lymphoma in adult cat

Hi,

My cat, 13 years old, male, was diagnosed with lymphoma last week. Chemotherapy is proposed as a treatment. It is defined as a slow progressing, alimentary lymphoma. My cat is vomiting and has sometimes diarrhea, but otherwise has appetite and the fur coat is in a good condition. It has been like this more than a year. We feed him with boiled chicken and also add food supplements such as vitamins, probiotics, immune boosting tablets, omega-3 rich oil. I would like to know what else we can do during the chemotherapy so that there are less side effects and the treatment does not make him sick. I would be grateful to hear for any kind of advice-food, supplements....

Thank you!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The most difficult aspect of treating a cat with cancer is actually getting the supplements into him.  If you are able to give supplements to your cat it than you have solved half the battle.  Diet is also very important.  I have listed an anti-cancer diet routinely used at my practice and a list cancer supplements as follows:

The diet:
Eliminate all grains and starchy carbohydrate's from your cats diet.  
The homemade diet should include 75% meat, fish or poultry and 25% green leafy vegetables, and mushrooms.   Place all ingredients in a crock pot and cook until the meat reaches 165 degrees F.  I do not advocate raw meat in the case of GI cancers.

Turmeric or Curcumin spice is a very important supplement for GI cancers.  Add 1/4 tsp. of Turmeric per 10 pounds of body weight  twice daily to the stew.  Garlic at 1/2 clove per 10 pounds should also be added.  A pinch of salt can be added to aid palatability.    A large batch can be made and separated into 1/2 cup portions.  Feed your cat 1/4 to 1/2 cup twice daily.  

The product: Missing Link for cats can be used to supplement vitamins and minerals. This comes in a powder which can be sprinkled on food and is available over the counter.

Common and successful holistic anti-cancer regimens include (but are not limited to):

1. The Chinese Herbal formulas: Stasis Breaker, Max's Formula and Wei Qi Booster, available by prescription from your vet from Dr. Xie's Jing Tang Herbal Company.  These herbal formula's work synergistically to combat cancer.

2. Poly Mva:  Available online without a prescription from: polymva.com.  Please google and view the testimonials.  This is a very valuable anti-cancer formula.

3.  Neoplasene (a form of blood root extract) available by prescription from your vet from Buck Mountain Botanicals.

There are many many other protocols.  I have just listed a few.  Acupuncture can help as an adjunct to any protocol to boost the immune system, to aid in eating, etc.  It would really be best to locate a veterinary acupuncturist and or herbalist or holistic vet in your area to coordinate the best protocol for your cat.