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Original poster

I'm sad - old cat doesn't have long left

19 replies

EleanorAbernathy · 12/01/2015 23:18

My 15 year old girl's test results came back today, and it's not good news - she has a squamous cell carcinoma on her lower jaw. It's not operable because of where it is.

I'm meeting with the vet on Thursday to discuss her options, but it looks like I'll have some difficult decisions to make soon. Sad

She's lived with me since she was 8 weeks old and I was 21, and it's like she's always been there with a purr through the good and the bad.

At the moment it's just her jaw - the lump is getting bigger and she's a bit drooly - but she's still eating and drinking and snuggling OK.

The vet says it's just a case of keeping her as comfortable as possible now, I don't know for how much longer Sad

I'm sad - old cat doesn't have long left
OP posts:
arundeljones · 12/01/2015 23:32

Sorry to hear that about your girl. Sending you best wishes. I have been through similar with my own tortie and it broke my heart, but as you know sometimes you have make hard decisions to be the best friend to your cat.
Sad

Sending you brave thoughts x

valrhona · 13/01/2015 09:22

Just posting to say I'm sorry to read about your poor girl. (We have a tortie too, funny little oddball that she is).

I hope things go as well and as comfortably as possible for you both x

cozietoesie · 13/01/2015 09:29

So sorry, Eleanor.

timtam23 · 13/01/2015 12:22

So sorry Flowers she is very pretty.

My 18 year old boy had to be put to sleep last year because of tongue cancer, I too had had him from a kitten. We tried steroids as palliative care, which did give relief for a few weeks but in the end his decline was quite fast and as soon as he was struggling to eat we made that final trip. Steroids might be worth a try for your girl, it did give us a bit of extra time when the cat was perky & we were able to make a massive fuss of him

Original poster
EleanorAbernathy · 13/01/2015 19:09

Thanks - she is being spoiled rotten for however long she has left :)

OP posts:
shovetheholly · 14/01/2015 11:24

Eleanor - you posted on my thread about being in a similar position, thank you so much for your kind words. It is so hard. I keep reminding myself that I'm really crying for me, and that my cat and I have had a really fun time together since I rescued him. Your girl is beautiful and I am sure she has had an equally wonderful life with you.

One thing I am doing is taking a load of pictures so that I can put together a photo album and have it printed after he is gone to remember him. It makes me sad doing it, but it is also therapeutic remembering all the good times.

Original poster
EleanorAbernathy · 15/01/2015 23:29

We've been to the vets today to discuss where we go from here.

The most effective treatment for this kind of cancer is surgery which involves removing part of the jaw - however Motley's tumour is to the back of the jaw and sort of in the middle, so it covers the main part of her jaw making surgery impossible. Chemotherapy isn't effective for this kind of cancer.

The only possible option would be radiotherapy - but there isn't anywhere close that does it so it would mean a car journey of 100 miles plus each way every week, and Motley gets quite stressed when travelling so I've decided it wouldn't be the best for her.

The plan is to keep her as comfortable as possible for however long she has left - the vet estimates 2-3 months. It's a good sign she's still eating OK, and that is the main thing to keep an eye on. She has some Metacam for the pain.

I'm going to get her paw print and have a tattoo when she goes (I already have her portrait on my back so she'll always be with me in a way!).

OP posts:
ImLizawithaZ · 15/01/2015 23:31
Flowers
Wolfiefan · 15/01/2015 23:33

Oh Eleanor that is so sad. It really doesn't sound like there is anything else to do but keep her comfy, spoilt and fed on all her favourites.
She is beautiful BTW but looks like she's challenging the camera not to acknowledge her gorgeousness!

Original poster
EleanorAbernathy · 15/01/2015 23:34

:)

I'm sad - old cat doesn't have long left
OP posts:
Original poster
EleanorAbernathy · 15/01/2015 23:37

She's been having posh food on demand, the run of the house, and pretty much everything she asks for!

OP posts:
MysticMugBug · 15/01/2015 23:45

Ohhhhh Puss!
I'm so sorry for you and her because I know how much I'd be worrying about it if I were you.
I love my cat, they give us so much happiness with their little characters.
Hold on to the fact that she is loved and knows it. You are obviously a good owner. Smile

Original poster
EleanorAbernathy · 09/02/2015 02:00

As I suspected, the 2-3 months was the best case scenario - sorry to report that Motley passed away on Wednesday Sad

I finished my last night shift on Wednesday morning, and was having a gin and tonic and listening to a bit of music before bed - and Motley came up to me, just like she did when she was younger and wanted to dance - and we danced together just like the old days, I honestly never thought that would happen again.

She must have known - later that evening after I'd been to bed and got back up again, she came over to me again and her mouth had started bleeding. I knew then it was time - and we took her to the emergency vets for the final time Sad

I've been crying on and off ever since - feeling a little bit better now, especially as I think Motley is now haunting the kitten, who keeps sitting up and staring at things that I can't see, and jumping up in the air for no reason! Grin

R.I.P. Motley, and thanks for that last dance - it meant so much xxxx

OP posts:
Ohfourfoxache · 09/02/2015 02:15

Oh Eleanor I'm so, so sorry Sad x

cozietoesie · 09/02/2015 08:15

A salute to the dancing Motley. Smile

RubbishMantra · 09/02/2015 09:29

Oh bless you and Motley. That brought a tear to my eye. And believe me when I say I'm mostly a heartless bitch.

Flowers
timtam23 · 09/02/2015 12:03

So sorry Eleanor, at least you had those few weeks with her and were able to have a little dance Smile

The photos are gorgeous Flowers

basketofshells · 09/02/2015 12:21

Goodbye to your beautiful dancing girl. What a lovely friendship you've had.

basketofshells · 09/02/2015 12:21

And that kitten had better watch its step! Grin

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