Need some support for my Sphynx (Fibrosarcoma)

[Caylynn]

Hello all,

I'm new to posting here, but I need some support for my Sphynx and myself right now.

First off, I have two beautiful Sphynx boys. One has very mild HCM, which fortunately does not affect his quality of life, as it is very mild, but he's always been my sensitive boy. He's my velcro kitty, but very shy with other people and just overall sensitive. He has food allergies too. But he's such a delight.

Our other Sphynx has always been the "wild and crazy" purr machine. He purrs ALL the time - even at the vet. He LOVES people and is a real daredevil. He's never been a worry to us, unlike my sensitive boy.

Well, our "wild child", Merlin, has a lump on his leg, and the vet thinks it might be a fibrosarcoma. He is going back on Monday to the vet and will have it surgically removed (it was a "watch and wait" until today, when I noticed it is now hard instead of squishy like it was for the past week). After it is removed, it will be biopsied (the vet doesn't want to wait and biopsy first, but get the thing out) and we can be referred to an oncologist if necessary. We live in a city with a huge vet college, so we thankfully wouldn't have to travel anywhere for a specialist.

Anyhow, my husband is an officer in the Canadian Forces, and he is currently deployed to Afghanistan (Canada's combat mission is ended, but he is part of the "tear down" group that is packing up all the equipment, etc. to be shipped back to Canada). So I am all alone right now in dealing with this. I have email contact with my husband, but there is a huge time difference, and well, he's not physically here for support.

I don't know what I'm looking for, but I guess maybe some words of encouragement or success stories in dealing with fibrosarcomas. Everything on the web makes it sound like a death sentence. If that's the case, I know I need to just face it, but if there is any hope, I'd love to hear that too.

Thanks so much.

Cay, Merlin and Dragonheart

 

[susi794]

Hello Cay, Merlin and Dragonheart. Welcome to the Lair and our online family of friends. You have come to the right place--people here are good, kind folks and we will gladly support you in any way we can. I don't know anything about fibrosarcomas but maybe one of our members does and will have some hope for you. In the meantime, I will remember your little Merlin, your husband and you and your other kitty in my prayers.
Hugs,
Susi and the gang

 

[DoctorSpock]

I'm so sorry hear about your kitty. These sarcomas come from vaccinations (rabies, feline leukemia vax) unfortunately and if your cat is in good health and a fighter, he will take well to chemotherapy according to papers I've been reading. That's why it's so important when vax's are given in the rear legs to put them as low as possible in case of a sarcoma and amputation is the only way to save the cat(still not a solution!). I constantly feel or look at Dr. Spock every day as his daily check up for boogers.. You did well in catching it early. I don't have to tell you to give him all the extra love, and even more spoiling if that's possible. We'll be here to support you all the way... Try to keep positive thoughts, espcially around your kitty... They will sense something is wrong if you don't and will get stressed out which won't help your cat...

Vaccine-associated sarcoma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Combined doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for nonresectable feline fibrosarcoma -- Barber et al. 36 (5): 416 -- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association

AVMA - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - 216(1):58 - Abstract

 

[Caylynn]

Thanks so much to you both. I appreciate the support from fellow Sphynx owners and lowers. I know Merlin will have the best care here - I basically live right next door to a world-class veterinary college (I'm a Masters student at the associated university in an entirely different discipline) but it's naturally still worrisome. I've always been so worried about my boy Dragonheart - with his food allergies and mild HCM, he is always the one to get scared, or stressed by most things - whereas Merlin is such an easy-going cat. I've just never been prepared for anything to happen to him - he's just such a crazy, friendly, "tough" cat! He's also my husband's cat, or I should say that he has claimed my husband as his human (as Dragonheart has claimed me) so I know he is certainly missing *his* human. I'm a poor substitute - suitable for lap sitting, but not worthy of face/head rubs (my husband often complains that Merlin tries to stick his head up his nose and in his mouth while giving him face rubs!) I'm been trying to give Merlin as much attention as possible since my husband deployed to Afghanistan, but I know the same bond just isn't there. I love him, and I know he loves me, but I know he also has a special affection for my husband, just as my Dragonheart does for me.

