Newly Diagnosed Lymphoma With Breathing Issues

[Fur Baby Mom]

Salem is a 6 year old male domestic short hair. On around 5/20 he had been hiding and generally withdrawn which he is normally a cat that wants to be close all the time. After 3 days of lots of hiding and not eating right my fiancé and I took him to the vet on 5/24.

5/24 he had all sorts of tests and the vet kept him overnight to get him eating. The vet called the next day and said he was eating some and told us to come pick him up. That’s when we learned his wbc’s were 20,000 and red blood cells were low. He was prescribed prednisone 1 ml (3mg/ml) twice daily on either that day or 5/29. Salem went back on 5/29 for another blood test. His white blood count was up to 54,000 and his red blood count was down to 3 or 10%. The vet said Salem likely has intestinal lymphoma. He had an episode of high-pitched screaming after taking liquid prednisone at night which was the most terrifying thing I experienced at this point. I called the vet the next day, was told they weren’t sure why he screamed and that gagging is normal.

Next appointment was today on 6/01. Red blood cell count is down to 2 or 8%. White blood cell count decreased almost 20,000. I felt hurried out of the vet’s office today as we had the last appointment of the day. Salem’s normal vet wasn’t there today. Spent maybe 10 minutes in the room. Temperature is 100. The vet today doubled his prednislone to 2 ml’s twice daily. Since the screaming episode I am terrified of giving Salem his prednislone. The increase doesn’t help with me being terrified. His vitamin B was also doubled to 1 ml twice daily. Salem has never been sick a day in his life and now he has cancer. I’m about to give him his prednislone and I’m literally shaking as he had 2 freak outs in 4 hours after we got home. Both times he was walking a short distance and then had so much breathing difficulty that he started meowing in fear while he was breathing with his mouth open and laying on the floor or couch. I don’t know what to do besides not allow him to walk. I’m super scared of giving him his medicine tonight. Time to try to give him medicine.

If anyone has any advice or anything let me know. I’m sorry for the long post.

 

[KarenKat]

Poor Salem, and poor you! Unfortunately I don't have great medical advice, we started giving our tabby B-12 shots last week and it can be kind of scary. Just know that Salem can tell if you are scared and upset so try and breathe and know that you are acting in his best interest. Sending out good vibes to you both, and hopefully someone can chime in with more practical knowledge.

 

[babiesmom5]

The breathing issue is worrisome. Given the low red blood cell count, he could possibly have anemia which can affect the heart.

I had a cat with severe IBD who became anemic which led to breathing issues, shortness of breath like your cat.
He had Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, which was subsequently resolved when the anemia was resolved.

As for the screaming, I have found most cats do not like liquid medications and recoil, so try to avoid them. I give Prednisolone in pill form inserting it in a chicken flavored gel cap, end coated in a bit of butter, using a pill gun, followed by a treat. It works well.

With the multiple issues going on with your cat, I would suggest taking him for evaluation by an Internal Medicine Specialist Vet. They can be found at comprehensive Veterinary hospitals, or at Veterinary Universities and also at Emergency Vet Hospitals.

Meanwhile, I would keep your cat as quiet as possible and try to keep him eating and see a specialist soon.
I wish you and your cat all the best.

 

[Rhuyton]

@ fur baby mom. I am so sorry for Salem. You commented on my post about my cat dobby earlier today and said some kind words. So I wanted to say thankyou for that.

It is such a shame about Salem. And for him to be so young. I am sorry. I am fortunate to live quite close to a newly built animal hospital centre and dobby was taken care of. Not sure if this is an option or if there is one close to you. I was upset to hear you felt rushed out if the vets as u were the last appointment recently. I have been treated like that before and actually switched vets because of it. I also gave the vet a piece of my mind. Not sure if a hospital is available to you based on location and salems condition.

My advice would be to keep Salem as comforted as possible while he's home. They aren't stupid animals and if moving around hurts him I'm sure he'll know what's comfortable and what he can/cannot do. Just let him know u are by his side.

I do know how you feel and it's so difficult to see them hurting. I'm so sorry about ure experience with him screaming.

Thankyou for commenting on my thread again. And I wish the best for you and Salem.

 

[Rhuyton]

I just wanted to add. By 'taken care of' I meant I had absolute confidence that staff did all they could to keep her comfy. And they had 24 hour care. So I was comforted to know she was looked after before we came to have her put to sleep. Hope my choice of words came across that way

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

I’m sorry for the lack of updates. I’m just so anxious, sad, and scared of losing Salem.

He’s been crated due to him not restraining himself. He is most comfortable with my fiancé, Monica. Monica held Salem on her chest for a while tonight and he seemed to completely calm down, even showing his belly. Monica has started giving him his medicine due to he remains calm. He did throw up prednisone this morning, but kept it down this evening.

My anxiety, stress, and sadness have all weighed heavily on me. His sickness is harder than when I lost my dad.

Small win today: he ate a whole tube of Delectable.

