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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

:-(( our lovely old lady has just been diagnosed with advanced cancer

43 replies

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 15/02/2013 16:54

she has several large masses in her colon and her nodes and her spine :-((

she is home with me here, the vet has been amazing saying that we will do whatever it takes to make her comfortable. However he also wanted me to know that we would never regret making a reasonably early decision to say goodbye, but we may regret leaving it till she is suffering very badly.

she has been my friend for nearly 18 years... I don't know what to do...

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Frenchfemme · 15/02/2013 17:33

I am so sorry - this a horrible thing to have to face, for all of you. I have had to make a similar decision on several occasions (the last one only a couple of months ago, an old lady of similar age to your precious friend). All I can offer is to agree with your vet that better early than too late. I think you will know in your heart when the time has come to say goodbye, although it will be very difficult to admit it to yourself. Sorry I can't be of more help, except to say you have both been very lucky to have enjoyed a long and loving bond. Thinking of you.

BadgersRetreat · 15/02/2013 17:36

so sorry to hear that - enjoy your time left with her. Poor puss.

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 15/02/2013 18:12

thank you ..
we have been to the supermarket, she has chicken and fish and ham to eat (not all at the same time)
we have been so controlled about her food all her life and so we have now devided she should have her favorites for the next few weeks.

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Frenchfemme · 15/02/2013 18:18

If she wants them all at the same time ....! Ham was always a favourite of my old lady Cat, and her daughter Kitten (inspiration was in short supply when we collected them from Cat's Protection). Enjoy your purrs and cuddles.

thecatneuterer · 15/02/2013 18:20

As I recently mentioned on another thread this is a decision I have to make about four or five times a year (as I have about 20 old/ill cats living with me). It's always difficult to decide exactly when to do it, but I still live with regret for leaving it a bit too long on some occasions. I have never, never regretted doing it sooner rather than later. But you should be guided by your vet and his/her opinion of your cats quality of life/pain. It's a difficult decision and I do feel for you.

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 15/02/2013 18:21

thanks
our lovely vet said in passing when we left this afternoon that for the first time in the 12 years that he has known her he would be delighted if she had put on weight next time he saw her.

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Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 15/02/2013 18:23

we are seeing him again on Monday to see how she is.. he has given her steroids to support her for the weekend

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Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 24/02/2013 22:56

Oh My,
well I thought I would do you a little update as you were all so kind.

Lucy has perked up, we doubled the initial dose of steroids and she is eating again.
She still has a runny bum and leaving little wee patches around but she seem so much more content.

I really feel like we have bought a little time to get our heads round things.
Apparently the mass is carcenoma in a few rings round her colon, which will obviously close off her colon at some point and that is aside from it being in her lymph glands and spine.

It isn't going to be long I know, but I do know that these last days/weeks we have together she is more comfortable.

Anyway, thanks again

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thecatneuterer · 24/02/2013 23:01

Thanks for the update and it's great that's she's perked up a bit. But don't leave it too long. You know her the best and you will know when she's not happy, and that will be the right time.

Sunnywithshowers · 24/02/2013 23:05

Thanks for the update OP.

My lovely boy had multiple myeloma and had a wonderful 8 months on steroids (tablets cured the runny bum) before he passed.

Wishing you and your kitty many cuddles and nice times. xx

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 25/02/2013 08:29

thanks lovelies..

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Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/03/2013 20:33

:-(((
the vet is coming on Monday evening to put her to sleep.
her bowel is now blocked.
he isn't available this particular weekend

to sad to write anything else

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Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/03/2013 21:18

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Sparklingbrook · 01/03/2013 21:20

oh Never I am sorry. [hugs]]

Sparklingbrook · 01/03/2013 21:20

Sorry (((((hugs))))

Sunnywithshowers · 01/03/2013 21:27

I'm so sorry ((((more hugs))))

Nobhead · 01/03/2013 21:30

I'm sorry Knowingly it is so sad when the time has come to let them go, especially one that has been with you for so long. Have you decided if you want her ashes back or not? I only ask this as every time we have had to do this we have had the ashes back and scattered them in their favorite place in the garden and either planted something or bought a little ornament to mark where they have been put to rest and this has always been a great comfort to us.
Cuddle her, sleep next to her whatever makes her feel comfortable until the time comes.

Frenchfemme · 01/03/2013 21:41

So so sorry to hear your sad news. I do second what Nobhead says. Thinking of you all. xxx

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/03/2013 22:17

Nobhead.. she is going to be planted under the cherry tree in our garden.

She doesn't seem to be in any pain, we are going to double her steroids for the weekend.

Do you think she knows that she is dying?

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cozietoesie · 01/03/2013 22:23

She won't be feeling that well but that should be the limit of her awareness. Give her lots of love

Thinking of you.

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/03/2013 22:43

thanks everyone..

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Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 02/03/2013 16:19

Oh this is horrid....
she has totally perked up now we have doubled the steroids..
she is now totally unable to go for a poo and is incontinent with wee
But chatty and cuddly and begging for food again...

The kids think she is better...

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Sparklingbrook · 02/03/2013 16:23

Never, I think you will just have to remind them of the wee/poo thing and tell them she can't go on if she can't poo and can't hold her wee.

Just keep cuddling, and stroking. (((hugs))))

greenhill · 02/03/2013 16:26

Sorry to hear this. Hope you get a few more good memories with her and if possible take some photos, while she is still perky x

Original poster

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 02/03/2013 16:27

thanks sparkling..

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