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Original poster

Just found out my cat has cancer and only has weeks at best

52 replies

Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 21:10

Gutted! I posted the other week about how my 14 year old cat, had suddenly lost lots of weight and it seemed it may just be a thyroid problem.

Confirmed today it's cancer, kidneys, intestines and probably stomach too Sad, rapid heart and very anaemic. I was given two options, palliative injections or pts there and then.

Totally wasn't prepared for that, so went with the first option, on the understanding that we would be seen immediately if he deteriorates at all to be pts. The vet said to be very careful not to extend things too much, otherwise he may have an unpleasant death.

So now I'm thinking maybe book him in for next Friday, it just feels so cold and calculated. Worrying I should have let them do it today, but he had a lovely morning sunbathing and even chased a fly, eating lots (although I understand to feed the tumours), it felt wrong to cut his life off today.

I don't want him to suffer, but for today anyway he doesn't seem to be.

Can't even begin to imagine the hell of taking him in and leaving without him, he really has been through thick and thin with me.

Sorry for the waffling.

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Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 21:16

I have reported and asked mnhq to rename my post to 'my cat', as I would hate anyone to think I was referring to a child. Just wasn't thinking.

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MNHQ
YetAnotherHelenMumsnet · 16/05/2014 21:25

Hi Bakersbum,
we have changed the title for you now, very sorry to hear that your lovely cat is so ill. x

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 21:27

Thanks helen

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timtam23 · 16/05/2014 21:28

How sad for you and your cat

Would your vet do a home visit to PTS? It does cost more, but my vet says they would visit and I think quite a lot of them do. Mine prefers 24 hours' notice so that they can arrange with regard to surgeries etc. I'm seriously considering it for my 17 yr old boy cat who is blind & quite frail, not yet at stage of beng PTS but it will come sooner rather than later. He hates going to the vet and I think at home he would be more relaxed & would let me cuddle him as he had the injection.

Having said that, I had my other old cat PTS at the vet last year and it wasn't too bad as these things go. The vet was really nice and I was able to stay with the cat afterwards. Everyone was lovely and sympathetic as I cried Sad although it was very odd putting the empty cat carrier into the car boot

Good luck whatever you decide

LaurieFairyCake · 16/05/2014 21:32

I've lost 2 to cancer in the last six months, one only two weeks ago.

I can only say don't leave it too long, cats are really good at hiding pain.

So sorry Sad

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 21:43

Sorry to hear about the losses of your cats too. I think I would rather bring him home and bury him in his favourite sunbathing spot. Will I need to take a box to bring him home in?

Laurie sorry you have only just gone through this, do you think I should make the appt sooner? I would hate for him to be suffering.

He is currently lay on me, doing his massive purr, can't believe he won't be here next week Sad.

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LaurieFairyCake · 16/05/2014 21:48

I nursed the first one and he had steroids and loads of pain killers - he lasted a month - he had two ops to remove it as it was on his paw but it metastacised very quickly.

The girl I had put to sleep last week had hyperthyroidism for 3 years but she got very thin towards the end and couldn't keep food down because of a mass in her stomach. My dh and dd were being really resistant but she hadn't kept food down for 40 hours and she was only 2 kilos so I insisted. The vet said I shouldn't leave it even a minute longer when I took her.

It sounds like yours has time left - if he gets skinny and can't keep food down or goes yellow then you're going to have to go quicker. Did your vet give steroids? They were remarkable on my boy and bought him an extra 10 days.

crazynanna · 16/05/2014 21:50

So very sorry you will know when the time is right I am sure. Just enjoy the time you have. Sending much love Thanks

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 21:55

Thanks so much, that is really helpful to hear. He got steroids and painkillers today. He is 2.3kg.at the moment, when he last got weighed 6 months ago, was 3.7kg so a big loss. He seems to be eating lots and keeping it down, for now. Will take it a day at a time for now then, keeping next Fri in mind. Vet said his heart may just fail or a tumour may burst, which I obviously want to avoid by I guess having him pts before that happens.

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LaurieFairyCake · 16/05/2014 22:05

Really want to echo that you must just cherish every moment. I spent so much time with my boy towards the end. I even videoed him lying on my chest purring at me - proper 6 minute close up of him being rubbed.

I've watched it a few times (it's really hard but I know I will watch it more in the future) and take photos.

I wish I'd taken a little hair clipping for my locket.

