Fluid In Lungs, Difficulty Breathing, High Calcium Levels

Lindzee2018

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Yes - she is still eating (thank goodness!!)
I found this;

not sure if you had also read it or not.

Conservative treatment is recommended initially for chylothorax not due to malignancy or infection. Pleural effusion should be removed from the chest by needle aspiration for diagnostic purposes and to relieve extreme dyspnea. An over-the-needle intravenous catheter 18-16 gauge is placed ventrally as the radiographs may indicate. A chest tube should be placed on one or both sides of the chest if adequate drainage is not possible from just one side. The chest tube is used for removing accumulating fluid and flushing with sterile saline solution. Heparin 150 U/L can be added to the solutions to prevent clot formation obstructing the tube. Chest lavage 3 times daily is continued until the fluid is clear and very little can be recovered (2-3 ml/kg/d). This usually takes from 5-10 days of therapy. A diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates is the initial therapeutic modality. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT oil) 1-2 ml/kg/d can supply the needed lipids and by pass the intestinal lymphatics. Hills R/D diet is a low fat diet.
Surgical intervention is recommended if conservative therapy fails to resolve the cylothorax after 14 days. Thoracic duct ligation combined with a pericardectomy is considered the definative treatment for chylothorax and is highly effective. Bilateral chest drains are left in place and flushed for 3-7 days after surgery. Rutin has been used to reduce the inflammation and fibrosis that accompanies chylothorax. Rutin is a benzopyrone compound extracted from the fruit of the Brazilian Fava D'Anta (Dimorphandra) tree. No significant toxicity of rutin has been reported but there are no studies confirming its benefits. Suggested dose is 500 mg/cat orally twice daily.
 
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JessRae

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I found this;

not sure if you had also read it or not.

Conservative treatment is recommended initially for chylothorax not due to malignancy or infection. Pleural effusion should be removed from the chest by needle aspiration for diagnostic purposes and to relieve extreme dyspnea. An over-the-needle intravenous catheter 18-16 gauge is placed ventrally as the radiographs may indicate. A chest tube should be placed on one or both sides of the chest if adequate drainage is not possible from just one side. The chest tube is used for removing accumulating fluid and flushing with sterile saline solution. Heparin 150 U/L can be added to the solutions to prevent clot formation obstructing the tube. Chest lavage 3 times daily is continued until the fluid is clear and very little can be recovered (2-3 ml/kg/d). This usually takes from 5-10 days of therapy. A diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates is the initial therapeutic modality. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT oil) 1-2 ml/kg/d can supply the needed lipids and by pass the intestinal lymphatics. Hills R/D diet is a low fat diet.
Surgical intervention is recommended if conservative therapy fails to resolve the cylothorax after 14 days. Thoracic duct ligation combined with a pericardectomy is considered the definative treatment for chylothorax and is highly effective. Bilateral chest drains are left in place and flushed for 3-7 days after surgery. Rutin has been used to reduce the inflammation and fibrosis that accompanies chylothorax. Rutin is a benzopyrone compound extracted from the fruit of the Brazilian Fava D'Anta (Dimorphandra) tree. No significant toxicity of rutin has been reported but there are no studies confirming its benefits. Suggested dose is 500 mg/cat orally twice daily.
Thank you so much for looking into this for me. Unfortunately she doesn't have chylothorax. The cause of her Pleural Effusion is unknown, but suspected to be due to the cancer in her lungs.
 

Lindzee2018

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Thank you so much for looking into this for me. Unfortunately she doesn't have chylothorax. The cause of her Pleural Effusion is unknown, but suspected to be due to the cancer in her lungs.
Dang, I read it wrong. Ill try again in a bit.
 
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JessRae

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Dang, I read it wrong. Ill try again in a bit.
No problem. She was just diagnosed with: pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma and fibrosing pleuritis with carcinomatosis.

Sadly, it seems to be a very aggressive form of cancer. I read one blog about another person's cat who became weak in the legs due to carcinomatosis. So the cancer may be the cause.
 

Lindzee2018

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No problem. She was just diagnosed with: pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma and fibrosing pleuritis with carcinomatosis.

