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Sudden Weight Loss on Leukeran?
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New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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10 August 2013 - 3:08 pm
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Brought Jill to the vet today because she was peeing outside the litter box.  They did a UA, she has lots of blood in her urine, but no bacteria, so we're waiting for the culture to come back.

 

In the meantime, we have more worrisome issues to deal with.  They weighed her and she is now down to 8 pounds, 13 ounces.  She was 10 lbs 2 ounces on July 2nd, 9 lbs 5 ounces on July 29th.  I'm so upset right now.  She is eating and acting totally normal.  The vet seemed very concerned about this, as am I.  I know unexplained weight loss with a normal appetite is not ok.  They sent out blood for a chemistry and thyroid check.  If that is all normal, next step is a chest xray and abdominal ultrasound.

 

My question is, could this be from the leukeran?  Even though her appetite is normal????

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

Fort Wayne, IN
Member Since:
25 January 2013
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10 August 2013 - 6:18 pm
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Erica, I have no answer to your question.  I just want you to know I feel your worry and I'm sending you a cyber hug (((Erica & Jill)))

We are keeping our paws crossed that you find some easy answers and all will be well.

Amy & Libby

Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13.  Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14.  She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self.  Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14

Orange County, CA
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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10 August 2013 - 6:29 pm
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We have 4 cats with various issues of their own (but thankfully, not cancer).  A normal appetite with weight loss sounds like a thyroid issue.  Two of our cats are on medications for that, and it is well controlled.  A third cat was peeing outside the litter box a few months ago.  She's older, so I thought maybe her kidneys were starting to fail.  A blood test was done, and lo and behold, she had diabetes.  She now gets insulin twice a day.  I'm sure that will be tested for on Jill.  Sending best wishes to Jill, hope this is nothing more than a small bump in the road.

On The Road


Member Since:
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10 August 2013 - 7:40 pm
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I'm so sorry Erica I know how worried you are.

All I can say is that while anything is possible, please try not to think the worst. If anything really terrible was happening she wouldn't be acting so normally. I'm guessing this could be a result of the leukeran but I'm not a vet as you know. However I'm sending you lots of love and hugs and hoping for some fast, easy answers.

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

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 August 2013 - 8:50 pm
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Yeah, the fact that her appetite is good annd she's acting perfectly normal doesn't sound, as Jerry said, like something horrible....And we all know what we mean by "horrible". She's just feeling too good.

I think maximutt really gave you a far more likely scenario. Did they test for diabetes too?

Of course, it could be side effects of Luekeran since her weight held steady til then. But I guess Jill is the only cat in the "study" so she may be the one identifying that Luekeran can cause weight loss!

You know we're all putting out positive energy Jill's way. Where else will you find a group of people "hoping" for thyroid or "hoping" for diabetes!

We've got your back Jill! We've got your back Pepper! Nothing's gonna happen to our Jill with all these big ole' ripawd dgs protecting her cute little kitty butt!

Lots of love,

Salt! and Happy Hannan

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!

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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10 August 2013 - 9:39 pm
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Thanks everyone.  I'm just really so upset.  I understand the whole "acting normal thing" but when she got the met in her leg after having her toe amputated she was acting normal as well, so its hard for me to accept that acting normal is an ok sign.  I know thats not very rational, but its just a weird scary feeling I have.  I felt crushed when the vet told me her weight today.  

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 August 2013 - 10:20 pm
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Of course you're scared and upset, as would anyone else be in this situation. And if they say they wouldn't be, then they better look in the mirror because I think they'd see a little Pinocchio nose growing on their face!

There's no such thing as being rational when we are worried about our beloved pets!

The only little thing I could add is.......THIS scenario does not necessarily equal THAT scenario in the past when she had the leg thing.

Remember, we've got some peeing outside the box and that is very indicitive of thyroid or diabetes. I think it's one of the few times we can feel a little glad fr peeing on the floor.

We understand! You know that! So keep on bouncing back here if smething else pops up while your head is going round and round. All the "what if" are no fun when you're by yourself.......and we won't let you be by yourself! We're here!

