CAT NOW DIAGNOSED WITH LYMPHOSARCOMA :(

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Milaini

Member Since 2014
First post ever- I am worried sick and making myself sick over my Boo cat's diagnosis.

Long story long.....
10.5 yr old neutered male.
First diagnosed with FD 1 month ago.
Diagnosed Hyperthyroid at same time.
I month after insulin and thyroid treatment, thyroid levels are back in range - vet says they are stable and not to worry.
BG levels have always stayed high - even after increase from 1 unit 2x/day to 2 untis 2x/day/
But vomitting started about month in (yellow bile only) and Pancreatitis blood test was positive.
Went on IV fluids for 1.5 days. Still had appetite, drank water and used litter box. Diarreah commenced.
Back at home on Cerenia (anti nausea) and Dexamethasone (steriod) for decreasing inflammation of the pancreas.
Boo is eating still (not so much in the morning - I think he feels most nauseous at that time) but will chow down later in the day. Drinking periodically, but gets most of his moisture from the extra water I put in his all wet-food diet.
Peeing seems normal - diarreah still there.
Got sub Q fluids in at the vet yesterday - going again tomorrow for one more dose as pro-active.

Does this all sound like we are on the right track?
Dex is ok to use on FD's, right? I am nervous about steriods.

BG levels are still wonky - higher than anything - usually 13 - 26.
His lethargy is really the main concern here - he does a lot of laying around - obviously because of the residual effects of the Pancreatitis and higher BG levels?
Worried that his BG levels are not regulated - but is that because of the Pancreatitis?!

I just stay awake with him most of the day - watching, worrying, not sleeping or eating myself, crying....you all know I'm sure. I just want to be sure I am not missing something else I could be doing...My vet is very hands on and I am happy with her suggestions, but can't help googling everything myself anyhow.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Hi and Welcome! It sounds like you are being very proactive for your sweet litle guy and doing a good job keeping him well. I have no experience with pancreatitis but this is a very good thread with lots of info


http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=83108


Lots of members here deal with both FD and pancreatitis so it is doable. There are also several new members on this page with those same issues so you could read their threads.

We generally think that if a cat must be on steroids, we adjust the insulin to work with that. What insulin is he on? We do suggest strongly that you test his blood glucose levels at home. It's easy then for you to keep him safe, staying on top of his numbers and what the insulin is doing for him. We have taught hundreds of people how to and would be happy to help you.

Last but not least, here is a little something that might give you a smile and tell you that uou are not alone.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33671

Please let us know how we can help.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Thank you - I have been trying to check out other posts - I did see that one on Pancreatitis, thank you, but that second link to your kitty telling you to chill out, made me cry!

Boo is on Levemir insulin.
My wish is just that he would show a little more livliness instead of just lying around. He only gets up to eat or use the washroom.
I am also frustrated with the amount of time it's taking to lower his bg levels. He has never once been under 10 in a month.
Too many issues all at once for this little guy.
And it feels like it all happened overnight - and now my world is rocked :(

Any more links to anything, or anyone else's posts would be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. In a few days, I hope you'll be able to read it and smile.

Here is the protocol for Levemir. Maybe it will help you.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=682

Pancreatitis can be exhausting and painful. He is probably feeling tired and out of sorts. I would keep on doing what you are doing, trying to ease his pain and make things easy for him, taking lots of times for cuddles and telling him that he's a good boy and will feel better soon.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

I know having higher BG levels is better than numbers that are too low - the lesser of 2 evils I suppose - but at what point are those high levels making Boo even sicker?

He is always quite hungry (which is one less thing to worry about) but can I feed him a bit more if he will take it, or will that just skew his numbers even more? We have been doing the meals and shots and meds at 6am and 6pm and then another meal at 10-ish pm- but he could easily eat inbetwen those times too....
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

I don't use levimer but I would imagine that is okay to feed meals more often that you are doing. You just need to remove any food two hours before you give him his next shot if insulin so that when you take your blood glucose reading it isn't affected by food.

I have found that it works well to feed my cat remi with along his insulin dose and then at +2, +4 and + 6. Small meals spread out throughout the day might help ease the burden on his pancreas.

With regards the steroid was that the injection? Steroids may well be influencing the high blood glucose but then so could the pancreatitis. When remi had a bad pancreatitis flair a couple of years ago his pee showed positive for glucose but it disappeared when he got better so pancreatitis could well be affecting his levels. At the moment if the vet feels that the steroid is helping then you might have to work around it. Having said that if it was the injection you could perhaps ask to swap to something like prednicare which is a daily tablet. That way you can begin to ease back on it when he has stabilised by starting to reduce the dose. From what I have read the tablets are preferred over the stronger injections.

