cutaneous round cell tumour

lyndas01

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Gracie, she's 17 years old, was just diagnosed with cutaneous round cell tumour.  It took me completely by surprise.  It started out as a little growth on her back and grew within days.  The vet removed it and said that it was likely nothing.  Well I got the news today that Gracie has cancer and probably only 3 - 6 months to live.  My vet said that I could try chemo for her, but I don't think that I will do that.  I am devastated.  Has anyone else had this happen to their cat?  Gracie has always been a very high maintenance cat.  She started out with kidney issues, then she got arthritis, then diabetes, IBD and now this :(  She has always been an indoor cat, eaten the best food, had the best place to sleep, and pretty much ruled the house.  She has never been much of a "cuddle cat" but within the last couple of weeks she sits on the sofa with me, sits on my lap, lets me pick her up and dance with her.  
 

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I've been where you are. We did go the chemo route but his cancer came back and all it really did was buy him 6 months full of vet visits. But our vet was optimistic and we had hope. I think if I had to do it again I wouldn't do chemo again (at least with a cat who hates the vet and carriers).

Just cherish your time with her. Take lots of pictures. Don't worry about her waist line. Hug her every night. Love and prayers with you and your family in this time.
 

neely

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I'm so sorry to hear about Gracie, my thoughts are with you.  Although not exactly the same our dog was diagnosed with cutaneous systemic histiocytosis, also skin related and can lead to malignancy.  Our vet did a biopsy and when he received the results referred us to a veterinary dermatologist who treated him with cyclosporine and several other meds. which saved his life. Do you think it would be advantageous to consult with a dermatologist for a second opinion?  i completely understand if this is not an option for you but just wanted to be supportive.  Please keep us updated on Gracie and know that I am sending special vibes for both of you.
 
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lyndas01

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Thank you all so much for your advise.  I have done a little research and will be asking my vet about trying prednisone - this is supposed to help with quality of life.  Gracie has been acting strangely for a while - just sitting and what I call "howling" and I am wondering if she is in pain or is she just being Gracie (she is a very spoiled cat and doesn't like it when I am not in her line of vision)  

This all started with a growth on her back which the vet removed.  It just showed up one day and doubled in size in a few days.  Is this just a skin cancer, can it affect any of her organs?  Now that I am over the shock of finding out that my little girl has cancer, I will ask my vet more questions, but she can only advise me from a medical stand point.  I would like more advise from pet owners that have been through it.  

What type of symptoms should I be looking for, I want her to have a good quality life but I don't want her to be in any pain either.
 

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Hello @Lyndas01  - I gave hospice care to my sweet boy this past year for 4 months.

I can tell you if she is hollowing, she's in pain.  As was suggested to me, I would recommend asking your vet for Buprenex, its a pain killer that comes in a liquid form premeasured in a syringe and you just wait until the cat is calm and administer it to their gums.  Easy...

My boy has SCC the tumor was on his jaw and stayed there but grew internally as it progressed.

I would suggest buying a high calorie food, like the Royal Canin RX or a similar brand, get some weight on her, because if the cancer progresses she will lose weight.  This was my experience.  Although, most important, ask your vet first...  

Now, being that my boy was terminal and to remove the tumor his jaw would have been partially removed and no other treatment was an option, we decided to keep him comfortable and free of pain, and just let him enjoy life to the bittersweet end.  The doctor also had him on clindamycin for infection.

If your sweet Gracie is the type of cat to let you massage her, I would massage around her neck, under the legs and joints and all over to make sure nothing is growing.

There is lots of quality and happy times ahead, just see if you can get her some pain meds.

Feel free to PM me if you need a shoulder.  I totally understand the shock.

Best to you, keep us posted.  
 
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lyndas01

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The tumour was on Gracie's back.  The vet said that it there was nothing to the surgery.  My daughter had a dog with the same thing 3 years ago and Holly is still alive and well.  Gracie's stitches will come out next Thursday and I will have a bunch of questions for my vet.  I am hopeful.
 
