Leo has tumors in his bone marrow, basically what leukimia is for people in a cat. He does not have the virus FELV or FIV, but the tumor(s) is uncurable. It is not contagious to my other cats.
I found this out this morning when I picked him up. The only option left is to give him a kemo drug that can prolong his life, but no one can know for how long. Could be days, hrs, or weeks or months or if really lucky years.
I was told this kind of cancer is very rare in a cat, so there is no information about how the drug can succeed. They said though, if it does help, he will live like normal as before he got sick. The drug has no side affects and while it works he will feel as good as before.
They recommended trying it, since Leo is still fighting hard. He is still eating several times a day and drinking and is much better from the transfusion. He is a little weak from the bone marrow aspirate, but in two days is suppose to be back to himself. If he continues to improve for more than 10 days, the pill is working, and he can enjoy life for as long as G-d wants him too on the pill. When the pill stops working his symtoms will return and we will know it's time to let him go.
I am trying the drug because he still wants to fight. I can see it in his eyes, and the fact that he still wants to eat and drink with no hesitation. This may be harder on me not knowing when his time will be up, but I want to do this for him. He is too young, even if he could enjoy life for just a while longer it will be worth it. He deserves so much better than what hapenned to him, and has gone through so much this past two days, that I don't want him to go like this, I want him ot feel well again and enjoy life before we have to say good-bye....they are telling me this pill will allow him to feel totally fine.
Ofcourse what I really want is to wake up from this nightmare and see my Leo run to me when I come home from work everyday, but I have to face that I am going to lose him way before his time....not even 2 yrs old, who would of thought something so rare so horrible could happen. I was told nothing could have done to prevent what happenned to my precious Leo. I am going to miss him more than I could ever express. Nothing will ever let me forget the amazing year and a half we have had so far with him. Now I am just focusing on doing what ever I can so he can enjoy the rest of his time with us....
he has been resting is his cubby most of the day, but has talked to us, head bumped us and is alert and aware, and ate 3 times....
Thank you all for your understanding of what I am going through, it really helps knowing there are people out there who care. Espaically when unfortunately some people I know would say it's just a cat. (how they are so wrong)
I wish time could just go back to last week when everything was fine. I know my home will never be the same without him. My husband and I noticed how quiet it was while Leo was at the hospital. You never realize just how much you get used to being with your cat, untill they are taken away from you....
sorry I wrote so much, but I needed to express how I feel. Leo is beside me in his cubby I am going to go lie down beside him....
Please hope for me that the pill works so he can feel better...
Anita,
I am in tears reading your post. I am so sorry to hear the news about Leo. This has to be so hard for you to go through.
Please know that we are all here for you and will continue to be.You do not ever need to feel the need to apologize for your posts, no matter how long they are. Get whatever you need to off your chest. Leo sounds like a true fighter. He is so lucky to have someone who loves him so much standing by him. I am going to say a prayer right now that those pills will work and that Leo will live a long happy life. My heart is with you, your hubby and sweet Leo.
OMG!!!! I just saw this and I'm so sorry your precious Leo is so ill!!!!! I am sending major positive vibes to Leo. Since he has a rare form of cancer, I hope the drug will work for him and will keep him feeling well for far longer than anyone thinks is possible!!!!!!!
I don't think your last post was long at all. We are here for you, please talk to us about Leo anytime you need to.
I am so sorry that Leo has this. I know it hurts both of you to think that he may not be long for this world. I am glad that he has you so he will know love and not have to go through all this alone. You are a good Purr Momma. Leo you hang in there buddy we are all routing for you.
I know of a gal whose cat had this drug and the only side effect was a complete loss of whiskers, so if that happens, just understand that it is the drug. I am sorry that Leo has had this visited on him. I wish you both strength-
thank you all for your kind words. They really help me stay strong...
I managed to give Leo his first pill tonight, he actually put up quite a struggle, a good sign he is feeling better. We gave him a special cookie after so he know he was a good boy! He has eaten again and drank more water too.
He is such a sweetie, I just went downstairs for a few minutes to get the phone, he was sleeping in his cubby, and on my way back up, he was at the door, to see where I went, once I was back beside him he went back to sleep...
here are some pics of my precious Leo that I took a little while ago...
one is of him sleeping in his cubby, and the other is him trying to figure out why there is newspaper in his litter..(we did this just until we got the other kind of litter, because annemic cat's tend to eat the regular litter)
You can also use rabbit food (rabbit pellets) for his litter. You can buy a large bag for cheap, the smell keeps the other urine and poop smell at bay and it won't hurt him to eat or lick it-
Anita, I am so very sorry your sweet Leo has had this diagnosis.
This must be so very hard for you. Please feel free to share your feelings with us.
We all care so much about you and Leo.
We all know Leo is so, so much more than "just a cat" and feel quite sorry for the unfortunate individuals who would find that to be true. We are here for you absolutely anytime you would care to talk.
Leo is such a fighter, and I look forward to hearing about his progress. You and Leo are in my prayers. Stephanie
Leo is doing better again. Not himself yet, but woke me up meowing twice in the middle of the night for more food...and he drank water again too. He is such a fighter he is eating every 2-3hrs. He was more awake this morning, and still alert, and even tried to strecth. My Roxy started grooming him and he groomed her too. We don't know yet if it's the pill that is making him better or that he got rest from the painful aspirate, which he probably still needs to continue recovering from. my other cat Piper even came in to see him, and he responded with the usual sound he makes when he sees her! He is now beside me resting, not sleeping but resting. I hope the pills will give him some more time to enjoy life! Seeing him be himself again, will be the greatest gift I could ever ask for! He's my little Leo, and now Leo the Lion! (I like that-thanks!)
I love him so much!