My cat has cancer.

neema

Jedi Council Member
FOTCM Member
My cat Yuki is 12 years old female and was diagnosed with mammary gland cancer last December. Under the recommendation of our vet, we removed the tumors in hopes that they would go away. But unfortunately, it did not and it returned. The vet told us about the option of chemo therapy. She told us that the chances of survival are about 20%. Even if Yuki responds well to chemo, she will only live about 5-6 months. Also, the procedure would be very invasive and she would not have a good quality of life.

With the recommendation of our vet, we tried Chinese herbs like Stasis Breaker and Wei qi to battle it. Our vet recommended cbd oil for pets for pain management. And although she has been fighting, all of this has been partially successful. The tumors have slowed down but have also been spreading. The main one is very large (outward). Fortunately, as of now, there are no signs that it has metastasized onto any vital organs. The tumor is also now bleeding, so we have to get her wrapped every other day. Our vet told us to do a blood test and go to an oncologist.

The oncologist told us her recent blood work showed that she is showing signs of renal failure because of the cancer. she recommended a very powerful drug that has good chances of stopping the cancer growth. It is called Toceranib phosphate(10MG) to take 3 days a week (possibly for the rest of her life). But before we can use it we would have to do 3 days of iv fluid therapy to strengthen her kidney before the cancer drug. we have done 1 of the days, but she is very resistant to the vet visit so they have to sedate her. And since she was not eating and doing too well after the treatment, the oncologist suggested several days of recovery before the next iv fluid therapy.

over the weekend, my wife and I have discussed our choices and here they are:

1) we give her the strong cancer drug and take on the risks of kidney failure, hoping that the fluid therapy would be enough to mitigate the kidney failure. But that would require 2 more days of sedation - which has its own risks.

2) we continue with our Chinese herb medicine as it has been helping but obviously has not stopped it. And let her live whatever amount of time she has left, until the cancer affects her quality of life severely. Which would then mean we have to put her down.

3) We can try experimental drugs like ivermectin which neither the Vet or the Oncologist have any experience with. In general, there is just not enough research on it in cancer treatment for cats. The main problem with ivermectin would be, figuring out the correct dosage to help battle the cancer while not overloading her kidney.

At the end of the day, both of us want to give Yuki the best cat life - with whatever time she has left. Which is why we decided against chemo to begin with. We don't want the "cure" to be worse than the disease. This has all been very challenging, especially for my wife. We would appreciate any advice anyone here can provide. Thank you.
 
Very sad to hear this @neema My thoughts are with you and Yuki.

I have no idea how I would be able to handle it if anything like this happened to my cat.

It sounds like the Chinese herbs have helped. I wouldn't go with chemo either. As for the Ivermectin - the dosage is hard to calculate, since cats have a far higher metabolism than other animals, and each animal processes drugs differently.

I guess I would ask the Vet to do their best to estimate the dosage and try that.

If I were to guess at the dosage, I would probably go with the dosage for dogs, and increase slowly from there.

I hope Yuki can pull through form this 🙏
 
I'm sorry to hear that, neema. Considering this:
but she is very resistant to the vet visit so they have to sedate her. And since she was not eating and doing too well after the treatment, the oncologist suggested several days of recovery before the next iv fluid therapy.
and that the tumors have already been spreading and considering the possible side effects/risks from sedation and the drug, I would personally focus on making the time she's left as stress free and pain free as possible. Maybe you can get a second opinion from a holistic vet?

If you want you can share a picture of her so we can keep her in our prayers :hug2:
 
I am sorry to hear about your kitty, neema. I agree with you and others that making her comfortable might be your best approach. Maybe also ask your vet about the possibility of adding some medicinal mushrooms to her diet, next to the herbal combos you are already giving her, for more immune support and to reduce her anxiety/discomfort.

Just a note on Ivermectin: some cats react badly to it due to genetics and other factors that are hard to foresee before administration, even if you have the right dose.

Topical iodine shouldn't harm, to keep the area clean.

I think that having had Yuki in your life for so many years, the bond you share with her, the care and love you give her at her time of illness, keep observing her, and she will let you know when it is time to let go. It's hard, I know, but take care of you and your wife too. That would make Yuki feel better. Let your love for her be what shines from you, and what outshines all other emotions you might be feeling. :hug2:
 
I’m so sad for you about your kitty @neema. Losing our little pets is inevitable but seriously heartbreaking. I feel for you, kittykat Yuki and all of your family.
Do you know what type of cancer? That might help you make decisions on treatment.

