Possible lymphoma in older cat

[debodun]

Two weeks ago, I had one of my 16 year old cats to the vet. She palpated a mass in his abdomen and couldn't tell if it was a tumor or something that would pass (if you get my drift). She suggested I wait a while and bring him back to see if it was still there. The follow-up was this morning and the vet's assistant (trainee) indicated that the mass was still there and said it was likely lymphoma. She advised that an ultrasound was in order to properly diagnose the issue. I was reading up on lymphoma in older cats and what I found was a consensus of opinion that there is no "real" cure other than palliative measures and the survival after diagnosis can be anywhere from a few months up to a year. I just have a feeling that the vet or her staff will try to talk me into having expensive tests and treatments. Even though I like the cat very much, I can't see investing a lot of money in such an old cat with such grim prognosis and where there's really no hope of remission. I went though something similar about 15 years ago with another, younger cat. I spent over $1500 on surgeries and follow-up treatments only to have the cat succumb anyway. I'm, just submitting this for any opinions others may have or suggest what they would do in this situation.

[debodun]

After two doses of Prednisone, Adam is now struggling when I attempt to administer it. I'm concerned that he will bite or scratch me or even hurt himself with his vigorous twisting. Is it worth it to put Adam and myself through that? He also meows pitifully at the cellar door. I think he wants to go down there to "do his business", but I don't want him to do it there. I have not seen him in the litter box lately, but I did find a "pile" on the living room rug when I vacuumed. Why is he now wanting to go in the cellar and not using the litter box?

[Piparskeggr]

Our Miss Cerridwen of fond memory came down with sudden, complete liver and kidney failure.  I found her at the foot of the stairs by the door into the cellar.  I believe she was looking for a Last Hiding Spot.  We took her to the emergency vet, but to no avail.

Adam may be further along than the vet has determined.

Miss Teia is in early stage kidney failure and we've tried to give her subq fluids at home, after being shown by the vet.  She wiggles away after not much has been introduced, so we go with her comfort level.

If Adam is not ready to go (still eating and excreting, even in inappropriate places [may be some discomfort getting into the box]), maybe the vet can give him a long acting steroid shot?  May have something, like they have for human hospice patients, a calming medicine you can rub on his ear.  Maybe also a steroid cream?

[debodun]

Vet confirmed lymphoma. Treatment (I assume palliative) is oral solution of  prednisone. However, this makes my cat foam at the mouth a drool.

[Piparskeggr]

I do not remember Kessie having that that side effect. We gave her palliative care for almost 2 months before she let us know it was time.  I'm thinking the foaming and drooling may be from the unusual flavor, maybe?

Hildie, we did not get the diagnosis until a few days before she was gone.  Hildie was diabetic and we were treating her for that and the lymphoma was being masked, until we thought she had gone into remission.

I hope you are able to give your kitty more good days than bad.

[Piparskeggr]

My wife and I lost 2 cats to aggressive lymphoma, Kestrel in June 2012 and Hildiekatt in June 2014.  They  were sisters from different litters, Kessie being the elder.  Once diagnosed, all we could offer was palliative care, helping them be as comfortable as possible until they let us know it was time to go.