Sadly, it seems to be a very aggressive form of cancer. I read one blog about another person's cat who became weak in the legs due to carcinomatosis. So the cancer may be the cause.
I really Hope they give you options. The whole not worrying about the animals thing FROM THE VET thing is a disgrace. Mine seems to do that too.
 
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JessRae

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I really Hope they give you options. The whole not worrying about the animals thing FROM THE VET thing is a disgrace. Mine seems to do that too.
YES! Nothing like dumping a cancer diagnosis on you and then leaving you with no answers or help. It is ridiculous! I paid them thousands to finally diagnosis her and now they are useless and can't even give me a general prognosis or treatment options. It's infuriating.
 

Lindzee2018

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YES! Nothing like dumping a cancer diagnosis on you and then leaving you with no answers or help. It is ridiculous! I paid them thousands to finally diagnosis her and now they are useless and can't even give me a general prognosis or treatment options. It's infuriating.
They didn't give you any information? They just called and were like, your kitty has cancer, bye?
 
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JessRae

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They didn't give you any information? They just called and were like, your kitty has cancer, bye?
I found out when I paid for her discharge on Thursday. They printed the discharge sheet and I read it while I was waiting for them to bring her out. A vet student brought her out and I asked questions, but all she could tell me is what the cancer was but not the prognosis or treatment options. That night I got ahold of the resident surgeon on Zoe's case and he explained the type of cancer and said that I should be hearing back from oncology the next day to discuss options. Oncology never called so I called them. The receptionist spoke with them and came back telling me that oncology was never going to call me b/c they hadn't actually seen Zoe in person. It's not like they can SEE her cancer. The report is all they should need to tell me her prognosis and treatment options, but no, I've got to wait for my appointment in 5+ weeks! This cancer is aggressive - I don't think she'll last that long without some sort of treatment.
 

Lindzee2018

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I found out when I paid for her discharge on Thursday. They printed the discharge sheet and I read it while I was waiting for them to bring her out. A vet student brought her out and I asked questions, but all she could tell me is what the cancer was but not the prognosis or treatment options. That night I got ahold of the resident surgeon on Zoe's case and he explained the type of cancer and said that I should be hearing back from oncology the next day to discuss options. Oncology never called so I called them. The receptionist spoke with them and came back telling me that oncology was never going to call me b/c they hadn't actually seen Zoe in person. It's not like they can SEE her cancer. The report is all they should need to tell me her prognosis and treatment options, but no, I've got to wait for my appointment in 5+ weeks! This cancer is aggressive - I don't think she'll last that long without some sort of treatment.
Hugs to you,

As I saw above, I would be calling the Oncologist and Vet about 25 times a day until I got where I needed to go.

That vet would also have a piece of my mind for the crap they've put your kitty and you through. I dont know where you are from, but here in Rochester NY they have Banfield pet hospital, which my dogs go to. ( they offer plans that lower costs of medication, spays neuters, shots and other stuff.) Also on these plans free visits are included, and you are able to pay it monthly instead of all at once. Im probably going to switch my cats over to them too as soon as Shonzee is better, however... They are open everyday of the week and would most likely be able to see her a lot sooner than the oncologist, thus may be able to assist with something for pain or anything else she could use right now to help with slowing the cancer.

They run out of petsmart, but they do set up a whole office in the petsmart itself. I know they are in NY, and Ive seen from google they are in other states.
 
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JessRae

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Hugs to you,

As I saw above, I would be calling the Oncologist and Vet about 25 times a day until I got where I needed to go.

That vet would also have a piece of my mind for the crap they've put your kitty and you through. I dont know where you are from, but here in Rochester NY they have Banfield pet hospital, which my dogs go to. ( they offer plans that lower costs of medication, spays neuters, shots and other stuff.) Also on these plans free visits are included, and you are able to pay it monthly instead of all at once. Im probably going to switch my cats over to them too as soon as Shonzee is better, however... They are open everyday of the week and would most likely be able to see her a lot sooner than the oncologist, thus may be able to assist with something for pain or anything else she could use right now to help with slowing the cancer.

They run out of petsmart, but they do set up a whole office in the petsmart itself. I know they are in NY, and Ive seen from google they are in other states.
Thank you! I will look into them!
 

