In Feb. my 10 year old cat was diagnosed with Lymphoma. I immediately started her on the COP (Prednisone, Cytoxan®, Vincristine) chemo treatment. After two weeks she developed a secondary infection (a rather nasty URI) and I had a gamut of blood tests run (as well as a two week course of Baytril) and that is when I found out she was FIV+. She had been tested and found negative as a kitten (8mos), was a strictly indoor cat, and never around any other cat but her brother (and litter mate - who was also tested negative same time) so where/when she contracted FIV is anyone’s guess, but that’s not the issue here (though I am curious). I stopped her chemo treatments (the tumors had already shrunk to near undetectable), but kept her on the prednisone. I decided to wait and see what would happen after she got better.
Now the tumors I orginally discovered (in her neck) are growing again. Her attitude, appetite and activity levels are normal (not pre-cancer normal, but good). Her vet suggested trying Elspar, however, I’m concerned because with any chemo there is a risk of secondary infections and her immune system is already compromised due to the FIV. Everything I can find on the Elspar says that it can have an effect on the immune system. Also all the information I can find on Elspar doesn’t talk about treatment in animals that already have an illness that negatively impacts their immune system.
The cost doesn’t deter me, however, her quality of life does. When she was on the other chemo she lost a lot of weight very quickly, was super lethargic and had to be force feed because she wouldn’t eat on her own (and I didn’t want her getting fatty liver on top of everything else) and given sub-q fluids (she wasn’t really drinking either). She was miserable and I will not put her through that again, mainly because with the type of cancer and the FIV status, there’s no chance of curing her cancer, just prolonging her life - and since that’s all I can do, I want to make sure she is as happy and comfortable as possible.
Has anyone had experience with successful chemo treatment of an FIV+ cat - and is there anything else I can do to just shrink the tumors instead of going through chemo? A quick fix type thing similar to cortisone shots for arthritis, etc.
I wish I knew the answer. I love cats and have had them my whole life, but I really don’t know that much about medical issues. I just want to express my sorrow about the situation, and wish you luck. My cat Boo died of lymphoma in 1996. It was strange - he was behaving normally, but one Saturday night I came home and I immediately noticed something wrong. He passed away quickly, in a matter of days. He hid his sickness so well, I had no clue anything was wrong.
Tawney’s illness was rather sudden too. The tumors on her neck grew to a rather large size over night. I’m not kidding - I feel her neck area (via scratching) every single day and they weren’t there one day, and blam! there the next.
I’m sorry about Boo
I just recently lost a kitty, Harley, myself. He was Tawney’s brother and had CRF (kidney failure) and a heart condition and I finally had to have him put to sleep just before Christmas. I know it’s silly, but I’m positive that the shock of losing her brother caused Tawney’s cancer.
I would think very long and hard about why you are getting all the medical treatment. We had a dog that we loved very much and kept her alive for 2 years more than we should have, at great expense, because we didn’t want her to die. She would have been a lot happier if we had gotten her put down than put her through the 2 years of misery she experienced on various medications, that all had nasty side-effects.
Believe me that Tawney’s quality of life is my primary motivator. I do not want to lose her, especially so soon after losing her brother, however, if the elspar is going to have the same risk factor (because of her FIV status) of secondary infection as the COP chemo treatment did - then there is no way in hell I will do it. If it was a matter of a few weeks of misery and then she’d be cured for a normal life, then I’d risk it, but that’s not the case here. I just want to do what’s best for her - and except for her tumors, she seems fine, but I’m concerned if I do nothing the tumors will grow and affect her breathing or swallowing. If there is something I can do to keep the tumors under control without the nasty side effects or secondary infections, I’m all for it.
I just can’t find any information on elspar treatments in cats who are FIV+.
Not being a vet, I’m not qualified to say what treatment is best here, but have you talked to your vet about surgery or radiation to remove/shrink the tumors?
Obviously, surgery and radiation are probably not going to cure lymphoma, but they might be ways to extend quality of life without the side effects of chemo.
If you haven’t already done so, you might want to consult a veterinary oncologist.
When I was researching my dog’s cancer, I read that sometimes general vets can’t stay on top of the rapidly-changing information about cancer treatments.
I am sorry you’re facing this situation and I hope that you find a way to help your cat feel better.
Aw, Mauvaise, I’m so sorry to hear about your baby. I don’t have any experience with cancer treatment on FIV+ kitties, but wrt:
I did find this… This person’s cat had a different kind of lymphoma (nasal), but regarding treating his cancer with radiation, the vet said:
If you aren’t already seeing a veterinarian who specializes in oncology, perhaps one of these guys can answer some questions for you. The first 2 are board certified veterinary oncologists I found listed here, the last came from superpages.com, but I did track down their website, and they are a teaching facility, which means they might be more in tune with the latest treatements for a cat with Tawney’s conditions: [ul][li]Elizabeth Hershey; Arizona Veterinary Specialists; 1235 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 23; Mesa, Arizona 85204; 480-635-1110; 480-892-0540 [/li][li]Dr. Greta L. Heidner; Phoenix Veterinary Oncology; 3116 Shea Boulevard, Pmb 162; Phoenix, Arizona 85028; 602-953-9541; 602-953-4713; gheidner@cox.net [/li][*]Sonora Veterinary Surgery & Oncology DVM; 4015 East Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032; (602) 765-3700 [/ul] Good luck, hon. I’ll say a prayer for you guys. I hope everything works out ok!
The tumors are, unfortunately, inoperable - I will ask about radiation as a viable alternative, but I’m not sure it would be less traumatic to her immune system than chemo. I am going to go back to the vet, but I was hoping to get some first hand advice from people that have maybe been through similar, or worked in a vet office themselves and might be able to guide me to knowing what to ask the vet.
Thanks, Shayna. I did get your e-mail, but have been rather preoccupied. I’m very sorry for not replying.
Thanks for the contacts - I’m going to e-mail the one doctor and find out from my contacts at RESCUE if we still are using Sonora (I completely forgot about them!) for our tougher cases in the system (meaning if they are still regarded as a reputable and good clinic.
So sorry to hear about this. I’ve little relevant advice to offer, but a hug is certainly coming your way {Mauvaise}. We hope everything turns out for the best.
I have no insight to add. But you and kit-kit are in my thoughts. A few months ago, when I posted about our Big Mac’s struggle with osteochondroma and amputation, fellow Dopers offered many kind words. It gave me great cheer. Nutty, isn’t it, this Internet thing?
The FIV diagnosis is quite a curious thing. Any idea how she acquired?
There are no “quick fixes” to shrink her tumors - that’s what the prednisone is supposed to do (which she is on).
I did e-mail that one vet oncologist, but she said that 1) she wasn’t taking new patients, and 2) that as far as she could remember she had no experience with treating FIV+ cats with chemo.
I’m going to try one round and see how she tolerates it. If she gets a secondary infection again, then it will be no more chemo and … well, we now the “and”. I’ll just wait and see and when her bad days outnumber her good… Sigh.
I have no clue. I do know that my vet (I heard this through a friend) does believe that if you test a cat before the age of 1, that you should retest after age 1 because before then you can get false results (negative and positive, I guess). Tawney was tested at ~6 o 7 months, so that may be the case with her.