I noted that Boo has been throwing up clear liquid. Giving food more often may help this but if not you might want to discuss antacids with your vet as noted in the link Sue that posted :

Antacids: Discuss the need for an antacid such as Pepcid AC 10mg (famotidine) with your vet. Many cats with pancreatitis do not require an antacid and, if there is no indication of an acid tummy such as clear, foamy vomiting or hunching over (which can also be a sign of pain), then antacids should generally not be given. The typical dosing for Pepcid AC is ¼ of a 10mg tablet at a maximum of twice a day, 30 minutes before food
Click to expand...
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Finally as you checking for ketones. You can buy little ketone test strips and catch boo peeing. Whilst he still has high blood glucose this would be a good idea.

When you say laying about do you mean hunched over in a meatloaf position or more relaxed.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

My kitty is also on Levemir. Not many people follow the protocol that Sue linked for you. The Levemir users tend to hang out on the Lantus - Tight Regulation or Relaxed Lantus forums. I'm in the Lantus - TR forum and use the same protocol as the Lantus users. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1581 One thing I noticed is that you increased the dose by one unit. Cats are very sensitive to small changes. We typically change the dose by .25U, unless kitty is not going below 16.7 (300), in which case we'll increase by .5 units. It's possible if you increase too fast you'll miss a good dose. Once your kitty starts getting in better numbers, Boo will feel better. Fixing the diarrhea will also help. Does your vet have any suggestions for that? Probiotics like FortiFlora are one option.

Most of us here test our kitties blood sugar at home so we know it's safe to give insulin and know when to change the insulin dose. Where do you live? I noticed you use the metric numbers for blood glucose, as I do. The majority of users here are from the US and use mg/dl for blood glucose (which is 18 times the mmol/L numbers).
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

I'm just seeing your post, but wanted to stop in and welcome you to our family! When my Hershey was diagnosed with FD two years ago (at the age of 10), I was devastated. I felt like I had failed him in not even knowing cats could get diabetes...in feeding him dry food...in not realizing what was going on and getting him to the vet sooner...and, the list goes on. I stumbled across this group and it has been SUCH a blessing!

I see you've already met Sue; she is AWESOME! Hershey started off on ProZinc and Sue did a lot of hand-holding! I was so overwhelmed at first and felt like I needed to learn everything overnight and that I should be able to 'fix things' overnight. But, this dance is a marathon, not a sprint. (You're welcome to go back and read some of my early condos. You're also welcome to check out Hershey's SS.)

Hershey spent 5 months on ProZinc and then switched to Levemir. He has had some awesome runs of regulated BG's and then there will be a glitch. But, his # is only part of the picture. He looks better - grooms himself regularly again, his coat is shiny and soft, and feels better - he jumps on furniture and often chases/wrestles with our other cat.

I still don't know everything about FD and I'm sorry I can't offer any assistance with the other conditions you mentioned, but I do know managing FD DOES get better. Some people take it one day at a time. Honestly, I take it one cycle at a time.

As far as feeding, it doesn't matter how many meals you give him. Like with humans, it's more about the total calories consumed. If you use his ideal body weight and calculate, for example, that he needs a whole can each day, it doesn't matter how many meals you split that into as long as he's still getting the whole can.

I'm sorry you've had so much thrown at you at once and that you and your sweet kitty are going through this. I'm glad you found this group and hope you will see that you aren't alone and what a valuable resource you've found in this group and all of the experience here.

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Thank you ALL for talking time out of your day to write to me. I first thought - oh, I don't need to join this message board - I'll just read what others have wrote - but as the days go on, and my own health is being affected by this (nervous shivering throughout the day, no appetite, no sleeping) I thought I would give it a shot. It is somewhat of an releif/exhale to hear that it DOES get better. I thought there would be more of a change in him in the last month (a month is a long time on treatment, right?!) but I also know it's unrealistic to have him better and his old self in a day or 2.

I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, so when I talk BG #'s, I'm talking in single and double digits.

We are currently doing Dexamethasone pills - 1/2 tab 2x/day for 2 weeks, then (as long as there is no vomiting), decrease to 1/4 tab 2x/day for 2 weeks, then 1/8 tab 2x/day for 2 weeks - then hopefully off. I feel kinda weird about being on steriods for that long, but then, obviously his Pancreatis isn't going to go away in a snap. Gotta trust my vet a little, right?!
We are also on day 2 of Cerenia anti-nausea meds just to be safe. Those will end before the weekend, so it will just be the Dex he will be on.
He still has diarreah, but at least it's not diarreah AND vomiting. I am taking him back to the vet today for another dose of SubQ fluids just to help. I also read about a possible VitaminB12 shot added for extra oomph - but then also read in the same breath, might not be the best idea for a diabetic since it has sugars in it.

