My Cat Charlie - Pancreatitis? Lost alot of weight and Little appetite

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
If cost isn’t an issue because insurance, then yes, please discuss with your vet what kind of biopsy, possible complications (and how common or rare they are), and if there is a recovery period and what to expect from that.

I know my initial hesitation with biopsy is that Krista did not have a mass. She had thickening of the intestinal walls. To biopsy that, they would have to remove a chunk of her gut walls—what they call a full-thickness surgical biopsy—so they can evaluate all the layers and not just the top layer that an endoscopy would retrieve. Fine needle aspirate was not an option. She did have a fine needle aspirate of her liver and came though that just fine without missing a beat. No recovery period.

The other reason I skipped a biopsy (and probably common among others who responded) is because Krista’s ultrasound notes were clear. It was either IBD or small cell lymphoma. No mass. No mention of large cell lymphoma. So my treatment options were treat for IBD or treat for small cell lymphoma. In her case, we tried one. It didn’t work. We tried the other. But that’s not what Charlie’s ultrasound indicated. And you have to make a decision on Charlie’s diagnostics. Not Krista’s

So there are different cancers, different biopsies, different drugs, and different opinions on what to do. We here can speculate and give our opinions and experiences. But at the end of the day, not one of us is qualified to make a recommendation for his treatment.

I’m glad you’re discussing the options with your vet. He’ll be far more valuable to Charlie’s treatment than us here. And whatever you decide to do, you’ll have a better peace of mind about that decision when you make it with the best information available. Just make sure you ask and ask again if there’s anything you’re not sure about or don’t understand.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #82

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
If cost isn’t an issue because insurance, then yes, please discuss with your vet what kind of biopsy, possible complications (and how common or rare they are), and if there is a recovery period and what to expect from that.

I know my initial hesitation with biopsy is that Krista did not have a mass. She had thickening of the intestinal walls. To biopsy that, they would have to remove a chunk of her gut walls—what they call a full-thickness surgical biopsy—so they can evaluate all the layers and not just the top layer that an endoscopy would retrieve. Fine needle aspirate was not an option. She did have a fine needle aspirate of her liver and came though that just fine without missing a beat. No recovery period.

The other reason I skipped a biopsy (and probably common among others who responded) is because Krista’s ultrasound notes were clear. It was either IBD or small cell lymphoma. No mass. No mention of large cell lymphoma. So my treatment options were treat for IBD or treat for small cell lymphoma. In her case, we tried one. It didn’t work. We tried the other. But that’s not what Charlie’s ultrasound indicated. And you have to make a decision on Charlie’s diagnostics. Not Krista’s

So there are different cancers, different biopsies, different drugs, and different opinions on what to do. We here can speculate and give our opinions and experiences. But at the end of the day, not one of us is qualified to make a recommendation for his treatment.

I’m glad you’re discussing the options with your vet. He’ll be far more valuable to Charlie’s treatment than us here. And whatever you decide to do, you’ll have a better peace of mind about that decision when you make it with the best information available. Just make sure you ask and ask again if there’s anything you’re not sure about or don’t understand.
Understood. Yeah I guess in just some way, even a remote of a way of thinking of the probability that is isn't something cancerous and instead something completely curable/treatable - though a mass that size does concern me let alone, a mass that says its part of the intestinal wall based off report and mere fact how Charlie lost so much weight I guess in a short time. Even I tried to positive/wishful thinking it may not be so serious because in this past week without any medications he has resumed his eating to near normal amounts - just avoiding now completely his dry food and alot of other certain foods he used to eat. I know it was mentioned that he avoids certain foods because he thinks it may hurt him or not feel good. But the other thing is that despite him eating near normal amount back when he was around 10lbs, I feel like he isn't gaining any weight back despite the eating sadly and that at times makes me feel like its the worst case scenario which it may be indeed.

But from other pet owners point of view, even if it was cancerous, without medication, is that even possible for Charlie to be looking physically sick 2 weeks ago when we took him to vet (unless it was the pred shot?) that after stopping the medication he'd not only resume eating but act somewhat normal by walking around, drinking water like his usual self? I did notice though of late he likes being and laying down by the window sill A lot more then usual not sure why. He always liked windows but to sleep by there is new.

