Reducing a Dose

[Wendy&Neko]

SCL = small cell lymphoma.

As for price, not sure US and Canadian prices compare. You could always ask your vet for a quote. I also got bloodwork done for B12 and folate levels at the same time. Often kitties with GI issues can have one or other of those values out.

 

[Cynthia & Merlin (GA)]

Oh crap. Cancer sucks. How do you make them comfortable? Having Merlin in pain is my worst nightmare. Years ago I had Katie and she died of cancer. I wish I was equipped with knowledge and resources like I am now. Their lives and well being depend on is entirely. I still think of her and wish I had known more. I’m so sorry for your little ones.

 

[Cynthia & Merlin (GA)]

One other question - is there a file somewhere on here that lists all the different types of medications and what they are used for? It would be nice to see a symptom/issue and what medications may help. This way we could do research and ask what would be the best or most comfortable for our little ones. Thank you.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Sorry, no file that I know of. Small cell doesn't seem to cause pain, just inflammation in the intestines, which can lead to GI issues (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) and nausea from those issues. Treating the disease reduces the inflammation, many cats go into remission, some for years. I do give ondansetron for nausea day of and after the once every 2 week chemo dose. Not all cats get nauseous from the chemo drug, I am just being proactive. Neko did need antinausea meds, but she had CKD and a heart condition too, all of which can lead to nausea.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

One other question - is there a file somewhere on here that lists all the different types of medications and what they are used for? It would be nice to see a symptom/issue and what medications may help. This way we could do research and ask what would be the best or most comfortable for our little ones. Thank you.

This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but haven’t had a chance to even run the idea past the moderators so maybe in th future. We just have to be careful so it doesn’t appear we are trying to be vets.

I wish I hadn’t done the endoscopy because everything changed for Gracie after that and I believe, but don’t know, that one of the sample punches caused a weakening in her intestine. Before the endoscopy, I had her BG under control. After, her cycles became more erratic and I had a hard time with her duration. The smallest amount of carbs would stop her insulin action. She had always been a great eater, no matter what, but it started being harder to get her to eat.

When they started the treatment for the lymphoma, they started her on prednisilone and it caused issues with her heart and, from what the vets told me, caused the ulceration and perforation of her intestines. I believe it happened so fast because the endoscopy had already weakened the area.

I don’t have any proof of any of this. I just knew my baby girl and something really changed. There are tons and tons of cats that have very successful endoscopies and so you must do what you believe is best for Merlin. The endoscopy is the only abs9lute way you will know whether you are dealing with just IBD and/or lymphoma. I should have gone with my gut to not do it because I didn’t like the IM specialist..... who is quite well known.

How is Merlin acting with the new dose?

One thing....I’d suggest you bookmark this thread by clicking on “watch thread” in top right corner but we would like you to please start a new thread (condo as we call them here) every day. That way, they don’t get so long. All your questions ffor the day go in one condo. If you could also please title it as the others, it would be helpful. Thanks so much!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Oh crap. Cancer sucks. How do you make them comfortable? Having Merlin in pain is my worst nightmare. Years ago I had Katie and she died of cancer. I wish I was equipped with knowledge and resources like I am now. Their lives and well being depend on is entirely. I still think of her and wish I had known more. I’m so sorry for your little ones.

Buprenorphine really helps for pain but Gracie was my second kitty with lymphoma, and I believe one more might have had it, and I couldn’t tell there was any pain. Cats are stoic but if you know them well, you can see the very subtle signs.

 

[Cynthia & Merlin (GA)]

This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but haven’t had a chance to even run the idea past the moderators so maybe in th future. We just have to be careful so it doesn’t appear we are trying to be vets.

I wish I hadn’t done the endoscopy because everything changed for Gracie after that and I believe, but don’t know, that one of the sample punches caused a weakening in her intestine. Before the endoscopy, I had her BG under control. After, her cycles became more erratic and I had a hard time with her duration. The smallest amount of carbs would stop her insulin action. She had always been a great eater, no matter what, but it started being harder to get her to eat.

When they started the treatment for the lymphoma, they started her on prednisilone and it caused issues with her heart and, from what the vets told me, caused the ulceration and perforation of her intestines. I believe it happened so fast because the endoscopy had already weakened the area.

I don’t have any proof of any of this. I just knew my baby girl and something really changed. There are tons and tons of cats that have very successful endoscopies and so you must do what you believe is best for Merlin. The endoscopy is the only abs9lute way you will know whether you are dealing with just IBD and/or lymphoma. I should have gone with my gut to not do it because I didn’t like the IM specialist..... who is quite well known.

How is Merlin acting with the new dose?

One thing....I’d suggest you bookmark this thread by clicking on “watch thread” in top right corner but we would like you to please start a new thread (condo as we call them here) every day. That way, they don’t get so long. All your questions ffor the day go in one condo. If you could also please title it as the others, it would be helpful. Thanks so much!

It’s a gut feeling with them, I know. And you will always have regrets and drive yourself mad sometimes thinking you shoulda/coulda. I have many regrets as well and I’ve never forgotten. It’s a steep learning curve and what we learn helps the next little one. I’m so sorry your little girl had such a trying time.

Merlin is still the same. I’m pretty certain he is gonna need a larger dose of insulin. I had to drop him back though; he was not doing well and it was a gut feeling. I am hoping that with this protocol, things will be better, no matter how high the dose. I was losing him; his disposition had really changed and it scared us so.

I’ll follow your directions and build some condos. Jill and Alex has a tab on her spreadsheet with the meds she used. I don’t know how to copy it, but it’s a start.

 

[Cynthia & Merlin (GA)]

Buprenorphine really helps for pain but Gracie was my second kitty with lymphoma, and I believe one more might have had it, and I couldn’t tell there was any pain. Cats are stoic but if you k of them well, you can see the very subtle signs.

I have a vial of Buprenorphine. Good to have it in my repertoire. I’m glad it helped Gracie. And yes, they are extremely stoic.

I’m already ‘watching the thread’. How to I start a new condo? I don’t see anything on my phone that lets me do this. Thank you!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I have a vial of Buprenorphine. Good to have it in my repertoire. I’m glad it helped Gracie. And yes, they are extremely stoic.

I’m already ‘watching the thread’. How to I start a new condo? I don’t see anything on my phone that lets me do this. Thank you!

Go back to the main page for Lantus/Basalagar/Levemir and on the right, you’ll see “post new thread”. Click on that.

We also link the previous condo (thread) in the new one. To do that, open the old one, copy the browser address, open a new thread, put the cursor in the test box, type a title (like “yesterday” or “previous condo”), highlight it, click on the hyperlink icon in the tool bar (7th from left, looks like a paper clip), paste the browser address in the box, click “insert”.

Thank you!