Benny, cancer dx

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ben&Squirrel

Ben&Squirrel

Member Since 2022
Hi everyone,

Benny has been in remission for some time but I'm still here following convos. This morning was his monthly BG and it was 93, so I was happy about that.

His belly has been a little distended, so I took him to the vet today. He's not showing any symptoms, is eating/pooping/purring/cuddling. They took an xray and found that he has a diffuse aggressive abdominal cancer that has spread to other organs. They think he has 1-3 months to live. I'm not going to put him through some of the things they offered like exploratory surgery, other things to assess where the cancer started so that...well, I don't know if chemo or radiation would even be offered but I would not do that to my Ben.

They drained about 600 milliliters of fluid from his abdomen and it may or may not come back quickly.

They've given him gabapentin to make sure he is not in pain, and Cerenia for any nausea or stomach discomfort. He's going to get half a pill of that...and they gave me four pills. That itself seems like really bad news.

I'm beside myself. He's been my close companion for 17 years. He's my body cat. In 2020 I lost three of his "sister" cats from kidney and thyroid disease...they were seniors too. Squirrel has kidney disease herself and is 16. I'm really panicking.

Has anyone had experience with this that would be encouraging? Please, no horror stories. I want to do whatever I can to keep him comfortable but it sounds like I am going to have to let him go soon. I could really use some tips or encouragement or...something. You guys did the world for him when he really needed the help, and I'll always be so very grateful for that.
 
I'm sorry this is happening to both of you. Love him to bits. Feed him what he wants (within reason). Is there something he always wanted to do? Ideas: buy a couple of goldfish for him to watch. See if he's interested in the squirrel feeding videos on youtube for cats. There's also a couple of mice videos. But mainly, love him to bits and savour each and every moment you get with him. :bighug:
 
It is not easy going through this. I wish I had some encouraging advice to give you. Unfortunately I have been in this situation myself and understand how you are feeling. I agree let him eat what he wants and give him lots of love and attention. He will let you know when he is ready to go.
 
I am so sorry to hear this news. It is always awful news to get. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Hopefully the removal of the fluid will make Ben more comfortable. If he continues to eat and is happy and the fluid builds up again, it can always be removed again.
I would ask about getting some ondansetron for the nausea. It can be given with cerenia and is often better for nausea. I. Sure they are giving you the pain meds and antinausea meds so that Ben will be comfortable.
I would give him lots of his favourite foods and do lots of fun things with him. He doesn’t know there is anything the matter, so he will be happy.
He will tell you when it is time.
Sending lots of hugs and love.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm so very sorry to hear this Catherine, just love him up make sure he's comfortable, I had to let Tyler's brother go 2 years ago kidney failure so I know how hard it is, he was my heart kitty. Sending you lots of hugs and kisses to Benny :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:♥
 
Thanks @Red & Rover (GA) , @Lisa and Witn (GA) , @Bron and Sheba (GA) , @Angela & Cleo , @Diane Tyler's Mom . I know I'm not the only cat mom to go through this and appreciate the support.

I'd like to give him whatever he wants to eat, but he likes high-carb food best. Won't that run the risk of increasing his BG and kicking him out of remission? I know this is not the threat to his life right now; I'm just concerned that it will make him feel worse or give him a stomachache to suddenly change his food. He's still eating, though, so that's good. He ate more than half a jar of turkey baby food in about a second and a half last night.

Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
He doesn’t know there is anything the matter, so he will be happy.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that reminder. I'll try not to let on that something is wrong by being too weird and weepy. Aside from being a little more clingy, he seems very normal.
 
While he is well and eating, maybe keep him mostly on low carb so it doesn’t rock the boat and cause other issues. I’m sure a treat now and then won’t hurt though.it’s really good he is eating and seems happy.
I totally understand how you feel. Take lots of photos and videos and make memories.:bighug:
 
I'm sending you and Benny lots and lots of hugs, enjoy your time with him like nothing is really happening nobody really knows how much time it will be cats are quite resilient, he is not stressed of what's to come so try not to be stressed yourself and remember we are here for you when you need it

:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm so sorry to hear the news. :bighug::bighug::bighug: I've been through a similar thing. In addition to the suggestion about ondansetron, which can be better for nausea, buprenorphine may be better for pain. Just in case, here's a good post on what to look for Feline Pain Scale. Cats can surprise you on estimates. Just listen to what he tells you. Cats live for the moment. Just spoil those moments.
 
