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Original poster

Hand hold - cat has cancer

26 replies

ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 17:45

A huge lump has developed on my cats face and grown so quickly despite antibiotics and other interventions from the vet.

I have to decide tonight whether to put her through a biopsy operation tomorrow or put her down.

How do I make a decision like this?!

How have other cat owners coped during this decision?

For reference, she’s a rescue cat. We’ve had her for 2.5 years. She is of unknown age (possibly 4, 5 or 6 years old). She’s not herself. She’s off her food. There’s no “palliative care” that could be given unless we were referred to specialists 3 hours away.

OP posts:
Ekerty72 · 03/01/2023 17:46

You poor thing :-(

How much is the biopsy? Have they given an indication on how much treatment would be and its success rate?

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 03/01/2023 17:49

Oh gosh you poor things. My motto with anything medical for me (dentist, doctor etc) is always to ask “if it was your XYZ, what would you do?”. Might that be a helpful conversation to have with the vet?

Emmamoo89 · 03/01/2023 17:53

Poor kitty :( best thing to do is to talk to your vet. X

viques · 03/01/2023 17:54

I am sorry , what an awful thing to find out, poor kitty and poor you.

I am of the opinion that we don’t put animals through unnecessary pain and distress, and that we make our decisions based on the responsibility we undertake as owners for their care. If the vet says it is a cancer then the fact that it has grown so quickly sounds as though it is aggressive and nasty. I should imagine that any surgical intervention would be radical and have long term consequences for your cats comfort and future wellbeing.

I would be appreciating the love and affection your cat has given you over the last few years and paying that back by making the decision that causes her the least distress.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/01/2023 17:57

I wouldn't do anything and the PTS when it was time.

Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 17:59

There is a small chance it’s an infection but the biopsy will tell. Its £600/£700.

Its so sad because she only has bonded with me. She was a very scared cat and I’m the one who she trusts the most yet have to make the awful decision. I don’t feel hopeful that the biopsy will have a positive outcome. The vet seemed to suggest that it’s best to put her down but chemotherapy could be an option. I don’t think I could afford that though. So horrible to think I have to possibly put her down due to money.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 18:00

And thank you all for kind words!

OP posts:
Sazza26xx · 03/01/2023 18:02

I'm so sorry,what an impossible situation you're in 🥲 my cat got pts last year when he had cancer as he wasn't eating and couldn't even move, my advice would be talk to the vet through your options and see what they suggest, sending love x

Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 18:03

Toddlerteaplease · 03/01/2023 17:57

I wouldn't do anything and the PTS when it was time.

…. that’s the thing - I think it’s time to PTS now. Her eye is starting to bulge out; it’s drying out and becoming cloudy. It’s painful to her now. The vet said we run the risk of her eye rupturing or popping out which would be horrendous for her obviously!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 03/01/2023 18:20

If that was my cat the. I would do it now. I would never put a cat through chemo. Even though they are fully insured.

SkylightSkylight · 03/01/2023 18:28

Oh no, I'm so sorry.

without having spoken to the vet personally, I can't say, it would depend on the possibility of it being an infection.

I would want to do the chemo, but I'd try to make myself not as I think it's pretty tough on cats. I'm old enough & sadly experienced enough now, to know the kindest thing to do is PTS while I'm
holding them, but the desire to make them better & not lose them is very strong.

lots of love

Haffdonga · 03/01/2023 18:31

I've had to have my beloved rescue boy PTS this morning Sad . It was cancer but unclear exactly what sort because we decided not to have biopsies done. We felt biopsies would have caused him more pain and suffering when he was already weak and sick and the end result would have been the same anyway. Even if chemo could have extended his life it would only have been by a few months.
My biggest regret is that we didn't make the decision to put him to sleep earlier. Before the new year weekend he was still happy, eating and peaceful so we thought we'd wait until the 'right time'. Unfortunately the 'right time' was Saturday night so he had to suffer 2 extra days of pain and discomfort when all the vets were closed for new year. I wish we'd done it too soon instead of too late.

Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 18:40

Thank you so much for your thoughts.

I think I’ve made the decision to not go through with the biopsy and discuss the option of PTS with the vet. So sad. She was such a good cat; my little shadow. She gave us so much joy in the time she was with us.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 18:42

@Haffdonga so sorry for your loss. I don’t think I can put her through a biopsy when it won’t even help relieve her pain; just cause more.

OP posts:
pompei8309 · 03/01/2023 18:48

ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 17:59

There is a small chance it’s an infection but the biopsy will tell. Its £600/£700.

Its so sad because she only has bonded with me. She was a very scared cat and I’m the one who she trusts the most yet have to make the awful decision. I don’t feel hopeful that the biopsy will have a positive outcome. The vet seemed to suggest that it’s best to put her down but chemotherapy could be an option. I don’t think I could afford that though. So horrible to think I have to possibly put her down due to money.

You don’t have insurance? that will cover at least 75% of the fees

tattychicken · 03/01/2023 18:56

I think PTS is the right choice, and well done for making that decision. Regardless of money I wouldn't put a pet through chemo. So sorry you're having to lose your little friend. ❤️

Haffdonga · 03/01/2023 18:57

Thanks @ChorserSaucer and thinking of you and your poor girl. It sounds like she's been very lucky to have her last 2 years with you.

Just to say, our boy's end this morning was so peaceful, quiet and gentle. We stroked him and spoke to him all the way through and he wasn't stressed or scared at any time. It was as positive experience as it could possibly be.

Emdubz · 03/01/2023 19:01

It’s never an easy decision 😞
A biopsy may show it’s just an infection and it can be treated but then again antibiotics and other treatments haven’t helped so it seems it is more sinister.

it’s so hard to let them go but if she’s suffering and in pain then the decision to put to sleep is the last act you can do for her. And she’d thank you if she could xx

Toddlerteaplease · 03/01/2023 23:38

I think it's the right decision. Get an ink less stamp kit and get paw prints etc, if you want them. I preferred that to the plaster section print from the vet. My cats death was very peaceful and dignified.

Original poster
ChorserSaucer · 04/01/2023 16:19

Thank you everyone.

She was put to sleep this afternoon.
She looked so peaceful.
She’s out of pain now.

@Toddlerteaplease I took your idea and got some paw prints this morning.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 04/01/2023 16:43

So sorry for your loss. I had my cats prints made into a key ring.

Emdubz · 04/01/2023 18:09

So sorry 😢 but am relieved for you that she went peacefully x

viques · 04/01/2023 19:03

Hard decision Chorser, but you were thinking of your cat and made the right choice for her. The little devils always leave such huge space in your heart. What was your girls name?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/01/2023 19:17

ChorserSaucer · 03/01/2023 18:03

…. that’s the thing - I think it’s time to PTS now. Her eye is starting to bulge out; it’s drying out and becoming cloudy. It’s painful to her now. The vet said we run the risk of her eye rupturing or popping out which would be horrendous for her obviously!

Show quote history

Ohh when I read that , I felt my insides lurch Sad
You have made the right choice for your lovely cat , she is at peace and more important , not going to suffer any pain .

Flowers
Haffdonga · 04/01/2023 20:50

I'm sorry @ChorserSaucer . You did the kindest thing.