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My black cat Code (pronounced Cody)
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Member Since:
30 August 2019
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31 August 2019 - 8:20 pm
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My best friend and companion Code, my black cat, was diagnosed with soft cell sarcoma in his right back leg which apparently was caused by vaccinations or some type of injections. It came as a total surprise to me since two different vets had done blood work and x-rays on him which they both said came out excellent. The first vet, a mobile one, just did his regular checkup at the end of May which included complete blood work. His blood work came back excellent. He had been having a problem with over grooming which they thought was from a food allergy or anxiety. I took him to another vet for the same reason - over grooming. They did all kinds of work on him one day. They gave him a steroid shot. The over grooming stopped, but Code started not eating well. I took him back to the vet which included more blood work and x-rays. Both came back as excellent. Both vets said he had a broken tooth which was probably causing him not to eat well. Code began limping some and his leg was swollen some. I thought it he had probably hurt it from trying to get away from the vet. I had a trip planned and paid for so I went, but my cat sitter couldn't get him to eat much at all. The last vet I went to suggested the cat sitter take him to an emergency animal hospital. That's when very much to my surprise the vet there mentioned something about what sounded like some type of cancer. He mentioned this soft cell sarcoma and that his leg would have to be amputated. I was away from home and totally shocked. Upon coming home, I took him to another vet which also performs surgery that my sister suggested. I finally scheduled him for surgery after a little less than two weeks. He had his leg amputated 10 days ago. I brought him home this past Monday. Right now, he and I are staying at my dad's house since I didn't really have a good place to keep him confined in at my original log cabin.

So now that the background information is out there, I'd like to ask all of you some questions who better know this new life Code and I are living. First of all, he has a cone on his head which I thought was making it hard for him to eat. He seemed to want to eat, but it was so difficult that he couldn't hardly get to his food or water. He used his litter box some. He went for his recheck yesterday and the vet said he was healing well, but he did say one thing that disturbed me. They sent the leg off and he said it was a "narrow margin" which as he explained it meant that he did get all the sarcoma, but that it was close meaning that Code may need to have more treatment such as chemotherapy. I do not want to put my Code through more torture so I hope that they don't come back saying more has to be done. Does anyone know what "narrow margin" really means?

Since coming back from his recheck yesterday, he doesn't seem to have much interest in drinking his water or eating his food. He has eaten some of his wet food though. I got him a smaller cone yesterday which I thought would help. It hasn't. He has not been using his litter box that I got for him though that I can tell. He isn't drinking his water although upon me first bringing him back from the vet he was drinking quite a bit. Does anyone know what could be causing his loss of interest in eating and drinking his water? He did pee all over his blanket at the vets though yesterday. I'm almost thinking he may be homesick since he and I are still staying at my dad's. I can block off my kitchen with boxes so it would be possible to keep him in the kitchen. Does anyone think that taking him home to his real home would help him out all the way around? Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give me. Oh and one more thing, he is still on his pain medication, but that will be running out soon.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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1 September 2019 - 12:09 am
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Hi Code and family, welcome. We are sorry you found yourself here but hope that we can help make things easier. 

It sure sounds like you are taking all the right precautions to help Code have a good recovery! Good for you for being so vigilant about the cone and also making sure he is in a confined area during recovery. If he won't eat with the cone on, then you can certainly take it off but only when he is eating and you watch him like a hawk, then put it back on when he is done.

I'll try to answer your questions ...

Does anyone know what “narrow margin” really means?

Basically it means that they most likely got all of the tumor but there may be some cells left behind because there wasn't enough skin/muscle to take more of the areas surrounding the tumor. This may leave Code prone to a recurrence of the tumor but maybe not. This is why additional chemotherapy may be needed to ensure it doesn't come back. Always remember though, chemo is optional. If you feel that it is too much for Code to handle, then there is no law saying you have to do it. But if doing it will put your mind at ease, and he tolerates vet visits well, then it's something to consider.

