When to put our cat down - help!

[Gertrudetheadelie]

We adopted a gorgeous 11 year old with what we told was a chicken allergy in November last year. Unfortunately, it seems it was actually lymphoma causing him to vomit, and the vet has felt a mass so we know we are on borrowed time.

He's definitely losing weight and is very bony but he's eating voraciously and still sitting in the sun and having pets on a lap.

We are feeding him about every 40mins with a couple of spoonfuls of tuna or mackerel (more food made him vomit) but he's getting the right amount per day if not more. I'm worried that the constant hunger is distressing him but I'm not sure?

I don't want to have him put down just because he's hungry but I also don't want him to suffer as he's such a lovely, lovely cat. Does anyone have any wisdom? Or maybe I just need to hear some truths so I can see it a bit more objectively.

Cat tax provided.

@Gertrudetheadelie we were so lucky to have her, and your little lad is lucky to have you. How is he doing today?

You are taking such good care of him and doing everything you can. He knows you love him very much

One of my cats had this and got skinny despite eating a lot. He had thyroid meds and it helped him a lot. He lived for 4 more years. A simple blood test will tell if thyroid is the issue and it is treatable.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses Currently lounging in the sun like there's nothing wrong! I think that's what makes it so hard. I don't want to deny him these moments but I can also see where this is going.

@caringcarer unfortunately, he's had those tests and they came up fine but his lymph nodes are enlarged and he's got thickening of his intestines and a mass. You're right though that in an old cat, it might have been an option. I wish it was tbh.

If cat is still eating and enjoying sun bathing I'd keep a close eye on him but let him have a few weeks or even months in the sun if he's showing no signs of pain.

I went through this with both of my cats, different health issues but it wasn't easy making that decision. I had a few months of not knowing what to do, but in both cases I woke up one day and just felt it was right. I guess your in constant contact with your vet so do be guided by them as well.

Unless he seems unduly stressed by hunger/wanting food or pain, I think I'd give him a bit longer (if as a family you can manage the constant feeding). From the photo his coat looks reasonably good, he's obviously still enjoying the sun on his back

My cat died from lymphoma last year. She was on steroids and was fine for about six weeks or so. Then over the course of a couple of days she started having trouble breathing, stopped eating and grooming, so it was time.

I don't think it is time for your lovely lad just yet.

We said goodbye to our beautiful tuxedo today. A gentle sweet-natured ringer for the Felix cat. He also had lymphoma and was only six. He’d had surgery for a large intestinal tumour and had started chemo which didn’t agree with him, so we’d moved on to palliative steroid injections. He’d been having better and worse days, but stopped eating two days ago. Earlier in the week he’d been his old self - eating lots, demanding treats, trying to get into the neighbour’s garden. Yesterday his energy levels seemed lower, but he spent the whole day in the garden, sitting in all his favourite spots. When it was time to come in he let me carry him, something he had always objected to. This morning he was breathing normally but wouldn’t wake up. It was time. The vet advised us to bring him in as he would be in pain, and if we left him to it at home, he would have been suffering for days. From what we’ve experienced I’d say it’s likely you’ll know from the signs when it’s time, for now I wish your kitty many more sunny days.

Oh my, so sorry - what a handsome boy. I hope he’s lounging in the sun with our girl on the other side 🤍

I had no idea lymphoma was even a thing until last year, but our vet said road -> kidneys -> lymphoma are the three most common reasons for death in cats unrelated to old age.

Just as an update, we made the difficult decision to put our beautiful boy put to sleep this morning.

Although he was still mentally with it and enjoying his pets and food, we could feel his stomach as hard and round with the mass, but the rest of his body was becoming really skeletal.

He came for pets with us all this morning (on the sofa bed so he didn't have to make it upstairs!) and died with his face in the remnants of a lickistick, having his head stroked by his favourite person - my DH - so as painful as it was for us, I think he went over the rainbow bridge happy.

@Gertrudetheadelie I honestly think you've done the right thing. Very sad but the right thing ❤💐

I’ve been thinking about you and this thread. So sad for you, but what a kind, brave thing to do for your lovely boy.

Today is one year since we let our girl go. Yesterday we went to the restaurant we were in when the biopsy/scan results came through last year, had a lovely lunch, and raised a glass to her. (It’s quite a bougie place and the staff were so nice last year when we were both crying into our aranchini.)

@Gertrudetheadelie So sorry for your loss, I do believe you did the right thing.

It's almost two years since we said goodbye to our beloved old Phoebe, she was 18/19. As well as the expected getting slower and less active, she had been losing weight for some time and had various weird symptoms. Despite several appointments and tests, the vet had no idea, said it was probably just age because all the results were just a bit off rather than really wrong. But otherwise she was as content and loving as ever and didn't seem to be in any discomfort. Finally one day she developed an abscess on her cheek and even when we booked the vet appointment we realised that unless it was a five-minute solution, we simply couldn't justify putting her through the stress of more vet visits and blood tests and loads of pills/jabs that she couldn't understand.

She had a lovely last night/day. She did her night time routine of putting us all to bed, followed by patrolling the house, then into bed with us. Next morning, sunning herself in her spot in the garden, her favourite pate for breakfast and snuggling on my lap. Lots of cuddles.

Then we went to the vet, who confirmed that she had lost almost a third of her former weight and said that they could clean the abscess, stitch it and give her a course of antibiotics, but that it would be just one thing after another at this stage. So we opted to let her go, we'd brought her favourite blanket and she went peacefully surrounded by her family.

Part of me still feels like maybe it was "too soon" because Phoebe still seemed content and had her little routines and enjoying her cuddles with us. I have to remind myself that it was the right thing for her.