[JViello]

Well, he's curled up on my lap sleeping right now. With the tumor out, even with being stitched up and still healing he's worlds better. Yes I realize he's got radicals cruising around his bloodstream, but it's really nice to see him "normal" again.

I'm $3300.00 into it so far...sigh, we'll see what the insurance reimburses.

Originally Posted by davwve

Also, check out the AMC in the city.

Animal Medical Center - New York City

Thanks for that, I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by mels

I have no advice to offer but I wish Leonardo the best. I hope he kicks cancer's a** and has a speedy recovery! Maine coons are awesome cats (never had one but know a couple), they really are unlike any other cat.

They really are. My wife had never experienced them, I've owned them all my life. I tried to warn her. LOL He won her over pretty hard.

Originally Posted by willow wind

All animal lymphomas are fatal with in a couple months to a couple of years or less. One dog did not respond to the initial chemo and so had to be put down. The other did respond and had a good quality of life for another year .

I'm sorry to hear about the doggies. I'm hoping he gets some time to at least heal back up from this ordeal. He's lost a lot of weight. A year more with this guy would be great.

It is tough looking at something you love so much, knowing the clock is ticking down. But then again, isn't it always anyway? To live and loved surely outweighs never loving.

Originally Posted by willow wind

The chemo protocol is confusing- I made huge monthly charts of what meds had to be given daily in varying sequences over the course of the month.

Tufts University in North Grafton, MA ( easy trip for you) may be a good choice for a second opinion or for help with the chemo protocol. Top notch veterinary school there.

Thank you for that info. Getting that kind of information is like pulling teeth. It's so random and the doctor is always so freakin busy he doesn't seem to have 5 minutes to talk to me. (Which is another reason I'm interested in a specialist.)

Thanks for the kind words, and some real world experience.

[Stylo]

Hope it works out. My sister had the same cat. I'm not a big cat person, but Maine Coons are pretty awesome. Almost dog-like personalities.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Almost dog-like personalities.

Bingo! It's like having a CatDog.

I really wasn't kidding when I said he fetches. LOL We play all the time. I'll sit on the sofa watching TV and toss a toy, he'll run after it, get it, jump up on the sofa and spit it out on my lap...rinse repeat. And when someone knocks on the door, he runs over "grrrrrrr". Chases my truck like a dog, comes when called, goes for walks with the family etc. lol

YouTube - The Maine Coon Who Thinks He's a Dog



We take Leo out like this sans the harness. He just hangs out and walks the trails or whatever we are doing like a dog.

YouTube - Maine coon - S*Street cats Rip It Up

Great breed. Really unique. Super smart too.

[Aquaboy]

Best of luck to the cat! Our old orange tiger has a tumor, and theres no affordable care in this part of the world.
I hope the kitty does OK!

[Tin Knocker]

JV, sorry to read this stuff, but glad you apear to be getting some extra time with him. Animals are easy things to get attached to, our dog Sam is going on 16 years old, had him longer than the kids. But even though we'v gotten more years than we thought out of him knowing the end is coming is tough to swallow. One small comfort is he doesn't know, just as your cat doesn't know. Long as they wake up in the morning all the world is a sunny place, ignorance truly can be a blessing. Dont know what else to say, just be strong & be there.

[willow wind]

Nothing quite like a Maine Coon- you have a wonderful cat.

One thing- don't be worried about giving the cat chemo. Unfortunately animal chemo does not seek to cure illness, only to extend quality of life. But that does mean that it is not given in such huge does as would be given a human. They're given just enough to try to put them into remission.

With people on chemo we might expect hair to fall out, to develop really severe vomiting, be unable to eat, lose a lot of weight, be really weak, etc.

With animals however, getting a smaller dose pound per pound, there are seldom any severe side affects, certainly not what happens to humans. If they respond to the chemo, most do just fine on it . The worst you might expect is a some minor, easily controlled stomach upset. The hair stays put
and the pet acts otherwise normal.

Here is some info on Tufts small animal clinic where you can make an appointment with a specialist.


Foster Hospital for Small Animals: Veterinary Specialties — Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Whatever you do though, do it soon. If you're going to see a specialist, use one locally or whatever but time is of the essence. If you have a good vet and don't feel you need a specialist, he can set up the chemo treatments too. Most of it is pills you give at home in conjunction with some intravenous at the vet ( if they decide to use that form of treatment.)

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Tin Knocker

One small comfort is he doesn't know, just as your cat doesn't know. Long as they wake up in the morning all the world is a sunny place, ignorance truly can be a blessing. Dont know what else to say, just be strong & be there.

Thanks for the dose of reality, it helps. You are right, he really doesn't know. He's sleeping next to me right now, was in the kids room with us hanging out earlier, and doesnt' realize he's skin and bones or has stitches down his stomach...okay maybe the stitches but you know what I mean.

