/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Our cat has cancer

Discussion in 'Other Pets & Livestock' started by Enchanted Sunrise Farms, Sep 30, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
Page 1 of 3
  1. Sep 30, 2011 #1
    Enchanted Sunrise Farms

    Enchanted Sunrise Farms Overrun With Chickens

    4,256
    31
    274
    Apr 26, 2007
    Fair Oaks, California
    Our 14 year old cat, Sam, has been diagnosed with cancer. Ultrasound showed a large mass in his abdomen, involved the lymph nodes, then thickened intestines suggesting intestinal lymphoma. Cytology on the mass revealed it is an aggressive form of cancer. There is no hope.

    My vet has prescribed several medications. One we have started already is buprenorphine for pain. Sam is very hard to give medications to, but this one is liquid and such a small dose. My husband and i have been working together to get it down him twice a day. Then now we have been given liquid Vitamin K, as he seems to be having clotting issues. Prednisolone, and then a chemo drug Chlorambucil. That chemo med came in a bottle inside a plastic bag covered in warnings about how toxic it is. That scares me.

    i'm pondering the wisdom of holding him down several times a day to squirt many syringes of medication down this throat. Several years ago, i lost 3 cats in quick succession. Their last days were filled with struggles as i forced medications down their throats. It crushed me to see them run in terror when i only wanted to help them. i can't go through that again. And with Sam, there is no hope, he will not recover from this. i just want him to be as comfortable as possible. If any of these medications can make him feel better, i'm all for it. i just dread the struggle.
     
  3. Sep 30, 2011 #2
    Imp

    Imp All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle

    14,458
    98
    318
    Sep 7, 2008
    The Emerald City
    My Coop
    I'm so sorry.
    I can't make the decision for you. I would find it difficult as well.

    Imp- been there
     
  5. Sep 30, 2011 #3
    Avalon1984

    Avalon1984 Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,835
    2
    143
    Dec 22, 2010
    Muskegon
    Sorry to hear that. I am sure you will know when it is time to put an end to the suffering. Sending many hugs your way! [​IMG]
     
  7. Sep 30, 2011 #4
    CrestedGirl

    CrestedGirl Polish Obsessed

    2,097
    3
    161
    Mar 7, 2011
    Fort Worth, Tx
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Sep 30, 2011 #5
    theoldchick

    theoldchick The Chicken Whisperer

    28,639
    5,203
    576
    May 11, 2010
    I would give the Buprenorphine for pain management. Nothing else. Trying to medicate an unwilling cat is difficult enough for all involved, and remember the cat has no idea why he needs all these meds. All he knows is that several times a day he's being attacked and forced to ingest foul tasting substances.

    In these situations I always advise clients to be aware of the quality of life for their pet. I wouldn't want my pet to spend a few extra months alive fighting me to take medications that can't cure him. Just not a way I would want to end a life long partnership with a friend.

    So sorry you have this issue to deal with. Remember-you aren't the only one who has a difficult time medicating a cat. Us trained professionals get bitten, too!
     
  11. Sep 30, 2011 #6
    featherfinder

    featherfinder Runner Lover

    2,241
    8
    161
    Apr 16, 2011
    Pinallas Park, Florida
    It will be a year this october that i had to put my cat down because of cancer. He was 16 and had cancer in his throat. His hair was falling out and he coual hardly eat. We had to give him a syringe of medication twice a day along with a pill in his food. He lasted another 5 months before he was in pain again and i made the decision to let go. I know how you feel [​IMG]
     
  13. Sep 30, 2011 #7
    Enchanted Sunrise Farms

    Enchanted Sunrise Farms Overrun With Chickens

    4,256
    31
    274
    Apr 26, 2007
    Fair Oaks, California
    Thanks all. i appreciate your suggestion, theoldchick. i may just stick with that for now. The chemo drug scares me. The tech said to wear gloves. But Sam whips around so much when we give him meds, i could see it flying all over, getting in his eye, or in my eye.

    For now he's still eating and drinking. He does pull himself up, protecting his abdomen if we don't get the pain meds on board morning and evening. So that medication is helping. i guess we just have to take this one day at a time.
     
  15. Sep 30, 2011 #8
    Enchanted Sunrise Farms

    Enchanted Sunrise Farms Overrun With Chickens

    4,256
    31
    274
    Apr 26, 2007
    Fair Oaks, California
    i'm so sorry, featherfinder. [​IMG] It's so hard watching them suffer.
     
  17. Sep 30, 2011 #9
    rodriguezpoultry

    rodriguezpoultry Langshan Lover

    10,907
    74
    328
    Jan 4, 2009
    Claremore, OK
    I know this has little grasp on your specific situation...but my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She took medications, much as you describe. One was not to exposed to light at all, had to remain in a brown bag.

    She was in such pain, even with pain killers, that her quality of life was nothing. She tried to tell us, but...how could we imagine? When it comes to something like this, I've decided that when there is no hope I will not go through this and neither will any of my animals. I would keep him comfortable as long as you can or as long as you feel able.
     
  19. Sep 30, 2011 #10
    HorseFeatherz NV

    HorseFeatherz NV Eggink Chickens

    6,569
    22
    251
    May 12, 2009
    Sierra Foothills of Reno, NV
    [​IMG]
     
Page 1 of 3

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by