Aa
fibrosarcoma
My cat was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor last spring (the kind of tumor that is believed to be from vaccine injections). We decided not to do surgery becuase it was very invasive and did not have a high sucess rate. The tumor's size is now bigger than a plum, but smaller than a baseball. It is on her back, below her shoulderblade. In the last 2 days, I've noticed that it has begun to open slightly - as if she has been itching it or it is beginning to "pop" through (I haven't seen her itch it, but I am at work during the day). It is not an open would yet - is there anything that you know I can do to prevent it from becoming one? Is there any type of ointment I could but on it? I'm kind of lost on this. I know the vet said that if the tumor opens and becomes infected, she will need to be put asleep, but I want to put that off as long as possible since she still really enjoys life. Thanks for your help.
Thank you, Opus. Your words are so comforting and healing.
It is amazing how much we get attached to our pets... Because of her disability, to me Fergie was like a little child I needed to protect. She was the love of my life and a source of my happiness. Now it feels like there is a huge hole in my heart, but I know, like you said, this will heal... I will hang in there and try to keep positive thoughts always.
I really appreciate for all the support you give to people on this forum. There are many websites which talk about fibrosarcoma, but this is the only place where you get the real stories and genuine support. It is very kind of you to offer so many comforting words and helpful advice to people who desperately need. During our cancer battle, I came here many many times and read your comments and other people's stories. Because of this forum, I think I was able to make the right decision for me and Fergie. Thank you.
"that t-shirt and liner pad idea was terrific, thx for sharing that with us."
Sure thing! I bought a whole bunch of baby shirts at Walmart with cute designs. They are only a few dollars a piece. I made some adjustment and put them on my girl. She looked so cute in those shirts!
Hugs to you and everyone who has or once had a special kitty in your life
It is amazing how much we get attached to our pets... Because of her disability, to me Fergie was like a little child I needed to protect. She was the love of my life and a source of my happiness. Now it feels like there is a huge hole in my heart, but I know, like you said, this will heal... I will hang in there and try to keep positive thoughts always.
I really appreciate for all the support you give to people on this forum. There are many websites which talk about fibrosarcoma, but this is the only place where you get the real stories and genuine support. It is very kind of you to offer so many comforting words and helpful advice to people who desperately need. During our cancer battle, I came here many many times and read your comments and other people's stories. Because of this forum, I think I was able to make the right decision for me and Fergie. Thank you.
"that t-shirt and liner pad idea was terrific, thx for sharing that with us."
Sure thing! I bought a whole bunch of baby shirts at Walmart with cute designs. They are only a few dollars a piece. I made some adjustment and put them on my girl. She looked so cute in those shirts!
Hugs to you and everyone who has or once had a special kitty in your life
well I'm glad this forum was a good support for you, I am just so saddened to read little Fergie has lost her battle.
all the love and care you gave her during her struggles and throughout her life is just awesome, she was a well loved kitty and I'm sure she knew it too.
saying our goodbyes and picking that 'just right' time for them isn't easy, we hate to let go too soon and in many cases perhaps hold on just a little too long. "Grief is the price we pay for love" heard that so many times and its so very true.
that t-shirt and liner pad idea was terrific, thx for sharing that with us.
time will heal, it doesn't feel like you'll ever feel better but you will....slowly. and yes her memory will always be strong in your heart no matter how much time has passed
RIP little Fergie♥
all the love and care you gave her during her struggles and throughout her life is just awesome, she was a well loved kitty and I'm sure she knew it too.
saying our goodbyes and picking that 'just right' time for them isn't easy, we hate to let go too soon and in many cases perhaps hold on just a little too long. "Grief is the price we pay for love" heard that so many times and its so very true.
that t-shirt and liner pad idea was terrific, thx for sharing that with us.
time will heal, it doesn't feel like you'll ever feel better but you will....slowly. and yes her memory will always be strong in your heart no matter how much time has passed
RIP little Fergie♥
Hi everyone. I first would like to say that this forum has been a huge support to me for the past nine months. THANK YOU all for sharing your personal stories and experiences. Now, I would like to share my story with everyone.
