Hernia in elderly cat / surgery on elderly cat

[CatPancake]

Our cat, age 16 has had a bulge on his side/tummy for a week or so now. He's going to have an xray this morning. Not sure what follows or whether its appropriate to have surgery to resolve?

Vet says it's good that its not a small hernia because it's less likely to cut off blood supply. Did notice a bulge on the other side last night and he did try and be sick - unsure if it was just a full bladder and vomiting unrelated?

I have no idea how he'd recover from abdominal surgery. His back legs do not work very well any more and his balance is poor. He otherwise eats/sleeps well - toilets in his litter tray etc.

If it's his time, it's his time. Is it?

It doesn't sound good. The hernia could be dealt with, and your cat could be fine after surgery. The problem with his back legs and balance is more of a concern. Does he fall over? Is he able to walk ok?

My cat was younger than yours and I knew when it was time, vet did say we could try x y and z but that they couldn't make the decision for me. In the end I opted for him to be pts. Vet said better one day too soon than one day too late, no one wants their animal to suffer and I think that's what you need to consider. 💐

Think our vet is more reluctant than most to pts which doesnt help. And we have good insurance so we dont have to factor cost into it

His back legs arent great. He struggles to walk straight, he does fall over at times and getting on/off things is difficult.

A previous cat of mine had a lump removed when he was 17. He was fully fit at the time but even then we agreed that if the lump came back we wouldn't put him through another op. Fortunately it was successful and it didn't recur.

Having said this, I'm very sorry but I'm afraid that given your cats other issues I would not choose to put him through a large operation. If your vet is unwilling to listen to you then you may need to consider changing vets.

If vet thinks OP will sort out hernia, and you have good insurance I'd give the cat a chance. Cat will be out when OP is done so won't feel it and cats heal quickly. If cat eats, toilets normally I'd definitely give cat a chance.

Vet says he has a hernia from a "substantial trauma" but he's an indoor cat so can only imagine he could have got it falling off of somewhere as he can't jump? He need ramps to get into bed/onto the sofa.

They've recommended surgery to repair next week.