Mottie's Story
by Annie
I wanted to write this story about Mottie because we had such a tough time with her initial chemotherapy - she stopped eating and was so miserable. She was diagnosed with feline lymphoma on 30th August 2006. She had not been eating, had lost weight and was breathing strangely. Mottie has always had the most wonderful magical purr but this changed along with her strenuous breathing and it was probably this, along with her lack of appetite, that alerted us that something was wrong. We took her to the vet who took X-rays and blood tests and were notified of her condition the same day. We were asked whether we wanted to subject her to chemotherapy in order to prolong her life - this was the choice we were given in New Zealand. She had a noticeable tumour in her chest and they were not sure whether or not she had one in her intestine.
We agonized over chemotherapy, but decided to give it a go as we didn't want to loose her - and we didn't feel she had given up at all, despite her compromised health.
The first month of chemotherapy was awful - she went completely off her food, and was very obviously upset with us for being complicit in her unhappiness. We tried everything to make her want to eat again - and it was terrible as she did not recover any interest in food on her own. Eventually, after 4 chemo treatments (COP regime), she began to eat when we had to instruct our vet that she absolutely required assistance. She was then prescribed oxazepam to aid her appetite, and this resulted in a dramatic change of circumstances - almost immediately.
She is now eating well and loving food, although not in complete remission following chemo for 8 weeks. She is still fussy about food and unfortunately her favourite is a Fancy Feast, but the best thing is she loves her food again. She has regained some weight, she is enjoying the garden and springime, and sunshine, and a game with string now and again. And her wonderful mottie-purr has returned.
We are conscious that each day is precious but we wanted to write her story because of the dilemma of choosing (or not choosing) chemotherapy to prolong life and enhance quality of life. In Mottie's case, she clearly suffered the first few weeks, and this was in part due to lack of information given to us by her specialist, but it has been worth it for her. She is having some extra enjoyment in the sunshine.
The main things we have learnt: always check out the internet and don't rely on a vet's advice alone. Seek a second opinion if you are worried or not satisfied. Get oxazepam on board if your cat is not eating and this has not been offered - ask about it. It may work. Inform yourself - don't passively accept what your vet may say. Connect with your cat - the vet does not know your cat as you do. Go with what you believe your cat would want and watch their responses and respect them.
Outcome: Today is the 10th November in New Zealand, and Mottie is happy in the late spring warmth. That's the main thing for the moment, we're trying to go with the flow ... 
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Mottie
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