Feline Cancer Resources - Medical Topics


Phil and Holly

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Emotional support

 

Cancer Overview

    Cancer diagnosis
    Types of cancer
    Cancer FAQs
    Oral cancer
    GI cancer
    Lymphoma
    Mammary cancer
    Skin cancer
    VAS
    Terminology
    Tumor Tidbits

 

Treatment Options

    Overview
    Surgery
    Chemotherapy
      Drugs
      Side effects
    Radiation
    Alternative
    Patient care

Medical Topics

    Pain management
    Blood tests
    Pilling a cat
    Compounding pharmacies
    Subcutaneous fluids
    First aid
    Caring for handicapped pets
    Veterinary supplies
    Pet hospice care

 

Nutritional Support

   

Nutrition

    Diet
    Supplements
    Assisted feeding

 

Final Decision

    Definition of euthanasia
    Procedure of euthanasia
    Making the decision
    Grieving and support

 

Books

 

Links

 

Support Groups

 

Angels and Friends

  Holly the Lymphoma Trooper

 

Holly's Chemo Schedule

  Contact

 

Pain management

How will I know if my pet is in pain? - Animal Cancer Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University.

Signs of pain (cats) - The University of Arizona Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Handbook.

Pain Management - Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists.

Palliative Care in Companion Animal Oncology - Rodney Page, WSAVA 2000 Proceedings.

Natural pain relief - Thensome Feline and Canine Cancer Link.

Use of Fentanyl Patches in the Cat - Gregory K. Ogilvie DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology). "Fentanyl patches are becoming an important part of pain management for the cat. This is because fentanyl provides quality pain control with few adverse effects. In addition, the transdermal system bypasses the need to orally medicate the cat. This article reviews the mechanism of cancer pain and situations in which fentanyl patches may be of value and discusses the clinical use of these patches." The Winn Feline Foundation.

What is Pain? - House Rabbit Society. Though the article discusses about pain in rabbits, it certainly applies to cats. Written by Joanne Paul Murphy, DVM.

Pain Control In Dogs And Cats - Ron Hines DVM PhD. All Creatures Care.

Pain (in Cats) - PetPlace.com article by Dr. Rhea Morgan.

Palliating Pain - Amy D. Shojai, Petfinder.com article.

Dealing With Your Pet's Pain: Severe Acute and Chronic Pain - By Christie Keith, Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds.

Feline Analgesia in 2003 - Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP (Feline) Vancouver, BC, Canada (WSAVA 2003).

Assessment and Management of Pain - Shane Bateman, DVM, DVSc, DACVECC.

Understanding, treating pain associated with cancer - Alice Villalobos, DVM, DVM magazine article.

Butorphanol Tartrate - Drug information. PetPlace.com article.
"Pain control is increasingly important in veterinary medicine as more is learned about the perception of pain in animals. Drugs used to control pain are called analgesics. These drugs are also used in anesthesia, often combined with tranquilizer drugs as pre-anesthetic drugs or post-operatively. Butorphanol belongs to a general class of drugs known as opiate agonists. Other related drugs in this class include buprenorphine, fentanyl, meperidine and morphine."

Buprenorphine - Drug information. PetPlace.com article.
"Buprenorphine is a synthetic opiate that binds to opiate receptors and stimulates them. It is similar to one of the original opiates, morphine."

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Blood tests, laboratory tests

What Do Those Lab Tests Mean? - Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Blood Tests Archive - Holisticat archive.

Blood Counts - human lymphoma.

How to Read Laboratory Tests - Douglas Island Veterinary Service.

How To Read Laboratory Tests - Article by Naturally Pet in Hawaii.

Clinical Hematology - WSU VM 551 course materials; Main topic is anemia.

Test Interpretations - North Western Laboratories, UK.

Veterinary Clinical Chemistry - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The effect of variables other than disease on test results, Reference ranges, Recognition of patterns of results within the panel, Detailed knowledge of the individual tests.