I like the comfort and lots of love option personally, but of course you and your family decide that. There’s a real beauty in palliative care for our loved ones, it’s such a precious space in time knowing that they’re leaving soon, then we can really pour ourselves into that moment with them.
 
Hi Neema, it's a hard and very sad situation to be in.

At 12 years old, Yuki is already nearing the end of life. If her health was better, she'd maybe make it to 15yo on average. I think that making sure she is as comfortable and happy as possible for now is the best move without going to more extreme measures in an attempt to lengthen her life. I think as things stand, quality over longevity where harsher treatments may just cause her more suffering is the kindest option. But boy, don't we wish that our pets could live longer, eh?

Some acceptance that she will ultimately not survive will free your mind up from worrying about which treatments to use to prolong her life and instead to use that time to just love her and soak up the love in the time you have left with her. Hoping it's a fulfilling and meaningful time for you, and bless her for being such a good companion and friend to you.
 
vermectin , fenbendazole and iodine all impact on cancers according to transcripts
So sorry to hear about your kitty. Since fenbendazole is the animal version, perhaps you can try that? Maybe @Z... could give you advice on dosage or if it would be an option?

Fenbendazole, commonly sold under the brand name Panacur, is a broad-spectrum dewormer used by veterinarians to treat various parasites in cats, including roundworms, hookworms, lungworms, and some types of tapeworms and protozoa like
Giardia.

Important facts for cat owners
  • Off-label use: Fenbendazole is not FDA-approved for domestic cats, but its use is common in veterinary practice. The medication is considered safe for cats when prescribed by a veterinarian, who should be consulted for proper diagnosis and dosage.
  • Parasites treated:
    • Worms: It effectively treats roundworms (Toxocara mystax), hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), and certain tapeworms (Taenia taeniaeformis).
    • Giardia: It is also effective against Giardia, a microscopic protozoan that can cause diarrhea.
    • Lungworms: It is used to treat lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) infections in cats.
  • Parasites not treated: It is not effective against common tapeworms spread by fleas (Dipylidium caninum), the protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), or heartworm.
  • Administration:
    • It comes in oral granule (powder), paste, or liquid suspension forms.
    • It is typically mixed with food and given once a day, usually for 3 to 5 consecutive days, though some treatments may require a longer duration.
    • Treatment courses may need to be repeated after a few weeks to fully eradicate the parasite.
  • Side effects: Fenbendazole is generally safe, with few side effects. Mild, temporary digestive upset, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or drooling, may occur, especially in cats with a high parasite load. Allergic reactions are rare.
  • Veterinary guidance is essential:
    • A veterinarian should determine if fenbendazole is the right treatment for your cat. A fecal test can confirm the presence of parasites and identify the species.
    • Because many over-the-counter fenbendazole products are designed for larger animals, it is critical to follow a veterinarian's instructions for the correct dosage to avoid an overdose.
  • Over-the-counter access: While some fenbendazole products are sold over the counter, veterinary supervision is still recommended, especially for determining the proper dosage for your cat.
 
So sorry to hear about your kitty. Since fenbendazole is the animal version, perhaps you can try that? Maybe @Z... could give you advice on dosage or if it would be an option?
Yes can try both Fenbendazole and Ivermectin. I had few cancer cases that are still doing well but then i had few that haven't responded. Doesn't hurt to try.
The Fenbendazole protocol is as follows:
50 mg per 1 kg of body wight - 3 days on 4 days off for 30 days, then asses.
So far haven't used Ivermectin in cats. Only dogs.
 
So sorry to hear the sad news about little Yuki. Our little furry friends dig their way into our hearts and take a piece of us with them when they go. Such as the way of things. 12 is not really that old for a cat and I can understand your wanting to extend her life if it is possible and does not cause her any harm or distress. It is the choice of you and your wife at the end of the day but personally I would take joy and comfort in the time I had left with her. Fellow forum users have given some valuable advice, if that is the route you would like to go. It sounds like chemo would be too harsh anyway. Some gentle things such as herbal treatments sound like a good idea. Please keep us posted as to your decisions and how she is getting on. Blessings to you and your wife Neema..... :hug2:
 
I am sorry to hear about your kitty, neema. In addition to what others have told you, you could also check out amygdalin capsules. I tried that for my dog, Lena, when she got lymphoma last year. I was too late for her, but supposedly it kills all kinds of cancer cells. I got mine from Apricot Power. Love and hugs to you and Yuki.
 