Okay, I'm rambling. So I'll just say thanks again. And I'll find some more pleasant stuff to share in the rest of the forum.

 

[DoctorSpock]

You're not rambling at all.... you're sharing your heartbreak. Every kitty has their person as we have our favorites too... They still are loyal companions no matter what and we are here to enjoy their companionship and to be their guardians...

 

[Catzzzmeow]

So glad you reached out. Some times just being able to write your thoughts and feelings down can help one feel the load has been lessened. I will keep positive thoughts and prayers going, and please keep us updated.

 

[Boonecat]

Hello Cay,

I'm so sorry to hear about Merlin's sudden condition. I apologize, but I know nothing about this. Just writing to let you know that I will pray for all of you & keep you all in my thoughts.



​

 

[NinaGato]

Sending Good Vibes....

I have had some scary things happen lately and I can't say enough about the Lair members being supportive.

We are always here to listen.
Keep us updated on his operation and condition and on yours.

My oldest Sphynx has a heart murmur and food allergies. If you want to compare notes on feeding or supplements feel free to PM me.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I am sorry, I will be praying for your baby and you.
Please keep us updated.

 

[colorado]

I am thinking of you and your furless feline! I know you are taking amazing care of your pet but please remember to take care of yourself as well! And keep us posted on how your little one is doing!

You are all in my thoughts!

 

[heidi74]

keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers..i hope all works out..please keep us posted with updates..im so sorry your going threw this but please dont feel alone anymore we are all here for you and your kittys..

 

[Nofuratu]

Sorry to hear about what you are going through! Where in Canada are you? Im in New Brunswick and used to live in Ontario.

Its great that the lump is in the leg. I think fibrosarcomas are more a death sentence when cats are vaccinated in their neck or hind end. I think there is lots of hope with a leg lump and even then, it might not be fibrosarcoma! I agree with your vet doing a removal and then biopsy of the lump. Im not a fan of biopsies first and less of a fan of fine needle aspiration. Ive had those results be wrong.

I used to be a vet tech, and I also had a cat with a neck lump from a vaccine years ago that turned out fine and went away after a year, this was when I was a teenager and didnt know about fibrosarcomas yet. I have no experience with fibrosarcomas to share with you except it sounds like your vet is good, with a good plan and try not worry yet. It could be benign.

my stepson, who closed the door on vlads tail the other day, had a large neck lump that I insisted on removal rather than just biopsy and it turned out benign. And I had a breast lump that was benign. Not really cat related but I can think of lots of lumps Ive seen that were ok, so Im hoping that cheers you up a bit.

And if it does turn out to be bad news, which is horrible, ive seen lots of cats do amazing minus a back leg for various injuries. The key is to remove all of the leg and not leave a stump that the cat will "use" because then it wont heal properly. But you arent at that stage yet!!! So focus on the lump removal and we wont get ahead of ourselves. Easier said than done of course!!!!

Im sorry to hear your husband has to be away. Its just not fair that people have to go away in the military....I know that sounds silly but its just not fair. Please thank your husband for us for the work hes doing!

 

[Callmemrsbill]

Hi, welcome to the lair I am sorry you are going through this with your little guy, I am keeping you guys in my thoughts. I don't know anything about this condition, but it sounds like he is in good hands. Please keep us posted on the outcome.

 

[Graddydani]

Hi and Welcome, Cay, Merlin and Dragonheart! We're always here to support one another and definitely for you. Your husband and boy are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending positive thoughts for all. Keep us updated. Hope the biopsy turns out to be negative for anything.

 

[Mason@PoshPunk]

Sending lots of Love and positive healing vibes.

 

[shunterx]

You're all in my prayers! No experience with this but I do hope everything goes okay and please keep us updated

 

[GoldHazel]

Hello all,

I'm new to posting here, but I need some support for my Sphynx and myself right now.

