a second opinion from another vet to make sure.

I just don't know what to do. I hate the feeling that if only I made more money I could help her more. It sucks so hard that her life and well-being comes down to money.

 

[boomstick]

 
I use asparagus juice for kidneys. I add it in there food. It works fast. 

First, I juice 1 or 2 stems  in my juicer and then I give them a teaspoon in the wet food every other day.

You  hemp oil at most health food stores.

Wholefoods, Toonies, Trader Joes, I use Nutiva. At first add 4 drops to food. The hemp can make them nauseous if they haven't eaten so never give it on an empty stomach.
You can also rub some on the outside wherever the lump is three times a day.

Also, get your cat started on un flavored pedialyte. 

I'm going to try this. Thank you so much. I've always spoiled my cat her whole life. Right now we have her favorite window wide open (she's sleeping right next to it) even though the AC is on because she loves it when the window is open...electric bill be damned. I almost wish she could speak so she could tell me exactly what she wants because the spoiling is about to go into hyper-drive.

I'm going to stop by Mrs. Green's tomorrow...there is no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's near me and I've never heard of Toonies. Thank you so much for the advice.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

Thank you

 

[puck]

Well, Blackie has been fortunate to have you as a caretaker these last 8 years, as she wouldn't have survived and thrived this long if she'd stayed a stray, even with your landlords feeding her.

Soft tissue sarcoma or hemangiosarcoma are the common abdominal masses. These can involve multiple organs, including the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, intestines, and colon. This combined with her history of chronic renal disease does give her a poor prognosis. Both of these cancers are very malignant once a mass is so large it's palpable in the abdomen.

Such masses are very painful. As is uncontrolled renal disease. Advocating for some pain management is very important at this stage. Cats don't tell us "hey, I hurt here, and there, and here some more." They are very stoic, reserved pain patients. We must use our understanding of the pain a certain disease process, trauma, or condition can cause, and treat their pain accordingly.

Buprenorphine syringes are strongly recommended for all cancer cats, dosed in individual small syringes to be given in the cheek or under the tongue, absorbed by the oral mucous membranes (gums) and entering the bloodstream rapidly. It's an opioid analgesia, very effective, sometimes causing sedation and drooling initially, but worth the pain management it offers. Lethargy, less activity, irritability, inappetance, and less social seeking are all indicators of pain in cats.

Ask about prednisolone, while they are debating diagnostics or treatments, as starting corticosteroids now can help shrink the tumor, and decrease inflammation. If her renal values, including BUN, creatinine, phosphorus, or potassium are worsening, she may need fluid therapy at home, added supplements, and phosphorus binders while her body copes with this new challenge to its balance/homeostasis it had formerly achieved, controlling the renal disease.

Keep us updated as to diagnostics, including an abdominal ultrasound by a veterinary radiologist, not just a regular, family vet, with a radiologist's expert interpretation of the imaging. Labwork is very important also, looking at her blood chemistry, complete blood cell count and blood smear on a slide, and checking her blood electrolytes and urine. If the tests for which you're awaiting results don't include all these, ask them to add these on, for a thorough view of her internal health. Good luck with your Blackie girl, and hope she stays comfy while they sort out exactly what she has going on!

 

[mainecoonlova]

 
Thank you <3 I'm sorry about your cat as well. They didn't do xrays yet...I messed up my timeline in my post. Sorry about that, I'm a wreck. So I think after the blood tests are back (just to make sure there's nothing more wrong with her) they wanted to do some kind of scan...they didn't say xrays, I think they wanted to do an ultrasound. Then after that it's either chemo or surgery. The vet felt the lump and immediately her face dropped...she said she knows what it is but still got a second opinion from another vet to make sure.

I just don't know what to do. I hate the feeling that if only I made more money I could help her more. It sucks so hard that her life and well-being comes down to money.

Remember, you ALWAYS have a choice. So, just because they may say it's in your "best interest" to do chemo, you don't have to. In humans, it ravages the body and the immune system. I can just imagine what it would do to a animal who is a lot more sensitive than a human being. If you have the option of finding a vet that does chinese medicine or, more integrative type of medicine instead of traditional chemical based "modern" medicine, you can always go and ask them for their opinion. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea. Especially where it concerns the health of one of our family members.

Just remember, you have options and choices.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

Well, Blackie has been fortunate to have you as a caretaker these last 8 years, as she wouldn't have survived and thrived this long if she'd stayed a stray, even with your landlords feeding her.

I agree.

[...]

Such masses are very painful. As is uncontrolled renal disease. Advocating for some pain management is very important at this stage. Cats don't tell us "hey, I hurt here, and there, and here some more." They are very stoic, reserved pain patients. We must use our understanding of the pain a certain disease process, trauma, or condition can cause, and treat their pain accordingly.