Sorry if none of the above is what you want to do but I just wanted to mention in case you did.

Enjoy your cuddles

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 22:16

Thanks, good idea about the video and fur clipping. I have taken loads of photos today already. You're right I need to just try and enjoy my time left with him, he will be thoroughly spoilt this week on chicken and tuna galore.

I knew it would of course happen one day, but the devastation I am currently feeling has taken me by surprise a bit. I have had some really hard times over the years and he has been my one constant and at times, was the only thing worth coming home for.

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LaurieFairyCake · 16/05/2014 22:18

I totally get that. My boy was my one constant through some horrible years, I adored him and miss him every day.

I gave him whatever food he wanted - we ate a lot of salmon and chicken Grin

wtffgs · 16/05/2014 22:23

So sorry. I took lots of photos of my tuxedo. He had a decent quality of life for another 10 days and then I had to go back to the vet Sad

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 22:23

Going to stock up tomorrow Grin. Sending you Thanks.

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Gileswithachainsaw · 16/05/2014 22:31

So very sorry about your dear kitten :(

How awfully sad. Spoil him rotten!! And I second a home visit. I attended one once and as sad as it was it was lovely. Cat just sat in his owners lap surrounded by his cat friends.

Sounds like you have made the right decision to get it done soon so you have a chance to say good bye and have lots of love and cuddles in between.

BrocanteHunter · 16/05/2014 22:36

I had to have my wee girl PTS too, it was heartbreaking. She had had kidney failure for a few years and did well on treatment for a good long time, but the time had come. It was 2 weeks after my Dad had died suddenly, I was a complete and utter mess at the vets, they were lovely. I held my girl while they did it, so she went feeling loved and cuddled, she didn't know a thing. I felt relieved that she would just 'fall asleep' while I was cuddling her, but fucking awful that I was 'doing it' to her. However, I knew that keeping her alive wasn't fair on her, but like your boy, she was still enjoying large parts of the day etc - it is so hard to know when to do it. I am bawling reading this and thinking about you, your boy and about her. It's hard, very hard. Like you and your boy she had been through a LOT with me and used to lie on my chest looking in my eyes... I swear she understood every word I said. There were definitely days when she was the only reason I got out of bed.

Please have a hug and give him a hug, from me
x

Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 22:44

brocantel a hug back to you too, how awful, especially at such a painful time in your life. Cats are so perceptive, aren't they? He can always pick out the pregnant one in the room. We have found out of a few yet to be announced pregnancies this way Smile. He just randomly sits on their knee the whole time, when previously has just ignored them.

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Original poster
Bakersbum · 16/05/2014 22:45

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences, it really helps.

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timtam23 · 16/05/2014 23:15

I'm another one who took fur clippings after my cat was PTS, I also clipped one of her whiskers, she was a longhaired cat and had beautiful long whiskers and lots of long curly fur on her tummy Sad

The vet gave me a little plastic bag to put them in and they are in the box with her casket of ashes. I don't get them out & look at them or anything like that, but I'm glad I have them.

Gileswithachainsaw · 16/05/2014 23:18

I have my cats ashes too. Just knowing they are there somehow makes it feel as if she's not completely gone.

wtffgs · 17/05/2014 21:42

I have my cat's ashes in my bedroom (wonders why is still single?! WinkGrin)

I was supposed to scatter them but I can't get the lid off Blush

Anyway, I like that he is there #madoldcatdivorcee Grin

Gileswithachainsaw · 17/05/2014 21:51

I couldn't get the kid off either Blush

Think it's sealed with something

Gileswithachainsaw · 17/05/2014 21:51

Lid

2kidsintow · 17/05/2014 22:00

Our old boy has hyperthyroidism and is medicated for that. But he's also had a lump found in his abdomen. We aren't treating it or investigating it as we aren't putting him through anything.

He was given steroids and vitamin B injections and it's been amazing to see the difference. He's a different cat.

However, we were told that we have weeks left with him. The steroids were given 3 weeks ago and we were told they were good for about a month. He's still with us so we are wondering if we can take him back for a bit of a top-up of them. Especially as we are away for a week over the whit holidays and our friend is looking after him. It would be just our/his luck to take a dip while we are away.

Original poster
Bakersbum · 18/05/2014 18:25

We had to have him pts this afternoon, you were right, you do just know when it's the right thing to do. He started going downhill last night with sickness etc. I can't stop crying, it feels so strange without him here Sad,

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