Our "Little Man Gordy" has GI Lymphoma, To Chemo or Not Chemo

Do you keep your beloved cat on chemo drugs even when his condition progresses and the side effects make him sick? Or do you take him off the chemo and do what you can with supplements?

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john warzybok

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Hello Fellow Cat Lovers!

I can see from the last posting date it has been six odd years since anyone has posted anything.   We have three Bengal Cats 12+ years old.  One is a boy and the other two female. Chloe, Angel and Gordy are all littler mates.  Gordy was recently diagnosed with IBD or GI Lymphoma.  Were pretty certain it is the latter of the two.

Our vet put Gordy on .5ml  Prednisolone,  and Chlorambucil Chemo.  I also give him some Folic Acid supplement.  I was also mixing some Gold Life by Pet Well-being with ES Clear and the powder mix into his food daily as well as a Vitamin  B injections now every two weeks.

The effects of the Chlorambucil or "Lucerin" made him very nauseous, vomiting, loss of appetite and didn't seem to be doing  much in the way of slowing down the progression of the disease since his small Lymphoma has now evolved into the large cell Lymphoma form.  We did a sonogram and determined his intestinal lining was increasing thick. I am so conflicted about discontinuing his chemo because I fear this give the disease free reign.

I need help. I know there is no cure for lymphoma but there's got to be a way that I can ease our Gordy through the inevitable.  But I haven't given up and now I am trying to come up with something.

I'm thinking of an oral dosage in liquid form of a mix of the Gold Life, folic acid, vitamins,  and whatever else I can find that will help him have some quality of life.  Does anyone here have any helpful suggestions?  I would so much appreciate hearing from anyone with experience on this issue.  What about a holistic medicine called Essiac?  I think this is the proper spelling.  Tonight I did my first mix.  I used 5 Drops Gold Life/1 Multiple Vitamin, folic Acid (ground in powder), water for the base and 1/2 cup of the Life Gold Powder (very tiny cups).  Mixed all together stirred, put in fridge. There's 30ml.

Prayerss for our "Little Man Gordy.



"I  love you so much my little friend!  You are my best buddy! The thought of losing you to this disease tears my heart apart. I feel so helpless and am trying my best to help him.
 

ruthm

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My heart goes out to you and Gordy!  If you can do so, I would advise you seek the care of an oncologist or at least an Internal Medicine Specialist. They are likely more up to date with the best treatments and even more likely to know tips and tricks to help their patients lead a more comfortable life. I lost my kitty Tiger to pancreatic cancer over a year ago. It took her so quickly I did not have the time to pursue a specialist, something that haunts me still today. Wishing Gordy the best.
 

Geoffrey

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John Warzybok wrote:

I can see from the last posting date it has been six odd years since anyone has posted anything.   We have three Bengal Cats 12+ years old.  One is a boy and the other two female. Chloe, Angel and Gordy are all littler mates.  Gordy was recently diagnosed with IBD or GI Lymphoma.  Were pretty certain it is the latter of the two.

Our vet put Gordy on .5ml  Prednisolone,  and Chlorambucil Chemo.  I also give him some Folic Acid supplement.  I was also mixing some Gold Life by Pet Well-being with ES Clear and the powder mix into his food daily as well as a Vitamin  B injections now every two weeks.

The effects of the Chlorambucil or "Lucerin" made him very nauseous, vomiting, loss of appetite and didn't seem to be doing  much in the way of slowing down the progression of the disease since his small Lymphoma has now evolved into the large cell Lymphoma form.  We did a sonogram and determined his intestinal lining was increasing thick. I am so conflicted about discontinuing his chemo because I fear this give the disease free reign.

I need help. I know there is no cure for lymphoma but there's got to be a way that I can ease our Gordy through the inevitable.  But I haven't given up and now I am trying to come up with something.

I'm thinking of an oral dosage in liquid form of a mix of the Gold Life, folic acid, vitamins,  and whatever else I can find that will help him have some quality of life.  Does anyone here have any helpful suggestions?  I would so much appreciate hearing from anyone with experience on this issue.  What about a holistic medicine called Essiac?  I think this is the proper spelling.  Tonight I did my first mix.  I used 5 Drops Gold Life/1 Multiple Vitamin, folic Acid (ground in powder), water for the base and 1/2 cup of the Life Gold Powder (very tiny cups).  Mixed all together stirred, put in fridge. There's 30ml.

Hello John,

I am a human doctor, not a vet and any advice that I give you should be checked by a vet.  However I have considerable experience in treating human oncology as I am a

semi-retired Consultant Physician in Internal Medicine.  

I understand that the only recognised cure for lymphoma in cats is chemotherapy; this will prolong life for about a year or even two years after treatment.   You should confirm this with your vet and also ask him what is the outlook without treatment and what quality of life would Gordy be expected to have.

I have to say that it is  my professional opinion that holistic medicines in humans are useless and I have no reason to believe that there is any difference in cats.  Trying to treat Gordy yourself with Essiac will not affect Gordy's illness - and it may well be illegal.

You should also discuss with your vet about vaccinating your other cats with FeLV and FIV as they may well be at risk for developing lymphoma..

