Large tumor near spine

oyster

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Our 13 year old furball was diagnosed with a large tumor near his spine today. They did blood tests and an x-ray and found the tumor.
Biscuit had been sick for about two weeks with a possible cold/herpes and had stopped eating. I took him in last week and the vet injected him with antibiotics for a possible cold/ herpes flare-up. He began eating again although was still quite lethargic. By yesterday, he had stopped eating completely, and I took him in again, today. He is breathing hard, has no symptoms of a cold, and is not eating. He is lapping up some chicken broth I had made, but not much. We have been asked to syringe feed if he stops any eating/drinking.
Long story short, he was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago and I put him on a holistic medicine (shiitake mushrooms, etc.) and that seemed to work for him. (I received a LOT of help on this site and am very grateful for it.)
He was thriving but it seems that a tumor has returned in another part of the body, now. We are devastated and wondering how to proceed because our vet says we should put him to sleep. While I don't want him to suffer, I also don't want to give up without a fight.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
 

di and bob

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Please research some holistic supplements and see if they help. There is a good site called HomeoAnimal.com that has many supplements for tumors and cancer. It also has many testimonials saying the medicines shrank tumors. I give my cats (who have Leukemia) DMG and LifeGold from amazon and they have done amazingly well, no flareups for over a year. Both help the immune system, and LifeGold helps with cancers. in the meantime, go to Walmart and get some Delectable Lickable treats in the stew flavors, not the bisque. That is what I offer my cats when they stop eating. and they always eat that. Even a few laps a couple of times a day helps. I take it surgery to remove the tumor is out or too risky?
I'll pray for Biscuit, and for you to find the strength to know when the suffering becomes too great. My heart goes out to you, I know how numbing and horrible this all is........please know we are all here for you.
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Our 13 year old furball was diagnosed with a large tumor near his spine today. They did blood tests and an x-ray and found the tumor.
Biscuit had been sick for about two weeks with a possible cold/herpes and had stopped eating. I took him in last week and the vet injected him with antibiotics for a possible cold/ herpes flare-up. He began eating again although was still quite lethargic. By yesterday, he had stopped eating completely, and I took him in again, today. He is breathing hard, has no symptoms of a cold, and is not eating. He is lapping up some chicken broth I had made, but not much. We have been asked to syringe feed if he stops any eating/drinking.
Long story short, he was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago and I put him on a holistic medicine (shiitake mushrooms, etc.) and that seemed to work for him. (I received a LOT of help on this site and am very grateful for it.)
He was thriving but it seems that a tumor has returned in another part of the body, now. We are devastated and wondering how to proceed because our vet says we should put him to sleep. While I don't want him to suffer, I also don't want to give up without a fight.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
What a terrible thing, my heart goes out to you. I know how devastated you might be. Was the tumor near his spine discovered today? It's very concerning that he is breathing hard, not eating, and lethargic... did you discuss with the vet what avenues you could take, and what would be the odds of him getting better? I know you don't want him to suffer -- did the vet bring up giving any pain killers while you try to get him more stable with eating, if possible? I think a tumor near the spine might be painful. My heart goes out to you!
 
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oyster

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Thank you so much. I have just ordered the DMG and Life Gold. I don't know if it will arrive in time. He was diagnosed with the tumor today--yes.
Our vet gave us pain medication but to get an in-depth look at the tumor, we would need to go to a specialist and Biscuit would be too stressed for that trip--almost 2 hours away. He also told us that we should put him out of his misery today. I can't make that call yet.
He is drinking chicken broth with some shredded chicken (I made same earlier and froze it) and have added supplements to it. I had taken him off of them this summer thinking he didn't need them anymore.Silly me! The tumor was not there in June when he went to get x-rays taken for a different reason. So, it has grown exponentially in the last 4 months--when he was off his supplements for lung cancer.
I hope to keep feeding him chicken broth every few hours and syringe feed if necessary.
 
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oyster

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Any suggestions as to when you know your cat can't take it anymore? ( I already read a lot of responses on "Crossing the Bridge" forum)
Attached x-ray of tumor (large oval shape near spine). Any idea where exactly it is?
 

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oyster

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Update: Biscuit is rapidly going downhill. He is breathing hard, not eating at all, spitting out food when force fed, and hiding. I think it's time. Thank you all for your help.
 
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