My cat has a sarcoma what are alternatives?

This is a very common problem apparently.  My 12 yr old tabby, Mr Bill has cancer.  He had the lump between his shoulder blades for over a year so small that I was the only one who ever felt it when petting him, then 3 weeks ago it started growing and now is the size of a small flattened egg.

I've read other posts about sarcoma - especially those induced by vaccines since that is the type he has.  We avoided getting our cats vaccinated for the same reasons we avoided getting our child vaccinated until we were forced so she could attend school.  Now I find that even the ones we HAD to have so the clinic would do the neuter surgery are risk factors for cancer.  Mr Bill is an indoor kitty - but rabies is a forced vaccine in our city.

Has anyone out there found any alternative treatments that help or slow the growth?  Any "miracle" prayers, etc?  I'd like to know the best and worse case sceanarios. We have not heard a single person say that they were glad they did the surgery, or that the surgery helped.  In all the blogs people say that the cancer came back more aggressive than before.  We are definately working class people- I'm on disability with Lupus and my spouse is retired enlisted military.  Not only do we not want to put Bill thru surgery if it won't help, we would have to dig deep to find the funds to do so.  I'd do it in a minute if I thought it would "cure" him, but I'm not feeling encouraged.

I've had cats my whole life and I've never had a connection with an animal like I do with Mr Bill.  He has made me swear that cats are telepathic and understand humans.  Anytime I was sick, in pain, or depressed, or crying Mr Bill was there - purring, loving on me, laying with me, etc.  About 6 months ago he started acting strange - paying less attention to me than to my husband.  He isn't as posessive of me as he was, is not as jealous if I pet my hubbys cat, etc.  But he still loves me, still drools on me, still purrs, still has to sit on MY lap, and still eats, drinks, & potty's like normal.  Except he has lost 2 lbs (he was always a "big boy" - Pat's kitty TW weighs 7 lbs, Mr Bill weighs in at 15.3 now, but he has been up to 17 even on a diet.)  

I'm heartbroken - and scared and worried.  I will never have another Kitty Man like my Bill!!  He hand picked ME out of a litter of 5 kittens he ignored every other person in the house, every other kitten, every cat, puppy, etc and followed me around the house begging to be picked up and cuddled.  At 4 weeks he could barely climb around, but he would scale the cliff of my king sized bed to crawl up where I was reading a book and settle on my lap purring.  I finally ended up buying a baby carrier/sling so he could ride around the house while I washed dishes, cleaned, worked in the garden, etc.  I don't know what I"m going to do without him.  He sits with me while I watch TV and holds my hand - literally - Mr Bill likes to hold hands - if he wants my attention he pats me on the face/mouth with his paw and purrs loudly.  I've never seen a cat do something like that!  

Ok - this is long enough.  Please help if you can - DJADe

[Piparskeggr]

Mr Bill sounds like a cat who gives a shine to the reputation of cathood.  I have no practical advice, not having had to go through any cancers with our kitties.

I'm sure the more veterinary savvy here will answer.

Good luck to you and Mr Bill, my Tunacat was like that.

[opus88]

I wish that happier circumstances had brought you to our site, I am very sorry for this horrible diagnosis...you and Mr. Bill share a very unique and loving bond and its obvious how very much he means to you.
I have never deal with sarcomas personally but I will send you a site that I have read about, its a Vet that uses injections of neoplasene a non invasive way of reducing (perhaps eliminating?) the tumor....
This dr. works with your Vet via phone so you do not have to take kitty there...I have NO idea how successful these treatments are nor do I know how much they cost, but I do know if it were me and my kitty I would check it out and ask my Vet about it....
I don't believe in putting kitties thru the surgery and chemo treatments, like you said it only prolongs the inevitable as these tumors seem to return with a vengeance after surgery.
I will also try to find another site for you with more info on sarcomas and treatment
the very best of luck to you and your Mr. Bill....(((hugs))) to you both, please return and keep us updated.

http://www.buckmountainbotanicals.net/index.html

[opus88]

http://www.zzcat.com/resources/treatment.htm

http://www.felinelymphomacaregivers.org/cases.html

I certainly pray that you find some answers and some hope♥

[DJADe123]

Thanks for the idea...