Chemistry/Hematology/Urinalysis (Feline) - American Veterinary Laboratory.

Clinical Pathology Referral Manual - Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Michigan State University.

Hematology/Biochemistry - Feline Health Glossary.

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Pilling a cat

Giving Oral Medications to a Cat - Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With photos.

Pilling a Cat - Nadia's CRF site. With photos.

How to Give Your Cat a Pill - Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. With photos.

Pilling a cat - Three methods of pilling a cat: "Sleight of Hand," "Down the Hatch," and "The Cat Tamale." Friends of Campus Cats.

"Klaw Kontrol Bag" - Restraining bag. Dr. Foster Smith $24.99 (for 5-10 lb cat).

Philosophy and Technique of Med and Sub-Q Administration - CRF Documents. Wonderful and heartwarming account of a cat and her caregivers' experience of medicating and sub-q administration.

Common Latin Rx Terms

Abbreviation
Latin
Meaning
ac
ante cibum
before meals
bid
bis in die
twice a day
gt
gutta
drop
hs
hora somni
at bedtime
od
oculus dexter
right eye
os
oculus sinister
left eye
po
per os
by mouth
pc
post cibum
after meals
prn
pro re nata
as needed
q 3 h
quaque 3 hora
every 3 hours
qd
quaque die
every day
qid
quater in die
4 times a day
qod
quaque altera die
every other day
tid
ter in die
times a day

overview of common veterinary medications - Brentwood Pet Clinic.

Mar Vista Animal Medical Center ANIMAL PHARMACY CENTER - MarVistaVet.com

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Compounding pharmacies

Compounding pharmacies - List of compounding pharmacies at Open Directory Project.

Compounding pharmacies - Similar list at Google.

Online compounding pharmacies - Similar list at About.com on Veterinary Medicine.

Compounding Pharmacies - Similar list at VeterinaryPartner.com.

BCP Veterinary Pharmacy - Texas. A Veterinary only compounding pharmacy. They have developed the Original VetChew in which the raw drug is compounded into a chewable treat base form.

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Subcutaneous fluids

Giving Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat - Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With photos.

Administration of Subcutaneous fluids at home - Pet Health Library at VeterinaryPartner.com (used to be VIN.com). With photos.

Subcutaneous Fluid Therapy - Feline CRF Information Center - Avatar's site. There is a link to the photo instructions.

Dehydration / Hydration (Sub-Qs) - Nadia's CRF site. Photos.

Subcutaneous Fluid Administration - Pawprints and Purrs

SUBCUTANEOUS FLUID ADMINISTRATION - DrPetra.com

Philosophy and Technique of Med and Sub-Q Administration - CRF Documents. Wonderful and heartwarming account of a cat and her caregivers' experience of medicating and sub-q administration.

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First aid and emergency care

Bandaging - First Aid & Emergency Care Series. VeterinaryPartner.com.

Physical Exam Checklist for Pets - Checklist for identifying an illness or abnormal situation. VeterinaryPartner.com.

Emergency Respiratory Assessment - World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress - Vancouver 2001.

The Merck Veterinary Manual - Electronic reference for animal care information.

Basic First Aid Priorities for Cats - Cheyannewest.com

The Septic Cancer Patient - Louisiana State University Cancer Treatment Center. Other topics include:
Veterinary Chemotherapy Handout
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Information on MOPP in Dogs and Cats
MOPP Rescue Protocol for Lymphoma
Canine Lymphoma Protocol Comparison
Canine Osteosarcoma Handout
3D Radiation Therapy Planning
Sepsis in Cancer Patients
Vaccine Associated Sarcomas of Cats (VAS)
Oncologic Emergencies (Sepsis, Hypercalcemia, Hypoglycemia, Anemia, Hypereviscosity syndrome, Thrombocytopenia)

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Caring for handicapped pets

LIVING WITH A DISABLED CAT - Written by Sarah Hartwell. Discusses how to care for various disability in cats: "Some cats are born disabled, other have suffered accidents or the degenerative effects of old age. A disabled cat can still lead a full and enjoyable life, given a chance and an understanding owner. Cats adapt their lifestyles to cope with disability far more easily than do most humans - this is because they are often willing to spend much of their time resting! This article gives guidelines on caring for a disabled cat. Just as the cat must adapt to its limitations, you will have to adapt your attitude and your home to accommodate its needs."

