Cat with cancer

[Norachance]

TLDR - How can I clean our cats fur as she is unable to do it effectively owing to mouth changes.
Our old lady of 16 has cancer of the jaw. She was diagnosed in February. Our lovely vet (who we have seen weekly) said the prognosis is never good with this type of cancer. She told us to take her home and do whatever makes her happy and just love her. That was mid Feb.
With daily Metacam she has been pretty comfortable, eating very soft food and going about her day. However in the last 10 days washing herself has become difficult. On Friday vet said she is still not there in terms of saying goodbye (still interested in everything) but that we are close ( how the cancer is growing). We want her last days to be as good as they can be). Vet suggested the end of this coming week and that she will come to our house to pts.
If anyone else has any experience with jaw cancer do you have any guidance on how to clean the food off her (until recently) pure white chest and feet. Water and cat shampoo not very effective . Thank you

So sorry she has cancer. It’s good she isn’t suffering and you are able to enjoy a little more time with her.
How about a toothbrush? It would just be her rough tongue and saliva cleaning herself usually so maybe a wet toothbrush would be able to clean her.

As someone who deals with humans with head and neck cancer, it tends to be extremely painful and not something that can be dealt with the human Metacam equivalent.

I would be mindful of 'better a day too early than a day too late' and be making plans sooner rather than later.

I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely cat, Norachance. It is heartbreaking. No advice really, but I do agree with Anna, that better a day too soon than a week too late.
Hope you are ok 💐

Wet wipes rinsed out in plain water (to get rid of perfume and other products) or kitchen towels dipped in warm water to gently wipe down fur. Gentle brushing every day to get rid of lose fur - to help her keep clean and not swallowing too many fur balls. Cotton wool balls dipped in warm water to wipe eyes.

Thank you.
@BloodyInternetWeirdos a toothbrush is a great idea. Will try later.
@AnnaMagnani Honestly we had fully prepared for pts on Friday when we went. Vet said "so is today the day?" I got really tearful and said I don't know, hence her saying she will come to us on Friday and do it. She gave us morphine based meds in case we thought she needed something stronger. She still head bumps asks for food. The only signs (other than swelling) are messy eating/cleaning and a bit sleepier. I feel the same as you in that I worry she may be in pain but seeing her being her usual inquisitive self in the vets made me think we were doing it too soon.
@Clarich007 thank you for your thoughts. I have had those words in my head "better a day too early" but on Friday she seemed so bright- part of me wishes we had done it but walking back out and taking her home I felt such relief.
@NotMyFinestMoment I did try a flannel which was a bit bulky. Wet wipes sound better - didn't think I should but yes rinsing sounds a good idea.

I’ve been thinking of you @Norachance

@BloodyInternetWeirdos Thank you so much. The vet and nurse came yesterday. I'm so grateful to them because it felt so right being at home. Dc were able to be there too so she had all the love around her. They put a cánula in her leg which had a tube on it so it meant the vet was not too close if you see what I mean. I held her close and talked to her and the dc and dh gave her strokes then the vet asked quietly if we were ready. Then as I held her she just slipped away. Very very peaceful and gentle.
I feel absolutely bereft today. She has needed so much attention especially in the last two weeks. Also her special vet food (urgent care) and meds on the shelf.
There was a moment yesterday when I panicked and thought "are we doing it too soon" because I found one of her old bird toys and showed it to her and she batted it which made me think she wants to play!
But then I thought about her struggle to eat and wash herself and the obvious discomfort. We gave her morphine but what life is that for a cat.
The vet had seen her last Friday and said yesterday that she thought that since then the growth was at least a third bigger.

I miss her and there is a huge space in the house but I know it was the right thing to do.

Thank you again all your tips and comments helped so much
Picture of her pre cancer x

So sorry for your loss, what a sweetheart.

My old cat had to be PTS because of a tumour on his jaw too. 😿

So sorry @Norachance She was beautiful. It is lovely that you were able to give her a calm and loving goodbye. She was obviously much loved and had a happy life with you all. It is devastating when they leave us. There is a litter tray memorial thread if you wanted to add some more pictures and a little bit about her.

Herod

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray/3965838-The-Litter-Tray-Memorial-Thread?reply=115986059