My cat has cancer, when to PTS?

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Just found out today that one of my cats has a cancerous tumour on his jaw, it's an aggressive type.
The only options were invasive, and quite possibly would make it worse, or cause him to suffer, it's highly unlikely he'd get better.
The Vet thinks it'll grow v quickly in the next month, and may get infected.
Right now he's a perfectly fine, well cat, has no idea anything is wrong with him.
I want to have him PTS in a couple of weeks so he goes off as a well cat, is this ok?
I mean I think it is, the vet is fine with it but I'm questioning myself.
I've never had to make this decision before.

Oh that face. Sounds like he’s had a really lovely day.

He has.
I was really impressed by the toddlers Mum, I said it was fine to stroke him, he doesn't bite, but she said no as her toddler hasn't yet learned to be gentle with animals and doesn't understand.

Oh that is lovely. I wish everyone was so thoughtful. I bet the toddler was great entertainment for te cat though!! A little stage show.

So sorry to read this. We lost our cat earlier this year to cancer it was heartbreaking. He was 10 and still so fit and healthy (aside from the cancer obviously). We did operate to remove the tumour (it was on his groin) but unfortunately they didn't cut it all out and it was a very aggressive cancer he started to bleed from the wound and it just never stopped so we had him put him to sleep :(
Is it 100% cancer that he has? The only reason I ask is that sometimes it can be good to have a second opinion but otherwise then yes the kindest option is to pts.. it also might be an idea to get a second opinion on how long he has left to live? It would be a shame to put him to sleep in two weeks if he had say another 6 months left before the cancer will effect him? Whatever decision you make you will be doing what's best for him

Oh OP, I’m so sorry. He’s so gorgeous. Please keep posting pictures, he’s lovely to look at at.
Thinking of you both x

Yes, it definitely is, removing it would mean removing half of his jaw, it may affect his tongue so he'd never be able to eat or drink unassisted again, and that's the best case scenario, if it hasn't spread.
The other option is anti inflammatories which may slow down the growth, but it will still grow.
Because of where it is it could break his jaw.
It's really not something I'm prepared to do to him, it's not fair.

Sounds just like our childhood blue Burmese. Any attempt to treat it would’ve just been cruel. I absolutely think you’re doing the right thing. Quality of life. Not quantity. Hoping for more days like today though.

So sorry to hear about your boy. We lost a cat to a jaw tumour a couple months ago. The tumour grew massively in the space of a month until it totally took over her mouth and she could no longer eat. It was difficult as she generally seemed ok in herself but it must have been so traumatising for her to feel hunger but not be able to satisfy it. Initially she managed well with purée food, then for 2 days she tried eating but would dribble it back out, and then the next day she just didn't bother trying and that was the day she was PTS

You'll know when your boy is ready, just fill his next weeks with loads of love and all his favourite treats while he can manage them.

This is my beautiful girl

She's so lovely, what's her name?
You must miss her so much.
It sounds like Zazzles has the same thing, so unfair.

She’s so gorgeous too. It’s not bloody fair.

Left gave birth to right.
He's a wee bit drooly today, but not too bad and still eating, he's currently on my knee having cuddles.

Oh bless. Make the most of those cuddles. Xx

I managed an hour until he stuck his paw right into my bladder, I'm 41 ffs

He is absolutely beautiful Brillo. I agree, lots of spoiling and treats then the quick visit to the vet. They honestly don't know anything about it. Give him a hug from me.

I'm so sorry about your (incredibly handsome) cat. It does sound like his quality of life is still good now, so the time is not yet upon you.

It's such a hard decision.

The quality of life page linked above is really helpful to me too. We are looking at one of our cats, knowing his end is coming - he's 14 though, and has had a good life. I would rather he went quietly and peacefully before his pain is too great and his life is blighted, but finding that line between OK and not OK is bloody hard.

Yes it is isn't it?
Part of me thinks just to let him go asap as he won't know, and he's a well cat, but then he could have a couple if weeks more as a well cat.
I'm aware he hasn't got much longer than that without being ill.
I want him to stay with us too.

Oh it's so heartbreaking but I think you really do have the best attitude.

He's had a rather fab life, I hope you take comfort in that.

My dog is 13 next month, eldest cat 11. I can't even begin to think about them not being here.
Xxx

Our beautiful boy Max had to be put to sleep last June because he had a tumour in his mouth. It all happened very quickly... The first sign was a watery eye which we thought was conjunctivitis but turned out it was the tumour pressing on his tear duct. I then noticed he was eating very messily and when the vet looked in his mouth, a couple of his back teeth were missing. He wasn’t acting unwell at all but the vet said it would progress very quickly and gave us an idea of what to expect.

We had him put to sleep two weeks later 😞 He was still enjoying his food, having cuddles at night and purring, and he was still enjoying a spot of sunbathing. But in between those times he was hiding under the bed/kitchen table and we thought he was in pain. He had started drooling too and his face looked swollen. We felt we would rather make the decision a few days too soon than a minute too late. He was such a special boy, I still get upset thinking about him and how much I miss him.

His last day was lovely. It was sunny and he was out in the garden with our girl cat, chilled out and relaxing. It was heartbreaking taking him to be PTS but I’m glad we did it when we did and that we didn’t wait until he had no quality of life. I’m glad some of my last memories of him are happy ones. I don’t think I could have watched him deteriorate over weeks/months.

I think it’s definitely the right thing to do, to let him go while he still has a good life and is pain-free.

Zazzles is beautiful btw

Oh, OP, what a beautiful boy you have there. I have two cats and would feel as you do. I would also plan what you are planning.

I'd take mine out to the garden (they are indoor cats) and watch them explore, and roll in the sunshine. I'd put on my dressing gown which I never wear and they then knead me like bread. And id let them knead me like bread.

Thinking of you.

Oh he’s a lovely boy. It’s a heartbreaking decision but I think it’s the last kind thing we can do for our pets. We had 17 years with our last boy, we thought his tomorrow might outlive him but it got very aggressive in the end and it was the right decision for him. Still hurts loosing them though.

Just enjoy him

@gwhizz75 Max is a gorgeous boy.
Zazzy is currently in a box, like most cats he loves boxes.
I blame them for my failure to crack my Amazon habit

Boxes are ace.
Shop more and make that puss happy.

In a box with his new blanket that @TwinklyMummaLuvsHerBubba89 made for him.
He loves it.

I'm pleased to see it is just the right size for a box too! 😘😊