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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

My lovely boy has cancer :(

48 replies

LaurieFairyCake · 15/11/2013 18:37

He has a fractured claw removed on Monday and there was a lump behind it which they biopsied - they didn't remove it.

It's not healed so they're now taking the whole digit on Monday.

He said the type of cancer it was usually metastacised in the outer parts last - and in the lungs first .

He's 16 :((((

OP posts:

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 24/11/2013 16:10

I'm devastated - I've spent the last 24 hours cuddling him

If I leave him to go to the loo or do something else he follows me til I come back - he wants to be on me being cuddled

OP posts:

noddyholder · 24/11/2013 16:14

This happened to us in September. We lasted another month with steroids and painkillers but I had to let him go even though it broke my heart Thinking of you I know how hard it is xxxxxxxx

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 24/11/2013 16:17

Thanks noddy

What do the steroids do?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 24/11/2013 16:55

They give everything a kick up the backside - to be non-technical.

I think, though, this is more or less following what Lone said up above, eh? It looks like it's time.

I'm so sorry.

noddyholder · 24/11/2013 17:09

Yes they give a bit of false hope if I am totally honest After a day or 2 Silver perked up and I got carried away thinking maybe he was going to prove the vet wrong. We muddled along for another couple of weeks and then I knew. SO sorry I just looked at him and felt it was pointless even though we had tried everything.

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 24/11/2013 17:15

Thank you.

If he's not in pain and it helps him to eat then I will take that few weeks if it's on offer.

OP posts:

wellmoisturised · 24/11/2013 19:57

Hi OP,
I had to have my boy pts 3weeks ago today, it was gut wretchingly awful, he had a diagnoses of cancer only the day before after suddenly becoming lethargic and loosing weight, he was never a lap cat, he preferred to receive his fuss on the kitchen Worktop or on the back doormat but I picked him up the day I took him to the vet to cuddle him as he seemed so depressed and I was so shocked at how light he had become however I'm veering off topic here, he was admitted over night as his kidneys were so poorly but they discovered the cancer in his intestines after an ultrasound.
When I picked him up from the vet, knowing his very poor prognosis, he had been given a steroid injection and had 5 days supply of steroids should he have remained well enough. He was so much Perkier when I got him home, troughing loads of food, but when I got up the next morning I just knew, I could'nt bear to watch him decline, he was a shadow of the cat that he was, and a massive deciding factor for me was that I could see he was in pain, he was walking in a slightly guarded way, even though he made an attempt to sharpen his claws that morning in the garden, he was also licking his lips an awful lot which I knew was a sign of nausea, it really was heartbreaking, he was only 11.
I think what I am trying to say is I totally get your heartbreak, and the focus on anything that may help and give a little bit of hope, but trust yourself, you know and love your cat.
I'm so thankful that I am comfortable with the decision I made for my boy, his passing was so very peaceful and serene, completely what he deserved. It hurts terribly, and I'm struggling to get used to him not being here, however I am so pleased that he didn't suffer. But things maybe different for your boy, and I truly hope he picks up, be kind to yourself OP.

greenhill · 25/11/2013 14:18

How are you laurie? Has your cat's foot healed?

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 25/11/2013 14:34

Thanks more and greenhill

He's currently at the vets having a cell count test and blood tests plus on fluids with a different appetite stimulant

If none of that works then I've an appointment for pts this evening :(

The vet said he's anaemic and weak this morning so there's clearly something else going on somewhere else in the body.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 25/11/2013 14:36

Thinking of you all. It's very difficult.

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 25/11/2013 14:42

Thank you. It's so hard, I've been crying on and off all weekend.

I can't imagine saying goodbye to him and him not purring at me and sleeping on my pillow.

And him washing the dogs ears (his best friend).

I've had him for so long and I've just loved him more and more every day.

I've been working a home the last 7 years and if I went up to the bedroom during the day he'd prrp at me til I sat down next to him for a cuddle.