Dear Neema,

so sorry to hear about your kitty, I very recently went through something similar, so I truly understand what you’re facing right now. This past Saturday morning, I lost my cat (15 years old) who had been battling CKD for the last year and a half. To make things even harder, exactly one year ago, I lost another kitty to CKD combined with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which made everything even more complicated.

Anyway, while researching different things that might help (not even directly related to my cat’s condition), I came across this video a few weeks ago and saved it:

The woman in it talks about the mammary tumor her cat had. I honestly don’t know if what she describes really works in practice but based on my own experience and everything I’ve tried, I would personally give it a try — I don’t see what there is to lose.

As for medicinal mushrooms, as far as I know, for cancer, the most recommended one is Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). For kidneys, I used (and would recommend) Cordyceps (medicinal mushrooms can be combined). I’m not sure about the others, except that Chaga isn’t good for cats with kidney issues due to its oxalate content.

And if her kidneys are now also somewhat damaged - do you happen to have the lab results or at least know her creatinine levels and other basic kidney parameters? If she has developed kidney issues as well, that unfortunately makes both treatment and diet much more complicated — something I’ve, sadly, had to “master” over the past few years.

What I don’t quite understand is how they couldn’t give her IV fluids without sedation. Did they fail to place the catheter, or was she just too restless during the process? Sedation can further damage both the kidneys and the heart, so I really don’t see how it would help if she needed to be sedated for every infusion. And honestly, I’m surprised they couldn’t restrain her safely — in my experience, the approach can vary a lot between vet clinics. I’ve had cases where one clinic couldn’t manage the cat at all, and another, using a completely different technique, had no problem whatsoever.

Also, when IV fluids are given for several consecutive days, the catheter stays in place the whole time, and the cat is kept somewhere quiet and cozy, in a small space so it can’t move too much. For me, the hardest part was always seeing how uncomfortable the catheter in the paw could be when I brought them home overnight.

I also wanted to ask — how is your kitty doing at the moment? Does she still eat and drink normally? And, maybe most importantly, how does she handle being given medication? I was quite lucky in that respect — or rather, with treatments, since the only actual medications I used were blood pressure pills, antibiotics when needed, and occasionally mirtazapine for appetite. Everything else was supplements — and yet, they would obediently take up to fifteen small capsules a day. I used human-grade supplements (everything I found was beneficial for kidney disease, nausea, pain, constipation.. in both humans and cats, and verified to be safe for cats), carefully divided into feline doses (looked them up online) and repacked into size 4 or 5 capsules.

Also, my cat hadn’t eaten on his own for the last four months — I hand-fed him three times a day (we had our system, and it wasn’t any kind of torture; I honestly think he actually preferred being fed rather than eating by himself).
All in all, keeping an ill cat alive is a huge commitment — it’s expensive and time-consuming, both for daily treatments and for all the hours spent researching. I think everyone has to honestly consider whether they’re able and willing to commit that much. Personally, it mattered to me deeply, and I would do it all again — but I understand not everyone is in a position to do so, even if they wish they could.

I also chose not to euthanize either of my cats, even when their quality of life was minimal, and they both passed naturally. But that was mainly because their illnesses weren’t painful the way cancer can be — they simply faded, losing strength and interest in the world around them. Whenever nausea or, rarely, pain became an issue, it could be managed with injections.

Anyway, it’s always so hard to find that line between fighting for them and not wanting them to suffer. I know what it’s like to constantly weigh every decision, to question yourself even when you’re doing everything possible. Please don’t lose hope, and don’t blame yourself for anything…
 
I would go for option 2 + fenbendazole.

What are you feeding your kitty? If she eats commercial cat food - you need to put her on species appropriate food ASAP.
More info about this here:
www.catinfo.org

Cats are very delicate especially their kidneys. Toceranib which is better known as Palladia is pretty much chemotherapy although it doesn’t kill cancer cells directly but instead targets their blood supply.
They say it is well tolerated but they also say 20-70% percent of cats experience side effects and it is definitely not easy on the kidneys.
 