I'd swear, with all the reasearch I'm doing on my own, I feel like I could earn my own feline veterinary diploma soon. But that's dangerous too - you never know what you'll read on "Dr. Google." Why don't I sleep - cause I'm busy researching if there is anything else I could possibly be doing for him.

When I say lethargy lying around - it's never hunched, meatloafed or looking painful - it's layed out on his side - in a sleeping position - so he LOOKS ok, comfortable - but he is only interested in lying on the cool kitchen floor and hallway now. Can't stay on the bed with us like he used to - would rather be on the floor. I also noticed his eyes just don't have the sparkle of his fantastic past anymore. I can see it in his face. He just wants to lie around. Not interested in more than 30 seconds of playing with a toy or lazer light. He's just kinda 'meh.'

Long story long, I know he needs to get his Pancreatitis in check first or there's pretty much no hope to get his BG levels anywhere in a normal range.
But is there anything else I can do for Pancreatitis??
Giving him fluids periodically - adding water to wet food diet
Forti Flora to possibly help with bowel movements
Dex and Cerenia to dissuade nausea and help give the pancreas a rest of de-flame....
Anything else?!!
How long does it take to get rid of Pancreatitis??!

One more thing about his BG levels - they have never been below 10.
For example, a curve I did yesterday while he was on all his meds listed above went something like this:
6am - 26.4
8am - 25.9
10am - 17.7
12pm - 16.2
2pm - 25.4
4pm - 26.3
And this has been an easy 2-3 weeks on the 2 untis 2x/day. Like WTF!!
So I imagine we need to increase the dose again - be more aggressive about it - because every day, every hour his sugars are that high, he's sick.

What originally brought him in of course was the excess drinking and peeing, and weight loss. Isn't is just a sickening feeling when you feel that spine and bones?! Ugh, my stomach....
He was 15 lbs down to 12 and now 11.
I don't want him to lose more weight - his muscle mass is so small now. Hence why I want to feed him more meals. Wet and meat. If that won't affect his sugars too much, I'd rather do that.

Thoughts?!
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Vet approved upping Levemir to 2/5 untis 2x/daily.
Also got a pain shot of Bupe as we thought is breathing was a bit rapid so maybe he was still in a bit of pain. Got an xray of the lungs and body - no issues showing though. Going for an ultrasound this morning of the abdomen and echocardiogram to cover all our bases. Also got some more SubQ fluids and a vitB12 shot while we were there too for good measure.

However, Boo's demeanor hasn't changed. Just lying around still - only somewhat vocal when we are in the kitchen to get him something to eat.

It's been 3 days on the Dex and 1 day on the Bupe and I don't see any change. I'm hoping in a few days the insulin increase will help the bg#'s. But I am still so nervous and worried all of the day. I want my old Boo back :( :( :(
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Do you know if the vet did (sent off for the spec FPLi test his pancreatitis? and if so what the levels were? With regards pancreatitis Boo may be having an acute flair or it may be more of a chronic thing. You are doing the right thing by giving supportive meds such as cerenia, pain relief, sub q's. It is important to not stop these too early in the recovery process. If the vet doesn't want to give any more cerenia then you might like to ask about ondansetron which is an anti nausea and this can be given on an ongoing basis.

Have you tried feeding more small meals throughout the day? this may help to get more calories into Boo and prevent anymore weight loss.

I went to pieces when my cat was diagnosed with pancreatitis and then a couple of years later diabetes and so I think you are doing really well. It is so important make sure you get out of the house for a break (I used to get my mum to come and cat sit) and also to eat. Just hand in there.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

So should I pick up some more Bupe from the vet to give to him at home for the next couple days as well? I read though that this pain med has a sedation type effect - which is what I'm trying to get Boo out from under his lethargy :(

Steriods (Dex) and Bupe at the same time and still not doing anything??

I am definitely feeding Boo multiple meals throughout the day - vet says eating through Pancreatitis is beneficial. Thank god he has an appetite and can eat every 2 hours!

How long can pancreatits last ?? Have all your cats been lethargic in the first stages of this??

nailbite_smile nailbite_smile nailbite_smile
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

It doesn't matter now. Just came back from his ultrasound and he has lymphocsarcoma cancer.
His pancreas, spleen and kidneys are all double the size/thickness they should be.
Going to meet with the vets tomorrow to see what the course of action will/should be.
Guess I'll be spending the rest of the night googling how much of a death sentence this is.

And of course on the day where he wakes up and cuddles me, purrs and acts like his old self. Figures.

