9 month old Russian blue - lymphoma

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Sunny786
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9 month old Russian blue - lymphoma

Post by Sunny786 »

Hi guys,

At a total loss right now and can’t stop crying. My beautiful cat alioth suddenly developed rapid breathing where I could see his abdomen moving when breathing, it’s been happening for about two days, and after speaking to the vets over at Queens Mary Hospital they advised to bring him in. Got a call two hours later saying after the testing and check up he’s been diagnosed with lymphoma and has cancer. My baby is only 9 months, and I just wondered if anyone has had similar experience with a cat so young ? I can’t stop crying and a they advised a chemo specialist will contact me tomorrow. Just at a total loss, how a healthy kitten can be suddenly diagnosed with this and he has been eating less and more lethargic lately but this is an complete shock and I just don’t know what to do.
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fjm
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Re: 9 month old Russian blue - lymphoma

Post by fjm »

I am so sorry - this is a devastating diagnosis for such a very young cat. But if the vets are considering chemotherapy it is not yet hopeless - the drugs and doses given to animals are far less toxic than those used for humans and most tolerate them well. While total remission is uncommon it does happen, and while I did not consider chemo or other advanced treatments for 18 year old, arthritic Pippin when he was diagnosed with lymphoma it is a different matter for a young and otherwise healthy cat. Has Alloth been tested for FIV/FeLV? They are both known to predispose to lymphomas, so he probably has.

If you have a vet you know and trust it would be a good idea to arrange for a discussion of just what the diagnosis means, what the prognosis is, and the treatment options. The unknown is always more frightening than the known, and the more you know the better you will be able to advocate for Alloth, and make the very difficult decisions that lie ahead in his best interests. But just now you are in shock, I know, and all I can do is send a hug, and say there will always be someone here on CF to hold your hand through this unwanted journey.
booktigger
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Re: 9 month old Russian blue - lymphoma

Post by booktigger »

I'm sorry to hear this, it's always devastating news, but much worse in such a young cat. Just to reiterate what FJM said about chemo, my friend used it on her 14 year old cat and she seemed to tolerate it quite well, she just had to spend the day at the vets, first having bloods to make sure she was fine, then the tablet and some monitoring afterwards. Can't remember how frequent though. Good luck
Sunny786
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Re: 9 month old Russian blue - lymphoma

Post by Sunny786 »

Thank you guys, you’re words are very comforting. I am still in shock as my baby is so young and doesn’t deserve this. I didn’t bet a call from Queens Mother Animal Hospital who advised he will go through further investigation and tests which will cost around £3000, however that’s when they will know better on how to proceed further. I did ask, if after the investigation i could potentially get some news that it isn’t cancer or they can remove that it was, and he advised from the fluid they sampled it does look like Lymphoma, however, after investigation further it could confirm this or (less likely) may not confirm it to be cancerous. I am praying I get some positive news from the emergency Vet team at Queens Mary as my baby hasn’t even got to live his life to the fullest. I love him so much and I can only hope we have a miracle and they confirm it isn’t cancerous.

Thank you guys again for your kind words and support. I really appreciate it.
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