Lasix For Pulmonary Cancer?

[cocoanlace]

My 14 year old kitty was just diagnosed with lung cancer. She has pleural effusion and had a thoracocentesis Saturday removing one cup of fluid. But after 36 hours her breathing is harsh again. With chest heaving. The vet gave me no instructions for palliative care. Only a list of oncologists should I want to pursue chemotherapy. I'm trying to keep her comfortable until her oncologist appointment October 3rd. My friend said Lasix makes the cat urinate more often and would not lessen pleural effusion. Anyone have experience with this? I called the vet's office to ask this morning but so far there is no response. Thanks.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hello- I'm so sorry!! I can't help with your question,but I'm wondering if this support group might also have info for you, if you're not already familiar with them?

Yahoo! Groups feline cancer

It's suggested to use a separate email address as that's how they communicate.

 

[cocoanlace]

Hello- I'm so sorry!! I can't help with your question,but I'm wondering if this support group might also have info for you, if you're not already familia with them?

Yahoo! Groups feline cancer

It's suggested to use a separate email address as that's how they communicate.

Thank you so much. I just sent a request to join. I should have known Yahoo would have such a group. Last year I belonged to the Yahoo feline asthma inhaled meds group before my asthma Kitty died. Thanks again.

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[white shadow]

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Hi cocoanlace.

I believe it would act to reduce the fluid.....be sure to press for an answer quickly - and, only from the Vet.

Here is a reliable reference for you - you'll need to pay attention to the detail in here....read the paragraph 'Congestive Heart Failure' carefully: Furosemide (Lasix, Salix, Disal) - Veterinary Partner - VIN. Now, drug interactions might come into play too.
.

 

[posiepurrs]

The only time I have used Lasix was with a cat with congestive heart failure - with the vets supervision. Last year I lost a cat to lung cancer, but she was given steroids as palliative care. We opted not to do chemo because her type of cancer was not very responsive to it. I am so sorry about your baby and you having to deal with this.

 

[cocoanlace]

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Hi cocoanlace.

I believe it would act to reduce the fluid.....be sure to press for an answer quickly - and, only from the Vet.

Here is a reliable reference for you - you'll need to pay attention to the detail in here....read the paragraph 'Congestive Heart Failure' carefully: Furosemide (Lasix, Salix, Disal) - Veterinary Partner - VIN. Now, drug interactions might come into play too.
.

Thanks for your input and the link. Appreciate it. I finally was able to talk to the vet specialist last night. She said no to the Lasix idea, no to my prednisolone idea, and said I could stop giving her Orbax which was what her regular vet prescribed for the white blood cell count before we knew it was cancer. The vet specialist said that Lasix and prednisolone would help some for other types of pleural effusion but not for lung cancer in her experience. She said Lasix would just serve to make her more dehydrated.

 

[white shadow]

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I'm very surprised to hear the specialist's reply.

I'd be requesting feedback from the Cancer group as soon as I could on both my reasoning for the drugs and whatever contras the oncologist had provided. (did that article suggest a problem with pred? I'll look.)

Were you approved membership there yet? A few years ago I had some delay with getting someone connected - it took a little "intervention"
.

 

[white shadow]

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From reviewing the VIN article, there seem to be two potential interactions - both involve the drugs you'd like to use: (this is copied directly - my emphasis)

1.
Furosemide is often used in combination with prednisone to reduce serum calcium levels. It is possible for this combination of medication to lead to a reduction in potassium level significant enough to require potassium supplementation.

2.
Because of the increased calcium excretion brought on by furosemide (i.e., an increase in urinary calcium levels), there could be a problem using this medication in patients with a history of calcium oxalate bladder stone formation.​

It seems to me, though, that these are manageable.

Has she ever had an issue with overly acidic urine/bladder stones?

You know, I think I'd be putting this to my Vet. Specialists can tend to 'tunnel vision' and may not spontaneously offer the bigger picture view. It certainly will not hurt to ask.

By preventing the fluid accumulation, you're also preventing a crisis situation and avoiding all the difficulties/trauma that usually accompanies these events.
.

 

[cocoanlace]

Thanks. I'm not sure what membership you are talking about. The link I followed took me to an article on the use of Lasix which I read. Starla has no problem with bladder stones and she is only in the beginning of renal failure as appropriate for her age. Starla does not have congestive heart failure. Her heart is fine.