Anyone dealt with this?
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

I am so sorry to hear this. I have no experience but hopefully someone else has. The only advice I'd have is enjoy your sweet boy as long as he is still enjoying his life. Lots of pats and scratches, his favorite food and treats and a warm, snuggly place to sleep, ((hugs)). Such sad news.
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

My cat just diagnosed with pancreatitis yesterday. From what I was told by my vet, is that diabetes and pancreatitis is a complex situation. As I cannot afford an ultrasound I too am wondering how bad his situation is. He is also extremely lethargic, but I have to syringe feed him. I just wanted to reply and give you a hug and to let you know that I have also spend a lot of days and nights crying and worrying and just seeing my kittie change to the worse. We love our kitties and that is why when things get really complicated and not straighforward we ask for support because we just want our kittie's to be the way they were before. Sending prayers and hugs....
 
Re: Diabetic, Pancreatitis and Dexamethasone

Milaini said:
It doesn't matter now. Just came back from his ultrasound and he has lymphocsarcoma cancer.
His pancreas, spleen and kidneys are all double the size/thickness they should be.
Going to meet with the vets tomorrow to see what the course of action will/should be.
Guess I'll be spending the rest of the night googling how much of a death sentence this is.

And of course on the day where he wakes up and cuddles me, purrs and acts like his old self. Figures.

Anyone dealt with this?
Click to expand...

I am very sorry to hear this. May I suggest that you change the title of your thread or perhaps start another as another board member might have have had a similar experience and be able to offer you advice.

((Hugs))

Sarah
 
My sweet Boo cat just came back from his ultrasound and has lymphosarcoma cancer in his spleen, pancreas and kidneys, doubling them in size. I might be making a super huge decison real soon about how much I love my boy.
It's my first pet and first health issue, so it's hitting me pretty hard.Feline diabetes, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis and now this has all come out of the woodwork over the past month. He was a healthy, happy boy up until then.
His main trait now is that he is lethargic and his meds and pain killer is not really snapping him out of it (although he is always up an at'em when you walk into the kitchen to possibly give him some grub)!
His eyes, just don't have the sparkle of his fantastic past. And I don't know if starting to just 'prolong' him on chemotherapy is much of a life worth living.
I know you are all strangers to me, but there's at least some solice in hearing back from those of you know who know just how my heart is barely hanging by a thread.
 
So sorry to hear this news. I am facing the possibility of that myself but the vets tell me that Squeaker will not survive a biopsy. Because he has a heart problem and has experienced congestive heart failure the steroids and chemo would cause even more issues with his heart and possibly kill him.

I don't know if this will be helpful to you but I found a couple of links: http://felinelymphoma.org/cms/
http://www.oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=793&id=6019

Hope these are helpful in someway.

Anita and Squeaker
 
Oh hugs....
I'm going thru the same thing.
We have a thickened pylorus, visible lymph nodes, thickening of upper intestine....

I find that ondansetron ( for nausea) and cyprohetadine ( appetite stimulant) have helped.
Mine was already getting buprenorphine for severe arthritis pain.
I recently changed foods to some 12% carbs because she eats it willingly, she was already eating 9 and 10's..... so not much of
a change.

I think the laying on the floor is because something solid feels better against their body.
My vet thinks so too.

it's definitely a quality of life issue. I just take one day at a time.
I expect our decline will be quick since the pylorus is already a narrow space.

I believe a real sign that it's time is when their numbers start dropping super dramatically .... cancer eats sugar.
Without a biopsy, you don't know if it's slow growing or fast growing.
You may still have a few years......
I think all we can do is take one day at a time.

I sure feel your pain.
 
Just talked to the vet - his cancer has progressed too far that any chemotherapy will just buy him time - quality of time - probably not the best.
I am looking into planning an at-home euthenasia with my vet and then taking him to the crematorium ourselves - where we don't leave until we have him with us to go home again.

It seems so unreal.
 
I had a cat with intestinal lymphoma and CKD. she was given chemo and pred and was with me for nearly a year. Join the yahoo lymphoma list. There is a vet that reads and responds often. Chemo doesn't make them sick but lymophoma can move quickly if not treated a d either intermediate like Tiffany had or large cell which is more common. Small cell just requires two pills. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Hi,

I don't have any knowledge or experience to share re the lymphosarcoma, but my cat has FD and pancreatitis. Emotionally I've been in a similar state as you and I wanted to send you a :YMHUG:.

I did find another link for you, though I don't know whether it may be of any help.

http://www.felineleukemia.org/treatmnt.shtml.

My heart goes out to you. I hope and pray that you will find something to help Boo cat very soon.

(((Milaini and Boo)))

:YMHUG: cat_pet_icon
 
tiffmaxee said:
...Chemo doesn't make them sick ...
Click to expand...

This actually depends on the cat and the dose. I had a civvie with cancer and every single time she came home there was vomiting and/or diarrhea. I finally started asking them for something to help reduce that.

Her prognosis was 6 months; she made it to 9 months after the diagnosis. It was very expensive and put her through a lot of distress.

You may want to decide about chemo, or comfort therapy, based on how she does with vet visits.
 
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