Here are some good posts about clean margins. I realize it's from the Dog Cancer Vet blog but it pertains to cat cancer as well:

https://www.dog.....efinition/

https://www.dog.....n-margins/

https://www.dog.....efinition/

He isn’t drinking his water although upon me first bringing him back from the vet he was drinking quite a bit. Does anyone know what could be causing his loss of interest in eating and drinking his water? 

Pain medication and recovery can do that. Have you tried spiking his water with something tasty, like the water out of a tuna can? Sprinkling some bonito flakes? That kind of thing. It is suuuuper important to get him to drink. If these little tricks don't help then let your vet know asap.

Does anyone think that taking him home to his real home would help him out all the way around?

Sure! If you can make sure he doesn't get into trouble and you can confine him to a small area of your home (wire dog crates are great for this kind of thing), then yeah. The sooner you can normalise his life the better his recovery.

Oh and one more thing, he is still on his pain medication, but that will be running out soon.

Most pets stop taking them around the time the sutures come out but if you feel he is showing pain signals , then let your vet know and they may prescribe additional pain management .

I hope this helps. Stay tuned for feedback from others and keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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1 September 2019 - 9:48 am
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I'm sorry to hear about Code's diagnosis. My cat Mona had a fibrosarcoma from a vaccine injection. Her leg was amputated 5 years ago.

For comparison purposes here are some key points from Mona's pathology report: It confirmed "the diagnosis of a high-grade fibrosarcoma" and that a "postvaccinal sarcoma is the overwhelming probability." The report indicated the margins were "huge". The lymph node report indicated there was no evidence of metastatic neoplasia of lymphadenitis. He noted that "postvaccinal sarcomas virtually never metastisize to lymph nodes."

I haven't heard that vaccine-associated sarcomas (VAS) show in blood work. There was no indication in Mona but the lump on her leg grew quickly so the vet wanted to do an amputation immediately. It sounds like the first two vets could not see anything indicating this sarcoma was developing. The steroid probably helped with the inflammation that Code felt but could not be seen. The limping and swelling was likely the first visual signs of the sarcoma. Thankfully the emergency vet determined the problem. Many vets aren't able to diagnose VAS because they rarely encounter it.

My cat Mona did not need to wear a cone. The vet took her to his house after her amputation to observe her and said she didn't need the cone. I suggest taking the cone off while supervising Code the whole time. Some people put a t-shirt or a onsie on their cat. 

My vet sent Mona home with canned kitten food and she loved it! It's high in protein and has a high moisture content so I didn't need to worry about her getting enough water.

When the vet took Mona for an overnight at this house they put her in the bathroom. Would that work for you? You could also take her to other areas of the cabin to look out the window and enjoy cuddle time with you. He'll have more freedom when the stitches come out.

It's well worth reviewing next steps with the surgeon or vet to determine if Code needs to see an oncologist. I have an article that I could send you about how margins are determined and what they mean. Let me know if you would like it.

By the way, ask your vet to submit an adverse report to the pharmaceutical company for the vaccine that caused this tumour and to ask for a reimbursement for Code's diagnostic and amputation costs.

All the best,

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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1 September 2019 - 11:02 am
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Thank you for your terrific insight Kerren! You always have so many great ideas and thoughts to share.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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3 September 2019 - 4:21 pm
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As you can see from the thoughtful and insightful responses from Jerry and Kerren. you have come to the best possible place for support and information.

I can add nothing of value, but just want you to know we are all here 4o help support you in anyway possivle. Stay connected.

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
8 August 2019
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5 September 2019 - 9:36 pm
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My Baby Bear just had her front leg amputated on 7/30.  I left her in my master bathroom for 2 weeks.  She wouldnt eat or drink after a few days so I gave her homemade chicken bone broth (no added salt or flavors) and unflavored pedialyte (50/50 ratio more or less).  She got dehydrated and I gave her the mixture w/ a 1cc oral syringe (side of mouth) all day until she was going to the bathroom again.  We had a really rough 2-3 weeks.  Had the same issue w/ the litter box and peed her bedding over and over again.  I threw her bed away and just gave her towels that I could wash daily until she stopped doing it.  (I finally starting taking her to the main litter box and not let her run out until she went.  Then she started hiding in there...ugg...then scared of it again.  I didnt put the cone on her because she wouldnt eat and it was awkward enough for her to figure out how to get around. I figured out after a little while to put yoga mats on the floor for traction for her and to soften her blow when she falls.   When she came home from getting all of her stitches out she was really happy and was rubbing until I put the onesie back on her (cut the arm hole so it would fit her better) and she became depressed again.  (Let Code enjoy his moments of victory, it means a lot to them.)

