Lola's fight with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (I'm going to say goodbye to my cat)

Antonio65 · Mar 8, 2017

foxxycat said:
The limping=maybe needs fluids? Do they let you give sub fluids at home? If nothing else it will help keep her hydrated until it's time. I made the mistake of forgoing fluids on the last day of my cancer kitty Floey last July. It made it harder to find a vein for the end. I can't even begin to imagine how scared and upset you are feeling. I was angry at the universe for weeks. I still am. Loosing our babies hurts so damn much.

The Convenia is probably helping keeping nasty infections at bay. I am so very sorry. All you can do at this point= hydrate/heat/comfort/food and make sure airways are open. Also keep her clean from bathroom trips. I sending you so many hugs and wish it was a different outcome. I HATE CANCER

Foxxycat, my cat receives great amounts of fluids both through her food and when I syringe water in her mouth several times a day. I have reckoned that I give her as much as 100 ml of water per day.

Then, twice a week, I do a sub-Q with 120 ml of Ringer's Lactate, just like I have done for the last 10 years, since I found out that she was suffering from CKD at the age of 6.

Though the vets told me that it wasn't necessary any more at this stage, I keep doing it.

She lives in a warm room, the heating is almost always on and she has easy access to the radiator. She's so smart that she goes near it when she hears the clicking sound of the thermostat that starts the boiler.

As for the comfort, she stays on my lap as long as she wishes and has a cozy bed in her favourite spot.

Her airways are always ckecked and cleaned, several times a day.

Since she had her first radiation therapy in 2011 for a cancer inside one of her nostrils, she has been suffering from a rhinitis that causes her left nostril to produce lots of mucus. So I always make sure that her nose is clean and clear. Once a day I give her a nebulizing treatment (I'm sorry, I think this is the right term for that thing that you put a mask on your face and run a machine that nebulizes a vial of liquid, please correct me if needed). She is very quiet, she sits on the chair and allows me to keep the mask on her nose for those 5 minutes

All her environment is as safe as possible.

She is also blind, she lost her sight in the past months, so we make sure there are no dangers in her paths.

Thanks a million for your strong support, I do appreciate it!

Mia6 · Mar 8, 2017

Antonio,

You are surely on top of all Lola's needs. I hope she is having a good day,

Hugs,

Mia

di and bob · Mar 8, 2017

You are doing all you can, and much more than most, my heart cries for your sweet girl, she is so fortunate to have your love. I truly pray she will go quietly in her sleep, she deserves a quiet end because she is such a beautiful, sweet little soul.

Antonio65 · Mar 8, 2017

Originally Posted by 2Cats4everLoved

Only you and you alone know your sweet girl, so I say follow your heart and just pay close attention on her attitude. Lola will let you know when it's time.

It's important to make sure she's eating and getting water.

One of my tricks for syringe feeding was using a small syringe. I used the syringe that came with the meds, I forget the two sizes, but I do have a picture in my thread I can post.

If you have any other questions or just want to chat privately - please feel free to send me a private message.

Please know I'm here for you and your sweet girl. One thing that's important, try to stay calm, speak to her in your usual tone and try to be as normal as possible. I noticed that Simon picked up on my sadness and in turn, he would get depressed by my sadness.

Love you you and Lola xoxoxoxoxox Big Hugs to you and your sweet girl. Hang in there - Hope

Simon was put on Clindamycin which cleared up the infection in his mouth right from the start. As I said, I don't know the entire history and have to go back and read. But this antibiotic worked wonders and I believe prolonged his life a few months.

2Cats4everLoved

Thanks for your loverly words and advice!

I'm sorry to read that you have had to go through two losses in such a short time, I don't know how you could bear that pain!

Lola is still going rather well, today she's a little weaker than yesterday but she stiil has interest in waht happens around her. At lunch she took all her meal in the syringe in a shorter time than usual, then she asked to get ou tin the garden where she sat in the sun. I think it's just one of those not-so-good days.

I give her the syringe three times a day, rarely four times. One syringe early in the morning short before going out to work. The second is in my lunch break. Fortunately I work at close distance from home, so I skip my lunch and go home to give food to Lola, I have one hour time to drive to and from home, and to give her the syringe, and I use up all this time. The third syringe is at 7 or 8 pm. If Lola is still hungry I can give a smaller amount short before going to bed. Along with the food I give her water too, and more water along the day everytime I can. I have reckoned a total of about 100 ml a day. Twice a week I give her 120 ml of Ringer's Lactate via sub-Q. This is what I have always done in these past 10 years or so, since Lola was diagnosed with CKD at the age of 6.

