Help, amputation or chemo (cat)?

[Reciprocity]

Hi all, I thought that the swelling in one of my cats back legs was an abscess from a bite. She is extremely reclusive so by the time I saw it, and was able to catch her, as well as get an appointment with my vet, it was quite swollen. The vet also thought it was an abscess too, and it would cost about $160.00 to go in and fix her up.

Turns out that she has a tumor (messo something another). Money is tight and my husband didn't ask how much it would cost for either treatment. As he was so shocked about her diagnosis. The vet wanted for us to think this over a day before we decide on a treatment. Putting her down is NOT an option. So if any of you all have any suggestions on which option we should take it well be greatly appreciated.

On a side note. I spent the good part of an hour in the waiting room visiting with an disable vet who lost an leg in Vietnam. Ironic don't you think, as I had dreams all night about him, only to get the news this morning on Jolly's tumor?

[LaurenG]

1. I have no experience with this but I thought I'd tell you

I'm pulling for your kitty. :hug:

[Beaverhausen]

2. I've seen lots of animals get around on only 3 legs

You might want to post this in the pets group, too.

Good thoughts to you and Jolly! :hug:

[Reciprocity]

3. Thanks for all the good thoughts.

Here is a picture with her sister Erminey.

Jolly is the one with the patch over her eye.

[Beaverhausen]

5. Wow. What beautiful kitties!

:loveya:

are they really sisters?

[Reciprocity]

6. Yes that is her sister

and here is her mother and brother.

Tikki (her mother) is the grey cat and Talon is her brother.

Tikki


Baby Talon


Adult

[MaggieSwanson]

10. Beautiful cats, Reciprocity

My opinion is that amputation would be kinder, but you know Jolly and I don't. How do you think she will manage it? Is she a dominant cat, or more submissive? It looks like you have a close-knit cat family, and that bodes well.

Wishing you the best of luck, whatever you decide.

:hug: for Jolly and her family (cat and human),

-Maggie

[havocmom]

4. If the vet feels it is early and not spread, amputation might be fine

Lots of 3 legged cats lead happy lives. If vet thinks it may be likely the cancer has spread... well, we would need more info.

Hoping for containment for everybody's sake.

[Reciprocity]

7. We are leaning in that direction.

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts.

[AtomicKitten]

8. amputation, please

I can't even imagine giving a pet chemo. Pets do well with amputation, or so says the Animal Channel.
Horrible decision either way. Best wishes.

[bigwillq]

9. I would go with amputation

if I were in your shoes.

All the best to Jolly. :hug:

[Maccagirl]

11. As a "mother" of two cats

My heart and prayers go out to you and Jolly. I know you'll make the right decision.

[barb162]

12. How old is the cat. Also do you have a certified oncologist nearby

That is the first person I would take the cat to; I had to do this once and it is no fun and I wish you all the best. But try to find an oncologist through the state veterinary school. The oncologist is much more able to discuss treatment options and outcomes than a "regular" vet.


She is one pretty kitty

[barb162]

13. look for this : Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)

I did a quick google for your state and there are oncology specialists in Houston area. The other thing is to call as I mentioned before, the oncology vets at the state vet schools and ask for their references for YOUR area and ask them what they would recommend. God bless that little pussy cat and please let us know what happens , what you decide.
example, scroll down the page and you'll see the oncology specialists
http://www.gcvs.com/

[Reciprocity]

17. As with everything in fly-over country

the closest as you point out is in Houston which is about a three and a half hour trip one way from here. She is fairly young (four years old) and has always been slight but in great health. Thanks so much for the link.

[Bridget Burke]

20. A&M has a big Vet School....

Are they closer? Perhaps you could contact them & get a recommendation.

You need to find out whether the cancer has spread. If not, amputation may be the better option. If not--perhaps just comfort care as long as possible.

[Mikimouse]

28. I have no trust in the small animal clinic at A&M...

they completely misdiagnosed one of our cats and insisted that the only option was to put him down as soon as possible. I put my foot down and said no way, that he would be comfortable on pain meds and would die at home among the members of his family. When we kept renewing his pain med. prescription, they accused us of using the pain meds ourselves (butorphenol), and wouldn't renew until they physically saw the cat (they insisted that he must have died long ago). I took the cat in and showed him to the former atending Vet. Son of bitch admitted, after reviewing the test results (from three years before) that they had misdiagnosed the cat as having a bone cancer, when he was merely injured (a chair hit him at the junction of the tail and sacrum) and was diabetic. He is healthy and happy and still around.

[Bridget Burke]

29. Thanks for the warning....

I've got a good local vet.

[Robeson]

14. I've never had to face this. But, PLEASE post this in the Pets Group...

...you'll get very good advice there.

[Reciprocity]

15. You are so right, someone suggested this earlier and I did.

Thanks for support and comfort you all have given me and Jolly.
I have read all the links (Pets Group) and have looked around myself and this is what I’ve found so far.

Cats function exceptionally well on three legs and are able to run, walk, and play without pain or discomfort. Cats do not suffer the psychological distress of losing a limb the same way a human does. The primary purpose of the limb is in movement. Because cats do not need to perform fine motor skills they easily adapt to having only three legs.