Also if cancer was progressive and rather rapid, I'm sure with no treatment at all they get ill faster, but really the only ill sign now I see in Charlie is just still thin, eats OK, but no vomiting. He still passing small amounts of stool but no diarrhea, no blood or anything. Wouldn't he start eating far less, or stop all together, just sleep and not move around much, and also be throwing up?

And what about the slightly lower numbers on his blood? Id ask the vet but When i got the copy I saw some lower then normal range. Red blood cells was a pinch high but that was because I read its him being dehydrated, and I know he was because our vet told us and gave him fluids. But the others...I see that only if they were ABOVE normal it means something , but nothing really on below normal numbers?
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
All questions for your vet or specialists. Start a notebook so you’re sure to ask all your questions.

Cancer can affect cats in many different ways. Often unexplained weight loss is the only presenting symptom.

Also ask your vet about B12. It’s an important vitamin that can be depleted by GI conditions like IBD and cancer. Once depleted, it becomes difficult to absorb from diet alone. When deficient, it can impact so many systems and make recovery that much more difficult. The good news is that it’s cheap and easy to give as a subcutaneous shot (into the scruff of the neck.) It’s something you can learn to do at home to save him car trips and money. A typical B12 replacement protocol might be weekly for a month, then every other week for another month, with a maintenance schedule of once a month. That would be a lot of vet visits if you didn’t do them at home. Done right, the cat doesn’t even notice the shot. You can look it up on YouTube to see examples of how it’s done.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #84

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
All questions for your vet or specialists. Start a notebook so you’re sure to ask all your questions.

Cancer can affect cats in many different ways. Often unexplained weight loss is the only presenting symptom.

Also ask your vet about B12. It’s an important vitamin that can be depleted by GI conditions like IBD and cancer. Once depleted, it becomes difficult to absorb from diet alone. When deficient, it can impact so many systems and make recovery that much more difficult. The good news is that it’s cheap and easy to give as a subcutaneous shot (into the scruff of the neck.) It’s something you can learn to do at home to save him car trips and money. A typical B12 replacement protocol might be weekly for a month, then every other week for another month, with a maintenance schedule of once a month. That would be a lot of vet visits if you didn’t do them at home. Done right, the cat doesn’t even notice the shot. You can look it up on YouTube to see examples of how it’s done.
So I just spoke to our vet, gosh at times he can sound so caring and gentle but now he seemed like he was...frustrated or something I don't know maybe because he's an old guy he at times sounds intimidating sort of but...anyway.

So he basically said its not the endoscopy but its also not just a needle. They need to open him up through surgery and remove sample that mass in his intestine. no needle can do that. So he would already not be able to eat in 3 days :( and be in the hospital for 3 days given intravenous fluids. He explained there will always be that risk because of his age, anything could go wrong on the surgery table like with any other animal, and mentioned worse case scenario go in to cardiac arrest from anasthesia. Again , he's reiterating nothing is guaranteed. (i hate that part but i know he says is to protect himself and his office). Then he brings up, of course even if after the biopsy, we determine what type of cancer or lymphoma it is, there's that chance, sure the oncologist will suggest proper medication based off that biopsy, but then even that he said its no gaurantee the chemotherapy will fix it and he still may pass away sooner rather than later. So basically Nothing was a guarantee.

He mentioned as if it was his cat, being that Charlie is 15, we actually DONT go through the biopsy, instead just accept we did everything for him for his life, upping his dose of prednisolone of 10mg (2 5mg pills a day), and see if it shrinks that mass a bit over time and will just stall it out bit longer before he detriorates then put him to sleep. He said (which i feared as well) its a huge investment, and a large gamble to put him through being his age - to do the biopsy THEN the oncologist follow up and medications. It's such a hard thing to deal with :( I have no idea now because just when I was thinking of doing the biopsy, now he made me think it's not worth it, but instead now got to just keep him up as long he can sort of and have him die sooner then later. He did mention there still that chance its not even cancerous..but no way of knowing. I just dont know what gamble to make, either no biopsy and have him on prednisolone or do biopsy...and risk everything else.
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
Sorry it's not an easier biopsy.

I just remembered another place you can consult:

Felinelymphomasupport groups.io Group

If you post to that newsgroup, you should get some replies within a day. When I was trying to determine why my Krista wasn't achieving remission,I posted to them. They weren't able to help me specifically pinpoint the issue (that I was using a trigger food to wrap her pred pill halves.) But it's clear there was a lot of knowledge and experience within that group. One of them may even have a specific experience to share with a mass in the intestines.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #86

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
Ok I will def check it out.

