Kitty Update

[shadownyc]

Today we took Lucky for further testing. We asked all the questions suggested by all of you who commented on my LJ--thank you for all your support and suggestions. Unfortunately Lucky lost another 1/2 lb. since last week. The vet. is pretty sure it's lymphoma, so rather than put him through more dramatic, expensive testing she's just treating him. The only other thing it could be, an intestinal disorder, would be treated with the same meds--steroids. She doesn't feel comfortable with giving him chemo and I'm not sure what kind of quality of life that would lead to for Lucky. He'll be taking prednisone every day and hopefully that will extend his life, increase his intake of food and water and return some of his diminished energy.

I can't imagine him not being a part of our family, especially since his presence was the catalyst for my son's motivation to use expressive language. I'm a positive thinker and intend to stay that way.

Comments

[luceononuro.livejournal.com]

Cats are amazing little creatures - I hope Lucky gets her strength back - and I hope you all get to enjoy Lucky for a good while yet ♥

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your well-wishes.

[wuthering-wind.livejournal.com]

Ah, I forgot about the prednisone. Nickie was on that as well.

The chemo thing is a hard call. As I mentioned before, I don't have a clear feeling that it really helped Nickie in the long run because he had so many ups and downs even when he was on it. (Plus it made his whiskers and "eyebrows" fall out - see, you have me remembering the odd/funny stuff now!) So opting out on it doesn't seem like such a bad call (in other words, don't feel guilty).

I hope you have good results with the steroids. You might want to pamper him with some baby food (yes, baby food) or boiled chicken. If you give him baby food, be sure there are no onions listed in the ingredients, as cats + onions don't mix. There's not much else you can do other than make his life as happy as possible, which you already know. The only other thing I can remember right off hand is that Nickie started "losing track" of his hind feet - apparently the lympho leads to some kind of nerve damage or malfunction, and when he sat down (i.e., to eat), one of his hind feet would often be stuck out at a weird angle - the vet said it was because he couldn't "sense" it. I always smile when I remember that.

Lymphoma's really hard. I will keep thinking good thoughts for you and for your son.

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for all your support and advice. We are hoping that the steroids help and your kind and informed words have given my family and me some positive, active ways to take care of Lucky. We're trying to stay positve.