I don't know if these products are worth anything, but I'll leave the links here in case there's anything that can help alleviate the suffering of yesterday and tomorrow:

CANCER, Fibrosarcoma, Herbal medicine

Cancers of the cats : natural options effective​


13 April 2017 Tiphaine 371 comments


In fact, cancers, while short, because it is a human or a cat, products, herbal medicine work very, very well.
I was talking recently to a doctor who told me that this was not a surprise. There are chemotherapy-based plants.

You do as you like with the treatments officials, these products can be given with.

Several options, which may be cumulated.

Products Beljanski In injectable or in a capsule ( PAO VFM 1 capsule per day). Some veterinarians make these preparations, I know that Dr. Jeambourquin in Ville d'avray, in fact, and combines with other products that work in synergy. If you choose capsules, give away meals to the bites, it is of no importance.

vitamin C

bromelain, the concern remains that you can find it in capsules, and that he should also be able to give the injection. The extranase is not enough dosed and includes excipients disputed.

a homeopathic treatment : treat the background, the field with the help of a good vet homeopath. I say "good" because they are not all, especially since Boiron sells her degrees in justifying through small seminars, so that homeopathy to be controlled requires 3 years of study, and that the unicistes continue even after these 3 years. This is to the bottom.

You can add, however, a remedy that is not new, not known and not manufactured, but that it is possible to reconstruct in ordering the goods ( always in pharmacy preparation expert otherwise you will not have the right dilutions), it is the Cobralactil that combines : Salicylicium lacticum 6 DH (attention DH and not HP), Naja trupidians 8 DH, scrofularia nod. 3 DH. 5 drops of the mixture in alcohol 4 to 6 times daily in a little water. Do not mount in dilution to make an aqueous solution. I don't have too much recoil on it, it's just a formula found by chance.

The recipe of the father zago, for cats : 3ml 2 to 3 times per day if possible, away from meals. extremely effective. I associate it with the DTP Beljanski. Recently 2 of the cats of the association have seen some effects after a week of treatment, one for a mammary tumor, the other on the mediastinum. Be careful, because once the treatment has started, it should continue until healing is complete. Any judgment before healing is re-flame the cancers.

This product is kept in a cool place and protected from light. It must not see the light of day under the penalty of losing its properties. At the beginning your cat will love no, hold it and give it to the syringe, holding it firmly. At the end of a few days he will be accustomed to, and will let you do. Taste if you want it you will understand what can feel your loulou... a feeling of internal cleansing. Now my cats are waiting for the hour of the syringe. This product works on fibrosarcomas.

To find the products, see the tab "products advised" of course, be sure to give it a high-quality food, with zucchini organic, olive oils and rapeseed.( see articles supply)
Les cancers des chats : options naturelles efficaces - Les chats font la loi

Natural Cat Tumor Support for Willow - NHV Natural Pets Blog

What a lovely name, Yuki, may she truly live her best cat life until the day she departs for another destiny.
 
If you want you can share a picture of her so we can keep her in our prayers :hug2:
Thanks Oxajil, here is Yuki:

Yuki 1.jpg

Yuki 2.jpg


I am sorry to hear about your kitty, neema. I agree with you and others that making her comfortable might be your best approach. Maybe also ask your vet about the possibility of adding some medicinal mushrooms to her diet, next to the herbal combos you are already giving her, for more immune support and to reduce her anxiety/discomfort.:hug2:

Thanks Alana, and yes mushrooms is something we have been looking into. I'm going to put an order for all five from the link you provided.
And if her kidneys are now also somewhat damaged - do you happen to have the lab results or at least know her creatinine levels and other basic kidney parameters?

Hi Ava, here are her most recent blood results. They are in Spanish:
blood_R_1.png

blood_R_2.png


I would go for option 2 + fenbendazole.

What are you feeding your kitty? If she eats commercial cat food - you need to put her on species appropriate food ASAP.
More info about this here:
www.catinfo.org

Cats are very delicate especially their kidneys. Toceranib which is better known as Palladia is pretty much chemotherapy although it doesn’t kill cancer cells directly but instead targets their blood supply.
They say it is well tolerated but they also say 20-70% percent of cats experience side effects and it is definitely not easy on the kidneys.
Thanks for the info Z.

I think we will go with option 2 + fenbendazole. We will skip the Toceranib.

Her diet is mostly raw chicken recipe that we have been giving her most of her life. It includes pet kelp, turmeric, coconut oil, and cod liver oil. Sometimes we give her human canned tuna in water as a treat since she really loves it. But very small amount because of the mercury risks.

Thank you all for you supportive comments and advice.
 

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