TERRE HAUTE — Cancer is the number one cause of death in companion animals in the United States, according to Dr. Laura Garrett, veterinary oncologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. For cats, a common type of cancer is lymphoma. Originating in the white blood cells of the immune system, the disease often attacks the lymph nodes causing them to enlarge.
Garrett says, “Lymphoma is common in middle-aged to older cats.” Typically, it begins in the tissues associated with the immune system (lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow) although it can start in almost any part of the body.
Currently, the gastrointestinal variety of lymphoma is the most common form in cats. Typical symptoms experienced are weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.
“If a young cat is diagnosed with lymphoma it is usually feline leukemia [FeLV] positive,” Garrett explains.
Except for the gastrointestinal type of lymphoma, this virus is linked to most forms of lymphoma. The feline immunodeficiency virus can also increase the risk of developing lymphoma and cats exposed to second-hand smoke are also at greater risk. In order to diagnose gastrointestinal lymphoma, a fine needle is inserted into the intestinal mass, a minimally invasive procedure. The biopsy is examined. If it contains a large percentage of white blood cells (lymphocytes), it is diagnosed as lymphoma. Since lymphoma is a form of cancer that can infect many different parts of the body (systemic), chemotherapy is necessary. Generally, lymphoma responds well to this treatment. Although each patient is different, and each form of lymphoma responds differently to drugs, it’s difficult to determine the percentage of cats that will go into remission.
“It is important to note that because veterinary medicine uses lower dosages of chemotherapy than human medicine, the majority of patients receiving treatment maintain a good quality of life. In addition, because a cat’s hair does not continually grow like humans, they usually do not lose their fur coat during treatment,” Garrett says.
According to Arnold Plotnick MS, DVM, ACVIM, ABVP, the average survival time, with chemotherapy for high-grade (large cell) lymphoma is 2.7 months and cats with low-grade lymphoma average 17 months to 2 years or longer.
Oscar
Oscar is a beautiful, orange marble, male kitten approximately 5 months old. He is loving, inquisitive and very playful. He loves to be petted while cuddled on your lap. Oscar is altered and ready to go home with an approved application. He is currently in foster care, and you can meet him by calling the Terre Haute Humane Shelter at (812) 232-0293. Consider adopting Oscar; he would be a great addition to your family.
Valley Life
PAW PRINTS: Lymphoma is most common cancer in cats
- Valley Life
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Vectren cautions public about snow, ice removal
Vectren Energy Delivery wants to remind customers to proceed with caution when removing snow and ice around natural gas meters at their homes or businesses this winter.
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Workshop to emphasize basics of alpaca farming
A one-day seminar on the fundamentals of alpaca farming is planned for Saturday at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering a free educational forum titled “Brick Wall Hurdling” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in rooms A, B and C of the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
Despite the bad publicity, pit bulls can be very lovable and loyal family dogs. There is a great deal of confusion associated with the label “pit bull.” The most accurate definition refers to two breeds: the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Some people include other breeds in this group because they share similar head shapes and body types.
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Parke County is offering a diabetes cooking school starting Feb. 27.
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
Refreshment Services-Pepsi will kick off its 2012 Community Caps Program on March 1. The Community Caps Program will benefit several charitable organizations and schools in Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois.
- Special Occasions: Feb. 5, 2012
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
The 2012 4-H Bi-State Judges and Leaders Clinic will be Feb. 18 at Ivy Tech Community College’s Main Campus, at 8000 S. Education Drive.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
With January now history we can report new faces in both master point races, male and female.
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
Habitat for Humanity of Clay County will stage the dedication ceremony and open house for the Mary Ann Hofmann family home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at 518 E. Ridge St. in Brazil.
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
The U.S Representative of the 8th Congressional District, Larry Bucshon met with CASA volunteers earlier this month to learn more about the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
Since 98 percent of Americans no longer live on farms, Indiana soybean farmers are going to bring the farm to the public in a new exhibit building at the 2012 Indiana State Fair.
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
- Weddings, Anniversaries: Jan. 29, 2012
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
The Sullivan County Community Foundation is currently seeking nominations for its “Volunteer of the Year” award to be announced March 29.
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YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Conversation leads to imagining a world with no trees
I was recently asked by someone to imagine what the end of the world would look like. I consider myself a very optimistic person and have never imagined the end. The only image that came to mind was one often portrayed in a Hollywood movie, a scene where a big fireball comes down and everything is burnt to a crisp. The person I was talking with imagined the end would be a world where there are no living trees. This short but interesting conversation got me interested in what has and is plaguing trees.
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College offers cooking class in time for Valentine’s Day
Treat your sweetheart to a home-cooked romantic dinner for two this Valentine’s Day, courtesy of a cooking class offered at Lincoln Trail College.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Jan. 29, 2012
In earlier columns we have reported on the winners of the various master point races at the Bridge Center for last year.
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Sign up now for Signing for the Savior classes
There is still time to sign up for Senior Education Ministries’ Signing for the Savior class; the first session is Tuesday.
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Birthdays: Jan. 29, 2012
•Thelma J. Parr
• Earl S. VanScoyk
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Ryves Neighborhood, WTWO plan ‘Share Your Love’ food drive
Ryves Neighborhood Association and WTWO are sponsoring the second annual food drive from Feb. 3-17 called “Share Your Love.”
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A safe crossing: ‘Turtle girl’ Amber Slaughterbeck makes it her duty to transport Wabashiki animals to safety
On her daily drive to classes at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Amber Slaughterbeck kept encountering a sad scene alongside the highway.
- Special Occasions: Jan. 22, 2012
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