Kidney cancer

[Churchillsmom1]

Please could someone help. We have been told that My gorgeous girl Suki, who is almost 13 possibly has kidney cancer or advanced kidney disease but as it is fast growing they are thinking cancer, we will find out in next couple of days for definite. Please could someone advise on what to expect. What treatment may be offered and how best to look after her. It's breaking my heart as we have been told we will lose her, if it's kidney disease then within 2yrs max, if cancer then 6/12 months. She is very quiet and withdrawn but was absolutely fine till we were told this, it's almost like she knows

[lilynmitz]

Hi Churchills Mum. I'm so sorry to hear this, what devastating news. You must be in pieces. Both kidney disease, and cancers, progress at different rates in each cat, so it's very hard to give a prognosis, particularly when even your vet can't make a firm diagnosis at present.

Kidney disease, if caught soon enough, can be controlled to some degree with diet and drugs. My Lily has had it for some years now, but I lost a previous puss to the disease within a year of diagnosis.

Cancer is a whole different issue, and I'm sad to say that I lost two cats to cancer, aged 7 and 12, (one to liver cancer and another to a growth in his chest cavity). Cats are so good at hiding illness that in both cases it was very advanced before it was detected, and I lost both of them very rapidly. There are some treatments that can reduce the rate of growth, but it will be very dependent on the type of cancer and how far advanced it is. They usually involve long periods away from home in specialist treatment centres, and personally I would not put my cats through this as it would make their final months so stressful. However, I know others have felt this is a sacrifice worth making, and at the end of the day it's a matter of personal choice, and knowing whether your cat would be able to cope with this. For various reasons none of mine would have coped at all, so I felt it kindest in their case to let them spend their remaining time at home being cossetted and cared for.

I'm sure you have many questions and want reassurance, but the best person to talk this through with is your vet. The main thing is to spend as much quality time with your puss as you can, nursing her through this period. She may well rally, and I hope that the vet can find some treatment that will buy her more quality time, but you will know when she's had enough.

[Churchillsmom1]

Thank you. We only found it as both my cats went for their truly boosters and they are always given once over and the vet felt it. They said it was a large growth which was not there last year so it was quick growing. I'm guessing if it is cancer she's not gonna have too long. She is my shadow and suffers from separation anxiety so wouldn't cope with periods away from me plus with her age (almost 13) I don't think I would put her through it, I would rather keep her with me and love her

[lilynmitz]

I'm sure you will have your girl's best interests at heart in whatever decision you make. I hope next week brings more positive news for you.