A comment on chemo: The Royal Princess Kitty Katt (not FeLV+) had a cancer
that spread and was vicious. The specialists were very insistent on chemo. I
went to my vets and we had a very long hard talk (actually several of them
since they are very good at holding my hand when things turn ugly). There are
several types of chemo. The one Kitty would have to have was rough to put it
mildly. I think she was to be on it for 6 months. Without it she was to live
about 2 months and with it maybe 6-8 months (according to the specialists). My
vets and I agreed that there was no quality of life to gain and, as much as
Kitty hated vets, traveling etc, a lot to lose. We opted not to even try the
chemo. Kitty lived 14 months and had a high quality of life. Her lungs filled
with the masses but she never seemed to be in any pain---some discomfort but
not nearly what she would be in had I forced her to travel. So much of this is
a judgment call. Sit with your little friend after you have gathered all the
information you can and feel what the cat wants----I got in trouble for
suggesting this not long ago but I truly believe you will know what is best if
you calm yourself and talk to your friend the way you would talk to a baby or
an elderly person who cannot communicate with words.....talk with your heart.
Among the things Dr. Kohler and I talked about were:
What would we do if we had the cancer? Would we endure chemo or enjoy the time
we had? What other options are available (a gentler chemo etc)? What is the
cat's personality? What would work for Dixie might not work for Kitty etc?
Did I have the ability to take "doing nothing" as a positive step or did I need
to try anything and everything? (There are times that choosing to do nothing
is choosing to do something.) We also talked at length about the need to make
a decision and not look back and second guess ourselves if we chose to do
nothing.
Maybe examining these questions with both your heart and mind will help. I am
blessed to have vets that can be so open with me. In other cases we have taken
other routes. It has always depended on the little one in question.
Again blessings to you. You may want to check out the Bach Essences (Rainbow
Blossom, Wild Oats, Whole Foods). There are some that will help you and your
little friend.
No matter what you chose try very hard to enjoy the time you have with Monkee.
No one knows when she is going to leave this world and we spend much too much
time grieving before it is time to grieve-----------and lose the precious
moments together.
If you have men who will
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion
and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with their
fellow man.
St. Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Dubose
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: just beginning
Hi Caroline,
I am sorry about Monkee.
Thanks for taking him into your home, especially since he was a stray and is
felv+.
I am sure he has had a good life w/ you, espeically since 4 yrs. is really a
long time to survive being felv+.
I have taken several animals through chemo (I am a petsitter, I do this for
my clients as a favor since it's hard on them or if they are out of town) and I
have to say, I don't think I would take my cat through chemo.
It's just very hard on them medically, espeically if they are felv+.
I am by no means a vet, but I have worked for one of the best feline
specialist in central Texas, and he is years ahead of most vets when it comes
to felv+ cats.
He has 8 pos. cats @ his sanctuary.
If Monkee were my cat, I would value the time I have left w/ him and not have
anymore chemo nor would I subject him to surgery.
That is just my opinion.
I know it hurts, very much, but you are giving him a great gift by caring for
him and being there for him.
I have 4 felv+ cats myself, and so far they are doing pretty well,
considering.
----- Original Message -----
From: Caroline Kaufmann
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 1:30 PM
Subject: just beginning
I just joined this list. My 6 year old cat, Monkee, he was a stray that I
took in 4 years ago, knowing he had FeLv- and now he's not doing good. I
discovered a swollen lymph node in April and he was diagnosed with
Lymphosarcoma. So we started chemotherapy. Everything is complicated by the
fact that I lost my job in January and got a new one in May, but the expense of
caring for him is becoming increasingly difficult. Wth paying up front for his
treatment, I just can't get back on my feet financially and I don't know how
much longer we can keep this up. I thought he was doing really well, but the
initial chemo didn't shrink the node enough, so his Doctor wanted it surgically
removed. So we did that. He did wonderful in the two weeks of recovery, but
last weekend he became lethargic and I knew something was wrong. He went back
the doctor and now she says his "feline leukemia is acting up" because his red
blood cells are down significantly. In all the time I have had him, he never
showed any signs of having FeLv, so this all new to me. He's on a new
medication to try to boost his RB cell count before we maybe try a new,
stronger chemo. I guess I just wanted to know if anyone has gone through a
similar experience? I want to know about life expectancy and I can't seem to
get straight answers from my vet. I also want to know about how long this
could go on with him languishing in this sick state? He's just so much not
like himself and my heart is breaking. Is there any hope for us?
Thanks,
Caroline in Louisville, Kentucky
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