Should I euthanize my 8-year-old cat diagnosed with lymphoma?

Question

Last night, my cat was diagnosed with lymphoma. We were given the option to euthanize, or spend hundreds on further exams and treatments. Are we doing the right thing by euthanizing her? She’s only 8 years old, but her lymphocyte levels and wbc levels were extremely high, and her red cells were very low. Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Longhair | Female | spayed | 8 lbs

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry to hear that. Lymphoma is an aggressive disease in cats, especially when in the gastrointestinal system and in circulation. Usually even with chemotherapy you are looking at a prognosis of 2-6 months depending on the exact type of lymphoma. You could try prednisolone as a palliative treatment to make her feel better for the time being and perhaps extend her survival time for a few weeks. If she is already anemic, she may also require a blood transfusion making things a bit more complicated. If she is not doing well and you are not interested in pursuing therapy knowing the prognosis then euthanasia is a good option. Let me know if you have further questions regarding her disease. Sorry for the sad news!

Should I euthanize my 8-year-old cat diagnosed with lymphoma?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What to do if my cat has a small hole with pus coming from its ear?

My pet has a skin issue. Is it mites or ringworm? What's the treatment?

My degu has trouble breathing, coughing, and nose discharge. Help?

My ferret has bloody urine and bladder stones. Is it an emergency?

My bird has PFBD. Is chest trembling a normal sign or a symptom?

Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?

Share