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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2003Spot is still with us and needs feeding
[I recently posted here under two alias's ("mug punter" and "animal luva") thanks to OE. I think I have it sorted now.] I want to thank everyone again for their kind wishes (posted or not). I shall attempt to create a web page or two for him. http://www.freesite.myby.co.uk/spot/photo.htm Originally diagnosed (30th Sept) with oral squamous cell carcinoma (with a very poor prognosis), Spot has been allowed to eat whatever he wants. His diet has mainly consists of boiled coley and cat milks/water. Occasionally he gets to eat cooked chicken and raw steak. Baby foods were lapped up but he soon went off them. Lately, he's began eating a little whiskas and felix - his usual diet - but whatver he choses, he doesn't eat enough IMO. A week ago the vet weighed him at 5.2Kg. The vet hadn't given us a realistic timescale for euthanasia but passed the responsibilty to Spot, saying "Spot will let you know when". Despite having a few odd days here and there (which is not proved to be accountable to his cancer), Spot is showing clear signs of enjoying life. The vet now thinks Spot may not be in so much pain as initially thought. Spot weighed in at 5.1Kg. I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer feeds on proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. How can we now ensure Spot not only eats enough, but eats the right kinds of food? > The vet now thinks Spot may not be in so much pain as initially > thought. Spot weighed in at 5.1Kg. Glad Spot isn't losing weight! Good! Purrs from my guys for him to feel better. :) >> The vet now thinks Spot may not be in so much pain as initially >> thought. Spot weighed in at 5.1Kg. >> > Glad Spot isn't losing weight! Good! Purrs from my guys for him to > feel better. :) Thanks Cheryl. {Spot} purrs, squints 'n' head-butts back to the guys. I neglected to mention Spot recorded an average 6-6.5Kg until October last year. For whatever reason, the vet ceased recording his weight then, only recently resumed on request. Regards, AL + Spot. >I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer feeds on >proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. >How can we now ensure Spot not only eats enough, but eats the right kinds of >food? I'd check on this. I have read just the opposite -- that cancer feeds on carbohydrates and not protein. I can't remember where I've read it, but it's more than a few times. If I can dig up the reference I'll post it here. >> I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer >> feeds on proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > but it's more than a few times. If I can dig up the reference I'll > post it here. Thank you for your advice Kathryn. I think what I read referenced SCC, other articles relate to other cancers. At the end of the day, it will make little difference but if the info is available, I'd like to know about it. I've trawled many a clinical report but most of it goes over my head. If we had more time... I'm looking for simple-to-follow guidelines on what to avoid and what to promote. Regards, AL >>> I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer >>> feeds on proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >Regards, >AL I've been looking to find the original articles, but can't find them yet. My dog, Lily, was dx'd with osteosarcoma in the roof of her mouth last winter and it was then that I came across the recommendations to feed a low carb, high protein diet. As I remember, the authors said that cancer cells thrive on carbs. Other studies talk about baked and fried carbs increasing cancer *risk*. In my dog's case it was osteosarcoma and not squamous cell and I don't know if that makes a difference. Good luck with Spot. Kathi > [I recently posted here under two alias's ("mug punter" and "animal luva") > thanks to OE. I think I have it sorted now.] [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > How can we now ensure Spot not only eats enough, but eats the right kinds of > food? I wouldn't worry about the "right kinds of food". I would feed him whatever he will eat. What you are doing (I think, I hope) is improving quality of life right now. Offer him whatever he will eat. I have good luck with Purina diabetic diet (D/M, canned), cooked turkey (thighs roasted with a little garlic) and canned kitten food (IAMS). Just for reference: I suspect my kitty has lymphoma in the intestinal tract but I'm not inclined to diagnose it any further or treat it because I don't believe in prolonging the inevitable. My goal is to keep him comfortable, keep trying to put weight on him, and give him as much loving as possible while he's still here with me. I hope you can find something your kitty will eat well - keep trying. It took me a while to find things my kitty would gobble down. Other things to try are broiled fish, canned fish (low salt type) and other "smelly" foods - braunschweiger (in moderation - it is very fatty), raw or cooked liver, etc. Best of luck! -L. >>[I recently posted here under two alias's ("mug punter" and "animal luva") >>thanks to OE. I think I have it sorted now.] [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > -L. Yes, stinky is good, also adding a little fat tends to make food more palatable. (how true, how true...) > Just for reference: I suspect my kitty has lymphoma in the > intestinal > tract but I'm not inclined to diagnose it any further or treat it > because I don't believe in prolonging the inevitable. My goal is to > keep him comfortable, keep trying to put weight on him, and give him > as much loving as possible while he's still here with me. Peewee? :( > > Just for reference: I suspect my kitty has lymphoma in the > > intestinal [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Peewee? :( Yeah. He's just not "right". His feces look really weird and aren't regular - I'm having to poke all kinds of food and lubes down him constantly. He's doing pretty well, though. He seems to have stabilized in weight - I need to take him in again in a month or so for a recheck. He's drinking well, which makes me happy. I'm just really terrified that he's going to take a major down-turn while we are out of town during our adoption. He's pretty much requiring pampering now, and our pet sitter is great, but not much of a cat person. :/ -L. >> Peewee? :( > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > -L. Aw Lyn, I'm sorry. I'm glad he's hanging in there for now, though. I know how you feel about prolonging things so I hope he stays comfortable. He knows he is loved. I thought that was it with the hair ball, though. Sorry to hear it may be something more. :( Congrats