Probable intestinal cancer inoperable, is there a supplement

[Helen]

Traci and others,

My 12 year old cat, Squeaky, has been diagnosed with probable lymphona by a vet specialist who did an ultrasound. (An earlier gp vet had mistakedly diagnosed diabetes and gave him insulin, did not monitor him afterwards. He went into insulin shock, recovered but had seizures and is now blind. This means surgery is not indicated, the mass is in an area of the small intestine which they say cannot be accessed by endoscopy to sample the tissue.)

He is on pred to make him more comfortable in whatever time he has left. Does anyone know of a supplement which can be given to cats which MIGHT activate the immune system and possibly shrink the mass? Long shot, I know, but I would appreciate any suggestions with recommended dosage. Have you treated a cat with a supplement for cancer? We may or may not try a holistic vet, depending upon whether he can travel.

[Traci]

Helen, if holistic worked, evidence-based doctors would be out of business.

No, there is no supplement, or any other holistic, alternative, etc that is ever going to help or cure any type of cancer.

Having said that, if bloodwork determined a vitamin/mineral deficiency, supplementation can help address the specific deficiency. In this case, supplementation of nearly anything is probably not going to be effective.

Prednisone is usually the first and best choice to "shrink" a tumor, and ultimately, it might shrink enough to obtain a sample safely if surgery is warranted.

My question is, have you sought a second opinion?

I ask because "probable" and utilizing only an ultrasound are not definitive, one MUST utilize bloodwork, getting a sample and pathology to determine what type of cancer is present. The pathologist then determines to the vet what treatment may be required or helpful, and the prognosis.

PLEASE, get a second opinion from a board-certified oncologist, even an ultrasound-guided biopsy might be possible to get a sample for testing. Most intestinal lymphomas are diagnosed this way and accessibility is generally not prohibited (only the oncologist can tell you, based on his knowledge and experience with biopsy procedures). Please DO NOT rely on a holistic vet to address this, you'll be wasting your time, money and potentially delaying time and treatment for Squeaky.

Having said that, IF this is intestinal lymphoma, it is usually a guarded prognosis, but sometimes resecting the intestine and combined chemotherapy are options.

[Helen]

I have consulted an internal medicine specialist and a radiologist. Since the gp misdiagnosed and almost killed him, leaving him with neurological damage, we are waiting to see if he recovers somewhat from that before subjecting him to surgery for a biopsy, this surgery might leave him even more brain damaged. Have not consulted a holistic vet--might do so for acupuncture which MIGHT calm him a bit so far as the neurological symptoms are concerned, disorentation, crying and blindness.

His present chief problems are the neurological symptoms. If they decrease, perhaps surgery to get a sample of the intestinal tissue is an option. I also believe in the traditional path first and foremost but am willing to try alternative ways if the evidence indicates they will not hurt. Hopefully the pred will help. Wish the gp vet had not made such a big mistake--he did not acknowledge it as such, tho.

He was such a great cat, hopefully will be soon again at least for a time.
Thanks--

[Traci]

See PM.

[corlev]

My dear cat Chester lived with lymphoma for at least 5 years on prednisolone and an appetite stimulant (theophylline). Once in a while when he seemed lethargic, I took him to the vet for some B12 shots and fluids. Eventually, I started doing the B12 at home. Because of the pred, he was pre-diabetic, and I gave him a very small amount of insulin as well. I hope your cat does as well. Finally, the lymphoma got him, but he was about 15.

[Helen]

Thanks very much for telling me about Chester, hope Squeaky does as well, or even half as well. I give him fluids and he is on pred now and for several weeks has done well.

[corlev]

If he needs a pick-me-up, inquire about B12, and good luck. I am so glad he is doing well. Chester also had a mass on his intestine which was controlled with the pred. Too bad about the insulin shock. My cat Junior, who I lost 2 weeks ago (I am still in pain) was going into shock from an overdose of insulin in the middle of the night. Luckily, my son was up. I gave him corn syrup, and took him to the emergency vet, and by the time we were in the car a few minutes, he came out of it. I left him overnight for monitoring. Guess I was lucky there. He was alive 5 years after that and no damage was done. My new vet did a lot of blood glucose curves on him and also fructosomine tests and put him on new insulin. He never had that problem again. Again, good luck, and enjoy his "remission."

[Helen]

How much pred did you give Chester? Squeaky was on 5 mg 2x/day, now reduced to 5 mg once a day, not sure he is doing as well on 5 mg but do not want to give him more than necessary. I give Squeaky syrup before going to the emerg vet but could not tell that it helped him. Recent glucose and fructoamen (sp?) tests have confirmed that he is not diabetic. He apparently has regained his sight and is doing better in recovering from the brain damage he sustained during the period of low glucose from the insulin he should not have gotten.

He will only eat a little at a time, unlike his previous healthy appetite. He has regained almost a pound, tho.

Thanks again for your information, will inquire about B12.

[corlev]

The bottle I still have says 1/2 tablet twice daily. That would be 5 mg a day but is was cut in half. I know it was higher at the beginning, and I was scared when we reduced it, but he did fine. Just keep watching. I am so glad he is recovering from the insulin overdose. Chester would only eat a little at a time, and would want to eat like that all day long. Luckily, my husband had retired, and he gave him special feedings in the bathroom because we had two other cats. Junior also started to eat a small amount at a time, and he probably had lymphoma in his intestines at the end. Glad Squeaky is progressing!

[Helen]

Wanted you all to know that Squeaky is doing fairly well these past several weeks. He takes the pred which seems to stimulate his appetite, among other things, so he eats well. (I am feeding him a prescription I-D for cats with intestinal problems.) He still throws up occasionally which is not good but he has gained weight, a pound, since his lowest point which is good and he acts almost normal. I hope this continues a long time!