 

[Plumeria]

Hi there,

I’m very sorry you and your beautiful Salem are going through this. Is there an oncologist in your area that you could consult? I think it’s important to know if he has small or large cell lymphoma, how far along he is, the best treatment options, and the prognosis. Have you ordered supplements for cats with cancer?

Petswellbeing Life Gold
Virbac Rebound for cats
Virbac Oral Electrolyte Solution (or Pedialyte will probably do)
NHV Cancer Support Kit
FortiFlora to entice him to eat
Fish oil
Olive oil
Probably missed some

If he has no appetite, get Mirtazapine from the vet. I would try to start syringe feeding him Hills Urgent Care A/D. If he won’t tolerate being syringe fed, I’d consider a feeding tube. This is something I regret not doing with my Leroy, who passed away from brain and intestinal cancer last month. Try to avoid feeding him foods with a high starch content, like gravy lovers and broth varieties because it feeds the cancer. Pates are usually good. Please keep us updated.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

Yesterday, my fiancé and I decided it was time to put him to sleep. He lost his ability to walk or stand and kept meowing due to being uncomfortable.

The conversation now turns to how do I prevent this from happening with Piper who’s a very petite female and Pumpkin who has a plethora of health issues and is years old. Or at the very least catch it earlier or give them more of a fighting chance.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

Hi there,

I’m very sorry you and your beautiful Salem are going through this. Is there an oncologist in your area that you could consult? I think it’s important to know if he has small or large cell lymphoma, how far along he is, the best treatment options, and the prognosis. Have you ordered supplements for cats with cancer?

Petswellbeing Life Gold
Virbac Rebound for cats
Virbac Oral Electrolyte Solution (or Pedialyte will probably do)
NHV Cancer Support Kit
FortiFlora to entice him to eat
Fish oil
Olive oil
Probably missed some

If he has no appetite, get Mirtazapine from the vet. I would try to start syringe feeding him Hills Urgent Care A/D. If he won’t tolerate being syringe fed, I’d consider a feeding tube. This is something I regret not doing with my Leroy, who passed away from brain and intestinal cancer last month. Try to avoid feeding him foods with a high starch content, like gravy lovers and broth varieties because it feeds the cancer. Pates are usually good. Please keep us updated.

He gagged at fish oil. Thank you for all of your suggestions. If he kept going yesterday he would had than 1 in red blood cells when the normal level starts at 6. He baffled bot vets as to how he was still alive.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

He was also too weak to eat pates. We first tried the holistic can food the vet gave us, but he didn’t like that at all even with syringe feeding. I’ll write more about what we tried later when I’m more composed.

 

[KarenKat]

I’m so sorry for the loss of beautiful Salem

 

[Plumeria]

Fur Baby Mom,

I’m so sorry for the devastating news. You and your fiancé did everything you could to help your Salem. He is at peace now and no longer in pain. His spirit will always remain with you until it is your time to cross the bridge and reunite with him again. When Leroy stopped eating it was gut wrenching. It’s such a desperate, helpless feeling. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory with cancer.

Since losing him 2 weeks ago, my boyfriend and I adopted 2 kittens and have similar fears as you. How do we prevent these 2 from developing lymphoma or other illnesses? How can we catch the symptoms and take action quicker?

The mistakes I made with Leroy are:

1. Ignorance that feline diarrhea can turn to cancer. When I initially took him to the vet, he was prescribed probiotics, which I took as well, so I didn’t think anything if it. I didn’t change his diet or anything. What a shock it was when he was diagnosed with cancer just 4 months later

2. Diet. His original owner raised him solely on Meow Mix dry food until he was 3, and he got attached to it, so I continued to mix Meow Mix in his Science Diet (or other better brands of) kibble. I should have eliminated the low quality Meow Mix entirely. I also fed Leroy mostly Fancy Feast gravy and broth varieties that he loved, which is full of starch. I never gave him supplements or oils either. With the kittens, I’ve been feeding them Royal Canin and Science Diet dry/wet foods, boiled chicken, and plan to include raw and other home cooked meals as they get older. I also give them vitamin paste and such.

3. Lifestyle. His original owner raised him as an indoor/outdoor cat and I saw no problem providing Leroy with the same lifestyle. I now regret it because I wonder if he could’ve exposed himself to a carcinogen or gotten an infection during a squabble with another cat, which ultimately caused the cancer. I’m thinking of getting the kittens an outdoor enclosure when they get older.

 

[Plumeria]

To remedy my ignorance about cat health I ordered 3 books - Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, Cat First Aid, and Veterinarian’s Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

Fur Baby Mom,

I’m so sorry for the devastating news. You and your fiancé did everything you could to help your Salem. He is at peace now and no longer in pain. His spirit will always remain with you until it is your time to cross the bridge and reunite with him again. When Leroy stopped eating it was gut wrenching. It’s such a desperate, helpless feeling. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory with cancer.

Since losing him 2 weeks ago, my boyfriend and I adopted 2 kittens and have similar fears as you. How do we prevent these 2 from developing lymphoma or other illnesses? How can we catch the symptoms and take action quicker?

