My cat has cancer ( Help)

[abbas altake]

My cat is 15-16 years old.  My cat diagnosed with cancer 4 days ago and vet estimated his life time to be 2 months before he dies... Vet gave Metacam  recipe for  week..Our cat had big lump is his leg and the walking was little bit hard but he didint care much. Our cat was pretty well  before and after diagnosis... It makes me pretty skeptical about the  diagnosis... My cat suffer also hyperthyroidism and we went  in same vet to take his blood test 2 month ago.. They gave us new and effective medicines because the old one didint work good.. Its weird that they didint see the tumor 2 months ago in blood test? Also they have changed doctors alot in the place.. When we went  in vet 4 days ago there was a different doctor exam my cat.. The vet took Xray and  ultrasound for my cat legg but they did not say what cancer it was and how and how far it has spread.. They just said in phone that  cat has 2 months to live and thats its... can this be wrong diagnosis?? Should I go in another vet??

 

[margd]

I'm so sorry to hear about this diagnosis. It certainly wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion - I probably would in your shoes. It doesn't sound like the current vet has given you much information. At the very least, I would write down all my questions and ask your vet for answers. You do have that right. Good luck. I really hope your kitty is okay.

 

[abbas altake]

Ty! He is okay! Very good appetite.. he eats alot and drinks a lot.. Even  before metacam his quality life was pretty normal and Metacam has not make it any different... He has lost weight mostly from hyperthyroidism.. Is weight has been five pound for long time.. Im just very skeptical.... I really really hope the diagnose is wrong because he has been very well despite  hyperthyroidism... Should I call my vet??  Should they should take a sample from cat or blood test? They didint take any blood test... Not sure about the sample either..

 

[ruthm]

I am sorry you are having to go through this with your kitty!  I am very concerned about your kitty's diagnosis- not just of the supposed cancer, but the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and the treatment. With proper diagnosis and treatment, your cat should not be losing weight.  Prior to diagnosis, my kitty Tiger had a voracious appetite and was drinking a lot of water and losing a scary amount of weight, but once I got her started on Tapazole, and later when she had the Radioiodine I131 treatment, she got her weight back. It is vital to keep checking the bloodwork at least quarterly to make sure the medication dose of methiamazole is correct. I encourage you to join the Yahoo Feline Hyperthyroid group, https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline-hyperT/info  Members in this group can answer your questions and give you support, HyperT is scary and can be deadly, it needs to be monitered carefully.

I encourage you to  get hard copies of all testing that was done, along with their notes- the clinic should be able to email them or mail them, but you have the right to demand these records because you paid for them.  Then, I would be looking for a new vet and vet clinic and a 2nd opinion. You should not be leaving the clinic with no definite answers, a good vet will answer all your questions and go through the results of the testing with you, that is their job.

Please keep us posted.

ETA: I forgot to give you this link, it is for kitties who may have cancer, another support group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FELINE-CANCER/info

 

[abbas altake]

Thank u very much! They have changed the recipe 2-3 times.. The old one was Tyrazol which  didint work very well..  He was very hyperactive.. food, water holic...The vet gave us Felimazole two months ago and it has worked better than old med but the weight has been same.. 5kg.. He is not hyper active as before but he eats a food and drinks water a lot ... he love cats milk... He had bald spot in stomach  before because  his hyperactive lick and now the the hairs have grown back which might be good sign.. 

Can they really make wrong diagnosis is it possible?? I would so happy if my cat would live longer than 2 months .. I'm very depressed and sad because my cat looks so damn healthy!! He does not look like he has any cancer!!  If he has 2 month to live how is Condition can be this good?? He does not vomit.. He eats.. he drinks.. his poop is normal.. He sleep in different places... He wants  attention... etc.... Should they feel opposite if the cancer has speard??

 

[abbas altake]

Also his big lump grow really fast past these 2 months... Just month ago he didint have big lump.... Can this be something else than cancer?

 

[zed xyzed]

A misdiagnosis is entirely possible can you get a second opinion ?  I hope it isn't cancer

 

[grimm33]

sorry to hear about your cat...i went through the same thing 3 yrs ago w/my 16 yr old, 2nd opinion was same as first just with more info. vet said cancer happens just as fast as it does in humans. our cat was fine 1 week and then the next week lungs were full of fluid and filled with cancer, they said we can give ut meds and drain the fluid but it would fill up again in about 2 weeks...long story short we put her down just so she wasnt suffering, i balled all day like a little school girl. cancers not a good thing let alone in cats its a hard thing to control and deal with, quality of life is what you need to decide on look at whats best for the cat and not you. ggod luck and let us know what happens.

 

[ruthm]

I would want to see the bloodwork and ultrasound and othet xray results...There can definitely be a misdiagnosis, but I urge you to seek out a 2nd opinion. Try to obtain your kitties test records to bring to the new vet. 

Also, I urge you to join this forum and ask your questions, it is more active than the other one: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline_smallcell_lymphoma/info  If your kitty does have cancer, there can still be treatment options. I know people who have had their kitties be treated with chemo and they took to it very well.

 

[abbas altake]

sorry to hear about your cat...i went through the same thing 3 yrs ago w/my 16 yr old, 2nd opinion was same as first just with more info. vet said cancer happens just as fast as it does in humans. our cat was fine 1 week and then the next week lungs were full of fluid and filled with cancer, they said we can give ut meds and drain the fluid but it would fill up again in about 2 weeks...long story short we put her down just so she wasnt suffering, i balled all day like a little school girl. cancers not a good thing let alone in cats its a hard thing to control and deal with, quality of life is what you need to decide on look at whats best for the cat and not you. ggod luck and let us know what happens.