Buprenorphine syringes are strongly recommended for all cancer cats, dosed in individual small syringes to be given in the cheek or under the tongue, absorbed by the oral mucous membranes (gums) and entering the bloodstream rapidly. It's an opioid analgesia, very effective, sometimes causing sedation and drooling initially, but worth the pain management it offers. Lethargy, less activity, irritability, inappetance, and less social seeking are all indicators of pain in cats.

Yes, agree here as well. My cat was already on BID doses of Buprenorphine her whole last year of life (she also had pancreatitis flare-ups during her last year, and arthritis too, poor kitteh). I usually gave her shots in her lateral abdomen, though, where I was used to giving her insulin shots. During her last weeks, I could tell she was in much more pain, and upped her dose of Buprenorphine -- it really helped her to be more comfortable. When we found out she had such advanced cancer, I was so glad that I already knew her well & could recognize her own signals for bad pain, and that I had already upped her Buprenorphine dose just from that knowledge of her behavior/symptoms (I thought the pain was from the pancreatitis then, but alas, I was wrong).

 

[boomstick]

Remember, you ALWAYS have a choice. So, just because they may say it's in your "best interest" to do chemo, you don't have to. In humans, it ravages the body and the immune system. I can just imagine what it would do to a animal who is a lot more sensitive than a human being. If you have the option of finding a vet that does chinese medicine or, more integrative type of medicine instead of traditional chemical based "modern" medicine, you can always go and ask them for their opinion. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea. Especially where it concerns the health of one of our family members.

Just remember, you have options and choices.

That's what I keep thinking...my old teacher went through chemo for lung cancer and it was so bad, she chose death when the cancer came back not that I could afford chemo for Blackie if it came to that...so unfair...

 

[kenneth haley]

I put my favorite down in Feb.

Since then, I've been following a lymphoma support group. Some cat's have had miracles happen. More endure being poked, tested , force fed and medicated to live another six months. Some crash immediately after the chemo because their bodies can't handle all the dead cells.

You're in a difficult situation with no right answer. Every decision has a potential downside. I hope a miracle happens for you and Blackie. But if it doesn't, remember.

You saved Blackie.

Blackie loves you and always will.

There is no one else Blackie trusts with this decision more than you.

There will never be another Blackie, just as there will never be another you.

That doesn't mean that you and Blackie can't be happy again. It will just be different.

This quote is someone elses, and I'm paraphrasing. " when you put your pet down, what you love most, you're taking their pain away and putting it on yourself." This is far from being selfish.

Bless you both. 

Sometimes miracles happen.

I hope it does for the two of you.

 

[boomstick]

I put my favorite down in Feb.

Since then, I've been following a lymphoma support group. Some cat's have had miracles happen. More endure being poked, tested , force fed and medicated to live another six months. Some crash immediately after the chemo because their bodies can't handle all the dead cells.

You're in a difficult situation with no right answer. Every decision has a potential downside. I hope a miracle happens for you and Blackie. But if it doesn't, remember.

You saved Blackie.
Blackie loves you and always will.
There is no one else Blackie trusts with this decision more than you.
There will never be another Blackie, just as there will never be another you.
That doesn't mean that you and Blackie can't be happy again. It will just be different.

This quote is someone elses, and I'm paraphrasing. " when you put your pet down, what you love most, you're taking their pain away and putting it on yourself." This is far from being selfish.

Bless you both. 
Sometimes miracles happen.
I hope it does for the two of you.

I'm choked up

 

[pharber-murphy]

I'm so sorry to hear about Blackie. I send you my wishes for the very best outcome.

We all understand what you're going through and the tough decisions you have to make. And we realize that circumstances sometimes prevent us doing everything we wish we could for our pets. But always remember that you gave Blackie a loving home (not just meals) and she has enjoyed a longer life because of your intervention. It's never easy (I had Mr. Grimsby euthanized on March 20th), but if that's the best course for Blackie, know that you have done your best. That's all Blackie would ever ask of you.

Best regards.

 

[andyy oh]

Please do not take every comment on here as science. Cannabis oil does not cure cancer.

 

[AbbysMom]

I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. I'm sure you will make the best decision for you and Blackie. :heart2:

I do admit some of the posts in this thread concern me a bit. Just a little reminder of the site rules:

1. If you suspect that your cat may be ill, please contact your vet immediately. No online advice can replace direct veterinary intervention.You are welcome to look for advice in the health forum while waiting for that appointment, but never delay proper veterinary care waiting for Internet advice.



2. Do not provide medical advice. Discussing various options is encouraged and you may share your experience including details about what kind of medication was administered and dosage. However, do not suggest to another member that they should change anything in the course of treatment prescribed by their vet without first consulting with a qualified veterinarian.

Caring for ones companion animals is a very serious responsibility, and often, in light of that concern, members will create threads seeking information from other members. While we allow and encourage expression of opinions and the recounting of personal experiences, it is the forum's official position that no online advice can ever supercede or replace the care and advice of trained medical professionals who have first hand knowledge of the individual animal's condition. We strongly urge members to refrain from advocating the practice of ignoring medical advice.