I actually took Charlie today for a 2nd opinion to another clinic, sadly resulted in not too much of help. Still mentioned a biopsy would be needed to truly determine the mass, but other wise he can be on steroids. The vet mentioned he could be on steroids until it didn't work, but then she also said its best that they are not on it for some time. However the difference here is that my initial vet last suggested if I didnt go with biopsy, just to increase dosage to take (2) 5mg prednisolone tablets a day. This newer vet she told me he could start off at breaking one 5mg prednisolone in half, so i guess 2.5mg of presnisolone twice a day for a week, then taper off to just once a daily, then 3rd week once every other day. I guess that's the tapering off others mention online from what i read. But its such a stark difference where main vet said 10mg basically in a day, and this new one 5mg a day.

As an update, seems like he gained some weight (was not weighed though at check up new place - but he does feel def bit heavier then last week), he has been eating near normal amounts for the past week, no mirtz or pred. Still no answer to from vet(s) as to what it means that he eating near normal unlike two weeks ago. But he still very picky on the food.
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
You could and should monitor his weight. Amazon has a baby scale for $50 or $60 that works great with cats. Much more accurate than the weigh yourself, weigh yourself holding cat, and subtract the two method. Cancer eats calories. If he‘s maintaining or gaining weight, he probably doesn’t have cancer. But...if you wait until he starts losing weight, any weight he would lose to the biopsy surgery and its recovery won’t be gained back until the cancer is in remission. So yes, you could probably wait on the biopsy depending on whether he’s maintaining his weight. But a biopsy now is going to be easier on him/have less risk than a biopsy further down the road when he’s already losing weight.

I like the second vet. 10 mg is a lot of pred! I like a more conservative dosing with a taper schedule. If you give him too much pred, you can work his body too hard. I feel like that’s partly why Krista didn’t recover even after remission. Her body was worked too hard and just gave out when she got a bladder infection. I would say, if he doesn’t seem to need the steroids, then either wait or use them conservatively with a taper schedule.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #88

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
Right! Thank you so much that's exactly what I was thinking - 10mg is TOO much. I literally just spoke to my family here that I think we should do, well rather cut it in half twice daily. Well here was her schedule, I was incorrect initially:

Cut 5mg tablet in half, give one half twice daily - so thats 5mg in a day, for one week. Then 2nd week, just one whole 5mg tablet once daily for a week. Then 3rd week - one 5mg tablet every other day until he runs out which I think its 20 pills. so rather than giving him half I think I will try just one 5mg tablet night time once a day for 1 week, then 1 tablet every other day until he runs out. Twice daily even though half, may throw him off and his already strict eating habit.

And yes most definitely feel at very minimum he maintained weight because when we took him to vet today, the bag carrier certainly felt heavier as my arm was bit tiring after much shorter time holding it compared to last Thursday when we took him for ultrasound. Im still hoping it's not cancer - after all it does mention thickened bowel so to a certain extent, my main vet told me the other day that the prednisolone would hope to reduce the size of that mass and overall the inflammation. Not sure if that's correct to say...but as far as the biopsy - I'm so scared. Beside the surgery risk, he mentioned of course many things could go wrong and plus at his age of 15, cardiac arrest with anasthesia would be an issue and since he was 2 weeks ago at 7.8lbs, without eating for 3 days at the clinic- he could lose even more and get worse. I know it sounds like I'm giving up on having him longer then I guess the few weeks-months it says online about treating him with prednisolone alone...but I just can't go through with him on that surgery. Let alone - one thing I forgot to mention, he gets scared VERY easily, he got tested like maybe 2-3 times in the past 5 years or so because his heart would be beating sooo fast and they thought he had heart murmur or something. He got tested but that was all normal. I KNOW his heart rate gets really elevated because he gets scared from slightest of sounds/events. So that is why having him go through surgery, be there alone for 3 days will stress hiim like hell and that hurts me. I know it seems by not doing the biopsy, I'm in a way gauranteeing his death to come sooner than later...but then our main vet said even WITH the biopsy, then say oncologist referral and gives treatment, theres the chance he may not respond to the therapy or he will but still may not increase his lifespan. Basically said its a huge gamble and for his age - he suggested that I should accept that I did the best I could for him, he had a long healty life and we should monitor and care for him as long he's around now until the end. Since cost isn't really my issue, it's just the thought of having him go through so much to even HAVE a chance of keeping him a few years...and thats even who knows if there will be side effects on him, i just feel its way too much on the poor guy. So I do plan on just having him on the pred as given by both vets - but just at 1 5mg tablet daily for a week, then taper it off to one 5mg tablet every other day. But then I guess my question is, what happens when I run out? I could ask the vet if I should get more, or should this one pill bottle ...be enough ? I forgot to ask that.
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
Speak to second vet about your plan to change the pred schedule before you do. Don’t just freestyle it. It’s a powerful drug and giving it wrong can be worse than not giving it all.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #91