I do have to say, he's day and night from a few days ago. If he dies tomorrow, I can rest knowing I made the right decision for his comfort and his mental state.

Originally Posted by willow wind

Nothing quite like a Maine Coon- you have a wonderful cat.

One thing- don't be worried about giving the cat chemo. Unfortunately animal chemo does not seek to cure illness, only to extend quality of life. But that does mean that it is not given in such huge does as would be given a human. They're given just enough to try to put them into remission.

With people on chemo we might expect hair to fall out, to develop really severe vomiting, be unable to eat, lose a lot of weight, be really weak, etc.

With animals however, getting a smaller dose pound per pound, there are seldom any severe side affects, certainly not what happens to humans. If they respond to the chemo, most do just fine on it . The worst you might expect is a some minor, easily controlled stomach upset. The hair stays put
and the pet acts otherwise normal.

Here is some info on Tufts small animal clinic where you can make an appointment with a specialist.


Foster Hospital for Small Animals: Veterinary Specialties — Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Whatever you do though, do it soon. If you're going to see a specialist, use one locally or whatever but time is of the essence. If you have a good vet and don't feel you need a specialist, he can set up the chemo treatments too. Most of it is pills you give at home in conjunction with some intravenous at the vet ( if they decide to use that form of treatment.)

Intersting. Thank you. The Vet I'm dealing with, I seem to have a personality clash with, and that's kind of rare. The facility has like 10 doctors, but I got stuck with this guy.

He really and amittedly doesn't know squat about this type of cancer - his own words. But he's "consulting" with oncologists. Yea, maybe. But if you don't have time to come spend a minute with me when I'm picking him up, how much time do you really have? I was at the "pickup desk" and wanted so speak with the guy. What I got back was "The Dr said he'll speak with you next Friday about the chemo when you come to have the stiches removed." Seriously? Screw that.

His recommendation was to let him go for 10 days to heal (He obviously had an intestinal bi-section) before adminstering chemo or as he said "anti immunal meds" or something like that.

Either way I'm going to start calling around for consulation tomorrow. I'm not waiting 10 days if that's the wrong decision.

Anyhow...THANK YOU for the additional info. It really really helps.

[46Barb]

Sending lots of healing vibes. I never owned cats until I met my now husband who owned a maine coon. We went on to get 2 more. We lost one at an early age due to kidney problems and lost our other boy almost a year ago at 9 who had a heart attack in front of us. We are now left with one who fills the house with so much love and rules the dogs!

My husband always said that maine coons are dog like and the breeder of our anatolian shepherd said they are cat like.

Your boy is gorgeous. Sending hugs to you and your family for all you are going through.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Aw crap, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm unnaturally attached to my dog, so I totally get your pain, fear, and sadness.

I don't know anything about cats, but I do know that my vet practice has a whole "wing" for non-routine needs.

Here's their website: Home

I also know that there's a canine oncology place in Windsor (or South Windsor?), but I don't know if they handle felines, too.

Oh, I just looked them up. They're in South Windsor and they DO handle felines.

Here's their website:
South Windsor Veterinarians | VCA Valley Animal Hospital | Home
Connecticut veterinary oncologists - Hartford area, CT

I have no direct knowledge about them, other than passing the building once and praying that I'd never need to know them personally for my dog.

Get well, Leonardo!

Dawn just wanted to say thanks again. I'm meeting with a doctor over at VCA in S Windsor this afternoon. Looks promising.

I'm amazed at how resiliant this little guy is. Perhaps it's because he just came out of kittenhood. (Coons don't mature till 3-5 years old)

Originally Posted by 46Barb

Sending lots of healing vibes. I never owned cats until I met my now husband who owned a maine coon. We went on to get 2 more. We lost one at an early age due to kidney problems and lost our other boy almost a year ago at 9 who had a heart attack in front of us. We are now left with one who fills the house with so much love and rules the dogs!

My husband always said that maine coons are dog like and the breeder of our anatolian shepherd said they are cat like.

Your boy is gorgeous. Sending hugs to you and your family for all you are going through.

Thanks Barb...much appreciated. The heart attack sounds horrible. Poor thing. I wonder if it was an enlarged heart as it's one of the few problems this breed can have. Leo was misdiagnosed at 2 years old with cardiomyapathy.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by JViello

Dawn just wanted to say thanks again. I'm meeting with a doctor over at VCA in S Windsor this afternoon. Looks promising.

I'm amazed at how resiliant this little guy is. Perhaps it's because he just came out of kittenhood. (Coons don't mature till 3-5 years old)

You're most welcome, Jay. I'm glad to be of help although, in a case such as this, I wish that you didn't need it. I wish that Leo wasn't sick at all.

Please let us know how it goes this afternoon. We're all hoping for great news.