Sydney's Devastating Update.

[Catty1]

HUGS!!!!

Make a list of questions to ask your vet. That way you will have the clear questions in front of you as you will be emotional and maybe forget what to ask.

1. Treatment options: Cryogenic surgery? (freeze-drying the tumour?) Is there a specialist you can take Sydney to? OR, is there a veterinary teaching hospital not too far away?

2. How about a second opinion from a homeopathic vet?

3. Medications: Regressin? (Prednisone will help swelling and keep Sydney more comfortable.

4. Transfer Factor - here is the link: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm

I could not find the personal testimony page, but here is the email addy of the person Emeraldgreen has been in touch with: Feline squamous cell tumor in remission
From Bethany in Texas email: fingerpaint<at>gmail.com

Testimonials from vets: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.co...m#testimonials

AND - remember that there are lots of people here willing to help out if $$ get crazy! This is your baby's life and we all understand that.

I have a cheque coming in in the next few days, and could certainly spare a bit.

[kittykatharine]

Catty1, thank you so much for your support and generosity. I am making a list of questions to ask my vet next week and I am going to have to sit down and figure out which treatment option will be the best and least painful for her. Unfortunately, the closest veterinarian specialist and/or teaching hospital is 5 hours away (Auburn, Alabama). My vet is consulting with them next week and will be getting back to me. Once I have made a decision on what to do, I will be applying to IMOM for some help. The vet told me whether I go with chemo or surgery, it will probably cost $3,000 +. I am currently in the process of calling my family to see if they can help a little bit. I am trying to stay productive, so I can give my baby her last figting chance. I will keep everyone posted.

HUGS!!!!

Make a list of questions to ask your vet. That way you will have the clear questions in front of you as you will be emotional and maybe forget what to ask.

1. Treatment options: Cryogenic surgery? (freeze-drying the tumour?) Is there a specialist you can take Sydney to? OR, is there a veterinary teaching hospital not too far away?

2. How about a second opinion from a homeopathic vet?

3. Medications: Regressin? (Prednisone will help swelling and keep Sydney more comfortable.

4. Transfer Factor - here is the link: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm

I could not find the personal testimony page, but here is the email addy of the person Emeraldgreen has been in touch with: Feline squamous cell tumor in remission
From Bethany in Texas email: fingerpaint<at>gmail.com

Testimonials from vets: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.co...m#testimonials

AND - remember that there are lots of people here willing to help out if $$ get crazy! This is your baby's life and we all understand that.

I have a cheque coming in in the next few days, and could certainly spare a bit.

[Moesha]

Please do keep us posted and use us as a support while you are dealing with this difficult situation. We want to hear about what is going on and will really be here to help in many ways.

[kittykatharine]

I researched online that transfer factor, and decided that I have nothing to loose and bought a bottle. I am going to check with my vet next week to make sure it doesn't react with any of the medications she is currently on. I am going to spend this entire weekend researching what I can, to see if I can I can help her. I love my little girl Thanks again everyone for your support!

[Catty1]

Link to support site: http://felinelymphomacaregivers.org/

7. Response to initial therapy is perhaps the most reliable prognostic factor. Although this requires commitment from the owner to initiate treatment and maintain the treatment for a sufficient period to determine response, this time frame is often not more than four to eight weeks. Cats that achieve a complete remission initially may continue to have durable remissions, extending for more than 12-18 months. Encouraging the owner of cat with lymphoma to attempt treatment and setting a decision point four to eight weeks following the treatment will give the benefit to the cats and does not risk substantial toxicity or expense.

Combination chemotherapy is more effective than single agent chemotherapy. However, the activity of each single must be known before incorporation into multi-agent protocol. The use of prednisone alone is considered palliative therapy, and in fact, may reduce the ability to subsequent effectiveness of combination protocols. Therefore, initiate combination therapy within a short time following diagnosis rather than start prednisone for several weeks with the intention of instituting the rest of the drugs later.

The incorporation of doxorubicin into combination protocols has provided a significant benefit to many dogs with lymphoma. This compound requires more extensive monitoring and knowledge regarding management of potential side effects. However, it is currently recommended as a component of the treatment regimen, unless contraindications to its use exist.

kittykatherine - I found a page with many links to other resources. Some of the links are "parked" - but I hope you will find some that are helpful. They were provided by a woman who lost her kitty to a certain type of lymphoma; kitty was 14 and the tumour was elsewhere in the body. I won't post the link as I think reading the story will sadden you, but she had some excellent lessons to pass on:

LESSONS LEARNED

There are several things I learned during Woodrow’s illness – some by default – which I will pass along for those who are interested.

For any illness with your cat: If you’re not sure about the treatment recommended for your cat, get a second opinion. Or a third. Or whatever it takes until you are sure. Learn as much as you can about the illness and the options for treating it. Decide what you want for your pet, and also what you don’t want. Be clear about this with the vet and techs – without being rude, of course. The same is true if you’re not happy about the way you or your pet is being treated by your vet and/or staff. Try talking it out first, but if they can’t or won’t do what you want, find someone who will.

For cancer: I think the best thing I did was to get a second opinion with a board certified veterinary oncologist. If there isn’t any near you, try a board certified veterinary internist. Even if you are happy with your primary vet, as I was, veterinary oncology is changing so quickly that it’s extremely difficult for a general practice vet to keep up.

Ask for copies of all notes and tests on your pet as they are done. And keep your own notes (on what you notice about your pet after each treatment, response to medications, about what the vets tell you, etc.). These can help your vet in making treatment decisions, and help you avoid confusion later on. With Woodrow’s care, the medications were so numerous, and the amounts and timing changed so often that – even though I have a fairly good memory – I couldn’t have kept it all straight.

For feline cancer, maintaining good nutritional status is very important. Make certain your cat is weighed on the same scale each time it goes in to the clinic. If it starts to lose weight, ask if either Hills a/d or Clinicare are advisable. These are nutritionally complete cat foods that also are nutritionally dense: that is, they contain everything your cat needs for long-run good nutritional status, but in smaller portions. This way, cats that can’t or won’t eat enough to maintain their weight can be fed smaller portions and still not lose weight.

Feline Cancer: Individual Cases
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/P...151/biffy.html
http://www.lava.net/~kitster/dailylog.html
http://barbarascamera.com/punkie.htm
http://www-cis.usc.edu/~laura/cats/cancer.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~ldills/

Feline Cancer: General Information and Resources

http://www.gcvs.com/oncology/pwc/rulesoftheroad.htm (My cat has cancer - what should I do first?)
http://www.onelist.com/ ((FIND list, then ANIMALS, then CATS,
then FELINE LYMPHOMA {also FELINE CANCER})
http://oncolink.upenn.edu/specialty/vet_onc
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/clins...g/enteral.html (Nutrition Calculator)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. I'll continue to keep Sydney in my thoughts and prayers.

[Medusa]

I wish that I could help w/more info but Catty1 is expert when it comes to investigation, so you're in good hands there. In the meantime, I'll do what I do best and that's pray for you and Sydney. (((HUGS)))