Little over a week ago, I lost my precious kitty, Fergie, to fibrosarcoma. I found a small lump on her back in April 2014, and my vet told me that it was fibrosarcoma. After researching about this cancer, reading many of your stories and a lot of crying (I cried for days), I decided against surgery. I did not want to put my kitty through so much pain from surgery just to have the tumor back in several months. Plus she was a very small cat (6lbs) with no sight (she was completely blind...) I decided that we would spend whatever time left by doing what she loved to do and simply enjoying being together at home as long as we could.
She did really well for the first six months or so. After her diagnosis, I immediately changed her food to grain-free + raw food diet based on my friend’s recommendation who also lost his dog to a cancer. I also started giving her anti-oxidant, cancer support supplement I found online. Although her tumor progressively got larger over time, she seemed to be in very good spirit with lots of appetite and energy. Since I work from home, we were able to spend lots of time together; I spoiled her so much by giving her favorite treats, playing outside together (yes, although she was blind, she liked going outside!), sleeping together, doing so many things together…!!
Around October 2014, her tumor started to bleed a bit. I freaked out since I read many stories on this forum about tumor opening and oozing out. I took her to the vet and got her anti-inflammatory medicine and pain killer. I also decided to put a little shirt on her which I made from baby clothes and put a thin feminine pad inside the shirt. This helped soak up the blood and mess from the tumor and keep her from licking or scratching. I made her more than 5 shirts with different designs so that she could feel clean and look cute during this tough time. It did help me feel better instead of looking at the ugly tumor. Plus she had no problem moving around in a shirt as it only covered her back. I changed the pad and shirt all the time. At this time, she was still very active and happy despite of the larger tumor.
Toward the end of the year 2014, she started to slow down little by little. She did not want to eat as much (she always had an amazing appetite for a 6lbs cat!) I had to hand feed her often, but when I did so, she did eat. She also started to hide in a remote spot like behind TV or corner of a room. But I told myself I would keep her around as long as she can eat and wants to go outside to play. This went on for a few months. Although she was not as active as she used to be and her tumor became very large, in my eyes she was still happy and had a quality of life.
In the middle of January 2015, she threw up all the food she ate. She never did this before. From that point, I could tell that she was going downhill quickly. She did not want to be pet, hardly moved (she was always in the same spot, just sitting still for hours) and lost so much appetite. Her tumor grew to three huge lumps that covered half of her back. They were getting so large that I was so scared for her. But she was still purring and showing me some degree of affection, which really confused me. I thought she wanted to live still and be with us… But at the same time, I could tell that she was in pain and feeling very sick. Her quality of life was diminishing so fast in front of my eyes. I talked to my vet about her condition, and she told me that these were signs of pain (not moving, doesn’t want to be pet). Although we tried another pain medication, Fergie was no longer happy and living like a lifeless sad animal. I did not want her to go through any more misery and stop the pain before it got too worse so I decided to let her go. It was the one of the hardest decisions I ever made in my life.
On January 24, Fergie was put to sleep peacefully at her own home, on her favorite sofa. I held her until the last moment. I told her that I loved her so much and she would always be my little princess. It was so hard (still is…) but I am relieved to know that she is no longer in pain. Although I greatly struggled to make a decision about non-surgery and euthanasia, I do not regret about my decisions at all. I am really glad that I was able to spend the wonderful last 9 months with Fergie by doing what she truly loved. I know that she knew she was truly being loved by her mommy and felt that every day. She is now in heaven free from pain. I miss her terribly and have been crying every day since she passed, but I know that I will meet her again in heaven. Until that day comes, I will always cherish our fun memory and keep smiling for her.
Little over a week ago, I lost my precious kitty, Fergie, to fibrosarcoma. I found a small lump on her back in April 2014, and my vet told me that it was fibrosarcoma. After researching about this cancer, reading many of your stories and a lot of crying (I cried for days), I decided against surgery. I did not want to put my kitty through so much pain from surgery just to have the tumor back in several months. Plus she was a very small cat (6lbs) with no sight (she was completely blind...) I decided that we would spend whatever time left by doing what she loved to do and simply enjoying being together at home as long as we could.
She did really well for the first six months or so. After her diagnosis, I immediately changed her food to grain-free + raw food diet based on my friend’s recommendation who also lost his dog to a cancer. I also started giving her anti-oxidant, cancer support supplement I found online. Although her tumor progressively got larger over time, she seemed to be in very good spirit with lots of appetite and energy. Since I work from home, we were able to spend lots of time together; I spoiled her so much by giving her favorite treats, playing outside together (yes, although she was blind, she liked going outside!), sleeping together, doing so many things together…!!
