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Hello, this is my first post. I wish it were under better circumstances...
My son (cat), Ted, had started picking at his kibble in mid-June, which he did from time to time when the kibble wasn't fresh, but he would always gobble down his wet food that I would feed him after work. I didn't think much of it until he stopped eating the kibble altogether and barely ate his wet food nearing the end of July. Needless to say, I began to worry and took him to the vet. They did blood work, which revealed elevated liver enzymes. They recommended an full abdominal ultrasound $400. After that was completed we were told he had slightly thickened intestines and enlarged lymph nodes in area nearby, which indicated IBD or Lymphoma.
The only way to know what to do a biopsy, which was over $2000 or a fine needle aspiration $200-500 dollars. I had so many questions, but was so distraught I don't remember everything clearly. From what I recall I asked if we did the biopsy how large the incision would be and heal time. They said it was large and usually a week or so heal time. They also said they couldn’t start the treatment’s until he was stable. The money wasn’t an issue, his comfort was. He hates car rides and being away from home.
At that time he wasn't eating, nauseous, and far from being himself that I figured he wouldn't make it. Plus I didn't want him suffering with a feeding tube or adnominal pain from the surgery.
I opted for the needle aspiration, which confirmed lymphoma. They gave me a prognosis of 3-6 months, maybe more or less. Without the biopsy they can't tell what grade it is, so chemo would be a shot in the dark. They said I could do it but since we don't know what's going on he may react poorly or kill him. They gave him a prescription for Prednisolone and he takes it once a day.
He started Prednisolone the day they confirmed the lymphoma 8-07-2017 and it didn’t kick in until the following Monday 8-14-2017.
My Question is the vet seems to think he will be okay for 3-6 months, but everything I’ve read online says a cat on Prednisolone alone can live 30-60 days or something like that. Is anyone else treating with prednisolone alone? How long did they make it before the symptoms popped up again? We go back for a vet visit in a week and I’m wondering if I should ask about the chemo treatment with leukeran.
Either way he is acting alright for now, only has increased thirst and is restless right after the medication is administered. Still is somewhat picky about eating. I mix baby food with his canned food, which makes him eat most of it and he has put on more weight.
To me he is my son. I’ve had him since 2004, he’s now 13. He has been spoiled his entire life. This diagnosis is especially hard for me because I am pregnant with my first, a boy, over halfway through. When I found out Ted was sick it made me sick, I was up late nights just trying to feed him anything he’d eat. I barely ate. I couldn’t focus on my pregnancy. I felt numb, like all the joy was ripped from me, sometimes I still do. Now that his meds are working I feel a bit more relieved, but when he has bad days I share them with him. I find it does help to talk to others, so if you are going through the same thing or have in the past I always have an open ear.
Thanks you listening and any advice is appreciated.
- Lis
My son (cat), Ted, had started picking at his kibble in mid-June, which he did from time to time when the kibble wasn't fresh, but he would always gobble down his wet food that I would feed him after work. I didn't think much of it until he stopped eating the kibble altogether and barely ate his wet food nearing the end of July. Needless to say, I began to worry and took him to the vet. They did blood work, which revealed elevated liver enzymes. They recommended an full abdominal ultrasound $400. After that was completed we were told he had slightly thickened intestines and enlarged lymph nodes in area nearby, which indicated IBD or Lymphoma.
The only way to know what to do a biopsy, which was over $2000 or a fine needle aspiration $200-500 dollars. I had so many questions, but was so distraught I don't remember everything clearly. From what I recall I asked if we did the biopsy how large the incision would be and heal time. They said it was large and usually a week or so heal time. They also said they couldn’t start the treatment’s until he was stable. The money wasn’t an issue, his comfort was. He hates car rides and being away from home.
At that time he wasn't eating, nauseous, and far from being himself that I figured he wouldn't make it. Plus I didn't want him suffering with a feeding tube or adnominal pain from the surgery.
I opted for the needle aspiration, which confirmed lymphoma. They gave me a prognosis of 3-6 months, maybe more or less. Without the biopsy they can't tell what grade it is, so chemo would be a shot in the dark. They said I could do it but since we don't know what's going on he may react poorly or kill him. They gave him a prescription for Prednisolone and he takes it once a day.He started Prednisolone the day they confirmed the lymphoma 8-07-2017 and it didn’t kick in until the following Monday 8-14-2017.
My Question is the vet seems to think he will be okay for 3-6 months, but everything I’ve read online says a cat on Prednisolone alone can live 30-60 days or something like that. Is anyone else treating with prednisolone alone? How long did they make it before the symptoms popped up again? We go back for a vet visit in a week and I’m wondering if I should ask about the chemo treatment with leukeran.
Either way he is acting alright for now, only has increased thirst and is restless right after the medication is administered. Still is somewhat picky about eating. I mix baby food with his canned food, which makes him eat most of it and he has put on more weight.
To me he is my son. I’ve had him since 2004, he’s now 13. He has been spoiled his entire life. This diagnosis is especially hard for me because I am pregnant with my first, a boy, over halfway through. When I found out Ted was sick it made me sick, I was up late nights just trying to feed him anything he’d eat. I barely ate. I couldn’t focus on my pregnancy. I felt numb, like all the joy was ripped from me, sometimes I still do. Now that his meds are working I feel a bit more relieved, but when he has bad days I share them with him. I find it does help to talk to others, so if you are going through the same thing or have in the past I always have an open ear.
Thanks you listening and any advice is appreciated.
- Lis
