Cat Chemotherapy
Discussion
Absolutely gutted. Had the results back from the tests on Pogull yesterday from the growth removed from his mouth (upper jaw) and its come back as cancerous. Going to try and speak to the vet later today to see what the options are but when he spoke to my wife last night it essentially came down to two options.
1) No treatment keep a close eye on him and when the time comes that the cancer impacts his quality of life I have to have him put to sleep. At the moment he is fine, the growth was removed and you would never know there was anything wrong with him. He is 14 years old and always been a healthy cat
2) Chemotherapy. No idea what this involves or the cost yet. I am guessing this is not a cure but something that will prolong his life a little. I don't want to do this if he will suffer as the chemo can't be pleasant but if it can add years to his life without impacting on his 'quality' of life barr the temporary side effect of the chemo then I will consider it. He is insured but I don't know if his policy will cover the whole life cost of the treatment, I think the limit is 3K.
So, what are your thoughts and experiences? I love my cat so much, I know its silly to think he would live for ever but I guess this is something my money can't fix.
I don't want him to suffer but the thought of having to watch him put to sleep when the time comes terrifies me, I wish when that time comes he will just curl up on the bed next to me purring and go to sleep like he does every night and not wake up.
Andrew
You could see if the half way option of steroids is possible,
I'm sorry for the bad news
. Mouth tumours in cats are often prone to growing fast. I've not ever really seen chemo used for this type of cancer (usually it's lymphomas) but cat's do tolerate the actual drugs quite well but I wouldn't consider it if your cat is very stressed at being treated id really hates the vets. Plus extra hygiene for handling your cats waste, do you have children in the house,
A tough decision but hopefully your vet will be honest about the options which will help you decide. I'm so sorry that you are having to do this but I'm sure you will make the right decision in the end. Complementary treatment to support his body maybe worth looking into alongside the conventional.
I'm sorry for the bad news
. Mouth tumours in cats are often prone to growing fast. I've not ever really seen chemo used for this type of cancer (usually it's lymphomas) but cat's do tolerate the actual drugs quite well but I wouldn't consider it if your cat is very stressed at being treated id really hates the vets. Plus extra hygiene for handling your cats waste, do you have children in the house, A tough decision but hopefully your vet will be honest about the options which will help you decide. I'm so sorry that you are having to do this but I'm sure you will make the right decision in the end. Complementary treatment to support his body maybe worth looking into alongside the conventional.
Not good news. I am going to have a CT scan done to make absolutely certain but its likely to be at an advanced stage and being in the upper jaw surgery would be difficult and would impact on quality of life. Looking likely I only have a couple of months left with my best friend before I have to do the right thing and make a one way trip to the vet. He will be the best pampered cat ever for the next couple of months thats for sure!
Palliative steroids can be really really good in cats with cancer - my Ollie had a brain tumour, managed to get him almost a whole extra year of good quality life thanks to a vet teaching me to give sub-cutaneous jabs (into the scruff - they don't even feel it half the time) at home.
Well Pogull had his CT scan today, as suspected its bad news. He has a malignant bone tumour in his upper jaw. Whilst it can't be cured or removed with surgery, the specialist believes radio therapy has a good chance of extending his life significantly beyond that of doing nothing so he can maintain a good quality of life. I thought long and hard about it and thats what I am going to do. F*ck the cost he has brought me so much happiness for the last 14 years I owe it to him not to bail out on him now.
To draw this to a close, sadly I had to take Pogull to the vet and have him put to sleep today. We got home from a couple of days away and he was in obvious distress and not able to breath through his nose properly. Something must have gone wrong in the night as our friends were looking after him and he was OK when they came to feed him last night.
I am devastated. On the one hand I know it was the right thing to do as I could not watch him suffer but I have lost my friend of 14 years. My wife and I stayed with him to the end, until he closed his eyes and went to sleep for the last time. He can now go and be with his brother Guinness who died a few years ago.
So long Pogull we loved you so much xxx
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff