Cancer in cats is unfortunately common these days. It can stem from poor nutrition, exposure to chemicals, and sometimes from viruses such as feline leukemia. "Cancer" is really a broad term that encompasses several different kinds of diseases.

Cancer cells are normal cells that, for whatever reason, have gone awry. Cancer in animals tends to favour the lungs and liver, and cancers that originate elsewhere often spread to these organs. Cancer can take the form of tumors that can be seen or felt, but often the tumors are inside the body, or involve the lymphatic system.

Often vets will say that traditional therapies aim to prolong life, but don't generally aim to cure. Sometimes, however, cats respond well to treatments, either traditional or natural, and can be pronounced cancer-free. The treatment protocol will vary depending on the kind and site of the cancer, and the choices involve very personal decisions. Whichever is the case for your cat, I hope this site is useful and answers some questions.

It is not my aim to provide detailed information on specific types of cancers; I am not a vet, nor do I claim to be a cancer expert. This is a general information site, and hopefully the links at the bottom of the page will provide more information for you.

Whatever course of treatment you decide upon, work closely with your vet. And there are a few things to keep in mind while you go through this ordeal. First, take care of yourself. Find all the support you can, and take advantage of it, cause you'll need it. Second, talk to your cat. He'll know how you're feeling, and it's important that even if you're scared and confused, try to always be positive around him.

And third, try not to focus on what might happen if you lose her. Instead, make the most of each day, but try to take some time to step back and breathe. I spent so much time watching Kashmir's every breath, every movement, that I almost forgot to enjoy her. I became so involved in every little change that I had a hard time recognizing overall improvement or decline.

Overall, do your research. A lot of it is overwhelming. But it's important for you to understand what's going on so you can be an active participant in your cat's health. Keep in mind that you have several options available to you, and the more you know, the better prepared you will be to make those decisions. If ever you have questions or concerns, call your vet.
That's part of what she's there for.

This page is dedicated to my cat Kashmir. My best friend.

• WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
• WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE VET CLINIC?
• WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR MY CAT AT HOME?
• WHAT IF SHE'S NOT EATING?
• HOW WILL I KNOW IF SHE'S IN PAIN?
• WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR MORE RESEARCH?

The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the cancer. Sometimes you will see or feel a lump. Your cat may be interested in food, and she may sleep all the time. She may get tired easily doing things she used to do for hours. She may try to be alone, or her habits might change. Vomiting and nausea, weight loss, changes in her fur, stool or urine changes, and signs of weakness are all reasons to see the vet.

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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE VET CLINIC?

Often the first stage of diagnosis is a blood test. Your vet will note any of the abnormalities you mention, and depending on the blood test results, will suggest further tests. Common diagnostic tools are Xrays, ultrasound and biopsies. If something does show up on the xray or ultrasound, a biopsy is usually recommended. This will usually involve anaesthetic as in a surgical procedure. Sometimes the vets will use a very long, fine needle to probe the suspicious mass and take a sample. Other times a lump may be
removed and analyzed as a whole.

At this point you may already be terrified. Keep in mind that you can, and should, ask your vet any questions you might have. Try to write down whatever he says. You likely won't think of all your questions right away; write them down and call him back when you've had time to think. If you're unclear about something, or don't understand a procedure, ask for clarification.

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WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

If you have a regular allopathic (traditional) vet, she'll prescribe a course of treatment based on the type of cancer your cat has. If possible, she'll recommend surgery to remove the mass. With or without surgery, the next suggestion will be either chemotherapy, or chemo and radiation to kill the cancer cells. Some vets may also suggest immunotherapy.

Generally vets say that cats can tolerate chemo much better than can humans, without many of the same side-effects. This may be true for your cat, and again, it's a very personal decision. Some cats, however, do not tolerate the drugs and do suffer some side-effects. The decision to continue or to try other means should be based on the expected results and your cat's
quality of life. Consult a good naturopathic vet; often holistic and allopathic vets will work closely to help you treat your cat.

There are several available natural treatments for cancer, which you  can use either alone or with a traditional treatment approach. The first thing you should do is get your cat on a good homemade diet made with organic foods wherever possible. A good diet is of the utmost importance. If you feel that your cat cannot tolerate a raw food diet, most recipes can be lightly cooked, or there are several good commercial foods, free of preservatives and by-products, that you can try. Ensure that the protein is of the highest quality, and limit carbohydrates. Feed a wide variety of raw organic vegetables, and supplement with
high-quality oils.

What follows are several supplements and natural cancer therapies. Many of these can be added directly to your cat's food, or can be prepared and administered separately. The first things I would suggest, though, are essiac tea (sometimes sold as FlorEssence), IP6, and, if appropriate, acemannan. Essiac tea is a blend of cleansing and cancer-fighting herbs, made into a tea, and given on an empty stomach, about 1 ounce three times daily. IP6 is a vitamin B derivative and has shown success in cancer treatment. Acemannan is an injection therapy, injected directly into the mass or tumor.

important in cancer treatment are the following: vitamin C in high doses (use the flavourless sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate or Ester C, dose to bowel tolerance and cut back slightly); vitamin E (which is fat soluble, consult your vet on amounts to avoid overdose); essential fatty acids such as salmon oil; CoQ10; Cat's Claw; Milk Thistle for liver support; dandelion
for the kidneys; yarrow as a blood cleanser; kelp or trace minerals; nutritional yeast (keep in mind that some cats may be  Sensitive to yeast); digestive enzymes; garlic; ginseng with royal jelly; alfalfa; slippery elm (which is very useful in combatting nausea); a food supplement such as Missing Link (read the label and don't supplement with extra of the ingredients); aloe vera (make sure it's naturally preserved, without sodium benzoate!) and Willard Water. This is not an exhaustive list, but these may
help. As I said, these can be added directly to food. If you decide to give them separately, you can prepare the herbs in a tea, or in a blend, and administer them with a syringe.