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I found out when I paid for her discharge on Thursday. They printed the discharge sheet and I read it while I was waiting for them to bring her out. A vet student brought her out and I asked questions, but all she could tell me is what the cancer was but not the prognosis or treatment options. That night I got ahold of the resident surgeon on Zoe's case and he explained the type of cancer and said that I should be hearing back from oncology the next day to discuss options. Oncology never called so I called them. The receptionist spoke with them and came back telling me that oncology was never going to call me b/c they hadn't actually seen Zoe in person. It's not like they can SEE her cancer. The report is all they should need to tell me her prognosis and treatment options, but no, I've got to wait for my appointment in 5+ weeks! This cancer is aggressive - I don't think she'll last that long without some sort of treatment.
I'd be going nuts, and I'd probably spend a bit of time reporting this crap to your states licensing board; this is not acceptable IMO to tell an owner their pet has cancer then disappear off the face of the earth and offer no information, no help, and no real options or prognosis.
THIS is why people turn to the internet for help. And when time is important, it becomes even MORE important to get answers and help ASAP!!!
Why oncology won't call you with information when they have her entire report in hand is really beyond ridiculous. I'd raise holy Hell :mad:
I can't even offer you any real advice but I feel for you and Zoe both, it sounds like a terrible thing and the very tone of your posts and your willingness to do whatever is necessary speaks very loudly. I know what it's like to be sitting with a pet that's sick with no answers. It's so, so, so frustrating.
Sending you and Zoe hugs. Hang in there.. <3
 
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I'd be going nuts, and I'd probably spend a bit of time reporting this crap to your states licensing board; this is not acceptable IMO to tell an owner their pet has cancer then disappear off the face of the earth and offer no information, no help, and no real options or prognosis.
THIS is why people turn to the internet for help. And when time is important, it becomes even MORE important to get answers and help ASAP!!!
Why oncology won't call you with information when they have her entire report in hand is really beyond ridiculous. I'd raise holy Hell :mad:
I can't even offer you any real advice but I feel for you and Zoe both, it sounds like a terrible thing and the very tone of your posts and your willingness to do whatever is necessary speaks very loudly. I know what it's like to be sitting with a pet that's sick with no answers. It's so, so, so frustrating.
Sending you and Zoe hugs. Hang in there.. <3
Thank you! I have found this whole ordeal extremely stressful. Instead of looking for treatments or ways to help, they immediately go to euthanizing. It's nearly impossible to find a vet who is supportive of treatment or hospice. And there's very few hospitals that have all the bells and whistles like ultrasounds and cts around here. I'm done waiting for the U hospital to help. I wasted too much time with them and their unresponsiveness. I have an appointment with another Cancer Care team on Thursday (although they aren't oncologists) and an appointment with a holistic vet who does Traditional Chinese Methods on Wednesday. I just pray it'll be in time. I've wasted so much time already.
 

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Praying right along with you!

I'm not sure what the general tone of holistic vets on this forum is, but we've had very good experiences using alternative medicine to treat ill pets, as well as the elderly. We recently lost a dog with plueral effusion as a main symptom, no real definitive diagnosis was able to be made (we opted out of lots of tests due to his age and stress level) but it was deeply suspected some kind of cancer. When he started having problems, we were given a death sentence with a very short prognosis (2-4 weeks, and the vet acted like 2 weeks would have been a miracle) but he went on for months and seemed to feel good.
I think these methods are good for us, too, as our holistic vet was very open minded about what we were wanting (the best life possible with the least intrusion for as long as possible).
I hope your experience is good. I don't think you've wasted a second, as I said earlier your tone is caring, worried, and not wishing to mess around with anyone who refuses to do what you're asking in order to help Zoe.
They're here to teach us and they do a very fine job. Think of all you'll learn on this leg of your journey together. =)

Whether our cats are 8 weeks or 18 years, every day matters together! I think most people here get that and I'm pretty sure you do, too.

Wishing for the best for you!! Hang in there...it's tough but they're worth our worry.​
 
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JessRae

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Praying right along with you!

