Dealing with cat cancer – what to do after a cat cancer diagnosis

If your cat has cancer and is wondering what to do, We are here to help.

After we’ve gone through our feline cancer diagnosis, this is our guide to dealing with feline cancer emotionally, physically, and financially.

If you find us here at Fluffy Kitty through our little site yoda InstagramYou probably already know about his journey with cat injection site sarcoma – an aggressive feline cancer.

Now a tripod traveler, Yoda has had his leg amputated and completed 19 rounds of radiotherapy to put him in a stable position with more monitoring to come. He’s been pretty brave (and his usual hot self!) the whole time.

If you would like to read more about the discovery of Yoda’s cancer and our journey through diagnosis and treatment options, you can read the full article on Yoda’s cancer story is here.

His courage inspired us to continue sharing his story with the hope that it will help others. So we wanted to write this post about Dealing with cat cancer.

Because we’ve found that a diagnosis like this can start a chain reaction of concerns and questions:

My cat has cancer – what should I do?

• What can I do to help my cat with cancer?
• Will my cat survive cancer?
• What is the cost of cat cancer treatment?
• What if I can’t afford cat cancer treatment?

The emotional, physical and financial toll of a cat cancer diagnosis is real. Having gone through it ourselves, we want to help you find answers to these questions and find the support you need.

In this article:

• What to do first when your cat has cancer
• Cat Cancer Treatment Cost Guide
• Fundraising Strategies
• Cat Cancer Support Group Suggestions

What to expect when your cat has cancer

I remember very vividly when we left the date with Yoda. There’s a good chance you feel the same way we did. Helpless and exhausted in the face of diagnosis.

In times of stress, it can sometimes be helpful to focus on a specific action plan for your next steps, so we’ve prepared one for you here.

Gather as much information as possible

In this Initial examination and diagnosis stageEverything can seem blurry. It can be difficult to absorb information when exposed to news like this about your beloved cat.

So, if you’re reading this before your next appointment, it’s worth trying to remember it Record vet visits on your phone Or ask a friend to come and help you write down the information.

At these times, Find out as much as you can from your vet. Get an indication of your pet’s general health, recommended next steps, what treatment options are and what kind of life they can live.

Sometimes reaching a definitive diagnosis can be difficult with cats – for example, biopsies do not always contain enough high-quality material for the diagnosis. However, it’s still great to get as much information as possible for your fur friend’s well-being.

And if you’re confused and struggling to absorb it all, Don’t be afraid to call your vet afterward and ask for some support. Ultimately, the more information you have, the more decisions you can make from an informed and calm place.

Evaluate treatment options

There are three basic types of treatment for feline cancer:

• surgery – Most often for isolated lumps that have not spread (“metastasized”) and are in operable areas (eg Yoda’s area.) With the tissue removed, specialists can usually detect whether the cancer is likely to recur or spread.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is primarily used to slow and reduce symptoms of feline cancer, and chemotherapy usually has much less effects on pets than it does on humans.
• radiotherapy – Radiation therapy is usually only available in specialized centers, and it also works to slow and reduce the effects of the cancer. Since your pet must remain completely still for treatment, a short general anesthetic is given for each treatment.

There are also some Newer, more emerging experimental treatments very. These include photodynamic therapy (using a drug that is activated by light to kill cancer cells) or immunotherapy (decreasing or boosting the immune system to attack cancer cells or trick them into a state of remission).

Any form of treatment usually requires frequent veterinary visits, And some extra travel if you need to go to specialist centers, as we did with Yoda radiation. So it’s worth taking these visits into account and geographically checking it all out with your vet.

Prepare for cat cancer treatment costs

The cost of cat cancer treatment can be another source of stress for owners who are already struggling with the emotional distress of a diagnosis. Having gone through this ourselves, we can tell, by heart, we know how you feel.

To help you get started with putting a plan into action, here’s an idea of ​​how much cat cancer treatment will cost:

You can expect to pay anywhere $125 – $250 For an initial consultation with an oncologist, depending on their location and experience. By calling the clinic or hospital in advance, they can give you an idea of ​​what you should budget for.

• How much does chemotherapy cost for cats?

Chemotherapy costs for pets depend on the length of treatment, the location of the cancer, and the type of hospital you are receiving treatment at. With this in mind, the cost of a chemotherapy “dose” is anywhere from $150 to $600.

