If it is lymphoma, it is small cell, because 5 months is a long time for large cell going untreated-- cat would not be alive. Even with small cell, there is usually some lethargy. Is she lethargic? My positive cat Lucy has IBD. I was very scared it was lymphoma at first, and have been several times since, but it has been over a year now. She is on a home-made diet and a low dose of prednisone and is now doing a 2 month course of low dose metronidazole, which seems to be helping. Her diarrhea is controlled with these treatments. She has occasionally had flare-ups that scare me, though. IBD can turn into lymphoma, they think maybe this happens because of the inflammation (there is a theory that inflammation is a major cause or precondition of cancer). Severe IBD and small cell lymphoma are treated the same way-- with prednisone and a chemo pill called Leukeran (aka chlorambucil). I did not want to get Lucy scoped for lymphoma, so I started her on pred (start at about 10 mg/day and then taper) and home-made diet, and when this completely controlled the diarrhea I just kept treating her for IBD. I figure that if the diarrhea ever stops responding to diet, pred, and metronidazole, I will take her to an internist and ask for the leukeran, which would be the treatment with or without lymphoma if she is bad enough. Until then, I just treat for IBD. Michelle In a message dated 11/27/2006 5:09:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have been fostering a FELV pos. cat for over 6 months and she has chronic diarrhea multiple times a day. She has been tested numerous times for parasites and been dewormed. Our vet feels it may be lymphoma. If it is, how long do these cats live? Otherwise she is doing fairly well for a positive cat. Also, any suggestions to combatting the diarrhea would be helpful. I use pumpkin, slippery elm, and bentonite clay powder daily which helps to some degree. Her stools are still soft and she has accidents still and is in the litterbox frequently. Thanks for any info. Diane
