Oncologist in Monroeville PA

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Tim & Chris

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Does anyone know anything about the Avets Clinic in Monroeville PA? There is an oncologist there that seems to have extensive experience in Oncology. There aren't any Oncologist any closer to me. Cornell and Monroeville are about the same distance from me. I'm not sure how to proceed yet. If I opt for palliative care rather than to treat, that would be if my regular vet gives me a definitive reason not to treat, what are the advantages of going to an oncologist rather than my regular vet. It would be a 3 hour drive for Amy so the stress level would have to be weighed. If I bring my mom with me Amy will calm down and sleep. How well do cats tolerate chemo? The Ophthalmologist I took Tim, my FD cat, to
several years ago told me that cats don't tolerate chemo well. That was about 5-6 years ago. In medicine that could
be an eternity as far as treatment goes. I just don't think Amy is ready to die. If we can get her so she's feeling well
enough to eat I think she could have a good quality of life. Her only symptom right now is not eating or drinking.
She has eaten a bit yesterday and today.

Does anyone know if depomedrol would decrease the effectiveness of mirtazapine? The internist told me that the dep
would shrink the liver and help her to eat. But when I gave her the mirtz alone at the beginning of the week she ate
much more than this time.

Thanks for your help.
Chris
 
It would really all depend on whether or not your regular vet has experience with and is comfortable administering chemo. My regular vet clinic does handle chemo patients so we never saw an oncologist.

Cats actually handle chemo quite well. Of course, there will be some that don't but since the doses are so small, the side effects tend to be minimal. Abbey went through 4+ years of it with no real problems.
 
Amy's vet is in a very modern Clinic. They have an excellent mixture of experienced vets and those just recently
graduated. What's better is that the only 2 I ever had a problem with are no longer with the clinic. I'm not sure if they do chemo. I can't speak w her vet until Tuesday because she off tomorrow.
How expensive is chemo? Are we talking 2nd mortgage high or just tighten the belt high?
 
Tim & Chris said:
How expensive is chemo? Are we talking 2nd mortgage high or just tighten the belt high?
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That depends on the protocol that's used. Some are very inexpensive (Leukeran) and I've seen some high prices for others. Abbey was on the COP protocol, which was vincristin, cytoxan and pred. I would say overall it cost us $50-60 per month. Our vet was nice enough to keep our price at the same amount even when their prices went up but even then, it wouldn't have cost more than $100 per month. I think the University of Wisconsin-Madison protocol is the priciest because it uses some expensive drugs.
 
Tim & Chris said:
It would be a 3 hour drive for Amy so the stress level would have to be weighed.
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yikes. is that 3 hrs one way?

have you been in touch with cheryl and winnie? i think cheryl's vet consulted (phone) with cornell's oncologist, and they did the treatment under the onco's guidance, locally at the vet's. that might be an option that'll cut down on amy's stress.
 
Where are you located Chris? It sounds like somewhere near State College. There's got to be something good closer to you. But I've been googling for an hour and finding nothing. What, no referral clinic in Harrisburg? Ask WCF and Meowzi?
 
I'm in Western NY. Jess gave me the link to find an oncologist near me. There are none closer than Cornell or Monroeville. Both about 3 hours away. I was leaning toward Monroeville. The vet there seems to have extensive experience.http://www.avets.us/okeefe.asp
I have been in touch with Cheryl as she has seen the Internist I took Amy to. She has bee extremely helpful. She also knows the other Internist near us.
I will ask my vet for a referral to see him just for a consult. I want to at least have a aspiration done. I'll make some calls after work today.

Thanks so much for all your help and insights. It help to be prepared to knowwhat to ask.

Chris
 
found out there is new onco in rochester.

http://www.vetspecialistsofrochester.com/Oncology.aspx


RE the mirtz --

how long has amy been on it?
has been noticed by myself and wcf that tends to lose effectiveness w/ long term use.
I give my Wolfie mirtz breaks and assist feed for a week when the mirtz effect decreases.
then start again.

ps. if not long term --please note that it will not work well if a cat is nauseous and/ or in pain.
are you giving Amy anything for nausea? pepcid AC ? ondansetron is very good med to try if pepcid not strong enough. Pain can also reduce appy. --- is she hiding? ruffley? meatloafing? those can be signs that pain may be a factor.
 
Amy has only had 3 doses of MIrt in her life that I know of. One in February. After on dose she started eatting again on her own for a few weeks. One last Monday at the vets and on Saturday. She ate for me today. I left her some chicken broth but no drinking. I do add water to her food but I know it's not enough to keep her from dehydrating.

I went to that Clinic in Brighton w/Tim. They were wonderful. He went twice for laser surgery on his eye. They were so nice to him.

Does anyone know if this is true...or ECID...A lady at work told me today that her cat got more affectionate when she was close to the end. Amy was always a bit prickley. She had a hard time in the shelter with the other cats picking on her...even whren she tried to use the litter box. Heaven only knows what she went through after Katrina until she was rescued. But She has been warming up a bit at a time here. She used to claw me. I haven't been clawed in a while. Now she can't get enough affection. I threw a mattress on the floor in the room she sleeps in because she can't jump anymore. I think it's arthritis. I sleep in there with her. She loves it. That's not a good indication that she is declining is it?
Chris
 
Hi Chris

If you are going to do a workup locally, you should have the spleen and liver aspirated and a three-view chest x=ray done. This is because if she does have cancer, it frequently goes to the chest and your decisions might be different if you knew (heaven forbid) that her lungs were full of cancer. If you do end up needing to travel, you can speak to your vet about something like low-dose xanax orally beforehand. (You should inform the vet you're seeing that you will be giving oral sedation, in case that would interfere somehow.)
 
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