Views on whether cat should be operated on or not (medical details alert)

[hoboken]

Hobocat is 13 and has an o/o thyroid for which he takes meds. Yesterday he was x rayed (still underweight). He has a diaphragmatic hernia (intestines protruding into chest cavity through a rupture).

I am shortly phoning the vet and he will in all likelihood ask me to decide whether or not the cat should be operated on, providing the cat's weight increases. Hobocat is currently too weak and too underweight.

Cost is not the issue. Hcat might live up to another 5 or 6 years after an operation, he might not survive the operation or survive it and have to recover etc. He has always been an outdoor cat with constant outside access unless poorly (hardly ever during his life).

Any views?

What would be best for Hobocat? That sounds like a facile comment but it's meant straightforwardly ie is he in pain/discomfort at the moment and what will happen if you just carry on as is - would he have a good life?

If he wouldn't have a good life, then I think you have to ask the vet to explain all your options for action and choose what is potentially the best one for him.

I'd do it.

i'd probably err on the no side. What the recovery/convalescence time? Is he going to be overly stressed from being indoors?

Poor Hobo cat. x

I had to decide whether to put Seniorboy, at 16, through a big GA dental because of his truly awful mouth. The vet left the decision to me because he wasn't a young or obviously robust cat but made it clear that the outlook without an operation wasn't good - certainly for his quality of life if nothing else - and that she had fair confidence that she and her team could get him through it OK.

That was over 3 love-filled and happy years ago. It was a lengthy operation because of his age and condition and if I recall, they had to have an extra team member in just to monitor him and keep his hydration up to scratch. He came through it all right though and he's had no significant dental problems since.

Best of luck to Hobocat whatever you decide.

Thank you for your replies. After reading them and talking to the vet I decided he should have the operation. The choice was either that or having him PTS. Will let you know how it goes.

All the best to you both. Let us know how things go.

PS - Here's Seniorboy now at 19.9. A happy lad I think.

Thank you all. Hobocat is in recovery now. He is in an incubator because his temperature dropped. The operation was at 8.30 this morning. He can lift his head but no more. The vet says he would have expected more progress by now. Am being hopeful and will be phoning first thing tomorrow. Everything crossed!

Fingers crossed for him.

It's the best chance he has.

Lets be hopeful.

How are things, hoboken?

Sorry to be so long replying. Hobocat struggled to recover from his operation and deteriorated last night. I was with him this morning when he was put to sleep. Thank you again for your replies.

So sorry to hear that. You gave him every chance. Keep hold of your happy memories of him

You gave him a chance, and did all you could for him. It was his time to go. RIP Hobocat.

Oh no, what a shame. You did your best by him.

I'm very sorry for you both. It was always going to be just a chance that he had but you gave that to him. RIP Hobocat.