Treating Cat With Chemo

SallyUK

Hi All

Has anyone put their cat through chemo?

We've been told that our Norwegian Forest Cat, Bob, who's only 4 has nasal lymphoma. It's only been 3 weeks since we noticed him having sneezing bouts, and a small lump on his nose.

He's acting normal, eating well, playing, you wouldn't know anything was wrong with him.

The vet did a sort of biopsy last week and the result came back on Monday afternoon. They said it was cancerous, but to be 100% certain, they want to do another one. (why, I don't know, when they've already did this.)

They said if it is lymphoma and we don't do anything, he'll have 1-2 months at most.

If we have chemo, he gets 4 week induction period, and if he copes ok on that, he would have to carry on having it for 18 months or so.

We're gutted, I keep on thinking that they've made a mistake and they'll ring us up and apologise for their error. Wishful thinking, eh :sad::sad:

Sal

iammumtoone

I am very sorry to hear this.

It is heartbreaking when a loved animal is ill.

With regards to the chemo, I would think about what is best for the cat. I am lucky enough not to have had to experience chemo myself but can only image it is not a very nice process. People go through it because they want to live, they want to have more time with family etc. I would question why an animal would choose to be put through something like that. Would you be doing it for the cat or yourself?

I don't mean to be harsh and sorry if it comes across that way, this is easy for me to say - it is not my cat. However I would like to think if I ever had to make as choice like this I would think what benefit would the cat get out of it in comparison to the pain and discomfort it would go through, In this instance my decision would be it would be kinder to have him PTS.

tesuhoha

Didn't want to read and run. Hope they are re running the tests because the results are not conclusive and they are wrong about it. Please let us know the outcome.

izzy65

Sorry your going through this, I think I would try it and see, if he is sick and miserable then I would stop, as a human that has had ct I would not wish it on anyone.

SallyUK

Thanks Izzy, and for the other replies.

My other half thinks the same and said he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy.

I can't help but think we owe it to him to try and do something to keep him with us for as long as possible, but not if he's going to be suffering.

I wish I could waken up and find it's all a bad dream.

Sal

izzy65 wrote: »

Sorry your going through this, I think I would try it and see, if he is sick and miserable then I would stop, as a human that has had ct I would not wish it on anyone.

tesuhoha

SallyUK wrote: »

Thanks Izzy, and for the other replies.

My other half thinks the same and said he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy.

I can't help but think we owe it to him to try and do something to keep him with us for as long as possible, but not if he's going to be suffering.

I wish I could waken up and find it's all a bad dream.

Sal

You don't know for sure yet, things could still be okay.

rising_from_the_ashes

iammumtoone wrote: »

I am very sorry to hear this.

It is heartbreaking when a loved animal is ill.

With regards to the chemo, I would think about what is best for the cat. I am lucky enough not to have had to experience chemo myself but can only image it is not a very nice process. People go through it because they want to live, they want to have more time with family etc. I would question why an animal would choose to be put through something like that. Would you be doing it for the cat or yourself?

I don't mean to be harsh and sorry if it comes across that way, this is easy for me to say - it is not my cat. However I would like to think if I ever had to make as choice like this I would think what benefit would the cat get out of it in comparison to the pain and discomfort it would go through, In this instance my decision would be it would be kinder to have him PTS.

^^^^ absolutely this

I think you need ot have a much more in depth chat with your vet about what's involved ie how often is treatment / does the cat need to be admitted / knocked out everytime or is it a tablet that can be taken at home etc - what are the potential side effects - what is the pay off in extra life should treatment be successful

Personally I'd not put any of my pets through chemo / radio - I don't personally believe it's in their best interests

I am so sorry you're having to go through this - awful at any age but with just a youngster

Florence27

Firstly, sorry to hear about your distressing situation.

I had a cat with intestinal lymphoma 7ish years ago and he had chemo but I don’t think it’s useful to share my experience. He was much older, had it in a different area and treatment may have advanced since then so it cannot be compared but I know my head was spinning, desperately trying to work out what to do for the best.

I do remember the vet telling me that chemotherapy doesn’t have the same effect in cats as in humans i.e. it doesn’t necessarily make them sick. International Cat Care says this too: http://www.icatcare.org:8080/advice/cat-health/treatment-cancer-cats.

I hope the 2nd biopsy is good news but if it confirms the initial diagnosis then I’d ask about the possible side effects and:

• Will your vets carry out the treatment or will you be referred to a specialist? If you have to travel miles to a specialist and Bob hates travelling then you need to take that into account.
• What do they mean by 4 week induction period – does that mean weekly or daily vets visits? My cat was a softy and a good patient, he’d let the vets do anything to him but if Bob hates the vets and would get very distressed then that needs to be taken into account.
• What happens after 18 months? Or is that the estimated life span?
• What ”odds” does your vet give on the treatment being successful? They usually have some idea and also what does successful mean, is there the possibility the cancer will be cured or will it simply slow it down?
• If you have a good relationship with your vet ask him what he’d do if Bob was his cat. Sometimes asking that makes things a bit clearer, I’m not sure why but it’s helped me before.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and Bob (fab name by the way )

SallyUK

Thanks again for all your replies, they are so much appreciated in helping us to make such difficult decisions.

Sal
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mum2one

Wish could say something constructive, as a pet owner ( dog) I would do everything in my power for him, but would need to know that I'm doing the best for him rather than the best for me....

I would guess the 2nd test would be to clarify if it is cancer, as they may not have been looking for cancer, know it's completely different but using my father for example he went in to hospital with contispation and they found cancer of the bowel. They never really know 1st time what's what...

Another aspect is the cost - have you pet insurance - how long will/ would they cover for x

SallyUK

Hi All

Latest Update, we've decided to go ahead and try the chemo.

Other half went and had a talk with the vet again yesterday morning and had lots more of our questions answered. (We have loads!)

Basically, they've said the following:

They recommend another biopsy - a wedge biopsy this time to confirm diagnosis and these results would be back pretty quick. Apparently the prognosis for nasal lymphoma chemo treatment in cats is pretty good, they respond well, especially if the cal is a laid-back, calm cat, which Bob is. It can possibly cure, but no guarantees and it can come back. She said if it was her cat, she'd give it a go.

He would need to go to vet, one day a week, for 4 weeks for an induction course of chemo and to see how he copes with it. Then every 21 days for 6 months, then 12 months of tablet - chemo only.

If we don't choose that, we can go for a steroid and chemo tablet option, which is less likely cure, but will make him more comfortable and he wouldn't have to stay in vet's each time.

If we choose the steroid route, it might give him around six months. If we start with this, and it doesn't help, we can't then decide to go with the chemo as the immune system is suppressed.

We'd have to watch that Digby (our retriever) didn't decide to eat any of Bob's poo from the litter tray, as that is pretty dangerous for him, for 24 hours afterwards.

The insurers have said we have £4000 per condition, maximum.

Sal
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