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
Speak to second vet about your plan to change the pred schedule before you do. Don’t just freestyle it. It’s a powerful drug and giving it wrong can be worse than not giving it all.
ok! So I just got responded back by this vet, amazing stuff how clear they are. Ill quote it below:

We placed Charlie on a tapering course of steroids. He will begin on 1/2 tablet twice a day for one week, then progress to a 1/2 tablet once a day for one week, and then 1/2 tablet every other day till gone. When we’re giving steroids, we want them to take the lowest, but most effective dose to manage their clinical signs.
Theoretically, Charlie can stay on steroids long term, but we had discussed potential for referral, so I didn’t want his medications to interfere with any samples that would be taken.


So it seems like he needs to be on that 1/2 tablet every day for 2nd week and 1/2 tablet eveyr other day from there on. I did reply back to see what their thoughts was if I should proceed with the biopsy or not. Unfortunately him feeling slightly heavier was not true as I asked about his weight and he has practically only maintained his weight since 2 weeks ago initial visit. He weighed then 7.8lbs and last night he was 7.7lbs...despite him eating near his normal amount in the past 2 weeks...thought surely he gained but him losing .1 lbs or keeping somehwat steady isn't as assuring :( . With cancer, is he supposed to keep on losing weight steadily? Or does he top off at some point?

The thing with the biopsy at our main vet was that he would be in there for 3 days, unable to eat anything. It lists in estimate he would be on IV therapy for those 3 days, will that cause him to at least maintain his weight for those days? Scared that him not eating would further weaken him. Let alone, can't even imagine how it would affect him mentally as well. it's too scary - plus our main vet literally said if he was my cat, he wouldn't go through it given his age....

.
 
Last edited:

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
With cancer, the weight loss is unrelenting until a remission is achieved. My Krista started at 7.5 or 8 lbs. It got upsetting and depressing to weigh her and see nothing but loss that I stopped doing it until her remission. She passed at 3 lbs 4 oz. It was losing all this weight including much muscle that no doubt contributed to the rapidity of her final decline. She literally did not have the strength to fight anymore. But I also believe her vets’ willingness to leave her on daily pred indefinitely also weakened her and prevented her from recovering when a remission was finally achieved.

As for the three days at the vet hospital after the biopsy, I can’t imagine he’ll be feeling all that well anyway. They’ll keep him comfortable and safe. He’ll probably just want to sleep much of that time.

I encourage you to post to that feline lymphoma group I posted above. They’ll have more experience and insight than I do. I’m just one guardian who cared for one cat that didn’t even have the same cancer (if Charlie has cancer.)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #93

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
No of course, totally understand about how it's not the same cancer as Charlie. When you say unrelenting, you mean it's inevitable or in a sense of progression it wasn't fast? Not sure if Charlie's 2 weeks of maintaining weight is any sign... And I'm glad that at least I think you mentioned - your Krista's ultrasound revealed or guided in two directions whether was IBD or lymphoma. Charlie's ultrasound is literally TBD...

I figured our vet clinic would keep him safe and comfortable during whole process. it's just, should something go wrong god forbid, well he could even pass away on the surgery table from what I've read online too about the process - hence the no guarantee. It really sucks :( Meanwhile he acts now totally normal even this morning he sat by my mother at her side on the couch like he used to. It looks so decieving yet, if it was a type of cancer, thought by now after at least 2 weeks he would be already getting worse.

But yes I am trying to figure that site out actually it's a bit confusing. I can't make a post without creating some type of an email account? I already have an account on there..but not sure how to post? Do I hit on New Post on the left hand side menu?
 