Aww that so sad..  Im so depressed right now.... My hope is dying... Did they give u some  treatment possibilities? Like chemo or Painkiller? I have heard that the Metacam can stop the tumor for growing not sure if thats is true..

 
I would want to see the bloodwork and ultrasound and othet xray results...There can definitely be a misdiagnosis, but I urge you to seek out a 2nd opinion. Try to obtain your kitties test records to bring to the new vet. 

Also, I urge you to join this forum and ask your questions, it is more active than the other one: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline_smallcell_lymphoma/info  If your kitty does have cancer, there can still be treatment options. I know people who have had their kitties be treated with chemo and they took to it very well.

There was no bloodwork.. Only Ultrasound and Xray... Im gonna call the old vet and ask question and after that im consider for going to another vet... Thank u for the link and advice!!

 

[abbas altake]

Ruthm!!

There was not bloodwork... only Xrays and Ultrasound.....Im going to call the old vet and ask question.. After that im gonna go for another vet for new testing... Thank u for the link!  

 

[abbas altake]

Can I call it as good news? I called the same Vets who exam my cat... They said they dont know what cancer he has and they said also they dont know  if its  cancer at all..They just believe its cancer because calcifications.... They didint took biospy or blood work. What heck his happening?? How they can be this bad???

,, 

 

[abbas altake]

Im going send my cat for Cat clinic specialist instead of normal Vet... I dont have now money but in friday I can send him! So wish me a good luck! I just hope its not too late and I hope its not cancer and if its cancer.. I hope I can treat him for 1/2 years... He is still in good shape! Eats, Drinks and Its make me so happy when he jump in coach even thought he has  big lump in his leg..

I give him metacam and hyperthyroidism medic.. Its that dangerous combination?? The old vet didint say nothing about that..

 

[lazer]

 
Im going send my cat for Cat clinic specialist instead of normal Vet... I dont have now money but in friday I can send him! So wish me a good luck! I just hope its not too late and I hope its not cancer and if its cancer.. I hope I can treat him for 1/2 years... He is still in good shape! Eats, Drinks and Its make me so happy when he jump in coach even thought he has  big lump in his leg..

I give him metacam and hyperthyroidism medic.. Its that dangerous combination?? The old vet didint say nothing about that..

Best of luck, I think it is definitely worth seeing a specialist. I have had similar "weird" experiences with Swedish vets personally (not a cancer misdiagnosis, but just wildly varying quality of care and different levels of information presented). We have now found an internal medicine specialist that we actually trust, but I would now always get a second opinion for these kinds of serious issues. 

As for the metacam - here in Sweden that seems to be the only  painkiller they prescribe (I even asked for something else and they said there was nothing they could give us). I have read so many bad stories about Metacam and my cat had to be on a pain killer/anti-inflammatory (which it also serves as) for a long time. I was very uncomfortable with giving him this, but did as the vets said and thankfully it was fine. I do not  want to suggest that you go against your vet's prescription. I am not a vet. But I would definitely ask  the next vet you see, the specialist, if Metacam is required and maybe do some reading on Metacam side effects to have specific questions to ask them about this medication (ie give them an explanation for any concern you may have). 

 

[abbas altake]

Ty pal! Woah so u live in Sweden awesome! I live in Finland!  Im so happy that u found good medicine specialist! I heard that Metacam are stronger in Us and its only for dogs.. So maybe I should not worry.. Im still gonna ask my new Vet about med combination... Thank u for information!

 

[abbas altake]

The cat had Bone cancer osteosarkoma and they found metastatsis in lung.. They gave us Metacam again.. How long cats  live with cancer like this? They cannot do anything for this. Im sad he is 16 years old and cutest and best cat ever.. Im gonna miss him so much 

 

[abbas altake]

It seems that the Lung meta is in very early phase... Would it possible to get rid with chemo??

 

[abbas altake]

My cats is 16 years old and Vet has diagnosed osteosarcoma and meta has started at lung. Its still in early stage even tought the cancer started to spread. The amputation does not remove bone cancer its just helps cats pain temporarily and the Chemo just slowing its growth.. I think best option for my old cat is palliative treatment because its reduce the pain and make his bones much stronger. Amputation might be too much for my cat. I have heard that  palliative treatment in bone cancer can increase cat life two or more years.. is that true?  His quality of live is really good, despite cancer.. He eats a lot and drink a lot.. 

 

[ruthm]

I'm so sorry, I am just now seeing your posts :-(  I don't have experience with this type of cancer, but it doesn't sound good that your vet is telling you it has metastasized or spread to the lungs at the time of diagnosis.  I am glad you are now seeing a specialist, it is my understanding osteosarcoma is painful.  I don't have any advice I am afraid, you know your kitty the best. If you are looking for opinions, you might get more feedback from experienced caregivers on this Yahoo group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline-cancer/info

I'm so sorry and feel so horrible that I know of no way to help you. But I am here to support you, whatever course you choose for your kitty.

 

[abbas altake]

Ty...It is pretty minimal meta but still. I live in finland not sure why vet  didint talk about chemo options... What is the cat specialist??