Latest Update 12-9-09 Storm's Been Diagnosed & Sunny's Biopsy Results

**Catty1** · 12-10-2009, 11:20 AM

Tracey, I am SOOO sorry!

It can't hurt to try the transfer factor. Get in touch with Moesha.

HUGS and PT Prayers for Sunny. They have worked miracles before.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 12-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm in tears again.

Sunny's still eating well but he's still being very quiet for my Sunny boy. I'm also having a problem with both of my girls. They're still hissing and growling at poor Sunny and Pearl doesn't want to leave him alone.

I thought at first that it was because he smelled like the vets but this usually just lasts one day. I think they know that he's very sick and weaker now.

Ziggy also hisses at Storm but Storm is starting to chase her so I do understand the reason for this. Thanks for all of the emotional support. I really appreciate it.

**gini** · 12-10-2009, 12:58 PM

God love you Tracey. This is just too much all at once. I am so sorry.

**Edwina's Secretary** · 12-10-2009, 04:08 PM

Tracey...I am thinking good thoughts for you and your brood. I am so sorry you are having such a bad time....

**Cataholic** · 12-10-2009, 04:22 PM

Tracey, I am so very, very sorry to hear this news. I will hold you and your crew in my thoughts and prayers.

Johanna

**Catlady711** · 12-13-2009, 06:44 PM

Sorry to hear the results came back cancerous. Sending good thoughts for you and Storm.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 12-13-2009, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Catty1

Are you going to give the Transfer Factor a try, hon?

HUGS to Storm, I hope he'll be back on top of things, and good to hear that Sunny is yelling!

No, I've decided not to. I've heard that it tastes very nasty and I don't want to force this on him. I also remember that Emeraldgreen's cat Tiger also had this form of cancer and she tried this on him without any luck. I researched many holistic sites and nothing will cure this cancer or any cancer. It only prolongs the inevitable.

Originally Posted by Catlady711

Sorry to hear the results came back cancerous. Sending good thoughts for you and Storm.

Thanks Catlady711.

My vet called me a little while ago. She's been so busy today and she had to do 2 surgeries. She told me that there's not much that can be done with this type of cancer. Surgery isn't recommended because they can't get clean margins so it just comes back. She could refer me to an oncologist to possibly put Sunny through radiation or chemotherapy but this has no guarantee of working and it's very expensive. I'm already in a lot of debt so I just can't afford this kind of treatment.

I've decided to just do nothing at this point except to enjoy my Sunny boy and cherish every momemt that I have with him. I'll keep my vet updated monthly about him and when he needs some pain meds then I'll give them to him. My vet said that I may have 3-5 months left with him. She also said that his kidney values are on the high normal side. This is why I don't want to use any pain meds that will attack his kidneys because then I'd have much less time with him. We can use pain patches or the Buprenex that I was giving him after his dental. I hope that you don't think that I'm a bad cat meowmie by making this decision. Thanks again for all of the emotional support.

**Catty1** · 12-13-2009, 07:39 PM

Re: the Transfer Factor...Emeraldgreen's cat definitely did not like the taste, and took very little of it, which is a factor. EG told me later that the vets did believe what he did take gave him more time.

illustr8r's Haggis took it very well and was cancer-free at the last test.

Just a thought - if Moesha has just a few caps, why not see if Sunny will take it? It will cost you nothing to find out.

Here's a link direct to the study smokey the elder was talking about. Perhaps there is a similar study in CA? They might know.

http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Clinic...Carcinoma.aspx

Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Study Investigating New Drug Safety and Effects on Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carinoma (SCC)
Principal Investigator: John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral cancer in cats and people. In cats, it is a devastating disease with a median survival time of approximately 60 days. Penn Vet recently received a generous gift in memory of "Bud", a cat affected by maxillary SCC, with the establishment of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma Research Fund.
With this fund, the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital Dentistry and Oral Surgery service is currently recruiting cats diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma to be included in a new study evaluating the toxicity and efficacy of two polyamine inhibitor drugs, 2-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and MQT 1569.

Polyamines are compounds found in cells that play a role in cell replication and growth. Polyamines are often elevated in tumor cells. By administering the two drugs, DFMO and MQT 1569, and preventing polyamines from working, the study hopes to find that tumor growth is delayed or halted.
Eligibility:

* your cat must have been diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma with a biopsy
* you have opted not to have surgery performed to remove the tumor or pursue other chemotherapy or radiation treatment, either by your veterinarian’s advice or your own choice
* if your cat previously had surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma and the cancer has recurred, he or she is still eligible
* your cat must have a reasonably good appetite and you must be willing and able to give oral liquid medication three times per day

Benefits to enrolling your cat in this study include a physical exam at each visit; blood work including complete blood count, chemistry screen, and thyroid level; urinalysis; chest x-rays; dental x-rays; a CT-scan of the head; lymph node aspirates and repeat tumor biopsies at no charge. You will also be supplied with the investigational medications at no charge.

You must be able to bring your cat to MJR-VHUP for the initial visit, a follow-up visit two weeks later and the final visit one month from the initial visit.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact the Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center at 215-573-0302 or [email protected]

**Grace** · 12-14-2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by krazyaboutkatz

I've decided to just do nothing at this point except to enjoy my Sunny boy and cherish every momemt that I have with him. I'll keep my vet updated monthly about him and when he needs some pain meds then I'll give them to him. My vet said that I may have 3-5 months left with him. She also said that his kidney values are on the high normal side. This is why I don't want to use any pain meds that will attack his kidneys because then I'd have much less time with him. We can use pain patches or the Buprenex that I was giving him after his dental. I hope that you don't think that I'm a bad cat meowmie by making this decision. Thanks again for all of the emotional support.

Bravo Tracey!!

This is exactly what we will do if a similar situation arises with one of our cats.

**Barbara** · 12-16-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by krazyaboutkatz

No, I've decided not to. I've heard that it tastes very nasty and I don't want to force this on him. I also remember that Emeraldgreen's cat Tiger also had this form of cancer and she tried this on him without any luck. I researched many holistic sites and nothing will cure this cancer or any cancer. It only prolongs the inevitable.

My vet called me a little while ago. She's been so busy today and she had to do 2 surgeries. She told me that there's not much that can be done with this type of cancer. Surgery isn't recommended because they can't get clean margins so it just comes back. She could refer me to an oncologist to possibly put Sunny through radiation or chemotherapy but this has no guarantee of working and it's very expensive. I'm already in a lot of debt so I just can't afford this kind of treatment.

I've decided to just do nothing at this point except to enjoy my Sunny boy and cherish every momemt that I have with him. I'll keep my vet updated monthly about him and when he needs some pain meds then I'll give them to him. My vet said that I may have 3-5 months left with him. She also said that his kidney values are on the high normal side. This is why I don't want to use any pain meds that will attack his kidneys because then I'd have much less time with him. We can use pain patches or the Buprenex that I was giving him after his dental. I hope that you don't think that I'm a bad cat meowmie by making this decision. Thanks again for all of the emotional support.

I am completely with you. I am very unhappy that Tigris had to go through that biopsy - but without that we hadn't even known whether it was cancer and the vet and we both hoped it would be something treatable. But when you know this already I would never put him through surgery, radiation, bad tasting medicine or anything the like. Sunny is happy now and will be ok to go in some time. You will by no means be ready and the pain will stay fresh for a long time but this is the thing we have to suffer for our love.