Last edited:

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
No of course, totally understand about how it's not the same cancer as Charlie. When you say unrelenting, you mean it's inevitable or in a sense of progression it wasn't fast? Not sure if Charlie's 2 weeks of maintaining weight is any sign... And I'm glad that at least I think you mentioned - your Krista's ultrasound revealed or guided in two directions whether was IBD or lymphoma. Charlie's ultrasound is literally TBD...

I figured our vet clinic would keep him safe and comfortable during whole process. it's just, should something go wrong god forbid, well he could even pass away on the surgery table from what I've read online too about the process - hence the no guarantee. It really sucks :( Meanwhile he acts now totally normal even this morning he sat by my mother at her side on the couch like he used to. It looks so decieving yet, if it was a type of cancer, thought by now after at least 2 weeks he would be already getting worse.

But yes I am trying to figure that site out actually it's a bit confusing. I can't make a post without creating some type of an email account? I already have an account on there..but not sure how to post? Do I hit on New Post on the left hand side menu?
Unrelenting in that each week, she was losing a little more or she wasn't gaining despite eating as much as 11 oz a day (over 300 calories for a 7 lbs cat--or less--without weight gain was just insane!)

I think once you have signed up and joined the group, you can send an email to the group directly: [email protected]
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #95

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
As an update on Charlie:

Unfortunately not much any better, but not any worse either. The more and more I realize and think about it, he might simply not eat certain goods because he became/becoming very picky eater. He now seems to like only a very few handful type of canned food, and not even go near the foods he liked the most weeks prior.

I've been in contact and asking questions to a secondary vet for next opinion, but now it seems she isn't proving to be as helpful. First of, I had Charlie re-start his prednisolone at 5mg a day for a week few days ago, took it 3 times so far but no real improvement yet. I asked the 2nd vet but she didnt really answer my question: If we noticed no improvement or changes with the prednisolone, should I just stop it overall as it may not be working/suited for his issue? (if anyone else can suggest would be of great help).

Secondly, I brought up how Charlie is making those teeth grinding noise and how pronounced it is when he chews his Pate food at times, definitely more pronounced and quite often too. But again, secondary vet said it shouldn't be whats contributing to his diminished appetite. I did point out to her that it seems hes rather picky with his food as some days he will eat alot if its the right canned food, and other days just lower amounts if it isnt the flavor he likes. Vet had no comment on that either... I still try to give this 3 kinds of dry food he used to eat, but he won't have any. Actually if anything, today earlier he managed to eat off ONE lone dry food bit that was leftover on my other cats bowl and he ate that surprisingly. But that was it. He wanted more food but instead we gave him his leftover canned food from the morning. But at times i wonder if its his mouth giving him this eating issue he doesn't want to eat or didnt want to eat weeks ago?

I don't really see his weight further decreasing nor his appetite diminishing further either. Which I guess is a good sign...but overall he just still isn't himself of course, its because whatever is making him feel ill is stilll TBD but I'm just not going to do the biopsy. Secondary vet said she would contact an Internal Medicine specialist to have her/him contact me about Charlie's case see if they provide consultation over the phone instead of bringing Charlie physically into their offices. Wish I had better help on that but I did reach out so just awaiting to see if hospital/specialist can provide such service. This is NYC so...im sure like most vets they'll want to see Charlie as well. Poor guy :(

I was even thinking, since in theory, the prednisolone ISNT curing or resolving the "cancer" issue so, in theory if hes still around in weeks to come and/or not diminishing and still eating, I wonder if only then - I should consider doing that surgery biopsy to see exactly what it is? Or maybe even do a secondary blood work or ultrasound prior to biopsy? I just also wished his initial ultrasound was far more accurate then the results it provided - Diffusely Thickened Small Bowel with a 3.7cm Heterogeneous mural mass. Just trying to avoid him going through further pain like surgery. If anyone else knows about ultrasounds or results , would appreciate feedback.

Stool wise - he isn't really improving there either. I think was 2 days ago he passed the usual amount of stool he usually did interms of volume, but other most days, he's just passive very little stool yet he eats near his normal amount as in the past. It made me wonder as well if thats the sign of Cancer eating up his food basically not making him pass alot of stool? Still don't see blood or diarrea in it but it is a very dark brown color. 2nd vet said it could be from the lack of food his eating , and doesn't believe he's constipated or mass blocking the stool from passing. So that itself is worrisome.