Around October 2014, her tumor started to bleed a bit. I freaked out since I read many stories on this forum about tumor opening and oozing out. I took her to the vet and got her anti-inflammatory medicine and pain killer. I also decided to put a little shirt on her which I made from baby clothes and put a thin feminine pad inside the shirt. This helped soak up the blood and mess from the tumor and keep her from licking or scratching. I made her more than 5 shirts with different designs so that she could feel clean and look cute during this tough time. It did help me feel better instead of looking at the ugly tumor. Plus she had no problem moving around in a shirt as it only covered her back. I changed the pad and shirt all the time. At this time, she was still very active and happy despite of the larger tumor.
Toward the end of the year 2014, she started to slow down little by little. She did not want to eat as much (she always had an amazing appetite for a 6lbs cat!) I had to hand feed her often, but when I did so, she did eat. She also started to hide in a remote spot like behind TV or corner of a room. But I told myself I would keep her around as long as she can eat and wants to go outside to play. This went on for a few months. Although she was not as active as she used to be and her tumor became very large, in my eyes she was still happy and had a quality of life.
In the middle of January 2015, she threw up all the food she ate. She never did this before. From that point, I could tell that she was going downhill quickly. She did not want to be pet, hardly moved (she was always in the same spot, just sitting still for hours) and lost so much appetite. Her tumor grew to three huge lumps that covered half of her back. They were getting so large that I was so scared for her. But she was still purring and showing me some degree of affection, which really confused me. I thought she wanted to live still and be with us… But at the same time, I could tell that she was in pain and feeling very sick. Her quality of life was diminishing so fast in front of my eyes. I talked to my vet about her condition, and she told me that these were signs of pain (not moving, doesn’t want to be pet). Although we tried another pain medication, Fergie was no longer happy and living like a lifeless sad animal. I did not want her to go through any more misery and stop the pain before it got too worse so I decided to let her go. It was the one of the hardest decisions I ever made in my life.
On January 24, Fergie was put to sleep peacefully at her own home, on her favorite sofa. I held her until the last moment. I told her that I loved her so much and she would always be my little princess. It was so hard (still is…) but I am relieved to know that she is no longer in pain. Although I greatly struggled to make a decision about non-surgery and euthanasia, I do not regret about my decisions at all. I am really glad that I was able to spend the wonderful last 9 months with Fergie by doing what she truly loved. I know that she knew she was truly being loved by her mommy and felt that every day. She is now in heaven free from pain. I miss her terribly and have been crying every day since she passed, but I know that I will meet her again in heaven. Until that day comes, I will always cherish our fun memory and keep smiling for her.
I lost my sweet kitty to Fibrosarcoma. He was shot up 4 times with the 3 n/1 rabies shot. He developed a hard pointy lump on his right rear leg when he was 10 years old. We took the lump out with wide margins. The biopsies came back clean only to have it grow back again in 4 months. We took out the second lump, and it grew back, so we amputated, only to lose him 7 weeks later to pneumonia. His body filled up with fluid, and we had to put him down. He lasted 7 months. Now it's 3 years later and my other black cat has a large lump on his right rear leg. X rays were taken and their is a very large lump that grew over night. Biopsy next week. I don't have a good feeling. I wish we could start a class action suit against the pharmaceutical companies that are selling this to the Vets. My Vet knew it caused cancer and never disclosed it. When I showed her the lump she said that's from the shot she gave him, it looks like cancer. I wanted to choke her that is how angry I am..Now a second cat is experiencing the same. I have two other cats that received the same shot am I going to lose them all to this? I am so heart-broken. Heidi
A year ago my cat, Asher was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma and there isn't much info on the internet for us paw-parents. After the removal of his leg, I decided to make a Facebook page to help other animal lovers decide if surgery or chemo is the way to go. My page tells Asher's story from the day his leg was removed and up to his 1 year anniversary. Please check it out and pass the word of this page. Someone contact me from Australia and she said my page answered all of her questions. If I can help just one person, my goal was accomplished. So sorry for those going through this, but there is hope. www.************/Ashersstory
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