Calypso (civvy) has leukemia-any experiences?

[jennifer & korbel (GA)]

Hi everyone
Calypso (non-dc) went to the vet on Friday for a regular semi-annual checkup. She'd lost 2lbs (10lbs to 8lbs) in the last 6 months so we did bloodwork. I got a call from the vet yesterday saying that the preliminary results were back and she has very very high WBC. He strongly suspects leukemia (cancer not virus).
I guess the pathologist will look at a blood smear or something to determine what type of cell is high, but he would be very surprised if it was something other than leukemia. Hopefully they'll be able to tell me type of leukemia also? Acute, chronic, etc...
Has anyone dealt with this? Did you choose chemo or pallative care? Results? Thoughts?
Other than weight loss she seems fine. She spends most of the day sleeping on the couch but she's also 17 years old....but she really doesn't seem sick.

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Jennifer, no help from me but wanted to say "Hi" and I am so sorry to hear about Calypso. I'm praying that somehow the tests got screwed up......sent a PM to Jess/Earl(GA) if she has anything to suggest for you. Please keep in touch and let us know. Hope Korbel is doing okay and the doggies too.

 

[jennifer & korbel (GA)]

Thanks Hope!

Korbel and the Droolers are doing great! I should hopefully know more tomorrow about Calypso. She's getting a few more cuddles these days...

 

[BJM]

- Cancer treatment in cats typically goes for control of symptoms rather than "cure". You may get remission for some time, or you may get a slower deterioration.

- it can be expensive - I had a cat with lymphoma in the bone - amputation of the affected limb (done because we thought we found it early) was roughly $1500 and chemo was roughly $2,000. Her predicted survival without treatment was 6 months; she made it 9 months and then the lymphoma took out her kidneys.

- find out what stage it is - the higher the stage, ie, if it is throughout the body (and since leukemia is in the blood, it is), the less helpful you may find chemo - every cat is different, so it really depends on the cat, the treatment, the stage of cancer (which may be based on the cell counts in leukemia), and your willingness and availability to nurse your cat.

- ask yourself how does your cat handle vet trips and treatments - if those are extremely high stress for your cat, that may factor into your decision making

- if there are other cats in the household, they may pick on her as they will sense she is ill.

- we'll support you with whatever you choose to do - you know your cat best.

 

[Jess & Earl]

HI Jennifer

I'm sorry to hear this. A pathology review of the CBC will likely help. To determine the subtype of leukemia -- which will tell you the best kind of therapeutic or palliative approach -- you should have flow cytometry done http://www.ped-onc.org/diseases/MRD/flowcyto.html . Leukemias and lymphomas tend to be exquisitely sensitive to chemo so there are many options for these cases. If there is an oncologist in your area, I would make an appointment to see him or her to discuss possible therapy or just plain palliative care. All good oncologists are experts in palliation and hospice as well.

Take care
Jess

 

[jennifer & korbel (GA)]

Thanks everyone
So, I heard from the vet and the pathologist thinks it is most likely chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It could be some sort of autoimmune disorder (??) too but unlikely.
Next step is to talk to our somewhat local oncology vet and most likely do a bone marrow aspirate to confirm leukemia. My vet did say that the cancer vet said CLL is her fav to treat because of good prognosis.
I'm going to wait and see what cancer vet has to say and what the proposed treatment as well as prognosis is before I make any real decisions. I just know that I don't want to do anything for "me" if it is not right for Calypso.

BJM-the number of vet visits needed will probably play a big role in what I decide as Calypso hates going to the vet and will spend the next 2 or 3 days in hiding after any vet trip. I can't see putting her through weekly vet visits that include a 45 min car ride both ways.

 

[BJM]

Well, if it is CLL, you've got time. Chronic means just that - a very slow process (think arthritis, for example).

While humans are different from cats, my dad was diagnosed with CLL in 1989 ... and he had his 90th birthday just last fall (2010). He isn't doing much for it - no chemotherapy, nor radiation.

As far as your kitty not liking car rides &/or the vet, you may want to consider some desensitization training to help reduce stress during these. There have been other posts on tips for reducing transport stress posted - if you start a topic on it, you'll get tons of ideas.

As a first step, maybe leaving the carrier out with a comfy blanket in it all the time, and perhaps a spray of Feliway on the blanket, may help dissassociate the carrier with being transported anywhere.