Cancer Diagnosis And Appetite Stimulant?

My beautiful, previously healthy 13 year old male cat seemed to lose his appetite a week ago. By day four, we took him in. An X-ray revealed pleural effusion in the chest and we were referred to a cardiologist who removed the fluid. His heart is fine but the lab diagnosed him with Pulmonary blah blah carcinoma (sorry, can't remember all of it).

I am devastated. I truly expected him to live to at least 15 or 16. I realize that there is no hope for him, but I hate seeing him eating so little. He "normally" would eat 1-1 1/2 5 oz cans of food a day; now about 1/4 of that. He seems to want to eat but sniffs it and walks away.

He spends a lot of time under the bed but does come out to be petted and look out the window.

I asked the cardiac vet if he suggests an appetite stimulant and he said something like "you could but it might not work". It is so hard to watch him eat so little.

If anyone has experience with cats with cancer and appetite stimulants, I'd like to hear. Lastly, I'd also like to know how will I know it is time.

Heart-broken.

I am truly sorry about your kitty and can well relate. I too had a cat with Pulmonary broncheoalvelar adenocarcinoma. She had a lung lobe removed followed by 5 weeks of chemo which resolved the problem.

Have you consulted with an Oncologist? I would suggest you consult with an oncologist at this point to explore your options. They could best give you prognosis and caregiving tips to foster quality of life as well as answer questions regarding lifespan.

As for appetite stimulant, my kitty received Mirtazapine which helped appetite greatly. Your vet can advise dose.

Don't give up yet, there is still a lot you can do to enhance his quality of life.

Hi, I am too sorry for your boy's diagnosis. But, I also agree with everything B babiesmom5 said!

See how quickly you can get the Mirtazapine started, and for right now until you can get in to see an oncologist, feed him anything he wants - canned tuna (in water), human chicken, turkey - even try Gerber baby food meats (no onions/garlic/etc. added). There are pouches of gravies for cats that can be added to food, as well as food toppers that might intrigue him to eat a little.

Also ask the vets about pain and if he should be receiving any pain meds as well.

Unfortunately, the mirtazapine didn't work at all. He continued to only eat a few bites a day and his breathing was labored so we put him down this morning.

I feel so robbed. He was 13 but I fully expected him to live to 15 or 16. I am so heart-broken.

Doody said:

Unfortunately, the mirtazapine didn't work at all. He continued to only eat a few bites a day and his breathing was labored so we put him down this morning.

I feel so robbed. He was 13 but I fully expected him to live to 15 or 16. I am so heart-broken.

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I am so sorry. I lot my Raggie at age 9 to renal disease. I felt the same as you. After about 1 year I was able to open my heart again. I know have 2 kittens that are 8 and 10 months. I just wanted you to know that there are many of us who can sympathize with you.

RIP little boy.

When you are ready, you can post a tribute to your little guy (and his name), along with pictures and stories in the Crossing The Bridge section of this site. It is where we all go to honor our lost loved ones, and share with the rest of TCS whatever feelings/emotions we want. It's like a lasting memorial to our babies who have left us.

Thank you. I am surprised by how hard I am taking this.

You just never know for sure until it happens. Thinking about it is hard enough, experiencing it is at a whole other level.