(Updated with sad news) Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

After a few weeks of my kitty, Mikey, vomiting blood on and off, we finally were referred for a sonogram. My vet referred us to the hospital in Plainview on the LIE south service rd. How reputable are they?
They called a little while ago...his blood showed that is slightly anemic. The
sono showed 35-55% of his stomach was massed(sp?) I tried writing everything down, but couldn't keep up. They will try to do an endoscopy tomorrow if he is stable. He is there overnight. They said it could either be lymphoma or carcinoma.
Either one is cancer no matter how you look at it.

He's been my baby for 16 yrs. He was born in my backyard when I was still living with my parents. Then he was my dad's when my mom died. My dad died 5 years ago and Mikey was once again mine. He's a great cat...he brings us so much joy. This is breaking our hearts.

Do we do chemo? I know that's a decision only we can make, but I guess I'm asking if you've had your pets on chemo. I've read that cats tolerate it better than humans. Anyone have advice?

I just want to crawl into a hole.

Message edited 8/26/2008 1:22:03 PM.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry you're going thru this. You've already been thru so much
I don't have any words of advice, but I know you'll make the right decision. Just follow your heart.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I can't even imagine what it is like. It sounds like he is at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS). They are very reputable. Both of my vets (for ferret and cats) recommend them for emergencies. In fact, I was just there last week. They were great. Hope your kitty gets through this quickly and painlessly!

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

i am so sorry i hope it's nothing serious, but if it is, your kitty is in very good hands at LIVS.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Oh no, Michelle. I'm so, so sorry. I've heard good things about that Plainview vet hospital. A woman I know was bringing her dog there for cancer treatment. He was having chemo and everything. I think he's doing okay now

I know you've been through a lot and I hope they can help Mikey. It's just awful

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I am so sorry. I lost my dog of 15 years to heart disease and it is so devastating seeing them sick. My thoughts are with you. I heard good things about the place you are going to. I went to Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists in Bohemia and they are great. Good luck!

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I just saw this and am so sorry...
My mom just went through this with one of her cats. The good thing is the chemo won't hurt (surgery can make it worse apparently in animals), but it may not make much of a difference.
If I were you, I would opt for the chemo if it's an option or just let hiim live out his days in comfort with you.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Oh Michelle. How much more can you endure? I am keeping Mikey in my prayers and sending healing thoughts to you all. If you need anything, please let me know!

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I am so sorry. My dog had cancer a few years back (she was 16) and we just couldn't believe it. I miss her every day. I know what you are going through. Its worse than a human because they cannot speak for themselves. Its a very hard decision to make as to what to do.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I'm beside myself. I just keep researching, which is useless right now, b/c we don't have a definite diagnosis yet. He's having an endoscopy right now and they will call us this afternoon. If he is well enough, he'll come home. He is still anemic and weak. If he doesn't come home tonight, we can go and visit. I want to see him so badly, but saying goodbye when we have to leave brings me to tears just thinking about it.

I'll update when I know more.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I talked to the doctor a little while ago. They did the endoscopy and it is most likely lymphoma. Even worse, the tumor is actively bleeding, which is causing him to be anemic. He might now need a blood transfusion. We can go and visit him a little later, so we'll see what happens.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Oh Michelle. I'm here for you.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

my dog was diagnosed with lymphoma around march 2007. we went to liv for treatment. she didn't have any operable masses but her lymph nodes were inflamed she did her first protocol of chemo for 3 monthes she got treated once a week then evry other week for 3 months then they stop. She came out of remisson about 3 months later and we had to start chemo again the new oncologist did a different protocol the dog handled it so much better we just finished treatment again and now we make for her to come out of remission again.

with cancer in animals they don't cure it they just kinda put it to sleep.

If you have any questions i would be glad to help if i can

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated. Update 8/21

Update: We visited him last night and the nurse brought him into the examination room for us. She commented on what an amazingly good kitty he was. I knew that already :) He was still out of it from the anesthesia, but started purring the minute I touched him. His back legs weren't working so well, so he kept sliding around. I brought him his McDonald's (fancy feast) and some dry I/D. I let him lick the FF first and he practically bit the can apart. He was soooooo hungry. When I gave him the dry, he couldn't get enough of it! What an appetite! I didn't want him to eat too much and upset his system, so I fed him in bites every 5 minutes. They let us visit with him for a half hour.

Then when the nurse came back in, he meowed really loud and looked like he was having a seizure. He just kind of looked all spacey and couldn't hold his head up. Then in 10 seconds he seemed fine. She took him in the back for the doctor to check him out. He came back in 5 minutes later and said it was a reaction from the anemia. He decided it was time for a transfusion, which we agreed with. He was also going to give him steroids right away. Depending on what the biopsy says, they will start him on L-asparaginase (chemo) today as well.

I'm nervous about him coming home. I'm going to be watching him like a hawk.
I hope his strong appetite is a good sign for him.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

thank you passerby, that information helps. That's kind of what the vet was saying; that once chemo is started, the stomach may look completely normal, but then it mutates and a change in protocol is needed. As long as he will still have a good quality of life, we'll try it.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I'm SO glad to hear this!! Stay strong kitty!!!!

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

I'm sorry this is happening and that you have to have this happen after all you've been through

I'm so glad that you got to see him and spend some time with him

I have everything crossed that he responds well to the transfusion and other treatments

Re: Kitty might have cancer...devastated.

wishing your kitty lots of luck with the transfusion and chemo. he is very lucky to have you.