 

[amandag1]

How does your vet suggest managing the fluid?

 

[white shadow]

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I'm speaking about the cancer group on Yahoo (in post #3 above you said you sent a request to join up). Have they approved your membership?

OK. Now the article on Lasix......I know Starla does not have CHF....she has accumulating fluid in her lung tissue from her cancer.....Lasix clears these fluids from lung tissue, no matter their cause, no matter if it's cancer or CHF, according to that article....and, the woman responsible for the article is a Board Certified Specialist in Feline/Canine Medicine - so, she should know a thing-or-two!

I suspect that members of that Yahoo group will have used Lasix to keep fluid buildups at bay.....but, ask and see. That could help support your case if you were to approach your regular Vet. Same thing for the Pred.
.

 

[cocoanlace]

Yes. Thanks. I successfully joined the Yahoo group and posed a question. So far no responses.
I drove Starlet to emergency at 10 last night, they admitted her, put her in an oxygen cage, and did a second thoracocentesis. This morning she will have an abdominal ultrasound to see if the lung cancer is primary or secondary. She sees an oncologist Friday afternoon where I can inquire about the best treatments including the use of Lasix or not, prednisolone or not, Etc.

 

[Furballsmom]

. .

 

[white shadow]

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Glad to hear about the cancer group. While they're definitely less busy these days, there's still lots of monthly activity showing there. (meantime, I wonder if group(s) have formed elsewhere (FB?).....their activity dropped off markedly in 2014, but cancer rates, if anything, will have increased)

I hope you can get answers from them before tomorrow afternoon - because, if other folks have used Pred and Lasix, you can share that with the oncologist to support/bolster your case.

Back above in post #7, you mentioned that Vet saying the Lasix would only serve to make her more dehydrated.....well, finding the right balance in cases like this is what it's all about anyway. It is a balancing act.

I really feel for you, especially for times like last night. I've been fortunate to have avoided that kind of crisis point, and frankly, I dread the very thought.

I want to post this now, but I'll come back with a tidbit about using fluids alongside Lasix.


Now, look here. I just noticed that you've been a member here for 11+ years!!! And.....in all that time, to this very day......there's not one picture of Starla! I'm sorry, but that just won't do
So, could you arrange a 'reveal' for this little princess
.

 

[cocoanlace]

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Glad to hear about the

I hope you can get answers from them before tomorrow afternoon - because, if other folks have used Pred and Lasix, you can share that with the oncologist to support/bolster your case.

Back above in post #7, you mentioned that Vet saying the Lasix would only serve to make her more dehydrated.....well, finding the right balance in cases like this is what it's all about anyway. It is a balancing act.

I really feel for you, especially for times like last night. I've been fortunate to have avoided that kind of crisis point, and frankly, I dread the very thought.

I want to post this now, but I'll come back with a tidbit about using fluids alongside Lasix.


Now, look here. I just noticed that you've been a member here for 11+ years!!! And.....in all that time, to this very day......there's not one picture of Starla! I'm sorry, but that just won't do
So, could you arrange a 'reveal' for this little princess
.

 

[cocoanlace]

I have posted a picture of Starla.
The emergency vet called and said that Starla is somewhat stable and still an oxygen cage. Her cancer is not curable. It has definitely spread and this is late-stage. Her treatment will be palliative only, extending her life one or two months. That most likely she will get prednisolone. They want her back on antibiotics as the radiologist thinks he sees pneumonia or additional cancer cells. I declined the puncture biopsy because the treatment would be the same with that or without. Now they want an abdominal ultrasound in case there are tumors there. Not sure if I should do that yet. It seems to be for the oncologist's information, so she will know if she should inject the chemo drug into the lung only or also into the abdomen. I am new to chemo but I would think you would inject so the entire body benefits. Interesting that their advice is different than the specialist in Ventura isn't it? After a while I can see this getting to a point where you have to decide who you believe. Test results are up to interpretation for sure. And apparently, so is treatment advice. I was so calm and now I'm getting stressed again.

 

[Furballsmom]

It has definitely spread and this is late-stage. Her treatment will be palliative only, extending her life one or two months.

 

[cocoanlace]

How does your vet suggest managing the fluid?

So far management has been through pleural Taps where they remove the fluid.

 

[Furballsmom]

How are you doing?