Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just got off the phone with the vet. The immunohistochemical staining came back. She has tarsal lymphoma. There's lots of info on typical lymphoma in cats out there, but tarsal lymphoma is pretty rare and there isn't a ton of info on it. She consulted an oncologist about it who couldn't give a very good idea of lifespan with or without treatment because it's so uncommon. There's a very high likelihood it's already microscopically metastasized, since lymphoma is notorious for that. She said the chemo treatment she typically does is pretty aggressive - combo of vincristine, doxirubicin and cytoxan and spans about 6 months with a cost of roughly $3500-4500. Sometimes the cancer is so aggressive, the cat's don't even make it through all of the treatments.
I have no idea what to do. I'm thinking a holistic approach to hold it off as long as possible is probably the best choice at this point. I plan I trying to contact Dr. Loops and also contact a local holistic vet for a consult. I just can't see putting her through all of that when the chances of remission are pretty low. Not to mention risking exposure to my kids and wracking up all that debt. I could justify it to myself if the prognosis was better. I just don't know...hard to think about right now...
~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender
Follow Kender's story here
Oh Melinda, I'm so sorry to hear this. I think we all hope that the amputation took all of the cancer and there would be no need for further treatment. Darn it anyway!
I'm sure you'll get a lot of good advice here on a holistic approach if that is what you are looking for. My tri-kitty Mona saw an integrated vet for chiropractic work and she was put on Power Mushrooms for her immune system but I suspect Kender will need more than that.
Please have a look at the forum on financial support (sorry, I'm not sure where it is) if that is one of the main reasons holding you back from further treatment. There is a long list of groups who may be able to help out.
We'll be thinking of you,
Kerren and Mona
I'm so sorry to read this, I would feel at such a loss myself, trying to weigh those decisions, there is so much to think about. What we like to say here is, try not to focus on prognosis; many cats and dogs outlive those numbers, which are just educated guesses based on a specific population of studied animals. They don't take into account Kender's unique physiology, so they really don't apply right? 
Dr. Loops has done some really incredible work with animals, that's where I would go if faced with this situation.Also, if your vet hasn't already, consulting with a teaching university hospital is a great idea too.
Also, as Kerren suggested, here is a post about financial resources :
Financial Help Resources for Pawrents
When it comes to paying for care, our animals don't want us to be stressed or worried because we are trying to pay for their care, to them it's all about quality of life today not some promise of tomorrow. Do what you can afford to do without worrying so much that it affects your time with Kender, and she will reward you a thousand times over with happiness.
So sorry to hear you're in this tough spot. Please let us know what else you learn about this condition. Unfortunately, I'm sure at some point there will be another member who gets this same diagnosis. Lotsa hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't have any advice because I haven't gone through this, but I want you to know that you and Kender are in my thoughts. Whatever decision you make, just keep on loving and spoiling her!! That's all she really wants, anyway.
Jenn and Sebastian
Hi Melissa,
First of all, I am so sorry for this difficult diagnosis with your Kender......My Tripawd was a dog not a kitty......Polly was my sweet yellow Lab, but she was also diagnosed initially with a very rare presentation of a common canine cancer, in which our veterinary oncologist was not sure how to go about treating it. It was the first time he had actually seen a case of what Polly had himself, and like your situation, there were no studies on treatment, etc........we just took the route we thought was best and did the whole full course of chemo and hoped for the best.
However, I am not in any way suggesting you take this same route with sweet kitty Kender.......That is just what we chose in the face of the unknown and uncertainty of my Polly's dilemma. I actually think going the holistic choice may be very beneficial for you and Kender. My good friend and neighbor had a very sweet kitty that was diagnosed with cancer, not sure what type off the top of my head, but seems it may have been a form of lymphoma......she chose a raw diet with some holistic herbal additives and Mikey the kitty lived for almost 3 more years, and he was already 14 when diagnosed. And I agree with Jerry, there is no set timetable for any diagnosis with our fur babies, it is all a crap shoot, but we do the best we can for them, and no decision we make is wrong. I definitely got lucky with my Polly, in that she outlived her prognosis by double the timeframe.
Just enjoy everyday with your sweet Kender, and whatever choices you make, will be the right ones......your heart will guide you in this decision.
Keeping you and her in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
This is just so darn distressing...this whole journey can be,!!!
But remember...EVERY cat, EVERY.dog,.is different! They don't give a rip.about.prognosis, statistics, fancy medical names...doesn't mean swuat to them! None of them have a time frame stamped on their butt!!!
Get your.information,.do.your.research,.check.with.holistic.vets. YOU are.Kender's strongest advocate! Trust what you feel in your gut!
From a quiet, calm, centered.place, connect with.Kender...she will guide you.
Ke.der is feeling great! Take her lead!! Stay.in thepresent with her...in the NOW! Let n o thing..no worries...no fear...rob you of your time together!!!
Ke.der.is by your.side.enjoying every aspect of.just being Kender! Stay in her bliss and know that all is well in Kender's world!
Hugs.and.love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
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