I didnt opt for radiation or chemo, (I wont do it for myself and I wont put my baby though that), I went with a homeopathic Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM), called Stasis Breaker.  Its a prescription and you can only get it from a TCM Vet.  Fortunately I found one in my small town 11 miles away!  I started The Bear on 'Stasis Breaker' a couple weeks ago, (my vet said shes a perfect candidate for it since she had the soft tissue sarcoma.) 

I have a medical background, (I was a surgical nurse), ask what the clearance was on the margins and where the clearance was the least.  Have the doc point out where on Code's incision.  This way you can keep an eye on it for any type of growths and act on it right away, dont let them talk you into 'just monitoring it to see what it does or if its just a cyst etc'.  This way you will feel like you have more control monitoring it vs not knowing where to really focus.  I would really look into the stasis breaker if I were you.  Cancer cells are pretty much normal cells that cant/wont die off.  All cells in our bodies are suppose to have a normal life cycle and die off.  When they dont die is when they can create havoc and become cancer.  The Stasis Breaker helps regulate the cells so they will die off on a normal life cycle and not metastasize.   BTW the first vet I went to (her prior vet), gave her a death sentence of 5 days, maybe a month but doubtful w/ the rate the tumor was growing.  The TCM Vet that I took her to 4 days later said they could save her life, rushed her back within 2 hours of us showing up for our office visit and amputated her leg, (mind you we ONLY had an apt for an office visit to get the stasis breaker). 

We started doing treats to get her to move more and jump on the shortened sofas. (I took the legs off the sofas so she couldnt climb under them to hide.)  It worked until I started putting the pills in her mouth, now shes scared of the treats.  (one step forward 2 steps back).  Word of advice dont mix pills w/ food if they dont want to eat already, it just makes them not want to eat even more. 

I have been trying to build her confidence by supporting her chest (they took her complete front right leg, shoulder and shoulder blade) so she can kinda feel normal.  She slinks around when shes not sleeping or trying to hide.  I would put her in the litter box a couple times a day until she would go. 

I started taking her out to the lanai about a week or so ago.  She is terrified of everything now so baby steps in introducing her to the world.  She is just starting to re-engage herself and today she chased a lizard!   Since she hasnt really done much other than sleeping and tired easily.  Its a slow process...my Baby is 12 yrs old, (thought she was only 10 at time of surgery until I pulled her docs), and isnt too excited about too much right now.

I have an open floor plan and put double baby gates up in my kitchen (about 5' high)  to close her and Puddy-Cat in that area (kitchen, family room, hallway and their bathroom).  Bring Code back home...it will do both of you good to be home.  Its a crazy roller for the first month, (I was physically and emotionally drained and feel like I aged 20 years during those first 2-3 weeks), a little bit of normalcy helps out a lot.  If you need anything everyone in this group is amazing especially Kerren!  She is always there for you.  Its like when you are almost at the end of your rope shes there to pull you back in.  Oh yeah that Royal Canin (or however its spelled) food does work wonders to get them to eat!  Good luck, I know you guys will be fine.sp_hearticon2

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 September 2019 - 9:57 pm
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So kind of you to take time to share your experience  with Baby Bear.  You've  had a rough recovery period, but you stayed the course and can finally see Baby Bear reminding rhe lizards she's baaaack!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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5 September 2019 - 11:01 pm
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Wow what a story about Baby Bear! Sooo glad things are looking up. You are a great advocate for her!

Thank you for sharing so many details. As Sally mentioned, that is soo helpful. I would love to include her in a Tripawd Tuesday feature. Got any photos you'd like to share? Email them to me directly, I would be happy to include your post. Thanks!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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