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Cat has mouth cancer. Am sad.

12 replies

MirandaWest · 03/01/2015 10:57

DCat is 14 and has been getting on a bit during the last year. Coming up to Christmas she got awful breath. Took her to the vet this week - on Monday they said it looked bad but I could have her sedated and a biopsy done (was very sore so they couldn't really look much) and she had antibiotic jab and painkillers. Yesterday I took her back as a longer lasting antibiotic injection had come in. Had a more experienced vet who looked and said it's definitely mouth cancer and that basically it's up to me when she goes :(

She's still eating and is pottering around the place. He said that she won't be in excruciating pain but it's uncomfortable. He'd have been happy to put her to sleep yesterday but that was a bit soon for me (plus the children are with their dad at the moment and although they know, there needs to be goodbyes said).

I talked to him about the putting to sleep procedure and I'm hoping to get him to do it as both the cat and I felt comfortable with him. Just feel very sad. Think it will be next week some time :(

Here's a picture of her last week. Am getting all sad now which I know is daft but I'm going to miss her.

Cat has mouth cancer. Am sad.
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AvengingGerbil · 03/01/2015 11:03

So sorry, she's a beautiful cat.

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notonyourninny · 03/01/2015 11:08

Thats sad, shes lovely. You are doing the right thing letting her go.

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Marshy · 03/01/2015 11:14

She's very pretty. It's such a hard thing to do and choosing the right moment is difficult. We had to have our lovely tabby pts just over a year ago. She was 19 and a half and I'd had her longer than I'd had the children. It was very sad but the right thing to do.

Hugs for you

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Fluffycloudland77 · 03/01/2015 12:40

I'm so sorry, what awful news.

Poor girl.

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timtam23 · 03/01/2015 15:25

Sorry to hear this Miranda. I had the same sad problem a few months ago with my 18 year old cat. We knew the outlook was hopeless but while he was still fairly comfortable &eating, the vet gave him steroids - initially a long acting injection (which lasted about 2 weeks, less than the vet had hoped for) and then for a short while we gave him prednisolone tablets crushed up. It seemed to take the swelling down, improve his appetite & give him a temporary boost generally. It was lovely sunny weather at the time so he lay about in the sun a lot, we made a huge fuss of him and let him eat/drink whatever he liked. He declined pretty quickly and within 3 weeks of diagnosis he was obviously struggling to eat anything despite steroids, at that point we had him put to sleep. Although very sad, it was better for being planned and not an urgent dash with a cat at death's door. Steroids might be worth a try for buying some time whilst keeping your cat comfortable but sadly it will only be a temporary effect. It is a horrid thing to happen Sad

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LastingLight · 03/01/2015 15:46

((HUGS)) We had to make that call for two of our cats last year, it's not easy, but it's a gift we can give them to let them go before they suffer too much.

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MirandaWest · 03/01/2015 16:14

Thank you everyone. The vet did say we could try steroids but she has a respiratory problem (unconnected to the cancer) and he said the two could have problems and really I know it would only be a temporary thing.

I'm not OK about it but think I am becoming reconciled to it and I'd rather do it a little bit soon than a moment too late.

She is currently on the cushion in the picture :)

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Wolfiefan · 03/01/2015 16:17

She's so beautiful. Is she still eating? Time to treat her to all her favourites?
So sorry. xx

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Varya · 03/01/2015 16:24

Parting with a loved pet is very sad and I feel for you over this dilemma.
No words will comfort you but lots of us have had to do this and can empathise.

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MirandaWest · 03/01/2015 16:27

She is still eating and has been consuming a lot of Dreamies (a couple of nights ago she was demanding them every 30 minutes or so Grin). Also eating various tinned food and I'm sure will have tuna at some point.

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IsItMeOr · 03/01/2015 16:34

She's a very beautiful cat. So sorry you're going to be losing her soon. We had to make that decision earlier this year for our 21yo DCat.

It was hard (for us), but of course the cat doesn't know anything about what is going on like we do.

As you say, better a bit too soon than much too late. But you will know when it is time.

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LuckyBlackKitty · 04/01/2015 09:44

I'm sorry OP. We had our beloved kitty PTS on New Years Eve. He was diagnosed with cancer in the sinus last summer. We were told he had weeks to live but he managed 6 months - we were told as long as he is eating and playing then he is fine and we would know when it was time. He had 6 months of eating whatever he wanted Grin - smoked salmon, treats, we were even cooking him mince and bacon. He actually started putting on weight!

It's very tough to decide to say goodbye but it's the kindest thing to do. Good luck OP!

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