Chemotherapy is very well tolerated in most dogs and cats. Most patients experience no side effects. Around 15% will have mild side effects that will last for a few days and many will improve on their own.
Can chemotherapy affect my pet?
This makes your pet more likely to get infections that spread to you, put your health at risk and cause problems during your chemotherapy. Simply taking your pet in for a vet exam can identify any health problems your cat, dog or other pet may have, issues that can affect your health during chemo.
Do cats have to be hospitalized for chemo?
Chemotherapy usually doesn’t require hospitalization, but your cat may have to stay at the clinic for at least a couple of hours so vets can monitor any potential adverse reactions to the drug.
How long can a cat live with chemo?
In fact, just like with humans, treatment is often possible, and chemotherapy may be one option that can allow your cat to live comfortably for many months and even years. How does chemotherapy work?
How do cats respond to chemo?
cats don’t respond to chemo the way that humans do. My cat has had 7 rounds of oral chemotherapy and if you wouldn’t know to look at her that she’s been ill at all. She is active, hungry, playful and loving. She is happy and attentive and gained more than a kg since the initial diagnosis.
How to decide if chemo is right for my cat?
What is the goal of chemo for pets?
How is chemotherapy administered?
How will you know whether chemotherapy was successful?
What is the most common cancer that is treated with chemo?
How many cats have cancer?
Can a sarcoma be treated with surgery?
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Is it worth putting a cat through chemo?
Chemotherapy can help to extend your pet's life following a cancer diagnosis, or in some cases even achieve remission. However, this needs to be balanced with other factors such as your cat's temperament, plus your own financial considerations.
How long do cats live after chemo?
Even with chemotherapy, survival time will typically be on the order of six months or so, although some cats may survive for a year or more.”
How does chemotherapy affect cats?
The most sensitive normal cells are found in the blood, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and reproductive system. Consequently, potential side effects include infections, bleeding, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, thin hair coat or skin color changes, and sterility.
Do cats get sick from chemo?
Pets may initially show no signs of toxicity. Signs can vary depending upon the type of drug and species exposed. Gastrointestinal upset is common. Pets may have decreased appetite, depression, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Can cats on chemo be around other cats?
other than contaminated body secretions, there is little risk of exposure to chemotherapy for other pets living in the same households. Cats can be allowed to use the same litter-box. young children, immunosuppressed patients or pregnant women should avoid exposure to contaminated body secretions.
Should I give my cat chemo for lymphoma?
"Lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy." Cats tolerate chemotherapy much better than humans; they rarely lose their hair or appear sick. The most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.
What should you not do during chemotherapy?
This may lead to side effects. A person undergoing chemotherapy can take precautions that may reduce these effects....What to avoid during chemotherapyFoods that affect CYP enzymes. ... Overexertion. ... Interacting with people who have infections. ... Smoking. ... Drinking alcohol. ... Undercooked or raw food. ... Spicy and acidic food. ... Hard food.More items...•
How long does it take for chemo to start working?
Some people feel the effects of chemo right away, but for others, it takes a day or two.
Is chemo painful?
Does chemotherapy hurt? IV chemotherapy should not cause any pain while being administered. If you experience pain, contact the nurse taking care of you to check your IV line. An exception would be if there is a leak and the drug gets into surrounding tissues.
Is there a limit to how much chemotherapy you can have?
How long can treatment go on? This is a very good question to ask, but one that's very hard to answer. There's no way to give an exact time limit.
Which chemotherapy drug is contraindicated for use in cats?
Cats have an increased tendency to shed whiskers during chemotherapy, when compared to dogs. Finally, toxicities with cisplatin (pulmonary) and 5-fluorouracil (neurologic) are lethal to cats and these drugs are therefore absolutely contraindicated in this species.
Can chemo harm others?
Chemotherapy drugs are considered to be hazardous to people who handle them or come into contact with them. For patients, this means the drugs are strong enough to damage or kill cancer cells. But this also means the drugs can be a concern for others who might be exposed to them.
How long can a cat live with a cancerous tumor?
Untreated, the average survival time from diagnosis is about two months. This can be prolonged with chemotherapy (in some cases for 12 months or occasionally longer), although unfortunately not all lymphomas respond, especially if the cat has feline leukaemia virus.
How long can a cat with lymphoma live on steroids?