Homeopathy and flower essences are also important. Unless you are very skilled, do not attempt homeopathic treatment on your own -- consult a homeopathic vet. It takes time to find the right remedy, and you may be wasting valuable time trying to find the right one.

Flower essences are individual choices, thus I can only make some general recommendations. Crabapple for cleansing is a good one. You may also want to look into essences for fear, withdrawal, apathy, or confusion. Bach essences should be available in most health food stores, and Flower Essence Services is a good mail-order company.

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WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR MY CAT AT HOME?

Besides a good food and good supplements, providing your cat with a quiet, stress-free place is important. Try some quiet music if she likes it, a darkened room with pillows and other comforts where she can escape to, lots of sunshine and fresh air. I have a big cage that Kashmir sleeps in, and I take her outside in that when it's warm out.

Try to be positive. Chances are she's not going to be terribly enthusiastic about supplements, not to mention pills or vet visits.
During Kashmir's near-daily vet visits, I always went and left in tears. Not a good thing! Try to explain that whatever you're doing, it's helping him to feel better and you only want what's best for him. Make mealtimes positive, and try to project optimism. When you need to vent, and you will, try not to do it around him.

If you have to give him pills at home, try to follow them with treats or something special that he loves, like a game or a toy. Bathrooms are a good place for pills because they're small separate rooms where it can be quiet and calm(er).

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WHAT IF SHE'S NOT EATING?

This is a tough one. You want to make sure she's eating, and eating good food. If she's not eating because she's nauseous,  slippery elm may help. Boil 1/4 cup of spring water with one teaspoon of slippery elm powder until it turns gelatinous. When it cools it can be given via syringe or added to food.

Another useful nausea herb is peppermint. Ginger is also good, either in tea or powder form.

You can also try bribe foods if you suspect that she's willing to eat. If not, there are a couple of indispensable items to have on hand. Anitra Frazier's chicken broth is one. A liver shake is another important recipe. Both of these can be force-fed if necessary.

There are several tips that can help your cat to tolerate food better (taken from the site Caring for Pets With Cancer, see link below). Some cancer patients cannot tolerate the smell of food. Try to keep food preparation away from your cat. If cooking food, try using boiling bags, or even an outdoor barbecue. Feed her small frequent meals. Try to avoid nutritionally empty food. Add butter, skim milk powder, or honey to food to increase calories and protein. Try to ensure that everything he eats is
nutritionally dense.

Keep experimenting with recipes -- what she eats one day she may not eat the next. Experiment with different proteins such as turkey, lamb, duck, or eggs. Serve food at room temperature. Try different flavourings such as clam juice. If your cat is having trouble eating, try blending foods. Serve them with oils or gravies to help her swallow.

Sometimes, however, you get to a point where whatever she'll eat is better than nothing. In cases like this, let her eat whatever she will. If she won't eat at all, force-feeding, while not always pleasant, should be considered.

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HOW WILL I KNOW IF SHE'S IN PAIN?

I think every cat parent asks herself this when she finds out her cat is sick. I don't think there are any clear answers to this, Because it's such an individual issue. But you'll know. You may find it hard to believe, and you may not trust yourself to know, but you will. And you'll know the difference between acute pain and the kind that won't go away. You may not trust yourself to see through the grief to know if it's pain that won't  go away, but I suspect you'll know. And as always, your vet is there to let
you know one way or the other.

There are things you can do to manage or alleviate pain. Calcium and magnesium are pain relievers. Vitamin E, B Complex and C are helpful. Zinc and essential fatty acids are useful in healing, and geranium is a potent pain reliever. St. John's Wort is useful for nerve pain, and valerian is a good general pain reliever. Chamomile is soothing. Arsenicum album is one homeopathic remedy to investigate for cancer pain. Your vet will be able to suggest additional pain remedies.

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WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR MORE RESEARCH?

The links that follow will guide you through both allopathic and naturopathic sites.

Animal Health Articles

http://www.he.net/~virginia/00000006.htm

http://www.he.net/~virginia/00000011.htm

• http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~ypd634/

• http://www.wco.com/~bds/punkie.htm

• http://www.avma.org/care4pets/ancancr.htm

• http://www.altvetmed.com/Cancer.html

• http://www.acarc.com/cancer.html

http://www.cbn.org/news/stories/981020b.asp?text=1

http://www.billsardi.com/ip6.htm

http://www.billsardi.com/welcome.html

http://www.oea.umaryland.edu/Media/NewsSum/NewsDetail/IP6.htm

http://ahn.com/community/alternativemedicine/Authors/MotherNature/November/Inositol.asp

http://dir.niehs.nih.gov/dirlst/shears/ip6.html

Essiac Sites

http://www.awod.com/gallery/business/just_tea/(Under "information" and "things to know")

http://www.healthy.net/hwlibrarybooks/options/essiac.htm

http://www.remedies.net/

http://www.all-natural.com/essiac-2.html

http://hre.com/totalhealth/essiac.html

http://www.remedies.net/essiac7.html

http://www.remedies.net/Links.html

http://www.mothernature.com/essiac.htm

http://www.top.net/harouffd/essiac.html

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