For now I have him still on his prednisolone (though no real changes), and just feeding him the best I can. I don't know if I should just keep him on this tapering regimen from 2nd vet until the end...or what else. Still again awaiting hoping Internal Medicine can chat with me about his case see maybe other medications can help.

If anyone has thoughts would, as always, be greatly appreciated it. Thank You
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
I'll say it again. Please don't freestyle with the steroids. They can do more harm than good when given erratically or inappropriately. If you want to stop them, please ask the 2nd vet first how they should be stopped. They should not be started and stopped at will. They can stress his body out doing that. The second vet may also say that 3 days isn't long enough.

Don't do steroids at all if you aren't going to follow the vet's recommendations. Follow the recommendations or contact the vet if you want to change the dose and schedule. Then do what the vet says. You can make him feel worse if you're not giving the steroids responsibly.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #97

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
I'll say it again. Please don't freestyle with the steroids. They can do more harm than good when given erratically or inappropriately. If you want to stop them, please ask the 2nd vet first how they should be stopped. They should not be started and stopped at will. They can stress his body out doing that. The second vet may also say that 3 days isn't long enough.

Don't do steroids at all if you aren't going to follow the vet's recommendations. Follow the recommendations or contact the vet if you want to change the dose and schedule. Then do what the vet says. You can make him feel worse if you're not giving the steroids responsibly.
Well Im not freestyling it. I said I was following the 2nd vet's tapering regiment. 1 week - 5mg daily, 2nd week 2.5mg daily, then 3rd week and byond just 2.5mg once every other day. She clearly said thats the weakest dosage and best way to taper off the prednisolone.

As for 3 days, she did say "I would expect that would be seeing some type of effect on Charlie at this point after being on the medication for several days." so she meant that maybe she was expecting for it to have some effect but I don't see it. I mean I guess after a full week I will see and ask if there aren't any improvement I should stop it slowly perhaps (not in one go.)

I've also posted on that forum you mentioned as well finally, awaiting to see what responses I get there.
 

daftcat75

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
12,641
Purraise
25,128
Well Im not freestyling it. I said I was following the 2nd vet's tapering regiment. 1 week - 5mg daily, 2nd week 2.5mg daily, then 3rd week and byond just 2.5mg once every other day. She clearly said thats the weakest dosage and best way to taper off the prednisolone.

As for 3 days, she did say "I would expect that would be seeing some type of effect on Charlie at this point after being on the medication for several days." so she meant that maybe she was expecting for it to have some effect but I don't see it. I mean I guess after a full week I will see and ask if there aren't any improvement I should stop it slowly perhaps (not in one go.)

I've also posted on that forum you mentioned as well finally, awaiting to see what responses I get there.
Once started, see it through. Like antibiotics. If you're concerned about the dose, the schedule, or you're just not sure, don't just stop them. Contact second vet with your concerns. There may be a quicker way to taper him off or you may have to see it all the way through as prescribed.

I suspect a lot of people on that group are subscribed to the daily digest. One email per day. I did see your email come across. If you don't get a response in the next few days, you may want to try to condense it some.
 

Rowen

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2020
Messages
79
Purraise
130
Location
Rogers Park Chicago
Thank you for the reply.

Well considering the way my vet talked back to me when I had questions yesterday afternoon, he did not want to offer any other solutions other then reffering to oncolagist, or doing a Biopsy which would only reveal what type of cancer it is? He said he can be on prednisolone but he wasn't responding to it initially so he said whats the purpose. He did mentioned chemotherapy would be basically another medication that is well tolerated by cats he said - little side effects, but he can't prescribe such medication and only a specialist could? So I guess he can go on that chemotherapy. He mentioned with chemotherapy he can last around 2-3 years additionaly he said. But from what I read online, seems that if he is without prednisolone he would be just around for a few weeks, or if on prednisolone at least, then maybe a few months? I was suggested on here also to not start and taper off prednisolone at my own consent because it would possibly hurt the cat. So I'm currently awaiting other vet locations I contacted yesterday see if they can offer a 2nd opinion with all the bloodwork, xrays and ultrasound performed on my cat.

