Should I put my cat through chemo?

[Lauren_cat167]

My cat is 12 years old and has recently been diagnosed with a mammary adenocarcinoma. She had the tumor excised, then had radical surgery to remove mammary gland and tissue from her. The vet said that chemotherapy was the next step, but to first find out if if would increase estimated survival time, otherwise there would be no point in proceeding with the chemotherapy. She gave me some statistics from a study that put surgery + adjunctive doxorubicin treatment at 441 days mean survival time. This would indicate that there would be no gain from the chemotherapy, but does not specify if this is with just tumor excision or so called 'radical surgery'. I was wondering if anyone could offer any information on this - my cat is in good health otherwise, the tumor was less than 2cm in diameter (the vet reckoned i caught it early). I would go ahead if I thought there was benefit and extended life expectancy, but after two major operations I don't want to put my cat through any unnecessary suffering for little or no benefit.

[ValleyBlitz]

Hello,
My 10 year old cat, Sally has recently been diagnosed with nasal lymphoma.  She's on week 3 of chemo and is on daily prednisolone.  She's doing really great, and I only hope she gets even better.  This was a hard decision to make, but it was either that, or put her down, and I knew when looking at her that it wasn't time yet.  My doctors/staff at ASEC in Los Angeles are fantastic.  Best wishes to everyone in this thread...and for those that have lost their fur baby...my heart goes out to you all.

[garrettmarvel]

Hello Onelove3123 and thank you for sharing your story, I completely understand what you have been through, letting them go is the last thing we all cat/animals lover want to do, but it is sometime the best and only choice to stop our pets from suffering.

[onelove3123]

I am writing this in case someone in the future comes across this post looking for advice or to see what other's decisions have been, and the outcomes.  I am currently in this battle myself with my 5 year old cat, Jakoby.  The last week has been an emotional roller coaster that I would not wish on anyone with a four-legged child.  But if love was enough to save Jakoby, then I wouldn't have to write this.  Unfortunately, however, that is not how it works.  Jakoby has adenocarcinoma that has metastasized.  The tumor is in his secem (sp?) which is right between the small and large intestine in cats.  They can proceed with surgery, but it will probably not do much as it has already started spreading.  Chemo is also there as an option, however this form of cancer does not respond much to chemo.  Yes, I could put him through this options and may give him an additional few months of life, however it will not change the outcome.  And those few months will not be pleasant for him.  I would do absolutely anything to save him, but unfortunately in his case the decision was almost made for me.  They tell me that, at best, he may have 1-2 weeks left. I am enthused for all of you who have given the treatments to your pets and they have responded well, for whatever amount of time.  But I wanted to give real honesty with this for anyone who may ever have to face what I currently am.  At the beginning of this, I promised Jakoby that I would do absolutely anything in order to make him better.  But I also promised that I would never cause him to suffer for longer than he needed to.  He is not able to tell me what he wants, but as his "mom" I feel that I should know.  And to me, I could be selfish and go through with surgery and chemo, but it would not be the quality of life I know he would want.  The greatest gifts I can ever give him is the gift of the best life possible and the gift of peace.  I will love him for whatever amount of time I have left with him, most likely a matter of days, and then send him to a much better place where he will no longer know pain.  My advice is, I know we all want to have our four legged children for as long as absolutely possible.  But when they are sick, it is not our interests or wishes that need to be factored in.  It is what is best for them, no matter how much it breaks our heart.  Love them and provide them with the best life you possibly can for as long as you are lucky enough to have them.  And then have the strength to give them the peace that they are undoubtedly looking for.  They have loved you with all of their ability.  Now love them enough to let them go.  

[Rick1956777]

Excellent Lauren!
I'm still positive you & your vet are doing the correct & best.
Please keep me posted.

[Rick1956777]

I believe Lauren you have made the correct choice, your vets advice was very similar & as I said, my cat enjoyed a mostly good normal quality of life in & out of the house for 10 months longer.
Good luck & bless your dear kitty.

[Rick1956777]

I appreciate your concern & opinion.
When I discovered my 2 year 9 month cat had developed a  lymphoma cancer tumour which had strangulated his left side kidney, my vet's opinion was to go ahead & extract the kidney, which was a straight forward operation, he recovered quickly & the vet's further advice was to go for the chemo IV treatment there, every three weeks, with weekly tablets at home in between & also regular steroid tablets & appetite ones. Although this worried me & the amount of chemicals, my vet (who has 25 years practice experience) said it would be worth it to proceed, as he was young, strong & resilient.
My cat lived for a further 10 months, he enjoyed most of that time, although he had his bad days, he always bounced back & lived a normal life, playing outside with his twin brother, climbing, running, playing etc., although his appetite become poor, his weight remained stable, until three weeks before he became weak, dehydrated & lost nearly half a kilo in weight, it was a drastic change & with my vets & my self's agreed opinion, he was put to a peaceful sleep, before he suffered critically.
Those 10 months was extremely special in my lifetime, the many moments & extreme closeness, love & understanding we shared will stay with me everyday forever.He loved life & was so very beautiful & sweet.
Was I wrong ?