Darling boy - Cancer

[SimbaNala12]

Hi. My best cat boy ever isn't well at all and he's only 3 years old. I found a lump on his neck about 2 weeks ago. At the vets this week they found lumps on his spleen and liver. It is almost certainly cancer but we're waiting on some test results. I was hoping to hear from anyone who has experience of their cats being treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy or anything else they did when faced with a cancer diagnosis. We really want him to be comfortable and happy for as long as possible and don't want to have him suffer from treatments. I'm finding it really hard to make the right decision for him, I love him so much. Here's a picture of him with his sister Nala. Thank you for any advice.

No advice, but what beautiful cats.

Aww thank you. I think so too. Simba is the one at the back, Mr Fluffy!

He was put to sleep for years they said he had arthritis then we found a lump she operated and said it was all through him and he was in pain I lost my beautiful Bobby boy

@slippery that's so sad. It must have been so hard to get over that. Do you have a photo of him?

What beautiful furries. Many years ago, my first cat, a tortie had cancer. The vet recommended we go to see a specialist and they put her on a natural treatment plan. This didn't work and she was kept alive unnecessarily. I swore I'd never let that happen again. I don't have experience of chemo or radiotherapy, but I'm sure your vet will only do what's best for him. I hope everything goes well.

Thank you want2beme. That's my worry that we're advised to do something that might not be best for his pain/comfort. I'll definitely speak to his vet again before we decide what to do next.

They are beautiful cats! I would definitely have a good talk through things with the vet. If he was old I definitely wouldn't put him through the treatment. I don't know how chemo affects cats but with a young cat I would want to know more details before deciding. Do you have insurance as it may be a referral vets who would treat if you choose that option and they can be ££££

Thanks Vinirosso. No insurance. I've had cats all my life (50 ish years!) and never needed anything like this before now. We'll do whatever is needed for Simba though/what's best. Yes I think you're right we need to talk through the options and take it from there.

I have loads I cant always look at them though he was just 12 when he died seemed like I had him forever then I look back and it's no time at all I've got three cats now black again (bob was black) it pains me and delights me at the same time they are so sweet and so quirky

A neighbour's cat had chemo for a tumour in his jaw. It was heart-breaking to see him out in the garden, so thin and unable to groom himself. He did not recover. At least, a human knows why he is having treatment that makes him feel worse. But animals live for the day, with no idea of the future. To me, it seems one of the blessings of being a pet that euthanasia is legal for them.

Thanks yes that's definitely what we don't want. The vet said chemo for cats was milder just to stop the cancer rather than kill it. But if it has the same/similar side effects as humans we couldn't do that to him.

My cat had chemo for nasal cancer. Before he started treatment he was very poorly and not eating. It gave him another 15 months and his symptoms all temporarily went away.
I guess I can't say with certainty how the chemo made him feel but he wasn't sick and didn't seem any different in himself.
For over a year it was like having our old cat back.
Unfortunately the chemo eventually stopped working. I don't regret giving him chemo, it felt the right thing for him at the time.

Be warned though. It isn't cheap. It cost us approximately £500 for each session.

I was told when one of mine had a scare, that they tolerate chemo quite well. But then another vet said they didn't.

My dear old cat developed nasal cancer about 14 months ago. He had been prone to congestion but suddenly it was much worse. What with his age the vet didn't recommend chemo or radiation (I'm in the U.S. if that makes a difference), but did prescribe meds for high blood pressure which was causing nosebleeds. We also did surgery to remove the tumor to make him a bit more comfortable (but it did come back). He just passed away about a month ago. I knew he was declining, but he still got up every morning and waited for his breakfast, ate well, groomed himself (a good sign) and enjoyed being stroked. I'm glad to have had that time with him.

I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely boy. I hope you can make his remaining days good for him and for yourself--that you have time to let him know how much he's loved.

Thank you everyone. We still don't know for sure what he has but we're seeing a specialist oncologist tomorrow, he possibly has a rare version of a lymphoma. He's gone down hill really quickly this last week and it breaks my heart. He's now sleeping under a cupboard in the garage all day. Comes out for treats only. I know that's not a good sign, we just want to see if anything can help but only if he's comfortable and happy. I really didn't think we'd be thinking of this when he's only 3. I just feel so sad, he's one of the best cats I've ever had. So loving and cuddly.

Just a couple more pictures of my boy.

My Buzz had a cancerous growth on her paw. She was an independent cat who loved being outside and lived for hunting. She hated the vet with a vengeance. I made the decision not to amputate and put her through invasive treatment. Had she been younger and with a different personality it might have been different.

She had an extra 11 months, and was active and going about her business up to the last three days. She was monitored by the vet and had steroid injections, and the growth was plastered with sudacreme to keep infection at bay.

I still miss her, but I have no doubt, that not putting her through surgery was the right decision for her. She had 14 years of doing exactly what she liked, with a well trained servant on hand.

I had her cremated and her ashes brought home. So she is still with me.

My cat has possible lymphoma in his belly, they did a scan which showed the mass was cancerous but not to test what kind of cancer.

He was diagnosed in September and has done amazingly well on steroids and a pill to control sickness. He has had a couple of times when he has dipped down but bounced back up again. They said he had weeks when he was first diagnosed but 5 months on he is still happy and pain free.

I would not put a cat through chemo and radiation after seeing how harsh it was on a dog. Add in the stress of having to spend hours in the car and giving him treatment to keep him comfortable till the end was the best option.