The mistakes I made with Leroy are:

1. Ignorance that feline diarrhea can turn to cancer. When I initially took him to the vet, he was prescribed probiotics, which I took as well, so I didn’t think anything if it. I didn’t change his diet or anything. What a shock it was when he was diagnosed with cancer just 4 months later

2. Diet. His original owner raised him solely on Meow Mix dry food until he was 3, and he got attached to it, so I continued to mix Meow Mix in his Science Diet (or other better brands of) kibble. I should have eliminated the low quality Meow Mix entirely. I also fed Leroy mostly Fancy Feast gravy and broth varieties that he loved, which is full of starch. I never gave him supplements or oils either. With the kittens, I’ve been feeding them Royal Canin and Science Diet dry/wet foods, boiled chicken, and plan to include raw and other home cooked meals as they get older. I also give them vitamin paste and such.

3. Lifestyle. His original owner raised him as an indoor/outdoor cat and I saw no problem providing Leroy with the same lifestyle. I now regret it because I wonder if he could’ve exposed himself to a carcinogen or gotten an infection during a squabble with another cat, which ultimately caused the cancer. I’m thinking of getting the kittens an outdoor enclosure when they get older.

Is it true that diarrhea can turn in to cancer? I really appreciate your lengthy reply.

My cats (Salem - 6, Pumpkin - 8, Piper - 3) have all been indoor all their life, except Pumpkin who was outdoor/indoor during a couple of years that he lived with my parents. Pumpkin being outdoor/indoor was against my wishes.

I have had a rough time weaning Pumpkin off of Meow Mix Original. He stresses over small changes more than other cats. The vet ‘prescribed’ Pumpkin Blue Buffalo at one point. He wouldn’t touch any of the kibbles and would pick them out of the Meow Mix. He does eat can food (Meow Mix) so I will try weaning him on to a better can food once he finishes grieving (hiding). I’m worried about too many changes at the same time making either Pumpkin or Piper deathly sick.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

Here’s a picture of all 3.

 

[silkenpaw]

F Fur Baby Mom it’s not exactly true that diarrhea can turn into cancer but it can be a symptom of intestinal cancer. It’s also a symptom of many other common diseases, so tests must be done to determine what’s causing it.

 

[Plumeria]

Aww....your babies are so adorableWhich one is Salem? He was so young and what he went through resonates with my Leroy it makes me cry. It must be very hard for you right now but I hope you are hanging in there. Poor Pumpkin too with his hiding. Aww.... We’re all here to support you.

About diarrhea, I think the correct progression is diarrhea-> IBD-> lymphoma. So unfortunately it can be very serious for cats. Leroy was the same with Meow Mix. He kept picking them out and leaving the Science Diet, Blue Wilderness, Purina, and Blue Buffalo kibbles in his bowl I read online or in one of the books I ordered that kibble with red or yellow dye are the absolute worst. Both are linked to lymphoma/ cancer. You can get more info if you google search. Doesn’t Meow Mix contain both? I really wish we knew about this earlier. Now that I’m thinking maybe we need to file a class action lawsuit against Meow Mix. If there’s enough of us grieving pet owners whose babies died of cancer because of Meow Mix, it’s viable.

 

[Midnite2018]

Here’s a picture of all 3.

Hi, i dont know how much help it would be, but our vet had given us a pen that had a soft applicator to administer the prednisone to the bare flesh of Midnite's ear. I hope Salem is doing better and wish you and your kitties well.

 

[Plumeria]

I just did a quick read through Meow Mix reviews on Consumeraffairs.com and its full of complaints about cats dying of cancer or getting sick from their food. Think I really might have to look into this further.

 

[Fur Baby Mom]

Aww....your babies are so adorableWhich one is Salem? He was so young and what he went through resonates with my Leroy it makes me cry. It must be very hard for you right now but I hope you are hanging in there. Poor Pumpkin too with his hiding. Aww.... We’re all here to support you.

About diarrhea, I think the correct progression is diarrhea-> IBD-> lymphoma. So unfortunately it can be very serious for cats. Leroy was the same with Meow Mix. He kept picking them out and leaving the Science Diet, Blue Wilderness, Purina, and Blue Buffalo kibbles in his bowl I read online or in one of the books I ordered that kibble with red or yellow dye are the absolute worst. Both are linked to lymphoma/ cancer. You can get more info if you google search. Doesn’t Meow Mix contain both? I really wish we knew about this earlier. Now that I’m thinking maybe we need to file a class action lawsuit against Meow Mix. If there’s enough of us grieving pet owners whose babies died of cancer because of Meow Mix, it’s viable.

Salem is the black one. Pumpkin is the orange/buff tabby, and Piper is the calico.

Pumpkin is no longer hiding exactly, but he’s staying in the bedroom. He’s very sensitive to changes and this is a big change. All 3 of the cats used to cuddle while sleeping (similar to a kitten pile, but full grown cats).

Piper has become more skittish around people and has not been wanting affection. She will follow me from room to room. Today she started hiding, but we did flea treatment yesterday.

I agree on the class action lawsuit. I hate that this happened, makes me really sad. My fiancé still cries about him every day. Salem was her special cat, he would cuddle and console her. They used to play fetch.