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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Chemo can cause nausea in cats similarly to how it does in humans,  Did you ever seek out anti-emetics for Gordy when he got sick?  That is still an option if you decide to go with Western Medicine and continue with Chemo.  Some people chose traditional Western Medicine in Combo with Eastern Medicine as in the case of Lazlo.  I can refer you to this LONG thread about Lazlo, who had large cell Lymphoma and defied all odds and lived several years longer than anticipated after his chemo:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/234030/mega-massive-vibes-for-lazlo-urgent

But it sounds like you just want to make Gordy comfortable with what time he has left?  WHAT, exactly are his symptoms that is making him feel bad.  We don't know where his Lymphoma is located or anything to know whether he's having digestive issues, breathing issues, any pain, etc.  This could even be a tumor in his jaw, which seems to be on the rise. 

I really don't know much about mixing all the items you mentioned above, but sometimes mixing things can result in a toxic result.  Why not consult with a Vet familiar with Chinese medicine (refer to Lazlo's thread for info on that.  You can probably pm LDG to get more info in that also) 

I'm so sorry you and Gordy are going thru this.  My dear Callie recently passed away from kidney disease, so I know what you are going thru when there is no cure for what their disease.  It's very hard to go thru and you just want to make sure they are not having too many "bad" days
 
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john warzybok

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Dear Ruth:

As pet owners and pet lovers, I think most of us have experienced the heart wrenching loss of a beloved pet regardless of what it is  Nobody that loves their pets wants to seem them suffer.  I decided on emailing Gordys Internal medicine Doctor and requested a chemo-treatment plan, timeline and estimate of costs.

We want to give our Litlle an Gordy the best chance we can possibly give him so until we can determine whether or not the chemo is too much for him, we should continue with his treatment.

God Bless You and Thank you for your prayers and support for Gordy.  He thanks you too, meow!
 
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john warzybok

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Geoffrey:

Thank you so much for responding to my cries for help!  Having searched far and wide for something  out there to help treat/cure Gordy's condition, I can say there isn't much out there in the way of products, medicine, drugs and treatment options for feline lymphoma and cats in genera especially when compared to canines.  I have been fighting with myself harboring enormous guilt that taking Gordy off the Chlorambucil was/is the wrong decision.   I made an appt. with a another Vet for tomorrow morning to get a second opinion and hopefully some kind of workable plan to support his fight with the appropriate vitamins, supplements etc. 

I think the important is that I know we are doing everything we can to help him.  For me at 63, I've learned to love and appreciate each successive generation of animal/pet a little more each time because it is so hard to lose someone you love so deeply, even an old cat, but he's my true little furry friend without question, loyal and full of love. 

Thank you very much again for your thoughts!
 

darkhorse321

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I am SO sorry for your beautiful kitty Gordy!! If he is nauseated, speak to your vet to make sure he doesn't have any pancreatitis involvement. My boy was suspected with IBD (with megacolon but ok) or GI lymphoma. I did not test him for Lymphoma because he is almost 17 and even with treatment, prognosis would have given him the same time. Instead, I used pepcid AC, prednisone 2x daily (I think he's on 10mgs a day but I may be wrong--don't have the bottle near me) and then meds for his megacolon.

I almost put Bandit down at the end of August, and now? He is more active etc and I've backed him off pain meds etc.

Pepcid ac is good for nausea if there is too much acidity in the stomach---and cats with either of these conditions listed can cause pancreatic inflamation. Perhaps ask your vet?

I can't say that I wouldn't keep up with the chemo drug, but my vet did say the large cell lymphoma does not respond to it like small cell. :( 
 

Geoffrey

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Geoffrey:

Thank you so much for responding to my cries for help!  Having searched far and wide for something  out there to help treat/cure Gordy's condition, I can say there isn't much out there in the way of products, medicine, drugs and treatment options for feline lymphoma and cats in genera especially when compared to canines.  I have been fighting with myself harboring enormous guilt that taking Gordy off the Chlorambucil was/is the wrong decision.   I made an appt. with a another Vet for tomorrow morning to get a second opinion and hopefully some kind of workable plan to support his fight with the appropriate vitamins, supplements etc. 

I think the important is that I know we are doing everything we can to help him.  For me at 63, I've learned to love and appreciate each successive generation of animal/pet a little more each time because it is so hard to lose someone you love so deeply, even an old cat, but he's my true little furry friend without question, loyal and full of love. 

Thank you very much again for your thoughts!
John,

I appreciate what you have said as we euthanised Rupert, our 14 year old Siamese, in December of last year.  He had suffered for 7 months with kidney failure.  After discussing matters with our vet, he left me to make the decision when to put Rupert to sleep, this was to be when he was no longer drinking and was dehydrated.  It was hard to wake up one morning, to examine Rupert, and to know that I had to make the decision to call in Ian, our vet.  My wife was crying and I felt so sad.  

We haven't really got over it but we are so old now and we have memories of so many beloved animals -  That is the problem:  cats and dogs live, on the average, only 14 - 18 years and our generation can live over 80 years!

Incidentally, what did the second vet advise you about the Chlorambucil?

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey
 
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