Sasha ,my cat with lymphoma and surviving

[morverngirl]

Last summer Sasha was diagnosed with lymphoma,she had had great difficulty with her pooing and I thought she was constipated. Following a visit to our vet we were told it was lymphoma and had some choices to make and quickly. Wish our NHS worked as quickly, the same day she had a biopsy and all her blood tests,the next week a further biopsy with a larger bore needle and then a few days later started a weekly course of chemo combined with steroids. The effect was amazing,our cat regained her life and we all asked if we could have some of what she was having. Sasha had crawled into a hidden place to die, now she has chemo and steroids once a month and she is sitting here with me as i type. Her fur is starting to regrow where she was shaved and she is gaining 50 -100 grms every month. As Sasha has been part of our family for nearly 16 years we decided to try what we could to save her, worth every penny.

[rustylady]

So glad she is recovering, but don't forget that 16 is a good age for a cat. I totally agree with doing whatever you can for her, but a time will come when you will have to let her go. I don't mean this nastily, I have loved all my animals and would do anything for them, same as for my children. Hope this recovery lasts and she lives out the life she was meant to have. She obviously has a loving, caring family.

[grannymem]

Bella, our little cat, is also 16 and just had a large cancerous lump removed. Our vet is lovely but she has recommended simply steroid treatment as she thinks chemo and radiotherapy will not be particularly effective and will affect the quality of her life.
I feel devastated as she's such a part of our family life but at the moment she seems quite happy and contented. I do accept what our vet says as it's apparently a fast growing sarcoma (spelling?) but perhaps I should have pressed for more treatment?...

Anyway, really pleased Sasha is making such a good recovery

[Jardiniere]

my gosh i didnt know they did that for cats ...give her a cuddle from me (sorry give them both- Bella and Sasha a cuddle )

[pauco]

Thats great news for Sasha,i wish her, and your family all the luck in the world or a good few years of
fun with her.

paul.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I know how this can affect everyone who loves animals. I had a lovely Akita bitch she developed a limp on a rear leg, took her to the vets and was told it was probably a pulled muscle, but they would do an x-ray just to be sure. When I returned an hour later I told told it was inoperable cancer, they did offer to amputate but even this would have only given her another couple of months. I had to cuddle her whilst they gave her the injection, don't think I have ever cried so much as I did on the way home.

You two people enjoy your animal friends for as long as you can.

Best of luck Colin

[Hilary B]

I know how this can affect everyone who loves animals. I had a lovely Akita bitch she developed a limp on a rear leg, took her to the vets and was told it was probably a pulled muscle, but they would do an x-ray just to be sure. When I returned an hour later I told told it was inoperable cancer, they did offer to amputate but even this would have only given her another couple of months. I had to cuddle her whilst they gave her the injection, don't think I have ever cried so much as I did on the way home.

You two people enjoy your animal friends for as long as you can.

Best of luck Colin

I had a similar situation with Gemma, except it wasn't lameness, but bleeding that could not be stopped.
Over a year later, and with another (and very loveable) dog, I still miss her.

[Ananke]

I'm glad both cats are doing well. My cat is almost 19 now and she has developed an over active thyroid but before we had the diagnosis I prepared for the worst.

Personally, I wouldn't go down the treatment route but I totally get why other people do.

[salome2001]

Our vet is lovely but she has recommended simply steroid treatment as she thinks chemo and radiotherapy will not be particularly effective and will affect the quality of her life.....perhaps I should have pressed for more treatment?...

not all cancers are the same and not all respond well to either chemo or radiotherapy. That said, if you want a second opinion, ask for a referral to a veterinary oncologist, but do it soon, as once you start steroids, your options are more limited.

To OP: Glad to hear Sasha is doing well, enjoy every day.

[morverngirl]

Thanks for your comments, we are fortunate that Sasha could have an effective treatment and that in many cases gives up to 2 years. She is fitter and more active now than she has been for years as a result of the steroids -she eats like a horse and jumps around like a spring lamb.