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We knew it was some kind of blockage and he vomited a pretty incredible amount of hair so we treat it as such for a couple weeks...but nope.
They are removing a section of his intestine and say they don't see it spread anywhere else but the Dr is saying with this type of cancer that it's hard to say. Could be months to just over a year.
Mentioned Prednisone as a treatment but no chemo. Not sure why.
This was a very hard decision because I don't want him to have to go through this all over again just to be alive for 4 months. I've read some sites that say 20-30 months with chemo and steroids, but the doc said "ah, no".
He's at one of the best vets in the area with like 10 doctors on staff etc so I know they know what they are doing.
Anyone care to prove the doctor wrong?
As you can see in the pics, this guy is my buddy. Chases my truck across the lawn when I come home like a dog, and is in my lap more than not. So yea, this sucks.
My 5 year old main coon Leonardo (Leo the lion. ) was just finally diagnosed with lymphoma after an exploratory surgery.
As you can see in the pics, this guy is my buddy. Chases my truck across the lawn when I come home like a dog, and is in my lap more than not. So yea, this sucks.
OMG! My heart is aching for you. That is truly not good news. Please ask the vet why he doesn't recommend chemo. With cancer you just never know. One is cured and another is not.
You might want to get a second opinion from a specialist (if you can afford it)? There is a chance that it has not spread and he might be ok??? (if I am understanding your post correctly?) I would try what I could, until there is no hope for him and he is suffering, then I would let him go as peacefully as possible. Hoping for a miracle for your boy...
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The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. ~Henry David Thoreau
OMG! My heart is aching for you. That is truly not good news. Please ask the vet why he doesn't recommend chemo. With cancer you just never know. One is cured and another is not.
Thank you. It's not that he didn't recommend it, he just didn't mention it. Maybe he just assumed?
Quote:
Originally Posted by katzenfreund
You might want to get a second opinion from a specialist (if you can afford it)? There is a chance that it has not spread and he might be ok??? (if I am understanding your post correctly?) I would try what I could, until there is no hope for him and he is suffering, then I would let him go as peacefully as possible. Hoping for a miracle for your boy...
It was pretty bad where it was and was blocking his intestinal tract, but they say there were no signs of it anywhere else. They pulled some tissue from the lymph nodes (I think) to test and it seemed okay. He said they were swollen, but that's what happens with blockage.
From what I'm reading general prognosis is remission for 7-12 months but they say with agressive treatment some cats go 20-30 months. The vet was not so optimistic with those longer numbers but also said "he really could not tell". I was curious to get some personal testimony and not just see some technical paper written on the issue.
At this point, I just hope he comes home and heals up long enough to get "normal" and be with family before getting sick again. It would kill me to have him not fully heal and start going down hill.
We have VPI Pet insurance, but I'm not sure how much they will cover of the treatments. I got the "premium" plan, so I would hope they do cover chemo etc.
Is there any chance that the cancer will not return? is there a vet school near you where they might have some new treatments they are testing?
I am so sorry you and your sweet boy are going through this
Well from what I'm reading...unfortunately, no. They say it goes into remission pretty well the first time, but after it comes back - and it does, it's pretty much terminal.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm sort of pissed that no one (Been to two clinics) even MENTIONED that cats go through this and it causes blockage. I mean at least freakin mention it so I don't get a punch in the face driving down the highway from a phone call while he's on the operating table. I mean I at least could have be prepared and done some research etc.
I had to make this decision, unexpectedly in like 3 minutes. I just want him not to suffer as much as possible and knowing nothing about, this I went with keeping him alive.
It didn't go like this but basically it's like getting a surprise phone call from your vet saying "yea, he's on the operating table and we found a terminal disease...live or die?"
I think a stiff drink is in order...
I laugh and cry about pics like this...I have a ton. What a family oriented cat. Not many would tollerate a stroller ride. LOL
I am praying for miracles for your buddy. I am truly at a loss for words here.....how does one express heartfelt compassion for you?
My encouragement to you>>>>I know from personal experience (me) that if I had listened to doctors I would not be walking today. If I were you, I would do everything I could for my baby, and I am talking here research on his condition, treatments, checking out holistic treatments and doctors, and above all, keep a positive outlook and love love love your baby with all you have! All things are truly possible with LOVE.
I am praying for miracles for your buddy. I am truly at a loss for words here.....how does one express heartfelt compassion for you?
My encouragement to you>>>>I know from personal experience (me) that if I had listened to doctors I would not be walking today. If I were you, I would do everything I could for my baby, and I am talking here research on his condition, treatments, checking out holistic treatments and doctors, and above all, keep a positive outlook and love love love your baby with all you have! All things are truly possible with LOVE.
Thank you for the encouragement. I'm very much a positive, "can do" kind of guy. I'm also insanely detailed in thought and mechanics. I gave these people more information than 90% of their clients because I know my cat.
The first vet mentioned the possibility of "exploratory surgery" but of course I said "well, that's kind of invasive are there options?" And yes there were. However, IF this "Doctor" said to me - "It's common for cats to get intestinal cancer and cause a blockage" I would have said "cut him". I'd rather a flesh wound and health. Instead, he's had this tumour growing for a month and spreading around. That vet (Beckett and Associates in Glastonbury CT) has not heard the last of me...I can promise you.
I'm just sick of people who just "get through the day" rather than pay attention and give a crap.
This little guy is a big piece of our lives. I've had cats since I was a young boy...but Leo is different. I've been through some incredible trials the last 6 years and Leo has been a major part of it. He's family. Period.
And it's not nuts. I'm a Christian, and many in my faith think animal lovers are nuts. (Granted many do not as well)
I would say to them read this:
2Sa 12:1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor.
2Sa 12:2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle,
2Sa 12:3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
2Sa 12:4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
2Sa 12:5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!
2Sa 12:6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
Saint Francis might have a thing or two to say about it as well.
Fist let me say... I am sooooo sorry.
Second, Leo is absolutely GORGEOUS!
I think, if I were in your shoes, I would scour the Internet and see what all I could find as far as treatments, support, etc. At a quick glance, I found this site: The Feline Lymphoma/Cancer Caregivers Guide They aren't vets, but there are a lot of shared stories.
I'm really sorry to hear your cat is ill. He's a beautiful boy. The best to Leo, and you and your family.
You're right; it does suck.
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) was just finally diagnosed with lymphoma after an exploratory surgery.