A median survival time of 1-2 months is associated with prednisone use alone for high grade lymphoma.
How long will my cat live with lymphoma?
Cats with lymphoma who are not treated with chemotherapy have an average survival time of 4 weeks once the diagnosis has been made. Cats with intestinal lymphoma who are treated with prednisone alone have a life expectancy of 60-90 days. Other protocols using multiple drugs yield significantly better results.
How long will my cat live with nose tumor?
The prognosis depends on the tumor type, and how early the cancer was treated. Without treatment, the median survival time for cats with a nasal tumor is less than three months. Complete SCC excision can be curative. The median survival time for cats after radiation therapy ranges from 6 to 18 months.
Is chemo the same as chemo for humans?
Chemo in animals is NOT the same as chemo for people. In people, you are doing anything, and risking everything (including comfort) to get a cure. With animals, quality of life is the goal, and a cure is very seldom attained. Because of this, chemo very seldom decreases the quality of life of the animal beyond what the illness has already caused, and very often increases quality of life.
Can you make a decision on a cat?
No one can make the decision for you--ultimately, you know your cat best. You might make a list of pros and cons and discuss them with your vets. They can help you make a decision as well as help you feel at peace with the outcome, knowing that you made the best decision given the information that you have.
How to keep animals from getting cancer?
Keep your animals clean. Clip their nails or declaw them before cancer treatment, to ensure you do not receive accidental scratches that can cause infection. Always wash your hands before eating, cooking or taking medications and after handling your pet or their droppings .
What to do when your pet is at the vet?
Ensure they are flea and tick free, then prevent any infestations to ensure you are not at risk for bacterial or viral infections these pests spread. Update your pet’s vaccines while you are at the vet.
How to keep cat litter clean?
Otherwise, change your cat’s litter each day and keep the litter away from food preparation and eating areas. Use disposable pan liners to keep the litter pan fresh and clean with each change. Disposable litter boxes work well, since you can throw them in the trash after a few days.
Can you take care of a pet when you are unable?
Your pet may need to stay with a friend or family member, or you may need others to come to your home and take care of your pet when you are unable. Your vet may be able to help you find someone to provide temporary foster care, if you do not have other emergency arrangements.
Can you hire a pet sitting service for cancer?
But you do need to ensure your pet stays healthy, too. You can hire a pet sitting service when you cannot take care of your pet as well as you should.
Can you keep a pet with cancer?
Keeping a pet can be great for you, if you can keep up with the pet’s needs. If the doctor approves keeping your pet, below are some things to do to make your cancer treatments easier on you and your favorite animal.
Can animals drink water from the toilet?
Do not permit your animals to drink water from the toilet. This spreads infections and exposes everyone in the house, including your animals, to toxins. Even your chemo medications leave toxins behind in the toilet with which your pet should not come into contact. Keep your animals clean.
How to decide if chemo is right for my cat?
Deciding whether chemotherapy is right for your cat is a very individual decision, and is best reached by talking to your vet and/or a veterinary oncologist. Factors that come into play are:
What is the goal of chemo for pets?
In human medicine, the goal of chemotherapy is to achieve a cure. In pets, chemotherapy is aimed at controlling the disease and achieving a period of remission.
How is chemotherapy administered?
Chemotherapy drugs are administered in several different ways, depending on the type of cancer and the drug used. Options include
How will you know whether chemotherapy was successful?
Typically, a successful remission means that lymphnodes will go down to normal size, and if there were any signs of illness that were related to the cancer, they will disappear. Remission can last anywhere from weeks to months, and for some lucky cats, even several years.
What is the most common cancer that is treated with chemo?
Chemotherapy is typically used for cancers that affect multiple sites. Lymphoma is the most common form of feline cancer that is treated with chemotherapy. The drugs used in veterinary chemotherapy are frequently the same drugs used in human medicine.
How many cats have cancer?
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, 6 million cats will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States along. However, a cancer diagnosis does not have to be the end of the road. In fact, just like with humans, treatment is often possible, and chemotherapy may be one option that can allow your cat to live comfortably for many months ...
Can a sarcoma be treated with surgery?
Any injection can result in an injection site sarcoma, Nora. They can come on very quickly, and your vet is correct, surgery is the preferred treatment for these tumors. She is also correct that surgery during chemotherapy can be risky, since chemotherapy weakens the immune system and slows down healing.