Amputation may be recommended to treat:

Limb tumors. The tumor may be of bone origin or may arise from the surrounding soft tissues. Large or invasive tumors may not be amenable to simple excision; therefore, removing the entire limb may be the only good way of curing the disease at that location.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a type of tumor that can develop on the limbs. In cats, fibrosarcoma is one of the most common. These tumors are malignant, but tend to be slow to spread to other parts of the body. They are locally aggressive, that is, they damage and invade the structures at their location. If they occur on a limb it is often difficult to get rid of the tumor in its entirety while maintaining muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments and bone needed for normal limb function. Thus, amputation may be the surgical procedure of choice.

Another tumor, although uncommon in the cat, is osteosarcoma. This bone tumor in cats is less likely to spread to other tissues than it is in dogs. Amputation is an excellent way to control the local disease, the actual gross tumor on the limb.

The majority of cats are up and about the day following the amputation.

[barb162]

16. I am glad you are researching!

[Reciprocity]

23. Some sites I've been reading.

This site has the best info on what to expect post op.
There is one photo of a standard Poodle with a amputated leg, that some my find disturbing. I did not, but I just wanted to let you know. Also has x-ray photos.
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/bonecancer.htm

Limb-spare Surgery for Primary Bone Tumors
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/Limb_spare.htm

Adapting to life on three legs (UK)
http://www.fabcats.org/disabled_cats.html

Feline Vaccine Related Sarcoma / Cancer
http://shorti-online.org/

A guide for feline care takers.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/shortionline/tripod/tripod.html

PRIMARY BONE TUMORS OF CATS
http://maxshouse.com/Oncology/primary_bone_tumors_of_cats.htm
Main Subject Index
http://maxshouse.com/Database_toc.htm

Living with a disabled cat.
Copyright 1994,2003 Sarah Hartwell
http://messybeast.com/disabled.htm

[Reciprocity]

18. We have decided on amputation.

We are paying the extra for a biopsy to know if this is the type that may need chemo. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday). I will keep you all up to date on how things go.
Thanks again for all the encouraging messages.

[LisaLynne]

19. My thoughts are with you.

I'm sure that was a really hard decision to make. It's so hard with animals because you can't ask for their input, you know? I know you are doing what is best for the kitty. Please keep us updated on how the surgery goes. I have heard, as you've found out, that amputation for a cat isn't the huge deal it is for humans. They are wonderful adapters!

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

21. I have no experience at all with this sort of thing but..

I do give good :hug:'s. Best wishes to you all!

:hug:

aA

[bigwillq]

22. I think that's the best option.

Best of luck to Jolly. :hug:

[LeftyMom]

25. I hope that works out well

Chemo's such an awful thing for a person to go through, I can't imagine how an animal that doesn't understand why they're so sick manages. If amputation means avoiding chemo, that's what I'd decide on too.

[Bridget Burke]

30. That sounds like the better option.....

Here's hope for happy years with your pirate cat.

[Misunderestimator]

31. I had a cat who had a cancerous tumor in one of her hind legs...

and we had her leg amputated. She was 11 years old when it happened and she adapted to the loss of her leg amazingly well. She was an indoor/outdoor cat, and she was just as able to run and climb trees and chase the neighbor's dog as she was previously, after a relatively short recovery from the surgery. She had a very nice life for the next two+ years, although cancer did eventually claim her.

Good luck to you. And I wish you all the best that the cancer is isolated to the leg.

[ThomCat]

24. A hug for the cat.

:hug:

[jukes]

26. cancer is VERY aggressive in cats

chemo may/may not cure it but will leave her miserable for months. i'd go w/ amputation, but even that may not resolve it.



all hard choices. very sorry, best of luck.

[JVS]

27. I think putting an animal on chemo would be cruel.

People can understand what the Chemo is for and why they feel bad, but a cat isn't capable of understanding that.

I vote for amputation.

[xchrom]

37. animals don't react to chemo the same way.

my dog and i went through it at the same time.

he sailed -- i suffered.

[judaspriestess]

32. I had my kitty on chemo

last year, it was to late for us though. I'd give it a shot if you really love your kitty cat. I cherished every moment with my baby but eventually I had to put him down. BUT his cancer was in his intestines so we really did not have a chance. you may

when I was a kid we had a st. bernard, she had a cut that turned into an infection and she had to have her leg amputated. She died of a broken heart about a week later. I knew she was not gonna make it, I saw it in her eyes.

[applegrove]

33. Go with amputation. I would imagine Chemo would be worse and less

helpfull. A cat will adjust. I don't think they have great episodic memories. So after no time.. the cat will forget she had another leg or locomoded any other way. And be thinking FOOD, BACON, FOOD, BACON instead.

[xchrom]

34. animals do not suffer fro chemo the way we do.

my dog and i went through chemo together -- he sailed through -- and i suffered like a dog.

so please don't be afraid of chemo based on what you've seen here -- my understanding is that generally animals do just fine with chemo.

although my guy was pissed at having to spent the day at the vets -- i'ld pull in at the end of the day sick, really sick -- spring him from the vets and he'd be pissy{he was eleven and knew from a good pissy by that time}

[meow2u3]

35. I'd opt for amputation if the tumor won't let the cat live a good life

Better a healthy cat with three legs than a dead cat with four.

I know I sound blunt, but that's the bottom line.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. I was mom to a three-legged dog...

He'd been abused by some sickos. It never seemed to bother him. He was just so happy to be loved.

I'd go with amputation, if they're certain it won't spread. I wish every good thing for you and your fur baby. :hug: