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Old May 7th, 2009, 04:43 PM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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My vet is 99% certain my cat has intestinal cancer

My 15 year old cat Howie has lost some weight recently and started having major diarrhea. A bland diet and Flagyl didn't help so he had a biopsy today. The vet just called and said his intestinal walls were very thick and his lymph nodes were swollen and "angry" looking. I won't know the results of the biopsy until early next week but the vet said he's 99% sure that he has cancer. He did say that sometimes these things can fool even the best vet so there still could be a chance he has a severe form of irritable bowel syndrome.

Has anyone had a cat with this type of cancer? If so, I'd like to hear how things went and what I can expect. I hope we will be able to spend more quality time with him but he's already uncomfortable and getting dehydrated from diarrhea. Poor baby! It's been nothing but bad news for our cats lately. In the past month and a half, I've lost my two twenty year old cats and now my Howie could be next!

Thanks
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

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Old May 7th, 2009, 05:45 PM
Jim Hall Jim Hall is offline
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20and 15 wow you must take exceptional care of your friends

I havent had any experiance with this but i just wanted to wish you luck

im sure someone will be bye this thread to help
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  #3  
Old May 7th, 2009, 06:55 PM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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Thanks Jim. It's always wonderful to have support and caring! As my vet says, we grow our cats old. We found a stray cat in 1988 and the vet said he was about 7+ years old at the time. We named him Bob and he was the greatest, bravest and most loyal cat you could ask for. Bob would actually try to attack passing dogs being walked on a leash if he thought we were in danger! Our Bob passed away in 2006 and was at least 26 or more years old. He had no illnesses at the time but was just... old. What a life he had!!!

Like everyone on these forums, we love our cats very, very much! I have to admit, we've been very blessed to have had them live as long as they did!! Luck was on our side.
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates
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Old May 7th, 2009, 09:52 PM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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I think everyone must be tired of hearing from me in light of all my tragedies. Believe me, I wouldn't know what to say either if I were you. I just want to thank those who've read my posts and who've wished me well.
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates
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Old May 7th, 2009, 10:46 PM
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catlover2 catlover2 is offline
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Compliment yourself on taking such wonderful care of your cats---26 y.o. my goodness! I do hope you can get some help for "Howie". I had an almost 16 y.o. cat die a few years ago and her beloved 18 y.o. catfriend grieved and fretted over her loss for six months---meowing for her, insisting I open closet doors for her to look inside, and sitting in places her friend sat. When I got a kitten to keep her company she went downhill in a matter of a few months, even tho the kitten was very respectful of her. I wonder if Howie is missing his 20 y.o.cat friends a lot too? We can only give them as much love as possible and when its time for them to go to the "rainbow bridge" make it as comfortable as possible.
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Old May 7th, 2009, 11:30 PM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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Sorry to hear that Howie is ailing now, too, smithduke!

that the biopsy doesn't show cancer. Not that IBD is easy to treat, but it often can be managed easier than cancer.

Hang in there and see what the results are. You and Howie are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Old May 8th, 2009, 02:28 AM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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Hi smithduke I'm sorry your kitties are having more troubles

Quote:
Originally Posted by smithduke View Post
I hope we will be able to spend more quality time with him but he's already uncomfortable and getting dehydrated from diarrhea
Has the vet given/suggested either subq or IV fluids to replace the fluids lost? I would suggest you speak to your vet about it, dehydration can aggrevate other conditions as well as just making the animal feel awful.

Some links on cancer & IBD:
http://www.felineoutreach.org/Educat...asp?cat=Cancer
http://harpsie.com/cancer.htm
http://harpsie.com/colitis_ibd.htm#ibd

for the test results
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Old May 9th, 2009, 12:02 AM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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catlover2, how sad for your cats! That's what I worry about with Howie's "girlfriend" Jessie. They hug and spoon together and lay in bed with each other all day. I agree that losing our other girls have changed the entire dynamic of our house! There's a sense that something is missing and a sadness. Although we try to be upbeat, it's hard to know that Howie is sick.

growler and hazel, thanks for the wishes and advice. He came home today from his surgery and is on pain meds and antibiotics. The vet put him on a special diet and we just have to wait until the biopsy's come back. Despite his huge incision and effects of the anesthesia, Howie is doing pretty well. He just wants our love, kisses and hugs. Howie is a lovely boy and right now my hubby is in bed and Howie is laying next to him. I''m headed up there to give them both a big kiss.

Thanks for all the wishes and support. I'll let you know how he's doing.
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates
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  #9  
Old May 9th, 2009, 07:58 AM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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Smithduke,don't ever think that we would tire of reading your posts,whether it be happy or sad news
I am Howie will be ok,no ugly cancer
All your cats have had very long happy lives,I can only hope mine will live that long.
for good news fo sweet Howie
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Old May 9th, 2009, 09:27 AM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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Howie sounds like a sweetie. Please do keep us posted on how he's doing.

When will you get the biopsy results back? The waiting is so hard.
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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

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  #11  
Old May 9th, 2009, 01:05 PM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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The results of the biopsy won't be in until at least Monday. It seems like forever. Howie is on Hills Science S/D canned cat food and isn't allowed to eat any solids. Part of his intestinal tract is almost closed in some areas so solids would get stuck. He's also on Metacam for pain and Clavamox antibiotic. This combination seems to be really helping him feel better! So far he's not showing any signs of dehydration like he did before the surgery.

Howie is a very vocal cat and he meowed at me today for the first time in a week. It was a happy meow.

I'm so happy I've found this website because it's like talking to friends who truly understand my love for my pets!
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates
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  #12  
Old May 9th, 2009, 01:09 PM
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smithduke smithduke is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chico2 View Post
Smithduke,don't ever think that we would tire of reading your posts,whether it be happy or sad news
I am Howie will be ok,no ugly cancer
All your cats have had very long happy lives,I can only hope mine will live that long.
for good news fo sweet Howie

Thanks, Chico. My wish for you and everyone is to be able to have all your pets live a long, healthy, life. However long, I know it will be happy and loving!
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“What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die form great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.”—Chief Seattle

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates
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  #13  
Old May 9th, 2009, 03:37 PM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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Smithduke,you can be sure,that everyone here loves their pets,be it cats/dogs or whatever and every single one of us understand your worry about Howie.
I am glad he seems to feel better though
Is there a reason he has to be on Hills Diet.if not I would recommend Wellness canned food,my cats all love it,it's grain-free,which I think Hills is not,Howie would love it
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