I know he feels really safe with me, he's just not wanted to be away from me for days, I feel bad even leaving him at the vets today.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 25/11/2013 14:48

They'll be keeping him comfortable - and as far as he's concerned it will just be another vet's visit.

Doesn't help how you feel though.

noddyholder · 25/11/2013 16:59

Thinking of you it is so so hard. I was the same with mine. He was with me all teh time I was on dialysis never left my side and then when I had my transplant. I literally thought my heart would break but watching him suffer was hard too. He will have had a great life with you and eventually down teh road you will take comfort from that. There is no harm in being sad they are as much family as anyone and in some cases more xxxxxx

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 25/11/2013 20:18

Well it's exactly as you said Noddy, the steroids look nothing short of miraculous.

The vet said we'd done everything and he'd spent the day on fluids and not eating even when the lovely nurse tried to hand feed him.

His blood tests are totally fine, cell count ok-ish. No anaemia though the vet said he was very pale and weak. He thought it would be best to put him to sleep.

He looked very unhappy.

So he gives him the injection and I take him home whereupon he bounces out his carrier with all the vim and vigour of a kitten, eats a good amount of food after not eating for 3 days.

He's being very affectionate, seems to be in no pain and is just cuddled up to me alert and purring.

OP posts:

MaeMobley · 26/11/2013 21:26

I think my lovely boy has cancer too. He is also 16 & has been losing a lot of weight.

The vet prescribed him steroids. He has been on them for a week and a half. We are back at the vet's on Thursday to discuss next steps.

cozietoesie · 26/11/2013 21:59

So sorry as well, Mae. Come back and let us know how he gets on.

babyboomersrock · 27/11/2013 18:32

Can I join in too? My 14 year old boy recently had an ultrasound and blood tests which confirmed what we'd feared - lymphoma - and this evening we let him go.

Having spent much of last year struggling to keep our other elderly cat going (diabetes and twice-daily insulin to which he didn't respond), we decided that Dylan wasn't going to have his last months spoiled by vet visits and chemo. It was heartbreaking to let him go, but I cuddled him to sleep tonight at the vet's and I know he's at peace.

Goodnight, my beautiful boy. Sleep well.

My heart goes out to you OP. But when it comes to the end, letting them go peacefully is the last gift we can give them.

cozietoesie · 27/11/2013 18:42

So sorry, babyboomers. It takes a lot of love and courage.

MaeMobley · 27/11/2013 21:49

Babyboomers, I hope I am as brave as you when the time comes.

Wolfiefan · 27/11/2013 21:55

It is so hard. (Lost one cat after steroids and low dose chemo.) His mum is 18 and has a thyroid issue. (Losing lots of weight. Probably will need surgery. Fur looks awful and she pooped in the house earlier in the week.) Feels like I'm on borrowed time with her. Gutted. Worried it may happen over Christmas. (We would he pet less after 16 years :-( )

babyboomersrock · 27/11/2013 21:57

Oh no, I'm not brave. I have been crying much of the day and I cried as he left me, but I had no right to keep him here any longer. I hate the responsibility of making that decision but I know I'll feel calmer in a few days.

Tomorrow he'll be buried under a tree in the garden where his old friend lies, and I'll plant another tree to mark his life and what he meant to us.

cozietoesie · 27/11/2013 22:00

Sorry babyboomers but you're wrong. That's brave.

MaeMobley · 28/11/2013 19:38

A brief update from me. We saw the vet this morning after two weeks on steroids, He gained 100g so she was pleased with the results.

I forced myself to have a proper discussion with her. I find the word cancer so hard to say. Her gut feeling is that it is bowel cancer. We could open him up and take biopsies to confirm whether it is cancer but this would involve a general anaesthetic. And she said that, if it was cancer, chemo would only extend his life by approx 3 months.

so we continue with the steroids and get him weighed in 3 weeks.

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