Positive thoughts for Haggis:hyperthyroid+tongue lesion

**illustr8r** · 11-04-2008, 06:44 PM

We got the worst possible news. Haggis has squalimous cell carcinoma. The vet said we have the option to treat it aggressively and go to an oncologist. I just don't know what to do.

**Karen** · 11-04-2008, 07:10 PM

Do go and talk to the oncologist. They have made huge advancements in treating cancer in pets. Ask for a second opinion if you are not sure of the answer from the first vet, okay?

**Medusa** · 11-04-2008, 07:15 PM

I'm really sorry to hear this but, as Karen said, they've made huge strides in treating cancer in pets. Your PT friends will be here to encourage you and you and Haggis will be in our prayers. We pray w/out ceasing here in Ohio. Keep the faythe.

**illustr8r** · 11-04-2008, 08:45 PM

Thank you everyone. We have an appointment on Friday morning to determine what, if any, options we have. They will do x-rays and blood work and more...my hubby talked to them because I was too upset. We are willing to do all we can if we can help him. Our vet said the specialists will give us straight talk and not false hope. So, we'll see. I can tell he doesn't feel well at all. Is it more than the stitches? Not eating and feeling weak?

I just feel so bad. What a terrible day. *sigh*

**Emeraldgreen** · 11-06-2008, 01:12 AM

Hi there. I'm so sorry to hear about your cat Haggis. I went through a similar thing with my cat Tiger who had Squamous Cell Carcinoma as well. He had a tumour in his nasal passage. I learned about Transfer Factor (a super immune booster) through Catty1 and emailed back and forth with a woman who had given it to her cat who also had S.C.C. Her cat was in very bad condition and she didn't want to put him through surgery. She scheduled his euthanasia but just couldn't go through with it. She started him on Transfer Factor and within months he was greatly improved until he was in remission. Her vet was very surprised and her cat is still with her today, years later.
I bought some and was able to give it sporadically to my cat Tiger but he was so fussy that he just wouldn't eat it if mixed in with other food. My other cats couldn't even tell it was in there because they would come up and try and eat his food but Tiger wasn't having any of it. I didn't want to force it on him because whenever I did that it was very stressful for him. I ultimately had to let him go to the Bridge after a year but I really think that if I had been able to get the Transfer Factor in him, he would have had a much better chance.
I have half a bottle left over and a whole bottle that has been compounded into a thick chicken flavoured suspension by the compounding pharmacy if you are interested. I would have to check with them first to see if it is still okay to use as it was compounded a few months ago. I have also offered this to KittyKatherine, whose cat is also fighting cancer. If she would like some too, I could send one of you the bottle and one of you the suspension.

Whatever you decide, my thoughts are with you.

**illustr8r** · 11-07-2008, 04:09 PM

Well, we have to come to terms that Haggis will be here maybe for another 2 months. Based on the size of the lesion removed they couldn't do any more surgery or if they did it would be radical with removing part of his jaw because it's likely already into his bone-plus radiation-plus a feeding tube and then he would only get another 6 months. What a miserable 6 months.

So, for as long as we have him he can eat all the cheese and sour cream he wants and the high carb kitty food. We have antibiotics to help the stitches heal from the biopsy which will ease the pain too plus pain killers for when that no longer works and high protein food that he can eat when he doesn't feel up to it so-less is actually more. Very sad. My husband said this is the first time he's had a pet where he knew that they wouldn't be around much longer and had to plan for-that day.

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions and offers. One day at a time I guess...

**Taz_Zoee** · 11-07-2008, 09:38 PM

I am sorry to hear about Haggis. They are both beautiful kitties.
Did you read the post above yours from Emeraldgreen? She suggests something that might help Haggis, if you are interested, or think it would work.
I'm with your husband. I've never had to deal with that either. Knowing that your animal is only going to be around for a while. I can only imagine how tough it is. I'm sure I will experience it someday, hopefully not too soon.

Anyway, welcome to Pet Talk and I will keep you and Haggis in my thoughts.

**kittykatharine** · 12-09-2008, 12:56 PM

I was trying to find some information on the specific cancer Haggis has, and I found a website where several owners are asking this specific vet about treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. I would look over it, because depending where the cancer is located seemed to indicate different treatements (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation therpy, and Photodynamic therapy). My cat just finished 6months of chemotherapy (she has nasal lymphoma) and she had a high quality of life throughtout the whole procedure. Here is the website:

http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/csqucell.html

I hope this helps some, and you are in my heart. I know exactly how a cancer diagnosis feels. PT is a wonderful place to get information and to talk with others who know what you are going through. You guys are in my prayers!

**Emeraldgreen** · 12-09-2008, 01:26 PM

I'm so happy to hear about the good report on both your boys, Haggis and Hamish! Fancy Feast must be tasty because it's the one thing I can sneak stuff into for my cats as well! Is cheese souffle/minced turkey a Fancy Feast flavour or do you mix cheese souffle with the turkey Fancy Feast? If it is a flavour, we don't have that here in B.C.

I'm glad that Haggis is eating the Transfer Factor without a problem. I began giving it to my foster cat Barney who was diagnosed with cancer less than a month ago. It didn't agree with him though so he is on another product called Immunocal. It's a natural whey protein and has cancer fighting properties. Here is the website if you're interested. It may be something that you could give in conjuction with with the Transfer Factor, I'm not sure but your vet could let you know. It is derived from milk, though the final product has no milk in it so it is safe for those with lactose intolerance. It's a powder that you can mix right into the wet food and doesn't seem to affect the flavour of the food at all.

**illustr8r** · 12-09-2008, 10:06 PM

You gals are the best!

I have been documenting days with Haggis with my iphone and I thought I would attach a few recent photos. In the evenings, we flip on the fireplace because well- the boys expect it! Hamish gets on my lap and Haggis gets as close as possible. Is there such a thing as broiled Haggis? I think so!

The Fancy Feast is "Elegant Melodys Tender Turkey and Cheddar Cheese Souffle (with Garden Greens)". It's like Mac & Cheese for kitties. It comes in a green can is about .25 more than the other kinds. The kitties like cheese so we thought this might work to hide the Transfer Factor. It doesn't seem really stinky but it sure must be tasty.

No adverse side effects so far from the TF. Good to know there is something else out there to try if there is.

I am supposed to take the boys in soon to get their blood work done to see how the hyperthyroid meds are working. I feel like if I take them in I'll jinx the good vibes we have going on so far. Each time we go to the vet it's bad news and hundreds of dollars!!!