December 21st didn’t go as planned when Clarence went to the vet to get his vaccines and checkup. It is clear as beyond social and friendly this boy is, he once had a home. While we were hoping his skinny body condition was only due to his being dumped in the cold for months and having to learn to hunt for food as a senior, we knew that he could potentially have underlying issues in addition to this.

Being the cat he is, he not only seeks out attention but craves it. Purring constantly even when your not petting him but merely in his presence, he wants to be with you at all times. This is why we named him Clarence, this sweet old man reminded us of the angel in the beautiful story “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Always happy even through all that he has lost. We can’t imagine how a cat like him must have suffered emotionally while he was out there all alone, yet he adores people and shows overwhelming love to anyone who walks in the door. To him there are no strangers. A wonderful reminder to remember all that we have during this holiday season.

In one of many snuggle seasons with him we found what felt like a squishy lump near his groin but it would disappear quickly back in as he would move in different positions.  The vet suggested that we do senior blood work to look a little further and there were several values that brought up flags. He was anemic and had fewer white blood cells, among several other labs that were not quite in range. Two vets put their heads together and it was decided that to get a clearer picture it was necessary to do X-rays.

The results showed a deeper view of what appears to be thickened bowels and liver. The concerning part of this new clue is that it gives us answers but not definate clear ones. It could be one of two diagnoses: IBS or small cell lymphoma. Both can cause loss of muscle mass and similar symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy. However due to Clarence being advanced in age and several other values on his bloodwork, the probability of it being small cell lymphoma is prominent in this diagnosis.

He has been started on several medications to get his values up, one of which he will be on long term. While we are hopeful that his potential prognosis and treatment can extend his life another year or so, we aren’t strangers to the life of hospice care. It is unclear how far his progression could be unless we put him under for unnecessary biopsies, in which the outcome and treatment would be no different at his age.

We are so very thankful to be able to give him a comfortable and warm place to lay his head with many hands to keep him at ease. This is why we do what we do.

While we don’t know yet wether this prognosis leaves him with months (more or less), being able to provide him with all the things he needs is the most rewarding part of this journey. We will always do what is in our power to provide what’s best for these animals and for him it is ensuring that he didn’t live the last leg of his life suffering and alone.

While his vet bill was a bit higher than expected ($688), it helps us to be able to tune in to exactly what he needs going forward. We are extremely thankful for our supporters as they allow us to compassionately and continually give care towards these deserving souls. If you would like to directly assist in his care, we are forever grateful no matter how small.

January 23rd

Love to see this cuddly boy on his good days...as he still has quite a few good days with his daily medication. The steroids have been keeping the inflammation from his lymphoma at bay for a little longer. He will continue to be on steroids until they no longer make a difference, and he begins to have continuous and lingering bad days.

He still has a good quality of life currently and eats like a king-his medication makes him very hungry and thirsty so he eats almost 3 large cans daily and has gained several pounds (quite a difference from the frail and bony skinny boy who arrived to us). Adding a digestive supplement to his food has really made a difference and helps allow him to process his food better. He cannot tolerate dry food as he only has 3 teeth and all the rest have deteriorated away.

We know we cannot always expect good days and just the other day he had a really bad day...one where he was nauseous and sick frequently throughout the day. He couldn't keep anything down, not even water, and we wondered if his time was getting closer. It hurts our hearts to see him sick.

However, the following days he began to feel better and went back to spending his days lying in the warm sun of the window, enjoying his meals, asking for attention, getting chin scratches and being brushed (his favorite activity). He is a very social and loving senior and he will always find a way to be around people. Occasionally, on really good days he thinks he is a young again, gets short spurts of energy and attempts to play like a kitten. We know as this disease progresses days like this will become farther and farther apart overtime, but for now they truly warm our hearts.

On March 4th we had to make a special trip to the vet for Clarence. He had started coughing more frequently and that morning was breathing faster than usual.

They did X-rays of his chest and abdomen and discovered the mass in his abdomen had grown a little larger. Since the lymphoma is cellular, they also saw some areas where the cancer has spread such as reaching a couple of small areas on his lungs. However, the daily steroids are slowing the progression, keeping him happy and comfortable and extending his lease on life. They also help him to have a great appetite!

The wonderful vets at  Old Dominion gave him a second dose of steroid through an injection in the office that should continue to keep him feeling good over the next couple of weeks. He will continue on his daily dose of steroids as they help decrease inflammation. The vet agrees that as of now he still has a a great quality of life, occasionally getting bursts of playful energy and our goal is to keep him comfortable and content for as long as we are able to with palliative care.