16 year old cat with bone cancer

[Movingmountains]

We’ve had bad news about Our 16 year old cat - she has a bone tumour in her front leg- we have a difficult decision to make - either a difficult amputation to prolong her life or put her to sleep. We are obviously heartbroken and don’t want to make wrong decision. She has what vet thinks is Osteosarcoma at top of her humerus (this means the amputation involves part of the scapula) but her chest is clear and there is no sign it is spread. She is 16 but in good health - actually put on weight in the cattery and is eating well. Vet said her bloods were good. Our dilemma is whether to put her through surgery as I know they can manage well on 3 legs knowing it might come back or have spread already of whether to put her to sleep to avoid anymore pain. Can anyone offer any advice or had similar experience?

I would pts as well. Not at that age. All that time in pain during recovery , learning to walk on three legs. I wouldn’t put my cat through that tbh

I'm so sorry OP, that's rough.

My concern would be how such an old cat would recover from major surgery, and also how she would adapt to 3 legs. Maybe get your vet's view on that before you make any decisions.

No way would I put a 16 year old cat through amputation. Sorry OP.

It is a massive shocking op for them and I don't think it's fair for them when they have lived so long with all their legs. A young animal - yes - I think it's worth a shot and they adapt but I would PTS sorry

I'm so sorry

Bone cancer is incredibly painful, any other option but PTS is inhumane. It is the final and hardest decision to make as a pet owner, but in this case the kindest and most responsible.

@Movingmountains I have amputated a 17 year old cats leg (due to a fracture) he lived till he was 21. He was fully mobile and comfortable within 24 hours of the surgery.

Very sorry @Movingmountains, it’s a horrible place to be. I’m afraid I’m horribly cynical about vets and their motivation. If it were my cat I’d do the kind thing and not put her through any more.

I would PTS, 16 is a fab age for a cat and bone cancer is horrible and so painful.

Do you mean in no circumstances you would PTS silence? 😲 I find that shocking, my own beloved cat had liver failure, was in agony, couldn't move or eat. What would you have done, prolong his suffering? As heartbreaking as it was, having him PTS was the best and final good thing I could do for him.