Willie, male neutered cat almost 14, has been losing weight for a period of
over a year.  His other symptoms are flatulence, possible diarrhea,
excessive hunger and thirst.

Because I was dealing with two other health crises in my pets, I put off
serious concern over Willie until this year.  I did have bloodwork done last
year, and all was well except for a slightly elevated white blood cell
count.

He continued to lose weight and I had the bloodwork repeated and chest
x-rays done last week.  Again, all was well.  I got a referral to an
internist who felt abdominal masses and did an ultrasound.  She saw 2 areas
and aspirated them.  The pathology is inconclusive:  one has lymphocytes
(was probably a lymph node from appearance on the ultrasound), but she said
there was an elevation of a particular kind of cell which is not
inconsistent with lymphoma.

The other aspirate showed fecal matter.

Thus, she recommended exploratory surgery.

Upon getting a quote, I decided to let my regular vet do the surgery,
because if I let the specialist do it, I wouldn't be able to afford further
treatment for the cat if it is indicated!  What good is it to find out what
is wrong if you can't treat it????

Anyway, I love my regular vet.  The problem is this:  he says he is
perfectly comfortable with the surgery, and will be able to resect the
bowel.  BUT he advocates putting the cat down while on the table if the
"intestine is riddled with nodules".

OK.  So, I don't agree with this!  Or do I?  First question:

--is the nodular appearance how intestinal lymphoma presents?

--what are the treatments?  What is the success rate for them?

This same vet told me that "cats don't respond well to chemo".  With this
statement I disagree, but I didn't say so in front of him.  My experience
has been the opposite (I just went through it with a breast cancer kitty)
and my reading has told me it isn't hard on cats at all.  But maybe it is
different with lymphoma?

Anyway, I can and will say no.  But I don't want to regret my decision by
having the cat die an agonizing death a week later.

Please help me with any advice, both scientific & anecdotal!  I am really
quite distraught.

BTW, the kitty, although very thin right now, is eating well, drinking well,
pooping well and still very active and happy.  He may not even know he is
sick :)