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Original poster

Cat has cancer.....

17 replies

npg1 · 07/05/2009 12:26

Hi. My MIL cat (they live next door) so we see Jazzy alot has just been diagnosed with cancer. We took her to verts last week as she wasn't walking on one of her legs and it was swollen and painful. They did some tests and phoned my MIL the other day and told her.

I dont know the whole story but MIL said she isnt going to have her treated as she must be about 14yrs old and that if she gets worse she will take her to vets to be put to sleep. Is this the right thing to do? Im guessing treating such an old cat is risky?

Thanks

OP posts:
FabulousBakerGirl · 07/05/2009 12:27

14 isn't that old these days. Cats can live to nearly 20.

Could your MIL be worried about the cost of having her treated?

clayre · 07/05/2009 12:30

My mums cat (my childhood cat) died of cancer last year, my mum kept taking her to the vets for treatment but she no admits she was only doing it for her self and the cat suffered for months because of my mums selfishness, i think my mum regrets keeping her alive althou she would never admit it!

Original poster
npg1 · 07/05/2009 12:54

I think it will cost alot, not sure how much though?

MIL just wants her to be comfortable and if/when she gets worse she will take her to be put to sleep. The cat stays in now with a cat tray and seems quite happy just laying in her bed all day. She is still not putting any weight on her front leg though (which we initially thought she had broken.)

OP posts:
Original poster
npg1 · 11/05/2009 12:07

Hello. Just posting an update.

The vet has phoned MIL and said that the cat has mouth/ throat cancer, MIL doesnt tell me much and have just been over to see the cat.

She is really smelly, not sure what the smell is. She is quite wet, like she has been licking herself all over and there is like browny streaks all over her where she has been licking. Not sure if she is struggling to breath abit more now but seems like she has lots of mucus but still purring.

MIL doesnt want to do anything, just leave her. She says she is comfortable (how does she know?!) and that she will die in her own time. Do I phone the vets and talk this through or is it time to tak her to the vet to be PTS?

OP posts:
FabulousBakerGirl · 11/05/2009 12:10

What has the vet said?

Original poster
npg1 · 11/05/2009 12:29

I dont really know as MIL barely tells me anything. I told her we should take the cat back to the vet but she doesnt want to and wont listen to me. She just says cats got cancer so she will die anyway!

OP posts:
MistressSeuss · 11/05/2009 12:44

Yes the cat will die anyway, but through starvation if it is oral cancer as it will not be able to eat as it progresses.

It is very difficult to watch your pet go through that - they do not just slip away at night, they suffer.

Her vet will be able to help with pain/infection (which is what the smell probably is, mouth cancers ulcerate), and her vet will advise her - ultimately it is her decision, and she may well change her mind after a couple of days.

14 is not ancient, but its not young either and mouth cancer in cats are nasty - there is no treatment to make her last to 20 unfortunately. If her frontleg is also swollen and painful AND her mouth, maybe the vets are looking at the whole picture?

FabulousBakerGirl · 11/05/2009 12:50

Can you kidnap the cat and take it to the vet?

The poor thing.

Original poster
npg1 · 11/05/2009 13:13

MIL says it's less distressing for her to be at home than to take her to the vets as last time she didnt like the cat basket. I noticed the smell last week and MIL denied it!

Do you think I should phone the vet to talk to her or is going behine MIL back and should I just leave it up to her.?

OP posts:
Iwantout · 11/05/2009 13:19

The cat has to come first.

This feels all wrong to me.

FabulousBakerGirl · 11/05/2009 13:27

Your MIL is obviously very upset at her cat being ill but she owes it to the cat to make her last days pain free.

Original poster
npg1 · 11/05/2009 14:33

It feels all wrong to me to. I know it's not right but she wont let me help. MIL is very stubborn. Maybe when I go over there later to get DD I can say to her she needs to call the vet and ask her opinion.

OP posts:
SouthMum · 11/05/2009 14:48

Awww sounds to me like MIL is delaying the inevitable to keep the cat around with her for a bit longer

Would she like having another pet for company? A rescue cat would be ideal for her as she wouldn't have to house train it and if she gets one from a good organisation it will be checked over and vaccinated before she gets it. Some vets and organisations have agreements in place for rescue cats who are re-homed (like discounted treatment in future) so that would also help her with any future vet bills.

Sometimes another pet can also give a new lease of life to older ones, if the cat is indeed comfortable, which hopefully it is...

FabulousBakerGirl · 12/05/2009 18:48

What is happening now with the cat?

FabulousBakerGirl · 14/05/2009 07:53

bump

Original poster
npg1 · 14/05/2009 21:24

Hi, sorry not checked on here for a few days.

Just want to let you all know PIL took Jazzy to the verts today and had her put to sleep.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
FabulousBakerGirl · 14/05/2009 21:33

I am sorry.

How are your PIL? Did you manage to convince them it was the right thing to do?

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