Hi Belinda, Thanks for sharing that . It sounds like you did a lot for Mikie. I am really torn as to what do with Nikkita. One part of me is considering the chemo but the other is not so sure. My vet was guessing about 1500 to 2000 for treatment but she wasn't sure since she would have to refer me to someone's else. I think what is most important is how Nikkita will feel and I think the weekly visits would really make her unhappy too. Also I worry how my cat Skeeter would treat her. He is already really mean to her sometimes and if she was feeling down or sick from the chemo that would be the last thing I would want her to experience. In the meantime I took her to vet today and we put her on predinsone for now, she wasn't feeling well and her fever was still 104 after almost a weeks worth of antibiotics. I want her to be happy and comfortable as she can. My cats are my kids too and I love them so much it's just a tough situation. I wish I knew more before this tumor developed. It's been about a month in a half since Zelda died and finding out about Nikkita. I didn't know I could have started her medication before any symptoms started. Maybe it could have stopped a tumor from developing. I don't know. Thanks and take care. kathy Blinder Sauro wrote: > Hello, > Yes we have used Chemo, back in 94 on Mikie - he had a tumor in > his kidney he was on of the 3 FeLV+ we lost in that 15 months. We > started chemo in late December of 1993 and continued til late February > into early March of 1994. He did extremely well for the first few > months, but then the Vet trips and treatment were too much for him and > his tumor came back in March so we discontinued. The Vet said once the > cancer reappears treatment isn't as successful and Mikie was so unhappy > going to the Vet every week. The Vet wa about a 40 minute drive, very > stressful for him. Our total cost for ALL the chemo, ALL the > medications, ALL the exams (our Vet is one of the more expensive ones > around) was between $1000.00 and $1500.00, we charged it all so I'm not > exactly sure. This was for twice weekly trips to start with and the > total treatment time was close to 4 months. > It looked very good at the start the tumor shrank and disappeared > immediately and Mikie did very well for the first 2 months, then the > trips and taking medication (not the chemo, this didn't appear to affect > him at all) for appetite started to catch up to him. When the tumor > reappeared we decided to just make him as comfortable for as long as > possible and then when he let us know it was time to let him go. He was > diagnosed in December of 1993 and passed away March 8th 1994, he was > almost 6 years old. > I'd had him since he was 8 weeks old, he was a real lover, always > wanted to be the center of attention. If you were petting or playing > with another kitty, he'd run right over and try to squeeze in between > and get his share of love, very sweet boy. > Our Vet said Chemo is very effect in many cases and can definitely > add years to your kitties life, good quality years, Mikie's treatment > would have lasted about 10 months and probably cost between $2500.00 and > $3000.00 dollars and it would have been worth it, we were already in > debt and when it comes to the kitties we have the money even if we go > into debt (nice thing about credit cards, they are always there as long > as you pay the bill). > We've since paid off that debt and Mike has a better job and we > only have one credit card now, but of course it's to the limit, some > things never change!! > > I also believe Gina did Chemo with her Rubin, he was diagnosed at 7 > years of age and went into remission for 5 years, so he and they got 5 > more years of good quality time together. He was 12 when he passed. > > Yes money is a factor, but the kitties are our children and anything > they need they get one way or another. We have no 2 legged children, > just the furballs! I'll be praying that things work out for you and > > -- Belinda > Happiness is being owned by cats ... > > - - - - - - - - - - - > > Be-Mi-Kitties ... > http://bemikitties.com > > BMK Designs > http://bemikitties.com/bmk > > FeLV List Candle Light Service > http://bemikitties.com/cls > > - - - - - - - - - - - > > Websites (Designed or Revamped) > > -- Whiskers & Wicks > http://www.whiskersandwicks.com > > -- Mark Delman & Kitties > http://home.earthlink.net/~mdelman > > -- CPRescue > http://cprescue.freeyellow.com > > - - - - - - - - - - - > > Rescue Websites (Designed & Maintained for FREE) > > -- Central Maryland Lhasa Apso Fanciers Rescue > http://www.tidalwave.net/~annie > > -- Humane Society Of Clark County > http://pets.ezclick.net > > -- Loving Touch Inc. > http://bemikitties.com/lti > > -- Loving Hearts Rottweiler Rescue & Referral > http://bemikitties.com/lhrrr > > -- Houston Dachshund Rescue > http://bemikitties.com/hdr > > -- Basset Lovers Rescue > http://bemikitties.com/blr