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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11 August 2013 - 7:10 am
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While you're waiting, so that you don't go insane, how about a plan of action to get her to eat more? What kinds of things did the vet recommend trying? Is there any kind of calorie booster like the one that Liz used on Roxie that you can give to her?

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

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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9
11 August 2013 - 7:16 am
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Just got the blood work back.  It couldn't be more perfect looking. Every level is exactly where it should be.  The only thing slightly elevated is a/g ratio and ast and they are only 1 point above normal.  I'm waiting for the vet to call me about next steps. Sigh.....

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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10
11 August 2013 - 1:49 pm
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I'm starting to think she MIGHT have a toothache. She hasn't eaten all morning and the vet said to give her as many calories as I can so I've been give her a ton of treats. This was the second batch I gave her, the first she scarfed down. If you watch it almost looks like it hurts to chew and she spits the treats out. For the last few weeks or so she's been chewing her treats and spitting out pieces of them. But I didn't really think anything of it. So I gave her some canned food (which she never eats) and she scarfed a spoonful of that down. Hmmmmm. The vet looked in her mouth yesterday though and didn't see anything and I just looked and don't see anything. He did say Leukeran can cause all kinds if infections though. Maybe she has a tooth infection???? Here's the video:

http://i1289.ph.....ca93fe.mp4

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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11
11 August 2013 - 3:20 pm
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At least there's a definitive amswer from a vet that luekeran can cause infections. So, it's certainly logical that there could indeed be a tooth infection. or even a throat infection. Could be indeed!

Now nto the next clue---while her appetite appears good----it could be that this entire time she's been doing more "spitting out" than you realized, and she really wasn't getting all the neessary caloric intake---thus, the weight loss! Could be. indeed!

Okay......I see no link or no video on this post.......just white space. Anybody else see a video or a link?

Cogratulations an great blood work results! Studying for your blood test is paying off!

And Jill, by the way, we kmow you're a movie star now. And we kow female stars are always dealing with weight issues because the camera makes them look ten pounds heavier than they are. Is this "spitting out food stuff " kitty version of "catorexia"? Have you been putting your paw down yoir throat to make yourself spit youir food back up!! Better not be Jilly! You are beautiful exactly te way you are!:-)

Will keep checking back to see video. I seriously think you are om to something Erica!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((H u g s)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sallt and Hapy Hannah

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!

Montana
Member Since:
1 February 2013
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12
11 August 2013 - 5:26 pm
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Erica & Jill - Darn it - I know how worried you must be. I'm very surprised they didn't find anything unusual with her thyroid levels as I was with Maximutt on that one. I also like your idea of a bad tooth (Shooter has one right now). I would definitely have that looked at as it could cause an infection what with chemo and all. After all that is said, We are going to stay pawsitive over here and it is going to be something easily taken care of and get her back to her usual svelte weight. 

 

Maybe being a kitty model has made her nervous about how she looks on camera winker - just tell her she looks much at her normal weight than any super model ever could!

 

Luanne & Shooter

Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old. 

Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.

http://shooter......ipawds.com



Member Since:
22 August 2008
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13
11 August 2013 - 5:34 pm
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If she does not want to eat but her bloodwork is normal then it is possible that the chemo is messing with her a little bit.  I may have missed this but has your vet tried mirtazapine?  It is a great way to get kitties eating again and only has to be given every third day.  

It is possible that she has a bad tooth and sometimes that only shows up on dental xrays so if the mirtazapine doesn't work then you must decide between xrays and ultrasound versus a dental cleaning and possible extraction.

Pam

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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11 August 2013 - 5:37 pm
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She is eating so there's no need for an appetite stimulant. Just spoke with her ET she def interludes wants to move forward with the US :( . I'm terrified.

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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15
11 August 2013 - 6:43 pm
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oh jeez i should try to post from my iphone.....that was supposed to read:

Just spoke to her vet, she definitely wants to proceed with the ultrasound

Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo

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