First off, I have two beautiful Sphynx boys. One has very mild HCM, which fortunately does not affect his quality of life, as it is very mild, but he's always been my sensitive boy. He's my velcro kitty, but very shy with other people and just overall sensitive. He has food allergies too. But he's such a delight.

Our other Sphynx has always been the "wild and crazy" purr machine. He purrs ALL the time - even at the vet. He LOVES people and is a real daredevil. He's never been a worry to us, unlike my sensitive boy.

Well, our "wild child", Merlin, has a lump on his leg, and the vet thinks it might be a fibrosarcoma. He is going back on Monday to the vet and will have it surgically removed (it was a "watch and wait" until today, when I noticed it is now hard instead of squishy like it was for the past week). After it is removed, it will be biopsied (the vet doesn't want to wait and biopsy first, but get the thing out) and we can be referred to an oncologist if necessary. We live in a city with a huge vet college, so we thankfully wouldn't have to travel anywhere for a specialist.

Anyhow, my husband is an officer in the Canadian Forces, and he is currently deployed to Afghanistan (Canada's combat mission is ended, but he is part of the "tear down" group that is packing up all the equipment, etc. to be shipped back to Canada). So I am all alone right now in dealing with this. I have email contact with my husband, but there is a huge time difference, and well, he's not physically here for support.

I don't know what I'm looking for, but I guess maybe some words of encouragement or success stories in dealing with fibrosarcomas. Everything on the web makes it sound like a death sentence. If that's the case, I know I need to just face it, but if there is any hope, I'd love to hear that too.

Thanks so much.

Cay, Merlin and Dragonheart

I'm sorry to hear how you are alone with the news of your "wild child". As I was reading your story, it brought back memories of my chocolate lab! All of a sudden, she had a huge, hard lump on one of her legs. I knew it was hard, thus, I knew it was bad!

I just couldn't handle it at the time because not long before, I had put my golden retriever down. My chocolate lab was younger and I just couldn't say, "goodbye" to her then. She was about six years old when I found that hard lump. My golden was 13 1/2 when she left us. So there was a big age difference between the two dogs.

When I took my chocolate lab to the vet, he immediately did a needle biopsy, but we knew what the results were going to be. Once the results came back and confirmed, in for surgery she went.

I knew that if the vet didn't "get" it all during surgery, we'd be back again, etc. I can honestly tell you that my vet DID "get" the whole thing and my chocolate lab lived until I had to put her down at the age of 14!

So all I can say is trust your vet or go to another vet and make sure they give you their word that they will "get" the whole thing. Feel confident or don't use that vet. Freak out, just like I did (because you will). Cry, just like I did (because you will). Pray, just like I did (because you will). Hug and kiss and tell your baby how much you love them just like I did (because you will).

Now that I told you my chocolate lab made it through surgery and lived for many, many years afterwards, I hope you can land up telling me the same story. I also hope that others write to you and tell you more happy endings to your post.

Good luck and hugs to you and your "wild child". Keep me informed.

 

[GoldHazel]

I'm so sorry hear about your kitty. These sarcomas come from vaccinations (rabies, feline leukemia vax) unfortunately and if your cat is in good health and a fighter, he will take well to chemotherapy according to papers I've been reading. That's why it's so important when vax's are given in the rear legs to put them as low as possible in case of a sarcoma and amputation is the only way to save the cat(still not a solution!). I constantly feel or look at Dr. Spock every day as his daily check up for boogers.. You did well in catching it early. I don't have to tell you to give him all the extra love, and even more spoiling if that's possible. We'll be here to support you all the way... Try to keep positive thoughts, espcially around your kitty... They will sense something is wrong if you don't and will get stressed out which won't help your cat...

Vaccine-associated sarcoma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Combined doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for nonresectable feline fibrosarcoma -- Barber et al. 36 (5): 416 -- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association

AVMA - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - 216(1):58 - Abstract

After the initial (sets) of vaccines, do you continue to have your cat(s) vaccinated yearly at the vet's office? I never did with my hairy cats and I'm debating for the last month or so what to do with my three sphynx boys now. I'm tending to go against vaccinating yearly though.

 

[Posh Punk]

Praying for you and your baby!