16 Year Old Cat With Lymphoma

Hi everyone. I’m sorry for the long post, but I’m really conflicted. In summary, mine and my wife’s almost 16 year old cat was diagnosed with a stomach lymphoma about three months ago. He has been seeing a specialist internal medicine/oncologist vet for other issues and he found it. After two rounds of chemo, there was no sign of the stomach lymphoma, and he perked back up eating and gaining weight.

Unfortunately, two weeks ago lymphoma was found in his intestines and the first chemo did nothing. The oncologist tried a different drug a few days ago and now my little guy suddenly stopped eating (like turning off a light switch), so my wife and I are syringe feeding him until his next appointment Monday (the day of this post is Saturday). He’s on an appetite stimulant, which is now not working.

He developed a heart murmur and kidney disease about a year ago, but responded fantastically to treatment for both of those. The vet said, prior to his lymphoma, given his condition and blood tests, he could theoretically live another two years or more with just those two issues as long as they remained stable.

The thing that is absolutely gut wrenching for my wife and I is, other than not eating, he’s still going about his daily routine just like normal, and he is still alert and active for a 16 year old cat. We’ve had four cats previously, and we’ve never experienced this before. When our previous cats got sick, it was abundantly clear within a week's time what we needed to do. This time, not so much as the outward signs are not there even though we know he’s sick. He appears pretty normal, and there are no signs that he is in pain. Given our previous experience we feel like we know what to look for.

Has anyone been through this and lymphoma before? We don’t want to cut his life short, but I don’t want him to suffer either. I can say that syringe feeding is not a long term solution.

If the not eating started right when he was put on a new drug, I would try a different one.. Are there any other options for treating the lymphoma that doesn't involve the new drug? Some medications just don't work for some cats- my cat was on a very common drug for stomach problems (blanking on the name of the drug now) but it actually gave her seizures. My vet said it's rare but can happen- maybe it's just an issue with the drug for your kitty too?

I am so sorry that you and your boy are going through this. Making decisions in the face of catastrophic illness in pets is so very hard. I agree with alzycat that this may be an issue with the medication, and might be addressed. Talk with your vet asap about this.

Now, this is the hard part. WHEN is it time? I've always believed that it is better too soon than too late, to err on the side of the angels and prevent undue suffering. But still, WHEN? This article has a quality of life chart that can help you quantify your cat's situation. It seems very clinical, but sometimes it is just necessary to take the emotional component out of this. And it is something you can print out and keep handy on his journey with this illness. I only hope that it helps.

The Feline Quality of Life Scale Helps You Determine If It's Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat | Catster

Thank-you the article makes sense. Our little guy is definitely over a 35 right now. He is still talkative and plenty strong. He jumped down at least four feet and ran across the yard today fast enough that I couldn’t catch him, which is what’s so confusing right now. I’m holding out hope that his issues are related to his chemo.

It helps to be able to quantify, doesn't it? And if he's moving that fast, there's plenty of life in the old boy yet!

Do know, without doubt, that you are no longer alone on this journey, no matter where it might lead.

I would like to thank everyone for the support and info. Even though our little guy was motivating along pretty good when I wrote the first post, his condition deteriorated rapidly within about 24 hours. He got weaker Saturday night and yesterday (Sunday). Yesterday it was obvious that something more was going on. He was still trying to eat, but it got to the point Saturday night and Sunday where he would not drink either. Cats are particularly susceptible to negative effects of not drinking. Even though I upped his Sub-Q fluids, you just can’t make up all of not drinking. I couldn’t give him but so much fluid due to his heart condition. He was becoming dehydrated.

We took him back to the oncologist today, and the last round of chemo did not work, plus his white blood count had dropped precipitously from last week, and he had lost quite a bit of weight over the past seven days.

The oncologist gave him maybe three to five days, and the end would not have been pretty as one can imagine. The cancer had returned to his stomach, and was in his intestines, so he was obviously beginning to suffer. We made the awful decision this afternoon to send him over the Rainbow Bridge.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I lost my cat to lymphoma a few years ago and the roller coaster leading to the final days is tough.

Sounds like your guy had a pretty good long life and enjoyed the love of you and your wife. You gave him the ultimate act of love by allowing his suffering to end. You'll carry him in your heart forever.

So sorry for your loss. Please take comfort from knowing that you provided love and good care for your little one right to the end, including letting him go when he may have started to suffer otherwise. Try to remember him in happier, healthier times xx

I am so sorry for your loss. You showed him the greatest act of love you could give to your pet: taking away his pain & giving it to yourself, in the form of grief.

I am so sorry. So very, very sorry. I know how hard ALL of you fought.

I am so sorry to read this. It's always difficult; but I think even more so when it comes so quick like that.

Play happy over The Bridge sweet baby.



Per TCS policy; I am closing this thread for replies now.