Three Legged Cats/Amputees
Two Legged Cats (Unilateral Double Amputees, Diagonal Double Amputees)
Hind Limb Paralysis (and Hind Limb Double Amputees)
Blind Cats and Moving House With a Blind Cat
Deaf Cats
Deaf-Blind Cats
Spastic (Cerebellar Hypoplasia) Cats
Twisty (Radial Hypoplasia) Cats (& Fore-Limb Double Amputees)
Simple Ramp Design and Simple Steps
How Cats Adapt
Summary and Further Resources

Handicapped Pet - Mainly geared towards dogs; offers Harnesses, Dog Slings, Diapers, Splints, Carts (including homemade cart designs), Auto SeatCovers, Seat Belts, Health, Safety, Books, Videos, and more.

Doggon' Wheels - Wheelchairs for disabled pets.

Pet Classics - Offers a complete line of furniture, aids and accessories for the comfort and safety of your pet.

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Anatomy

Anatomy for the Pet Owner - Pet Health Topics from College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University. Illustration of various parts of the body of cats and dogs. Heart and blood vessels; lymph nodes and lymph vessels; mouth, teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver and gall bladder; skin and fur; muscles, bones and joints; mouth, nose, trachea, lungs and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles); kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra and the genital organs; brain, spinal cord and all the nerves that communicate between tissues and the brain and spinal cord; and organs of special senses (sight, taste, smell and hearing).

 

Veterinary supplies
BRICO Medical Supplies Burns Veterinary Supply Online
Direct Pet Superstore (Valley Vet) DrsFosterSmith.com
KV Vet Supply Lambriar Animal Health Care
PETsMART.com Revival Animal Health
Medi-Vet.com  
Jorgensen Laboratories, Inc.
(Price list)
 

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Pet hospice care

Pawspice - Alice Villalobos, DVM. Canine Cancer Awareness Org.

Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call - Alice Villalobos, DVM, Veterinary Practice News article.

Hospice Care- Ending Life With Compassion - AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) Pet Care Library.

Hospice for Animals - The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians

Hospice Care - by Marlene Grass, RVT, CMT. PetPlace.com.

Understanding, treating pain associated with cancer - DVM magazine article.

The Nikki Hospice Foundation For Pets - "Its express purpose is to encourage the provision of hospice care for dying pets, so that pet owners who do not wish to choose euthanasia when their animals are about to depart this life or who wish to postpone it can care for them in the home environment--under veterinary supervision and with adequate pain management and/or symptom control. Ultimately, for those who see a natural death as the best and most acceptable end for their pets, and who wish to strengthen the human-companion animal bond in their pets' hour of greatest need, hospice care is the answer."

Pet Hospice - SPECIAL-NEEDS PETS Resources, Information, and Support. This is the site created in memory of Major Barbara Underfoot, a special-need cat. The Pet Hospice page gives an overview of pet hospice care and the links to other resources on pet hospice.

Pet Hospice Can Be An Alternative - Helping Paws; a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned, abused and neglected animals.

The Human-Animal Bond at the End of Life. Hospice Care - The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians.

Hospice for Cancer - VetMedCenter.com article.

Pet Hospice Care: Making the Best of a Hopeless Situation - VetCentric.com article.

American Association of Housecall Veterinarians

Pet hospice comes through in the end - Rocky Mountain News

Argus Institute - Colorado State University

Angel's Gate - A residential, non-profit animal hospice and animal rehabilitation centers in New York.

The hospice movement now includes dying pets - Columbia News Service. Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Palliative Care in Companion Animal Oncology - Rodney Page, WSAVA 2001 Proceeding.

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