So I think she gets enough food and water.

I use big syringes for feeding (60 ml size) and small syringes for water (10 ml size)

This is the size I use for the food

http://www.farmasconto.com/img/products/2662/938424280.jpg

with a big and long noozle so that I can reach the end of her mouth and it doesn't get easily damaged by her teeth. Every meal is between 35 and 40 grams of food, a mix of Royal Canin Recovery and Nutriplus Gel.

I talk to her in a calm mood and tone, though sometimes I have let myslef go into desperation, especially on those days when I saw her very bad. I keep telling her she's the most beautiful cat in the world and the bravest one too, as I always told her in all her life.

The antibiotic we're using is the Convenia, a shot every two weeks.

You have been so so kind to find the time to write this long post of yours and I think that writing about Simon must have brought back some pain too. Thanks for your kind words!

Antonio65 · Mar 8, 2017

Mia6 said:
Antonio,

You are surely on top of all Lola's needs. I hope she is having a good day,

Hugs,

Mia

Di and Bob said:
You are doing all you can, and much more than most, my heart cries for your sweet girl, she is so fortunate to have your love. I truly pray she will go quietly in her sleep, she deserves a quiet end because she is such a beautiful, sweet little soul.

Mia and Di, you are so kind and thoughtful, I do appreciate you're being so close in this time of my life. It makes the difference!

Today Lola is less bright than her usual, probably she's a bit weak today, but she's still enjoying her days and the sun. We've been through phases like this before, hopefully she will be better tomorrow.

Mia6 · Mar 8, 2017

I bet she is loving the sun, Antonio!

Hugs,

Mia

2Cats4everLoved · Mar 8, 2017

@Antonio65 - It is my pleasure to share my story. While I'm at peace with the loss of Simon at this point - It's my sweet Chestnut whom I wish had more time to enjoy her time. Simon gave her a bit of a hard time and I just wanted her to have fun playing and possibly lose a bit of weight to feel so much better than she did.

I have times of overwhelming sighs, especially when I hear the owls or birds, Simon would get me to open the windows so he could check out the sounds of spring. He was my special boy and no cat can ever match that special bond and Chestnut was my sweet sweet girl who was full of nothing but love. I'm lucky to have been their mommy. xoxo

I'm so pleased to hear that Lola still enjoys basking in the sun. With Simon I would slip in a syringe here and there to get extra food in him. He was also on the Royal Canin Recovery. One thing I did that was very helpful to getting it down his throat was I used a hand blender to blend the food along with hot water. It became a pudding/custard consistency breaking down the fatty deposits making it less grisly and lumpy.

Please keep us posted. And please feel free to post more pictures of your sweet girl. I feel that posting pictures of Simon and Chestnut, also helped me.

Best to you and Lola - xoxoHope

I used the pawspice care Quality of Life Scale - here is the link to the below - http://pawspice.com/q-of-l-care/new-page.html

0-10 HURT - Adequate pain control & breathing ability is of top concern. Trouble breathing outweighs all concerns. Is the pet's pain well managed? Can the pet breathe properly? Is oxygen supplementation necessary?

0-10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the pet need a feeding tube?

0-10 HYDRATION - Is the pet dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough water, use subcutaneous fluids daily or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.

0-10 HYGIENE - The pet should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after eliminations. Avoid pressure sores with soft bedding and keep all wounds clean.

0-10 HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to family, toys, etc.? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be moved to be close to family activities?

0-10 MOBILITY - Can the pet get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, but an animal with limited mobility yet still alert, happy and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping their pet.)

0-10 MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision for euthanasia needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly at home, that is okay.

*TOTAL *A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality to continue with pet hospice (Pawspice)

Antonio65 · Mar 9, 2017

2Cats4everLoved said:
@Antonio65 - It is my pleasure to share my story. While I'm at peace with the loss of Simon at this point - It's my sweet Chestnut whom I wish had more time to enjoy her time. Simon gave her a bit of a hard time and I just wanted her to have fun playing and possibly lose a bit of weight to feel so much better than she did.