Hi,
Sorry to read about Benny’s harsh diagnose.:(

From my experience (and the experience of people I know) cbd can really help with the symptoms and pain. Maybe you can try it. There are quite a few manufacturers in the US that specialize in cbd products for pets.
Big Hug:bighug:
 
Ben&Squirrel said:
Hi everyone,

Benny has been in remission for some time but I'm still here following convos. This morning was his monthly BG and it was 93, so I was happy about that.

His belly has been a little distended, so I took him to the vet today. He's not showing any symptoms, is eating/pooping/purring/cuddling. They took an xray and found that he has a diffuse aggressive abdominal cancer that has spread to other organs. They think he has 1-3 months to live. I'm not going to put him through some of the things they offered like exploratory surgery, other things to assess where the cancer started so that...well, I don't know if chemo or radiation would even be offered but I would not do that to my Ben.

They drained about 600 milliliters of fluid from his abdomen and it may or may not come back quickly.

They've given him gabapentin to make sure he is not in pain, and Cerenia for any nausea or stomach discomfort. He's going to get half a pill of that...and they gave me four pills. That itself seems like really bad news.

I'm beside myself. He's been my close companion for 17 years. He's my body cat. In 2020 I lost three of his "sister" cats from kidney and thyroid disease...they were seniors too. Squirrel has kidney disease herself and is 16. I'm really panicking.

Has anyone had experience with this that would be encouraging? Please, no horror stories. I want to do whatever I can to keep him comfortable but it sounds like I am going to have to let him go soon. I could really use some tips or encouragement or...something. You guys did the world for him when he really needed the help, and I'll always be so very grateful for that.
Click to expand...
I am so sorry. Same thing happened to my CC. Enjoy your time with him.
 
Thank you @Nava&Boris and @JanetNJ!

For those who have had the experience, did your baby's condition involve a lot of fluid gain in the abdomen? The vet drained quite a lot about 4 days ago, but it is back. It made him feel better, so I am going to have her do it again, but it came back so fast. I don't know what will happen if it is not drained.
 
Ben&Squirrel said:
Thank you @Nava&Boris and @JanetNJ!

For those who have had the experience, did your baby's condition involve a lot of fluid gain in the abdomen? The vet drained quite a lot about 4 days ago, but it is back. It made him feel better, so I am going to have her do it again, but it came back so fast. I don't know what will happen if it is not drained.
Click to expand...
No, no fluid. CC'S was a solid baseball size mass on her spleen.
 
JanetNJ said:
No, no fluid. CC'S was a solid baseball size mass on her spleen.
Click to expand...

So sorry you, and she, had to experience that @JanetNJ. Benny's is very diffuse; they can't tell where it started but it is aggressive. He otherwise seems pretty good but I'm worried about the pressure on his abdomen.
 
Hi Catherine,

No experience with abdomen fluids I’m afraid. One of my sister's cats was diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer a few years back and eventually died from it. Like yourself, she also didn’t want to put her cat through Chemo or any harsh treatment because of kitty's age. In the beginning one of the cat's back legs was very swollen (that is where the cancer initially spread from). Cbd was the only thing that took the swelling away and it didn’t return after the cat started taking it (I don’t know if the swelling contained a lot of fluids though, or just infection). It also appeared to be more efficient for pain management and her overall wellbeing than anything that the vet gave her at that time. I also knew a dog with cancer whose symptoms were successfully treated with cbd… That is why I proposed it. It probably works differently on every individual cat and on different types of cancer (since its ‘natural’ stuff) but I think it is worth a try.
I wish you and Benny lot's of strength in further handling this situation:bighug:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top