I'm not sure what the general tone of holistic vets on this forum is, but we've had very good experiences using alternative medicine to treat ill pets, as well as the elderly. We recently lost a dog with plueral effusion as a main symptom, no real definitive diagnosis was able to be made (we opted out of lots of tests due to his age and stress level) but it was deeply suspected some kind of cancer. When he started having problems, we were given a death sentence with a very short prognosis (2-4 weeks, and the vet acted like 2 weeks would have been a miracle) but he went on for months and seemed to feel good.
I think these methods are good for us, too, as our holistic vet was very open minded about what we were wanting (the best life possible with the least intrusion for as long as possible).
I hope your experience is good. I don't think you've wasted a second, as I said earlier your tone is caring, worried, and not wishing to mess around with anyone who refuses to do what you're asking in order to help Zoe.
They're here to teach us and they do a very fine job. Think of all you'll learn on this leg of your journey together. =)

Whether our cats are 8 weeks or 18 years, every day matters together! I think most people here get that and I'm pretty sure you do, too.

Wishing for the best for you!! Hang in there...it's tough but they're worth our worry.​
Thanks so much! And I'm so very sorry about your dog. But glad you had months together where he felt well. Do you recall what the holistic pet did to make him feel better? That is my number 1 goal - to help her breath better. The pleural effusion will kill her long before the cancer.

You are right - every day matters! I'm trying to get as many cuddles as possible while we still have time.
 
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JessRae

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Ave you looked into acupuncture?
No - I haven't looked too much into acupuncture. Do you have experience with it? The holistic vet I see tomorrow doesn't do it, but I still have a backup appointment on Friday with another holistic vet that does. Maybe I'll keep that appointment instead of canceling.
 

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I have experience with it for my two cats.
One had an oral carcinoma and was drooling blood nearly everyday. The acupuncture vet stopped the bleeding after 5-6 weekly sessions. And she also made my cat's pain go away.
This cat is now at the Rainbow Bridge :(

The other cat was suffering from vomiting and stomach issues and these symptoms were dramatically reduced after a few sessions of acupuncture.

I would take both cats at the same time.
 
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I have experience with it for my two cats.
One had an oral carcinoma and was drooling blood nearly everyday. The acupuncture vet stopped the bleeding after 5-6 weekly sessions. And she also made my cat's pain go away.
This cat is now at the Rainbow Bridge :(

The other cat was suffering from vomiting and stomach issues and these symptoms were dramatically reduced after a few sessions of acupuncture.

I would take both cats at the same time.

Thank you! I will look into this!
 
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I met with a holistic vet yesterday and a cancer care IM today. I left Zoe at the Cancer Care center to get the fluid in her lungs drained. The plan was to start a chemo drug tomorrow, but they just called. They ran blood work and her platelets are gone. They can't drain the fluid. I am shattered. I don't know that there's much left to be done. I'm going to pick her up today. They are giving her prednisone and an appetite stimulant and I'm supposed to bring her back in tomorrow to repeat the blood work. He said there's a chance that her platelets could come back with the medication. I'm so angry that the doctors at the other clinic didn't prescribe prednisone sooner. They kept saying to just wait until I could see oncology. Now it's too late.
 

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I met with a holistic vet yesterday and a cancer care IM today. I left Zoe at the Cancer Care center to get the fluid in her lungs drained. The plan was to start a chemo drug tomorrow, but they just called. They ran blood work and her platelets are gone. They can't drain the fluid. I am shattered. I don't know that there's much left to be done. I'm going to pick her up today. They are giving her prednisone and an appetite stimulant and I'm supposed to bring her back in tomorrow to repeat the blood work. He said there's a chance that her platelets could come back with the medication. I'm so angry that the doctors at the other clinic didn't prescribe prednisone sooner. They kept saying to just wait until I could see oncology. Now it's too late.
Oh, man. I signed in, and was so hoping for good news!! :(
Don't give up. There is a chance the platelets can come back but I understand your feelings of being shattered, or like someone just ripped the floor out from under your feet.
Prednisone is powerful stuff, but a good drug IMO in these situations. It's pretty intense medicine that I don't use lightly, but in some cases we have no other choice. It's always worth a shot, you never know, it might improve things enough so treatment can be done? I hope so!!
Sending you tons of well wishes, hugs and prayers.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this!! :(
 
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