What made me also wonder overnight last night was that based off the utlrasound, but I think for it to be 3.7CM mass which is about 1.5 INCHES, thats some kind of mass to be inside of a cat, let alone, his intestine/bowel? And yet the same vet told me last Tuesday upone feeling his organs and Xrays, he did not see any growth/cancer/tumor? How can such sized mass go undetected? And what kills me is what with this stupid covid virus, all locations here in NYC only allow to drop off the pets at door no one can go inside. So I have no idea what they really doing to him inside which sucks. I feel that this Vet has always been out for the money. I definitely not going to go with Biopsy because of Charlie's age but also, would only cause him more pain and discomfort I'm sure as he surely is already feeling discomfort.

Again what gets to me was that literally 2 weeks ago he was perfectly fine. I can recall he releases stool around our apartment but he been doing that for SO many years, MANY years and our vet back then would say its behavorial issue. At times he would do loose stool, some hard,always varied in color. Also he would throw up more often then not, USUALLY hairball with some liquid because he licks himself and has long hair? What was odd of late, or really in the past few weeks he hasn't thrown up his usual hairball, but instead he would throw up liquid after drinking water or even as of late, sometimes when he would use his litter box to either urinate or pass stool - he would then come out of bathroom and shortly after throw up. I wondered if the mass inside him was not cancerous or anythign harmful...but also would explain how he lost so much weight. We didnt even really notice it as much because of his long hair until we felt his hind legs and near his rear/tail area you could feel his bones. And with some feedback on here, seems like him staying away completely from his dry food (which he loved SO much just few weeks ago) and certain wet foods isn't so much because he's nausea perhaps or not hungy, but instead maybe he think it caused him the pain/discomfort which would only further suggest he isn't really going to recover either. He would eat these fresh cans I open up of Friskies Pate which has been his go to in the past, and as mentioned before what also is bit confusing is that last week he seemed totally out of it. After visit with vet, he would just sniff food and just hide/sleep underneath our dining table. Would barely move other then to use litter but then go back there. Then in past of couple of days he started to come out more and eat more surely, and even nowjumps on top of couch/bed to sleepthere too. So to my eyesit seemed he was getting slightly better? But not 100%. Then yesterday and even this morning he passed stool..but was rather small amount and thin though not Pencil thin, thinner then his usual amount. Oddly enough, when I had him on the prednisolone last week for few days, despite being super lethargic and not as much eating, he would pass stool just fine normal color and amount as well. So...its just all confusing. :(
Hi Miguel, I've been following your thread, I came across it because my cat Gem died in the beginning of August of gi lymphoma. Gi Lymphoma diagnosed by two different vets- without a biopsy because she had lost weight and I didn't want to put her through the stress. For the same reason I was not going to do chemo and chose to make her as comfortable as possible. Her symptoms seemingly started just prior to having teeth pulled in Nov 2018- her symptoms being- thowing up and being constipated and only constipated once- throwing up more having hairballs. She was still playing running around talking like she always did. I thought the symptoms were because of her teeth-because she had to have 4 pulled- or the fact that she ate mainly dry food Science Diet with some wet Tiki Cat Ahi Tuna. She would not change- no matter how I tried. After she had teeth pulled They had given her Convinia-which I found out afterwards takes away appetite and I wouldnt recommend to anyone. The downward spiral started with not eating, I would spread wellness formula turkey on my hand as much as I could as many times a day as I could. She went from 9 lbs to 7 lbs- then became dehydrated. She did start eating again but I wanted to only give her wet food at the emergency vets recommendation - the only vet that gave me any nutritional information. We went through so many kinds of wet food- freeze dried- and finally she would consistantly eat wellness formula turkey mince for quite awhile. Then would not and I had to give her some dry on top or she wouldnt eat. Gem lived until this August which is why Im on here trying to find similar stories- because like you I still can't believe she went from her happy normal 12 year old self to everything seemingly starting. The only symptom she had for almost a year and a half was muscle mass loss, weight loss- nothing else. She would not gain weight and she was eating up to almost 9 oz'es of wet food a day. She was back to only eating the Ahi Tuna Tiki Cat- I was so focused on her eating that I always thought great shes eating- shes going to be fine...She was down to 5 lbs- then up to 6 - no lumps or bumps- she was at the vet July 20th- because her eyes were running. Her other tests were fine- and I wonder now why I put her through any of them - somehow it escaped me that she was dying of cancer. Up until the last night she was eating jumping up and asking for pets- the next day I took her in-had to hand her over because of covid- because she had not been breathing normally had fluid around her lungs and she had to be euthanized- but died from the sedative. All the research I did when she got sick always said if a cat is dying they hide away- stop eating, drinking, interacting so I never believed she was dying even up to her last day. But she lived another 1 1/2 years without being treated. That was my choice based on her stress levels and how that would possibly add to her getting sicker. I have written here before about it and how hard the covid and vet thing is for them and us, and how the thing I wish- was that the vet would have put me in the reality of her condition and reminded me that she was dying and that symptoms are not always the same for gi lymphoma. I loved my Gem more than anything- and did the best I could knowing her, and you show use your own judgement knowing your cat, and how you want the rest of her life to be.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #100

