Feline Lymphosarcoma?

Question

My 7 month old kitten has stopped eating and drinking the past few days, We took her to the vet and found she has 104 temperature and all of her lymph nodes are swollen. The vet suggested it could be an infection or it could be lymphosarcoma. Her blood work came back and she does not have a high white blood cell count which seems to suggest it may not be infection. She is having a biopsy tommorow. I am very worried as the vet says this type of cancer is nearly always fatal. My cat is young and negative for feline leukemia and aids. Has anyone had a cat with this disease? If so, did treatment help? How long did they live? How good or bad was the quality of life after treatment? I know this is very broad for yahoo answers, but I am trying to get as much info as I can to prepare before the results come back. Thank you.

Answer 1

Cancer does not cause fevers. With that high a fever she should be fighting an infection and it seems strange that her white blood count would not be elevated. And neither people nor cats want to eat when they have a high fever.

I wonder too what they are going to "biopsy" - maybe a lymph node I guess. At least that would not be an invasive procedure when she is so sick. I am sure the vet will give her fluids and probably an antibiotic in hope the fever will come down.

Cancer is also a disease most commonly found in elderly people and animals so your kitty has youth on her side.

I have two cats right now with cancer and have been on the Yahoo group feline-cancer so you can join there for support. In the time I have belonged there has never been a cat with any cancer under one year of age.

So I think there is hope for your cat. If a cancer diagnosis is made you should join for the Yahoo group for support and information about how cats are being treated, etc.

Answer 2

The biopsy will tell you what you need to know. If it is lymphosarcoma, then unfortunately the prognosis is pretty poor. This type of cancer doesn't cause any discomfort in the early stages, so it's usually body-wide by the time you find it. Chemotherapy may buy you time but it's pretty pricey, and may not help with quality of life. Typically you only get a few months after diagnosis is made. The fever is unusual for cancer, though, so it's definitely worth doing a biopsy. I hope it's something treatable. Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 3

I would be extremely surprised with a 7 month old kitten?

I would think positive and put in your mind possible infection or Fever of Unknown Origin?

I would not start preparing yourself for the worst diagnosis of Cancer? SO many times in my life of owning pets I did the same and almost always found out after numerous tests and vet fees that I worried and prepared for the worst and wasted a lot of tears.

Answer 4

My mums cat had this, but he was very old and had other complications and she didnt want to put him through anymore stress....
I hope all goes well with your wee cat x
hope this link helps..