Doc's medical thread

[Traci]

I don't think there's any harm in allowing the cats together with supervision, it's not really good for Doc to have to be confined again.

[Tina B and crew]

I don't think there's any harm in allowing the cats together with supervision, it's not really good for Doc to have to be confined again.

How long after treatment? Do you think I can let him out the same day? Or should I let him go at least 24 hours. He alway seems to be pretty chill the same day - likely due to the benadryl and stress of the treatment.


Anyway - 3rd chemo session done! His CBC remains normal and he is becoming rather feistier each time he goes. He's due to go back January 9 but we will be out of town that week, so they are suppose to let me know if waiting until the following week will be OK. They definitely don't want him to come in sooner. That appointment will include a FULL work up, including radiographs, ultrasound, full blood work etc. Do you realize we are almost at 2 months now? He is, in my opinion, doing amazingly well. We've had one day where he didn't seem to be up to his normal energy level last week, but other than that he's been his old normal self. What a journey this has been!

[Traci]

I think the day of chemo administration should always be his day to rest, no access to the other cats. As for how long exactly, ask your vet, he might say the next day might be ok, or yet another day. As long as you keep the litterboxes scooped and sanitized, a full 24 or 48 hours might suffice to allow the cats together again, but do ask your vet to be certain.

I am so thrilled Doc is doing so well, and I continue to keep good thoughts and healing vibes and prayers coming, he is such a great little trooper!

[Tina B and crew]

Doc's 5th chemo treatment is done. One more to go!! Everything looked great today, all blood work was within normal range. The tech told me is becoming increasingly more feisty though! In fact, I had a tough time getting him in his carrier this morning. He is so over this stuff. One more in three weeks and then we will give him about a 3 month break before he goes back to have a full work-up again (radiographs, ultrasound, blood work etc). Fingers crossed!!

[Tambrey]

WHEW!!!...good news!!

[Traci]

I am so happy and thrilled Doc is doing so wonderfully, keep it up little one, we are all still pulling for a totally clean bill of health!!

[Tina B and crew]

I've just noticed this morning that Doc is losing some chunks of fur. I have found several on the floor in the bathroom where he sleeps and stays confined after treatment. I also noticed that he has lost nearly all of his whiskers and most of his eyebrows. He seems to feel just fine, is as feisty as ever, eating well (he's up to 13lbs!), bright eyed and all. He had one time where he wasn't interested in food the day after his treatment, but other than that he's eating as usual. I am wondering if this is due to the cumulative effects of the chemo? I have an email in to his oncologist so hopefully I will hear back from him. I'm not terribly worried at all, just curious.

[Tina B and crew]

Well that was fast! Dr. Dervisis got right back to me. He said that it is likely a side effect of chemo - that most cats lose more fur than regular shedding but do not go bald. He said he's rarely seen the whisker loss I described but would guess it is also due to the chemo and that they should grow back. He advised me to keep an eye on him and if she starts developing balding spots to bring him in because it could be unrelated.

[Tina B and crew]

On another note, I'm fairly sure that a combination of the chemo and confining Doc after the chemo affects his behavior. He has been horribly aggressive, especially this morning. I finally had to put him in a short time out. The tech who works with him when he has chemo calls it his "chemo brain."

[Traci]

While it could be related, it isn't too common for that much fur or whisker loss. Might want to also rule out over-grooming.

I hope that tech doesn't say that to all the clients, she might be giving the wrong impression. I doubt the administration of chemo has much to do with his behavior, but rather, simply being at the clinic for that amount of time, being handled by several different people, in a busy, noisy environment etc. It's stressful. Of course, chemo can sometimes cause a blah feeling for the cat, (and sometimes, but rarely, more serious such as reactions), but to say the actual chemo administration causes agressive behavior isn't true.