I have times of overwhelming sighs, especially when I hear the owls or birds, Simon would get me to open the windows so he could check out the sounds of spring. He was my special boy and no cat can ever match that special bond and Chestnut was my sweet sweet girl who was full of nothing but love. I'm lucky to have been their mommy. xoxo

I'm so pleased to hear that Lola still enjoys basking in the sun. With Simon I would slip in a syringe here and there to get extra food in him. He was also on the Royal Canin Recovery. One thing I did that was very helpful to getting it down his throat was I used a hand blender to blend the food along with hot water. It became a pudding/custard consistency breaking down the fatty deposits making it less grisly and lumpy.

Please keep us posted. And please feel free to post more pictures of your sweet girl. I feel that posting pictures of Simon and Chestnut, also helped me.

Best to you and Lola - xoxoHope

I used the pawspice care Quality of Life Scale - here is the link to the below - http://pawspice.com/q-of-l-care/new-page.html

0-10 HURT - Adequate pain control & breathing ability is of top concern. Trouble breathing outweighs all concerns. Is the pet's pain well managed? Can the pet breathe properly? Is oxygen supplementation necessary?

0-10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the pet need a feeding tube?

0-10 HYDRATION - Is the pet dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough water, use subcutaneous fluids daily or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.

0-10 HYGIENE - The pet should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after eliminations. Avoid pressure sores with soft bedding and keep all wounds clean.

0-10 HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to family, toys, etc.? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be moved to be close to family activities?

0-10 MOBILITY - Can the pet get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, but an animal with limited mobility yet still alert, happy and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping their pet.)

0-10 MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision for euthanasia needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly at home, that is okay.

*TOTAL *A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality to continue with pet hospice (Pawspice)

You will be always proud and happy of having been Chestnut and Simon's mommy, those memories will never leave you. Sometimes they might bring you tears, some other times you will find a sweet smile on your face. I know how hard it is, I know those tears and those smiles too well.

I believe that the experiences that our lost pets have given us had the purpose to let us help more furry friends during our life.

I wouldn't blend the Recovery food with other liquids because it would get too runny. I need Lola to swallow her food as easily as possible. Because she hasn't her tongue anymore, I need to push the food at the back of her mouth. I also give water during the feeding to help her rinse her mouth, and I see that she tends to lose this water on the mouth sides.

It's not an easy and happy situation, but apart from the feeding moments, the rest of her day is relatively good.

I had done a couple of similar tests a few days ago and the results were borderline. I have to admit that I was biased in giving a rating to some of the questions, so the real result might be different.

I'm still taking pics of her, only to have something of her, but her look is not so bright as it was one year ago. Should I find a rather good image of her I will post it.

Thanks for your orecious support!

2Cats4everLoved · Mar 9, 2017

Just keep in mind that the food mixed with about a 1/4 can of additional hot water doesn't get runny. If you put it in the fridge for a while then take it back out to get room temp, its smooth like pudding.

Please keep us informed of her progress.

Again, best to you and your sweet girl. xoxohope

Mia6 · Mar 13, 2017

Antonio, How is dear Lola doing?

Hugs,

Mia

Antonio65 · Mar 13, 2017

Hi Mia,

Lola is doing fine, thanks for asking!

On Saturday the weather was sunny and woarm, so she stayed outside in the lawn and backyard for some time and almost she didn't want to come back inside

. She was so active and happy to be out. Though she couldn't see the flowers around her she was happy to be among them. Of course she's slow at walking and she's cautious because she never knows what she is going to walk into.

Yesterday it was bit colder but she enjoyed a short walk outside. Around 8 pm I tried to give her her usual syringe but she fought a bit and I understood she wasn't that hungry, so I gave her only half meal.

Today she was still fine when I last saw her at noon.

I had the feeling that her mouth is showing some bad signs today, but no smell at all, I put my nose as close as possible and smelled nothing. It seems that there are days when the situation inside her mouth is nearly brilliant, like 2 or 3 days ago, and there are days when the situation is less brilliant, like today.

On Wednesday I am going to see the vet for my other cat and I will tell her how Lola is doing. I know that the vet won't give me hopes or good news, but I just want to know whether we're going through a normal situation, whether this is what I should expect, and what else I will have to expect in the future.

Mia6 · Mar 13, 2017

Glad to hear she enjoyed the sun and flowers.

Hugs,

Mia

2Cats4everLoved · Mar 13, 2017

Antonio65 said:
Hi Mia,

Lola is doing fine, thanks for asking!

