Cat diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

GailMA

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My Maine Coon mix Cody will be 15 in August. He has not been eating well for a year or so, and has been losing weight. His blood work was all normal. My vet took images that showed a swollen pancreas and immediately diagnosed pancreatic cancer. She now seems determined he's dying and wants to talk about euthanasia, but to me, he still seems like he's not in that bad of shape. The main problem is he just won't eat. There was no biopsy done, so the diagnosis of cancer was just an opinion. He could have pancreatitis, which isn't always fatal in cats. Opinion please!! Should I take him to a new vet?

Oh, he's taking 20 mg prednisolone/day, metoclopamide/every 8 hours and was on Alura, once a day, but I quit giving it to him as it seemed to cause a stupor like state.
 

FeebysOwner

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The most specific blood test for pancreatitis is known as feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, or fPLI. This tests for a marker specific to the pancreas, and concentrations are usually increased with pancreatic inflammation. One form of this test (SNAP fPL) is available as a rapid test and can give a same-day result in many veterinarians’ offices, while another form (Spec fPL) requires blood to be sent to an outside laboratory. It is not a guarantee that it will catch all cases, but it is the most accurate one out there that I know of. Whether you use the same vet or go to another all depends on whether you want, or don't mind, dealing the current one.

Are you thinking the Elura is causing the stupor? It is an appetite stimulant, so you could ask for Mirtazapine or its transdemal form - Mirataz instead.

Some cases of pancreatitis might also warrant pain meds and sub-Q fluids.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Personally, I'd get a second opinion. Pancreatic cancer in cats is rare, and typically shows up in bloodwork with high WBC, high liver values, even high (or low) glucose. Since his bloodwork was good, it could be that he has pancreatitis vs cancer. AND, pancreatic cancer CAN be treated if it isn't too far advanced. It is typically treated by surgery versus radiation or chemo. At least that is what I read. I'm by no means an expert on this topic.

Plus the xrays didn't show any tumors, right, just swelling. That is also a sign of pancreatitis. I would definitely be more concerned if that had actually seen a tumor on the image.
 

neely

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Personally, I'd get a second opinion.
I completely agree! :agree: And if possible consult a feline only vet or internal medical specialist. I also agree that a fPLI test should have been done. Regarding his appetite you can ask your vet for Hills Urgent Care A/D which is an overall nutritious food they should have at the clinic: Hill's PRESCRIPTION DIET a/d with Chicken Wet Dog/Cat Food

Best of luck to Cody, please keep us posted on his progress. :crossfingers:
 

iPappy

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" My vet took images that showed a swollen pancreas and immediately diagnosed pancreatic cancer. She now seems determined he's dying and wants to talk about euthanasia, but to me, he still seems like he's not in that bad of shape. The main problem is he just won't eat. "

Based on this alone, I would get a second opinion. I agree with the others who said a swollen pancreas can be many other things, as well as pancreatitis, which could explain his reluctance to eat as it's very painful. Best to you and Cody, please let us know how you're all doing.
 

NekoM

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There’s probably something not happening in the communication. Your vet may have explained things badly, it’s not hard to spot a tumor vs a swelling and given half the chance would run just about every test imaginable if she could, I think she needs to tell you why she isn’t running tests, and to show your the scans in a little more detail. You need a much bigger, clearer picture of what’s going on.
 
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Furballsmom

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Hi
This is from the fda website;
Elura is approved to manage undesired weight loss in cats; however, the drug is specifically for cats with long-term kidney disease, called chronic kidney disease or CKD.

As mentioned, with whichever vet (I'm assuming that your current one will be resistant to pain etc management, so I'm also suggesting a new vet) .. .. you'll want to talk about an appetite stimulant, -- and this as well and very soon since he's not eating;
Some cases of pancreatitis might also warrant pain meds and sub-Q fluids.
This sounds possibly less than beneficial for your cat, although I'm not a vet:
Metoclopramide for dogs and cats: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

You mentioned stupor, the pred can cause withdrawal (this is from innovet).
1674941453973.png
 

tamsynstead

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Wow, I’ve never heard of Elura, good to know!
I did some research on Elura as my cat has CKD. Something buried midst the hype in a medical journal stated the fact that several cats had died after being given this. I have a friend who runs a CBD business here in Thailand. She gave me a bottle of CBD oil and advised to give one drop per day. My cat is now relaxed and eats his entire dish complete with supplements mixed in. It does help that Royal Canin has just put an 'Early Renal' pouch of wet food on the market.

My advice to the OP would be certainly get a second opinion, there are as many bad know it all vets as there are doctors, and administer CBD oil and mix some of that Royal Canin into his diet. I'd even eat it and I'm vegan :D
 

NekoM

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My advice to the OP would be certainly get a second opinion, there are as many bad know it all vets as there are doctors, and administer CBD oil and mix some of that Royal Canin into his diet. I'd even eat it and I'm vegan :D
Thanks for adding that. CBD is without doubt the absolute best product for CKD, it stimulates appetite, controls pain and it exits the body without disturbing the kidneys. It’s not legal in every US state sadly.
 

Meowmee

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My Maine Coon mix Cody will be 15 in August. He has not been eating well for a year or so, and has been losing weight. His blood work was all normal. My vet took images that showed a swollen pancreas and immediately diagnosed pancreatic cancer. She now seems determined he's dying and wants to talk about euthanasia, but to me, he still seems like he's not in that bad of shape. The main problem is he just won't eat. There was no biopsy done, so the diagnosis of cancer was just an opinion. He could have pancreatitis, which isn't always fatal in cats. Opinion please!! Should I take him to a new vet?

Oh, he's taking 20 mg prednisolone/day, metoclopamide/every 8 hours and was on Alura, once a day, but I quit giving it to him as it seemed to cause a stupor like state.
So sorry about your kitty. I would get another opinion if it were me. I definitely would not euthanize my cat based on one x-ray and Dvm opinion. There would have to be more evidence that they were mortally ill, and perhaps going to suffering terribly very soon.

Were all those medication‘s for the fact that he hasn’t been eating a lot? Did the DVM ever diagnose why they thought he wasn’t eating? I hope you get some answers soon. As others said it could be pancreatitis.

Disorders of the Pancreas in Cats - Cat Owners - Merck Veterinary Manual
 

tamsynstead

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No it's not. CBD is a natural plant. You concerned about adding herbs to your food?
 
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