So this will be multiplied by the number of doses your cat needs, which can run into the thousands.

However, this fee usually covers the entire chemotherapy “project”, so it includes a re-examination test fee, blood work, chemotherapy preparation, and administration costs. But it’s worth asking this question before beginning any treatment to help you create a budget.

• How much does cat cancer surgery cost?

according to Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineFeline cancer surgery can cost anywhere from $500 upwards, especially if the tumor is located in a difficult area.

Again, talking to your vet or oncologist can help you find a more accurate number for your cat’s specific conditions.

• How much does radiation cost for cat cancer?

Radiation costs range from $1,000 – $1,800 for the euphemismal series (focusing on well-being), and $4500 – $6000 For a treatment series (This means that it is intended to help other treatments or reduce the chances of recurrence.)

Start creating a financial plan

It can be hard to stare at these numbers, and it’s much easier to put our heads in the sand and blindly place them on a credit card.

But Sit down and organize it in the right budgetscary though it may sound, It will once again allow you to feel some sense of control on this crushing situation. It’s a small step toward action that can help calm some of that anxiety.

Once you have the numbers, you can start figuring out how to pay for treatment.

• Check with your insurance providerSee where your cancer policy stands and what you are entitled to.
• Check your savings account And find out how much you can pay to get rid of some of the extra costs that your insurance doesn’t cover.
• Calculate the remainder, and Start creating a payment plan. Whether it’s using a credit card to pay off the cost over months, or even asking a friend or family member to give you a loan.
• It’s worth it too Asking if the oncology department has a payment plan Or a financing agreement that you can use to help spread out the cost.

What if you can’t afford cat cancer treatment?

The cost of cancer treatment can be unpredictable. We know, because we’ve been there!

Sometimes you don’t have the insurance cover you thought you had, or life just chooses to fire you when your savings really run low — but you’re not alone.

Here is a list of options you can make to help you pay for feline cancer treatment:

• Run a fundraising campaign To help offset some of the costs. We did this with Yoda, using Go Fund MeThe generous cat community has helped us raise over $2000. It goes without saying that we are very grateful and humbled to this wonderful and generous support. So don’t be afraid to ask for help, because cat lovers are everywhere behind you.
• The Animal Cancer Foundation Has a list of useful resources To help you and your pet through the cancer journey, emotionally and financially.
• You can search for Free clinical trials using AVMA’s Animal Health Studies Database However, in order to treat your cat, be sure to discuss this well with your vet first to ensure that it is the right decision for your cat’s well-being.
• join a cat cancer support group On Facebook or other platforms is a great way to stay informed about grants or support schemes, as well as the emotional benefits of sharing a common experience.

Consider quality of life

While a cat cancer rollercoaster can feel like all-consuming, the most important component is of course your cat’s well-being.

Can a cat live with cancer? My cat has cancer. When do I drop it? These are common questions we see across our feed, and tough topics to talk about. But knowing when euthanasia might be the gentler option for your beloved cat is something you should try to stay rational about.

Veterinarians are well aware of the importance of keeping animals pain-free and happy for as long as possible, and this is the goal of everyone involved in treatment. Unfortunately, for some cats, there may come a point where they are suffering more than they gain.

You and your vet should work together to constantly assess your cat’s well-being, and try to identify together when this regression is occurring.

While it can be hard to hear, try to understand that your vet only wants the best for your pet, and if he is in unbelievably severe pain, your vet will likely encourage you to choose euthanasia as the best option.

That’s why it’s so important to join support groups, have family and friends willing to support, and amazing communities like this one here. As with every moment you have with your best friend.

They really are very special to us, which is why we started Fluffy Kitty – to embody that amazing friendship they bring to us.

Final Thoughts: Dealing with Cat Cancer

We hope this guide helped you with what to do after a feline cancer diagnosis. We know firsthand what it can be like to deal with an emotional and financial Cancer.

But know that support comes in many forms and that your pet is lucky to be there when they need you most.

Do tell us if this article helped you in any way, and any other topics you would like us to write about. We love to hear from you.

Disclaimer:

⚠️ Brittany, Paul and Team Fluffy Kitty are not vets. This article is based on facts, research, and personal experiences. We give you the best possible information but of course you are free to follow our advice or not. In no event shall Paul and Brittany (and Yoda) be liable for any loss or other damages including without limitation, special, incidental, consequential or any other damages.