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lyndas01

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Gracie seems to be holding her own.  Her diabetes is totally under control, she eats and drinks and her weight is stable but she seems to sleep a lot more than she did before (she is 17 years old).  She has acquired a cough and sneezes.   Have an appointment to see the vet so I guess we will see what she has to say.  Gracie has not had any more lumps or growths, she lets me massage her and she has become a lot more affectionate, and this is wonderful because she would not let me hold her much.  Despite all what appears to be positive I am concerned that she is not well, and this cough is concerning me.  Most times when I look at her, she looks wonderful her eyes are bright and she looks very happy, and other times she looks pretty tired.  Am I trying to kid myself or is the time drawing near for me to say good bye to her.   
 

2Cats4everLoved

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I'm sure Gracie being 17 would be tired on occasion, but you know her best.  I think you should trust your mommy intuition.  If  you say she is acting happy, content, and bright eyed, I'd take that as a great sign at quality of life.  If she's eating and bathroom habits are all working that's also a great sign Gracie is still functioning as she should.

I won't sugar coat it, I would be concerned at the cough and sneezes.  When my girl would cough and sneeze she was usually put on an antibiotic, and would clear up, but your vet will be able to give you the right answers on how to cure.  I think it's pretty great that Gracie's diabetes is under control.

I would get her to the vet for the cold and I would also enjoy her new found affection.  Both my boy Simon and Chestnut, when they were ill, they knew what I was doing for them, and they too became more affectionate, my boy more so, my gal was always a big lovable pillow. lol

Gracie is 17,  but I wouldn't read into if the end may be nearing.  I truly believe cats can pick up on our anxieties.  Sit back and love her until that time comes, whenever that may be.xoxo

I say as long as she isn't in any pain, and again, she's eating and faculties are as normal as they can be for an elderly kitty.  Enjoy sweet Gracie.  

You two are lucky to have had one another for so long.

Please keep us updated on the cough and sneeze.

And please take care of yourself.  Warmest regards, Hope
 
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lyndas01

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Update on Gracie - cough and sneeze cleared up but now her appetite is the problem - she has lost a lot of weight, she now weighs 8.6 pounds. She seems to be holding her own, except for the weight loss. She was losing interest in eating so I mistakenly (should have done more research before I gave this to her) tried the Temptations Treats (which she loves!) to tempt her to eat. She is definitely hungry but won't eat anything that I try to feed her. I have tried 8 different types of catfood, human food (tuna, salmon,chicken) I know she is hungry but turns her nose up at what I give her - except the Temptations Treats. I am desperate! I am not ready to give up on her - she loves to be brushed, still does the stairs, purrs like mad. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should try to feed her. Any advise would be welcome -
 

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Can your Vet give you some mirtazipine or cyproheptadine to increase her appetite?

I know you said you tried Tuna, but Tuna Juice is great also.. get a can of human tuna, packed in water. Put it in a container and add some water. Tuna juice is usually a great go to.. and you can add some of the tuna to it.. or just top some food with it. Just keep adding more water to the container.

Or a bit of cheese mixed in with food. My guy goes crazy for a bit of cheese.

If you can afford it, I would get a second opinion at a specialist.. a big Vet hospital, or one affiliated with a Veterinary school...

(((Hugs)))
 

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I'm please to read Gracie is holding her own.

I have to say, I agree with artiemom artiemom and disguise the food.

Can you crush the Treats and sprinkle them over food, perhaps she'll start taking a few bites of the food. Even if it's not much it's more than she's been getting. She may discover that she enjoys a full belly and eat more.

Thanks for the update. Be well.
 
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lyndas01

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Thank you for the advise - I went out and bought some baby food, some good quality catnip and called my vet. Gracie ate the food and I noticed a difference in her right away, maybe it also had something to do with the little bit of catnip that I gave to her. My vet was happy with my plan of action and she thinks that Gracie may have tooth issues which is what I had suggested to her as well - so we set up an appointment to have it checked it out. Gracie is still in rough shape but she is bright and alert and wants to cuddle. So my husband and I will take what time we can get and love her to pieces. We realize that Gracie's health can turn at any time - every second is precious. Thank you for your support and comforting words. I am really glad that I discovered the cat site. It's nice to know that there are other people out there that love their cats as much as we do.
 