On Saturday the weather was sunny and woarm, so she stayed outside in the lawn and backyard for some time and almost she didn't want to come back inside

. She was so active and happy to be out. Though she couldn't see the flowers around her she was happy to be among them. Of course she's slow at walking and she's cautious because she never knows what she is going to walk into.

Yesterday it was bit colder but she enjoyed a short walk outside. Around 8 pm I tried to give her her usual syringe but she fought a bit and I understood she wasn't that hungry, so I gave her only half meal.

Today she was still fine when I last saw her at noon.

I had the feeling that her mouth is showing some bad signs today, but no smell at all, I put my nose as close as possible and smelled nothing. It seems that there are days when the situation inside her mouth is nearly brilliant, like 2 or 3 days ago, and there are days when the situation is less brilliant, like today.

On Wednesday I am going to see the vet for my other cat and I will tell her how Lola is doing. I know that the vet won't give me hopes or good news, but I just want to know whether we're going through a normal situation, whether this is what I should expect, and what else I will have to expect in the future.

I too am glad Lola is enjoying herself.

As many told me when my boy was sick, they will let you know when they are not well. And you being her parent, will know as well, it's a gut feeling that you can't ignore.

Enjoy this time and every minute you can. It sounds as if your sweet girl isn't going anywhere.

Best to you both. Hope

zed xyzed · Mar 13, 2017

Bless you for all the love you are giving your sweet girl.

bobbie sue · Mar 13, 2017

Antonio, I just saw your post and I was so saddened to read it. Oh... how well I can empathize with that decision to ease her pain and suffering as I did with my own two beloved cats many years ago, particularly one who followed me around like a shadow and never failed to slumber with me each night. I, too, was at her side through many health battles so I know what you meant. I can still recall so clearly the mighty sting and the feeling of emptiness following her departure. I know there will come a time when your pain and sadness will gradually ease and then it will be replaced by all the wonderful and meaningfully beautiful moments you shared with her. That time, I assure you, will come and remember, you had enriched her life as she had enriched yours and by being at her side you sheltered her with your love and I am sure she knew that.

Take good care of yourself and I am sorry for your loss.

Antonio65 · Mar 14, 2017

This morning I found another rather large stain of blood on her pad. And a rather big blood clot in he mouth. Just like the past time, I have cleaned her mouth, pulled that clot out and rinsed. This time it seemed to me the mouth wouldnt get clearer like one week ago, some tiny blood clots wouldn't come off as if they were stuck with her half tongue and mucous. After rinsing her mouth she kept drooling a bit with reddish saliva for a while.

However I have been able to give her the usual syringe of food and she took it without problems. Then she used her litter tray and took a short walk in the house.

When I left home she was doing as her usual and was preparing to go to sleep again.

Unlike the other two times, when she bled on the pad but didn't wet it with her urine, this time she did both things.

I will keep a closer eye in her later on today.

2Cats4everLoved · Mar 14, 2017

Oh no, I'm so sorry to learn of this news today.

Please know we're all here for your support. I'm sorry I don't have any advice to give you on her condition. But I am here with my shoulder if you need.

I will be sending you good vibes today. Be strong my friend. xoxohope

artiemom · Mar 14, 2017

Oh no... (((Hugs)))

Mia6 · Mar 14, 2017

Antonio,

How is darling Lola today?

Hugs,

Mia

Antonio65 · Mar 15, 2017

Hello Mia, hello everybody,

Yesterday Lola was in good shape and after her syringe meal at 7 pm she stayed with me all evening until I went to bed. Mainly she slept on my lap. Lola has her own bed on the couch and she loves to sleep there at night. At the other corner of the same couch there's the bed for her feline friend Pallina.

Lola peed on the pad on her bed around 10 pm, but I'm used to it... I laid a new pad for the night.

This morning she looked a bit tired and weak and wasn't too cooperative with her syringe. I took more time than usual to give her the whole meal.

No blood on the pad, thanks God, only wet with wee. There are days when she feels a bit down, then she recovers. Hopefully today is one of this.

Today at 6 pm I have an appointment with the vet for the acupuncture for Pallina. I will explain her what happened in these last days. We have a weekly appointment for the acupuncture, but last week she wasn't available so we skipped a week.

I look forward to listening what she will tell me about Lola's new condition, and I will let you know.

Thanks for following!

Lola's fight with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (I'm going to say goodbye to my cat)

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Mother of one and numerous ferals

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Take good care of yourself and I am sorry for your loss.

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