How is Prednisone used to treat cats with lymphoma?
Corticosteroids can be used in cats with lymphoma in combination with chemotherapy or as a self standing treatment. Prednisone is the most commonly used corticosteroid for cats with lymphoma. Prednisone is used in lymphoma treatment without being combined with other types of therapy if:
What should I do if my cat has lymphoma?
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it may not be appropriate to deny treatment to a cat with lymphoma and your vet may recommend euthanasia to protect your cat’s quality of life if treatment is not pursued. However, cheap and simple at-home steroid therapy can be used to reduce symptoms and buy the cat some time- typically a month or two.
Who is more at risk for lymphoma in cats?
For instance, older cats are more at risk of lymphoma, with cats around 10-12 years being more likely to be diagnosed than younger cats. Male cats are also slightly more likely to get lymphoma, and unneutered cats, or cats that were neutered late in life, are also more likely to suffer with it.
How long can a cat live with lymphoma?
Prednisone will not increase the cat’s chances of survival and cannot remove the cancerous cells. When under prednisone treatment, a cat can live for another 3 to 6 months, according to the stage of cancer.
What is the life expectancy of a feline with lymphoma?
Cats with the feline leukemia virus (FIV) develop lymphoma more often than healthy cats. The feline lymphoma life expectancy will depend on how soon the disease is detected, what treatment options the cat has or whether the cat is also affected by FIV. Feline lymphoma can occur as tumors that are filled with lymphoid tissue.
Is there a cure for end stage lymphoma in cats?
It’s highly treatable but incurable; eventually the disease will be fatal. When your cat has this disease, it’s important to recognize and understand the end stages, and to know what choices to make for your cat’s sake.
How is Adriamycin used to treat lymphoma in cats?
Doxorubicin : Adriamycin, more commonly referred to as doxorubicin, is also received routinely during the protocol. It is given intravenously through a well-placed IV catheter due to the fact that significant tissue damage can occur if doxorubicin is given out of the vein.
How does induction chemotherapy work for lymphoma in cats?
The goal of induction chemotherapy is to induce a remission while preserving a good quality of life for cats undergoing treatment. When a cancer such as lymphoma is no longer detectable based on physical exam, radiographs (x-rays), and/or ultrasound, the patient is considered to be in complete remission.