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Gracie eating is good news.

Yes, I highly recommend that you lover her to pieces. When taking care of my terminally ill boy, I realized that me being upset also upset him. They are very sensitive to their caretakers vibes. No matter how sad or frustrated you feel, try and keep your voice calm and in the tone you naturally use with her.

And don't forget to take care of yourself, that's important!!!

Fatten that girl up. LOL I have a good feeling about your sweet baby.

One trick I used with my boy as his mouth became deformed from the tumor was to blend with a hand blender his wet food. I would take a can of the high calorie RX Recovery food, add a 1/2 to whole can of hot hot water to it, and blend it. It was a little soupy but when chilled in the fridge it became a pudding like consistency. I knew he was getting it down and it added much needed water to his diet. I would add baby food to it or tuna juice and he loved it.

Please keep us updated when you can. Best to you and your family.
 
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lyndas01

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Took Gracie to the vet yesterday to check out her oral health. Turns out she had a very bad case of build up on her teeth. This was taken care of. She wasn't terribly hungry yesterday and I am trying everything that I can to encourage her to eat. She is so thin and doesn't look terribly happy. If only she could talk and let me know how I can help her. I feel so helpless; my husband keeps telling me she is 17 years old and sleeping is naturally what an old cat does. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement, I am trying very hard to keep my feelings hidden from her. When she appears from her sleeping place I smile and pick her up and tell her how glad I am to see her and how much I love her. I went to my local Pet Value today to find out if there was any other type of food that I could feed her - the clerk there is very knowledgeable and is sympathethic with my situation. This may be the wrong thing but Gracie absolutely loves Temptations Treats and I have started crushing 2 of these treats and sprinkling it on her food along with some water and she is eating; probably not the healthiest thing to do, but at least she has had some nourishment today. Hopefully tomorrow will better. I have tried tuna juice, baby food, special food from the vet, Friskies, Fancy Feast and she turns her nose up at all of it. My counter looks like a veritable smorgasbord for cats. Once again, thank you and any advise is more than welcome.
 

2Cats4everLoved

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I would say and please know I'm no expert, but if Temptation Treats is what the gal wants, then the gal should get.

At 17 I would feed her what she's craving. Get her weight up anyway you can. I had a bad experience with those treats and my boy. He also loved them but then developed crystals, and after his operation it was as if he knew they made him sick and walked away and never looked back.

If Gracie loves them, then give them to her.

I agree with your husband. Sleep is very important, sleep heals and resets the body in both animals and humans.

Gracie is so very lucky to have such a caring family. I wish you all the best.

Thanks for the update.
 
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lyndas01

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We said good-bye to my sweet girl yesterday. She had lost a 1/2 pound between Friday and Saturday - I phoned my vet and brought Gracie in. It was heartbreaking to see Gracie so thin and weak - I could feel every bone in her body and she was wobbly on her feet. She still wasn't interested in eating, except for the Temptations treats. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make but it just wasn't being fair to her any longer. When a person is faced with this type of decision you wonder if it is the right thing to do. is there anything that I missed, is there anything that we could do, I was grasping at anything to help Gracie make it. I asked my vet - who has been my vet for the past 35 years - if this was the right thing to do, with tears in her eyes she said yes. She carried out an autopsy and found that cancer had spread to Gracies liver, intestines and was probably going to spread to the pancreas as well. which would have caused Gracie nothing but pain and misery and I could not have done that to my sweet little girl. The tumour was pressing on Gracie's stomach. Now I know it was the right decision but I still feel horrible. When I walk in the house it feels so different, like something is missing. I miss her so much, I am expecting her to come around the corner and tell me that it is time to eat, but she is not there. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and help. I am glad I discovered the cat site and all the loving people on this site. There are so many people out there that don't understand the love of an animal. Thank you
 
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