and best wishes for your upcoming adoption! > >> Peewee? :( > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > hair ball, though. Sorry to hear it may be something more. :( > Congrats and best wishes for your upcoming adoption! Thanks. In a way, I'm hoping it was just the giant hairball, but in my gut, I know it is something more. KWIM? -L. >><snip> >> I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > whatever he will eat. What you are doing (I think, I hope) is > improving quality of life right now. Offer him whatever he will eat. Oh we are, we do and we will. :-) > I have good luck with Purina diabetic diet (D/M, canned), cooked > turkey (thighs roasted with a little garlic) and canned kitten food > (IAMS). At the moment tinned salmon, fresh raw steak/liver/turkey seem to work a treat. > Just for reference: I suspect my kitty has lymphoma in the intestinal > tract but I'm not inclined to diagnose it any further or treat it > because I don't believe in prolonging the inevitable. My goal is to > keep him comfortable, keep trying to put weight on him, and give him > as much loving as possible while he's still here with me. As my sister told me, it's the intent that counts. As long as it's with love, it's the right thing to do. > I hope you can find something your kitty will eat well - keep trying. > It took me a while to find things my kitty would gobble down. Other [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > -L. :-) Thank you, see above. I'm happier Spot has an appetite still, although we invariably have to hand feed each small piece. Regards, AL. > [I recently posted here under two alias's ("mug punter" and "animal luva") > thanks to OE. I think I have it sorted now.] > I want to thank everyone again for their kind wishes (posted or not). I > shall attempt to create a web page or two for him. > http://www.freesite.myby.co.uk/spot/photo.htm By the way, he is very cute! -L. >> not). I shall attempt to create a web page or two for him. >> http://www.freesite.myby.co.uk/spot/photo.htm > > By the way, he is very cute! > > -L. LOL, thank you. Spot thinks so too. I'll be adding more pix in due course, be sure to pop back from time to time. Regards, AL > The vet hadn't given us a realistic timescale for euthanasia but passed the > responsibilty to Spot, saying "Spot will let you know when". > Despite having a few odd days here and there (which is not proved to be > accountable to his cancer), Spot is showing clear signs of enjoying life. I too have a cat with cancer and as hard as it is please let your friend let you know when. Quality of life is of paramount importance and as long as they are enjoying whatever their life can give them then this is what you can give.Try to be positive in thought as well as deed as I firmly believe they pick up on our senses and seem to know what we are 'thinking' or 'feeling'. Feel positive about outcomes even if it is bleak. Enjoy the 'rest of your friends life while he is here' that way he too will enjoy being with you and not feel like he should leave. > I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer feeds on > proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. > How can we now ensure Spot not only eats enough, but eats the right kinds of > food? > As a previous give Spot whatever he wants, his body knows what he needs. You could also try him on mycoplex coriolus, which ias a mushroom based substance that has been used on Aids patients in germany and the USA with apparently fairly successful results. It is laso been used with cats and in some cases a claim has been made to sure...this latter I am not so sure, however, I am giving it to my friend Yogi, he made a remarkable pickup initially and I am sure it is this that is helping him through this time. I give it to him once in the moring and once in the vening, half a tablet each time, broken into two. He seems to accept this tablet as though he knows it helps. Leastways I feel he does...its up to us individually what we believe our cats think or not think. I wish you every minute of joy with Spot and hugs to Spot for he is a very special friend too! Love, light and joy always Linda ps at this present moment Yogi is enjoying a small portion of a tin of pilchards in tomato sauce which he has always loved from a kitten. >> The vet hadn't given us a realistic timescale for euthanasia but >> passed the responsibilty to Spot, saying "Spot will let you know [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > while he is here' that way he too will enjoy being with you and not > feel like he should leave. Our best wishes and purrs go out to you and Yogi. I do believe cats have telepathic-type abilities, unfortunately, Spot is not like other cats. He plays fetch like a dog, poops in his own garden, doesn't mind the rain, likes vindaloo, likes going to the vets, likes tea (ad nauseum) and he exhibits evidence of *not* knowing what I'm thinking at any one time. However, I will concede he may have picked up on our distress and pity. I am learning to correct myself on this. Then again, we must be doing something right as the vet says his weight remains constant, despite his eating disability and the growing tumour. The good news didn't last long though as the vet told us he can hear increased heart irregularities. I closed my mind at this point so didn't get further details. We know Spot has an enlarged heart but it hasn't escalated for years. I am seriously doubting the benefits of Spot's medication at this point. I think it's detracting from his QoL. The vet has backtracked a few times which doesn't help. I've already shown one drug was having adverse effects, and the vet himself admitted it would have to be "experimental". >> I'm now concerned for Spot's diet as I've read that this cancer >> feeds on proteins and a low-protein diet is recommended. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > ps at this present moment Yogi is enjoying a small portion of a tin of > pilchards in tomato sauce which he has always loved from a kitten. Thanks to you and others I think we've cracked the food issue for now. I doubt I'll investigate alternative therapies - time is against us and the damage is already done. As I said, I'd prefer Spot be drug-free altogether as I simply can't reconcile him being unvoluntarily stoned as him having any sort of QoL. I could be wrong but I think it's worth trying: As of last night, Spot is off his medication although I will re-instate it if he deteriorates. I'm pleased to say he's all but stopped drooling (he was getting really stinky!) and seems to be enjoying our company a little bit more. Our thoughts are with you and your special friend also. Love & peace AL & Spot. |
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