I read the info on the site below and it really scared me about the neoplasene.  Apparently it kills cells - any cells it touches.  Tissue necrosis.  

I don't think I will try this unless the tumor becomes ulcerated to begin with.   One of the problems we have is that we live full time in our RV and travel for my husbands job.  We are often in one place only 1 or sometimes 2 weeks.  Makes it difficult to get continuous care from anyone.  Perhaps a Banfield Vet Clinic since they are all over the country at Pet Smart locations.  They aren't specialists, but are capable of inspecting wounds, etc.  



http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2009/07/neoplasene-the-latest-head-of-the-escarotic-hydra/

[DJADe123]

Also, the tumor didn't start growing until I used a "generic" topical flea product from PetSmart with "fipronil" as the only active incredient.  It's hard to believe that could have started this cascade, but a dicey coincidence at the least.  

I wonder that it can grow out of control - but no one has written of spontaneous remission - many people get sucked into doing whatever is recommended despite the cost thinking it is the moral thing to do.  We don't know what turns it on (except vaccines are implicated) or if it can be turned off once it is active.  I'm praying for a miracle and I hope everyone who reads this will say a quick prayer for the same.  Healing energy and no stress should make Bill feel better if nothing more.

Much thanks for all the well wishes and sympathy.  

[opus88]

hi I agree NeoP is harsh, however it does seem to be effective from what I read on other forums. one must weight the risk vs benefits as always. unfortunately dosage can be tricky to get max effect w/out caustic side effects. Most come as a last resort after conventional tx has failed and the body is already toxic...thus the varied outcomes.

I have never heard of spontaneous remission, not if its cancer.
Yes vaccines are implicated, my Vet told me ANY injection can cause a tumor(not always cancerous).
I don't know if the flea products can trigger these sarcomas...but as we all know they are a strong pesticide that we are exposing our pets to, and the area between the shoulder blades is the application site(as well as many vaccines)

Mr. Bill certainly has my prayers and healing energy.....♥

[DJADe123]

Thanks for all the support, well wishes and prayers.  Guess it's like anything else - we have to take this one day at a time.  I'm working on getting all Bill's records together to take with me.  Husband has a traveling job and I go with him in our RV so we are not in a position to stay in one place for treatment.  I'm hoping we can get travel treatment.  

I get what you are saying about the NeoP - and I see that there are extremes in opinions about everything.  So far Mr Mr is healthy otherwise and has no evidence of any kind of spreading of the cancer.  I'm afraid to even get the needle biopsy because it is associated with making the tumor more aggressive or "angry" as one vet described it.  If it slows down in growth and/or stays stable we may risk it at some point - that or pay for a more extensive non invasive test (ct scan or ultrasound)

Thanks again - any help, support, advice is greatly appreciated anytime....

[opus88]

you do very well travelling and taking care of Bill at the same time...can't be easy, but yes all we can do with anything is take it one day at a time.

IMO there is really no advantage to doing a biopsy and risk the spread, it won't tell you more than you already know..

wishing you both the best of luck/prayers/vibes and wishes....keep us posted♥

[Summergirl51]

I am so sorry, to hear of your story, of Mr. Bill. I have a cat, now, who was just diagnosed, with VAS and am also wondering, what to do. My cat, MaryKay, my 14 yr. old persian  is the love of my life and we have the exact same relationship, as you & Mr. Bill. Mary & I are connected, at the hip and have a bond, that goes beyond animal & human...I had, a wonderful spiritual experience, with my past cat, Phoenix, a Himilayan, also. I was wondering, how Mr. Bill is doing, 6 months, since, your post and if you found any answers, to treating him? Good Luck, to you.