My beautiful 17 y.o. Bartie has cancer

**moosmom** · 01-17-2013, 06:51 PM

Bartie had his check up on Tuesday. His blood work came back with elevated white cell counts. He's been vomiting and has diarrhea. He lost 2 pounds in less than 5 months. The vet says he's got intestinal lymphoma. She said in order to definitively rule out IBD, a biopsy would have to be done. Given his age, frailty and weight, it would be way too invasive. So, he's on steroids, strong antibiotics, along with his other meds. She said he's not in pain. All I can do now is keep him comfortable. He's down to 5.3 lbs and is skin and bones. He's been pooping in my shower, which I believe is due to dementia. I don't mind as its easy to clean up. He sleeps 23 hours a day and has lost his hearing. I've only had him for 2 years but I ADORE him. I had a chat with him and told him that I love him, but it's okay to "go" whenever he wants to. I am beside myself. I find myself checking to see if he's still breathing. Could I ask everyone to keep my old man in your prayers?

**kaycountrygal** · 01-17-2013, 07:08 PM

Oh My! I am so sorry to read about your boy. I know you'll do your best to keep him comfy. It is so hard when our beloved pets get sick and cant be cured. I went through it with my Luke and toward the end I actually prayed that he would go naturally because he was so weak that he couldnt walk...just crawl. I couldnt stand to see him like that any longer (I prob waited too long) and took him to vet to be PTS. He went so easy. If you have to do that, I know your Bartie will understand and know that you're helping him. You're both in my prayers.

**phesina** · 01-17-2013, 07:37 PM

Prayers and loving good wishes and comfort are coming from us to your dear beloved Bartie and to you too, Donna.

**Freedom** · 01-17-2013, 09:16 PM

Bartie has had 2 marvelous years which he would not have had with you, Donna. Remember that as you move through this.

Poor boy, his quality of life is not very good from the sounds of it. Prayers from RI for both of you.

**Karen** · 01-17-2013, 10:25 PM

You and he will be in our prayers.

**Purr-tender** · 01-17-2013, 11:04 PM

Donna, I hate to hear this. I know how you feel. I am going through the exact same thing with my Mo, who is 16 and has been my big boy since he came into my life at 2 months old. He did have the scope done and biopsy. He was diagnosed with IBD. The treatment is the same as for lymphoma. He has not responded to any of the meds they have tried. He went from a honking 20 lbs down to 9. He eats constantly but stays so thin, you can feel all his bones. He even wakes me up during the night to feed him and has stopped using the litterbox to poo (which is diarrhea) but does use it to pee.He started with the vomitting but we do have that stopped. If Bart does have IBD it isn't curable, but it is treatable. I hope your vet's treatment plan works for him.