miguel99nyc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
416
Purraise
302
Hi Miguel, I've been following your thread, I came across it because my cat Gem died in the beginning of August of gi lymphoma. Gi Lymphoma diagnosed by two different vets- without a biopsy because she had lost weight and I didn't want to put her through the stress. For the same reason I was not going to do chemo and chose to make her as comfortable as possible. Her symptoms seemingly started just prior to having teeth pulled in Nov 2018- her symptoms being- thowing up and being constipated and only constipated once- throwing up more having hairballs. She was still playing running around talking like she always did. I thought the symptoms were because of her teeth-because she had to have 4 pulled- or the fact that she ate mainly dry food Science Diet with some wet Tiki Cat Ahi Tuna. She would not change- no matter how I tried. After she had teeth pulled They had given her Convinia-which I found out afterwards takes away appetite and I wouldnt recommend to anyone. The downward spiral started with not eating, I would spread wellness formula turkey on my hand as much as I could as many times a day as I could. She went from 9 lbs to 7 lbs- then became dehydrated. She did start eating again but I wanted to only give her wet food at the emergency vets recommendation - the only vet that gave me any nutritional information. We went through so many kinds of wet food- freeze dried- and finally she would consistantly eat wellness formula turkey mince for quite awhile. Then would not and I had to give her some dry on top or she wouldnt eat. Gem lived until this August which is why Im on here trying to find similar stories- because like you I still can't believe she went from her happy normal 12 year old self to everything seemingly starting. The only symptom she had for almost a year and a half was muscle mass loss, weight loss- nothing else. She would not gain weight and she was eating up to almost 9 oz'es of wet food a day. She was back to only eating the Ahi Tuna Tiki Cat- I was so focused on her eating that I always thought great shes eating- shes going to be fine...She was down to 5 lbs- then up to 6 - no lumps or bumps- she was at the vet July 20th- because her eyes were running. Her other tests were fine- and I wonder now why I put her through any of them - somehow it escaped me that she was dying of cancer. Up until the last night she was eating jumping up and asking for pets- the next day I took her in-had to hand her over because of covid- because she had not been breathing normally had fluid around her lungs and she had to be euthanized- but died from the sedative. All the research I did when she got sick always said if a cat is dying they hide away- stop eating, drinking, interacting so I never believed she was dying even up to her last day. But she lived another 1 1/2 years without being treated. That was my choice based on her stress levels and how that would possibly add to her getting sicker. I have written here before about it and how hard the covid and vet thing is for them and us, and how the thing I wish- was that the vet would have put me in the reality of her condition and reminded me that she was dying and that symptoms are not always the same for gi lymphoma. I loved my Gem more than anything- and did the best I could knowing her, and you show use your own judgement knowing your cat, and how you want the rest of her life to be.
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat passing away :( it is really the worst. And I hope I'm not jinxing anything here but what saddened me the most about my cat Charlie is that while he's 15 yrs currently, I have an older cat whose 18 and still going strong despite being diagnosed with early CKD back in June 2017 - based of just urine test. Her bloodwork been fine all these times and surely thought she was going to go before Charlie. Never I suspected he'd get so sick fast let alone, pass away before her.

But at least your vet's were able to diagnose it. Right now I got my primary vet already assuming its Cancer despite ultrasound saying that, and 2nd vet saying she isn't too sure and just trying to use a low dosage of prednisolone see if he responds to it. But now Im just assuming he has cancer and just hoping for best this prednisolone works to an extent and I feed him as best I could.
 
Top