Starting chemo for SCL and question about litter box

[Scootercat]

My 13 year old girl was diagnosed with SCL in small intestine after x-rays, ultrasounds, needle aspirate and PARR. About to begin treating her with chlorambucil and prednisolone (usual protocol) and awaiting receipt of chemo drug today. My oncologist not in today and curious. I have two other cats, with multiple litter boxes and failed to ask if the treated cat needs to be isolated from other cats and limited to sole litter box, or can they still share. Also, they failed to tell me if the prednisolone needs to be given at a different time as the chlorambucil (several hours apart maybe), or can be given at same time. I was so overwelmed and neglected to ask a lot of pertinent questions. Hoping to start treatment (already on the pred) as so on as it arrives, but not sure and hate to wait until vet in on Monday. Anyone with multiple cats been through this treatment before?

 

[fionasmom]

Leukeran treatment, multi-cat household

This may help with part of the answer regarding the litter box. Both opinions, separate litter box or communal litter box, are found. If they use the same box, try to clean it as quickly as you can so that the others don't spend a lot of time in contact with the waste. As for yourself, wear gloves when you are handling the chlorambucil/Leukeran.

 

[Scootercat]

Leukeran treatment, multi-cat household

This may help with part of the answer regarding the litter box. Both opinions, separate litter box or communal litter box, are found. If they use the same box, try to clean it as quickly as you can so that the others don't spend a lot of time in contact with the waste. As for yourself, wear gloves when you are handling the chlorambucil/Leukeran.

Thank you. I have 4 litter boxes, 3 cats...all are cleaned numerous times throughout the day as I am home (retired). One is advanced IBD (no cancer...at least for now)....so monitor closely. Praying this protocol buys us a lot more quality time.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I give my cat her Prednisolone at night and the Chlorambucil during the day on alternating days of the Pred. So, Chlorambucil in the morning, M, W, F. Prednisolone at night S, T, Th, S. If you are instructed to give the pred every day, just give it at night.
I also gave my cat Cerenia a couple of hours prior to the Chlorambucil for the first 6 months of treatment to prevent nausea.

 

[Scootercat]

Hi. I give my cat her Prednisolone at night and the Chlorambucil during the day on alternating days of the Pred. So, Chlorambucil in the morning, M, W, F. Prednisolone at night S, T, Th, S. If you are instructed to give the pred every day, just give it at night.
I also gave my cat Cerenia a couple of hours prior to the Chlorambucil for the first 6 months of treatment to prevent nausea.

Thank you for your response. Sincerely appreciated. I was hoping to start the Chlorambucil yesterday as it was just delivered (she is already on the Pred), but then realized I didn't know if both should be given together or at different times. Vet didn't say and I didn't think to ask at the time. My vet is out until tomorrow. My kitty is on Pred every day. I do have cerenia on hand and hope we can avoid any side effects. Would you mind telling me how long your kitty has been on this protocol and if your kitty has handled it well? First time doing the chemo and am a little anxious. I hope your kitty is doing well. Thanks again.

 

[silent meowlook]

3+ years. I did need to give the Cerenia before the Chlorambucil for 6 months, but then was fine. If it was me, and what I do is Chlorambucil in the morning, pred at night.

 

[Scootercat]

3+ years. I did need to give the Cerenia before the Chlorambucil for 6 months, but then was fine. If it was me, and what I do is Chlorambucil in the morning, pred at night.

Thank you. Vet got back to me this morning and advised I could give both together, but I''m thinking your method is better. Will start this morning. I am encouraged to hear your kitty has done well on this treatment. I pray I am as fortunate as you and your kitty.

 

[silent meowlook]

I always felt both pills at the same time might be to much for her and cause vomiting.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm so glad to see this thread (except for the fact that it means sick kitties) since I will be starting with these meds for one of my cats as soon as they arrive. I like the idea of the Cerenia prior to the Chlorambucil, just in case. Better add that to my list since I'm running low on that one.

Scootercat , let us know how your girl does with everything

 

[fionasmom]

My Chelsea took chlorambucil for about a year and a half successfully. She was an indoor only rescue, but retained a lot of her feral nature, so at first the vet used just pred while we tried to figure out where to go, so all in all, her survival rate was probably longer. We got into a routine for the meds and she was surprisingly cooperative in her own way and got used to the purrito.