Senior Kitty may be dying from cancer

[greenthumbnails]

Went to a couple of different vets to determine cause of rapid unexplained weight loss.  He is pretty frail now and resembles a walking skeleton with sunken eyes.  All his organ systems returned as normal in the bloodwork that was repeated 3 times over a period of 7 months.  No answers were found or treatment available other than to refer to a specialist who would primarily want to do either "exploratory surgery" to see if there was a tumor and where was it (especially if an ultrasound was done and didn't show anything).  Or to do surgery if they knew where it was. 

He is so weak and frail that we worry he would not wake up from an "exploratory surgery", or be able to heal from it if he did.  We have to force feed him through a syringe now because he will not or cannot eat as much as he use to.  Although he wil lget up to drink water.  The two general practice vets believe that he has some sort of "lymphoma".  One said that he could be put on oral meds for that.  The other said it is not successful long term in an older cat, only a younger cat.  Senior Kitty is approx 9-10 yrs old.  We found him abandoned by someone in 2000. Vet said he estimated that he was one year old when we found him. 

I am heartbroken to see him like this.  I bought this alternative feline herbal online.  I am hoping that it will at least improve his quality of life...still waiting for it in the mail.

http://www.petwellbeing.com/cat-cancer-p28.cfm?__utma=1.670366483886686800.1226238157.1226238157.1226242432.2&__utmb=1.1.10.1226242432&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1226242432.2.2.utmgclid=CL69paur6JYCFQVuswod9VXkOA|utmccn=(not%20set)|utmcmd=(not%20set)|utmctr=feline%20small%20cell%20lymphoma&__utmv=-&__utmk=128429708

Has anyone heard of it before?

[Sunbeam56]

Is he in pain?
If he's not - let him live without getting cut open. A tumor can be palpated, or seen by an xray.

[Kittyzee]

I've not heard of it, but I'm one for not going the invasive surgery route with animals (if at all possible) and making sure that he is not in pain.  That he was rescued by you and given a life time of good care and love is proof to him (as if animals needed that) that you would do anything to prolong his life.  I would probably try this herbal remedy too, it probably can't do any harm.  You will watch him for signs I'm sure.

The body slows down when close to dying and appetite is one of the first things to go (also in humans unless we're hooked up to feeding tubes) and is a naturally occuring process.  It's peaceful and natural, although extremely heartbreaking for the ones left behind.  Let us know how he is doing on the herbal medicine. 

So sorry your kitty is ill, well wishes to you and him 

[lorraine1960]

sorry to hear and know what u are going through.i have 8 cats...and my teddy bear who was the first is trixi and she is 15 and i tell you i am gonna be totally ill and sad when she goes.she has all of a sudden getting thinner it seems and more fragile.it really tears at my stomache.ever since the first day i found her she has slept with me at night and when i'm sick never leaves my side but to eat or use the bathroom.we have been together so long that i understand what she says and wants and her me....thats th thing about animals and its total unconditional love thatyou receive and what i try to tell myself to comfort myself especially like in feb i had to put my dog down,, is that we gave each other a wonderful, full dedicating life and i will see them again when i  go to the other side...  lorraine

[Joyce]

Sounds like what happened to my Kleo.  :'(  She will be dead 2 years this December.  :'(
But with your situation, no one really knows how old the cat was to begin with, even your vet took a guestimate.
Could be that the cat was 5 or 6 when you found it.

I let nature take it's course with Kleo, until her quality of life was compromised.
I could not bear to see her suffer any longer, and loved her enough to end her suffering.
I had her put to sleep in my arms.  :'(

[marla]

Oh, I feel your pain.  I have lost 2 cats in the last couple years, one to cancer and one to kidney disease.  I am now treating my oldest cat (19) with IV fluids due to kidney failure.  This is not to extend his life but make his last days more comfortable.  I agree invasive surgery in a frail cat is not the right thing to do.  Try the herbal product, and see what happens. If his suffering and bad days out weighs his good days and quality of life, you may have to make the decision to let go, it is a hard one but You will know when it is time to let go of him.  Hugs

[greenthumbnails]

Thanks everyone for all your comments and concern.  I cannot tell if he is in any pain, he is pretty quiet these days.  He normally is a very vocal cat.  I started him on the ES Clear for cat cancer yesterday.  Will keep you posted if there are any positive results.