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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cat tumors, WWYD?

23 replies

theinbetween · 19/10/2026 17:20

Hi there, can just wanted to see what people's opinions are.
Basically our long haired moggie is only 12, and she has a very swollen toe/ tumor, that is bleeding. The vet found shadows in her lungs so thinks she's got feline lung digit syndrome, and the tumor is a secondary.
I've also noticed problems with one of her eyes, that could be linked.(one eye is not dilating and closing properly, and she has it slightly closed)
We could put her through an operation, to take the toe off, with a couple of weeks with a bandage on, but really we don't think she's going to live more than 6 months, could be as little as 2 months. Although saying that, the vet did say they had another similar situation that the cat went on for about a year, and they were really surprised. She's been going downhill for a while. She's lost weight, not grooming properly, we had to have all her fur clipped because she was a matted mess over the summer with all the heat, and sleeping outside in a bush. We are keeping her in and she is eating a bit and drinking a bit, but she's sleeping all the time maybe because she's bored, but she hissed just now when I went near her, because I think she's fed up with being picked up but also grumpy/maybe in pain.
We also have the horrible situation that money is extremely tight and we have to pay 20% of treatment (after the £99 excess). The bill is about 600/ 700 already for the general anesthetic, tests investigations etc, and the vet said the operation and everything else would be about £1200/1300.
WWYD in this situation? Put her to sleep, or put her through the op and for her to potentially have a problem with her eye, and obviously be terminal.

Thank you

OP posts:

Sheep85 · 19/10/2026 17:22

I would put her to sleep unfortunately as it’s likely to reoccur. We had a cat which had a tumour removed and within 6 months it was back. Next time I’d go straight to put to sleep.

Allergictoironing · 19/10/2026 18:45

Prognosis for cats with cancer is very poor I'm afraid.

Give her a couple of weeks of being pampered with everything she likes then PTS, from the sound of it she's in pain and has been uncomfortable for a while now. Heart breaking, but the best thing you can do for your cat - better a week too soon than a day too late.

goodnessidontknow · 19/10/2026 18:50

Honestly, I'd let her go in those circumstances. It sounds like she's already unhappy and an operation to give her a couple of months more will be stressful for all of you. I'm sorry, we're going to be going through it sooner rather than later with our old boy and it's so painful but the best gift you can give is a peaceful end without drawn out deterioration.

Puhpuhpuhpuh · 19/10/2026 18:51

Put her to sleep.

Hopefulbride18 · 19/10/2026 19:49

I think I'd PTS too sadly... She has other signs of illness so I really don't think that toe amputation is going to buy you much more time.

WhatterySquash · 19/10/2026 20:05

Oh the poor love. My last cat died of cancer aged 13 and when she had stopped grooming, lost weight and was mostly sleeping it was very near the end. She was on medication so she wasn’t in pain, but she started to lose function in her back legs so I arranged to have her pts but she died at home that day. It sounds as if your dcat is approaching this point and should be pts or at least on meds if in pain. I wouldn’t put her through an operation.

So sorry op I know it’s hard

Poppingby · 19/10/2026 20:09

I'd PTS. Sorry, it really hurts. But it's the right thing to do.

Dontevenlookatme · 19/10/2026 20:10

Ask yourself what the cat will gain from an extended life. Remember it has no concept of tomorrow, only today and how that feels.

PTS as soon as you can, treasure the happy memories and let go.

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 19/10/2026 20:14

I would PTS in this situation. She doesn't have the comprehension of what is going on that a human would, she won't understand that the stress and trauma of treatment is buying her a few more months of life and doesn't know how to treasure her remaining life, she's just in pain.

DontLiveByTheClouds · 19/10/2026 20:15

I have had two cats with cancer and they both had different experiences. What has the vet said? They easy should be giving guidance.

You can ask about my situation if you want but my gut feeling is to let the poor cat go. Two weeks is too long when she's suffering.

Original poster

theinbetween · 19/10/2026 20:24

Thank you everyone, this has been so helpful. I'm in tears writing this, but you have confirmed what I probably knew what I should do, but it's just so horrible having to play god. We were going to keep her in inside, but think we will spend the next week giving her love and treats and maybe letting her go out in the garden (currently keeping her in because her foot was infected).
I've discussed this and shown your messages to my young adult children and it has really helped, so they are very much appreciated xx

OP posts:

DontLiveByTheClouds · 19/10/2026 20:27

A week is a long time for her t9 be suffering. My old vet put my cat to sleep a day too late. It was awful and I'll never forgive myself.

RedSquirrelRoar · 19/10/2026 20:54

I think you’re right to PTS - it sounds like she’s struggling and unlikely to get better. I would tell your vet what you’re decided and ask what they can give her to make her more comfortable.
But if painkillers don’t help, be ready to let her go sooner.

HumphDeGah · 19/10/2026 21:01

I am so sorry, OP. She is old enough that a surgery would likely be a lot of stress and confusion for an extra 6 months or a year at most, from the sound of things.

I had to take a similar decision (liver tumour) for my cat. She got her diagnosis one day, they gave her meds to ease her discomfort for a day, and I took the next day off to spend with her feeding her her favourite foods and stroking her for hours in her favourite spots before having her PTS later that afternoon.

It was actually a peaceful and lovely death (she was in her favourite position on my lap getting her favourite strokes when the vet did it). It is so hard at the time, but it is the final act of love and kindness.

Just writing this has made me well up st the memory. Sending you strength and all best wishes, OP.

Puhpuhpuhpuh · 19/10/2026 21:19

I wouldn’t wait. We had planned on having our cat pts on the Monday, but on the Sunday just before, she started having seizures and we had to drive out with her to the emergency vet at midnight to have her pts. It was really awful. She was a lovely cat.

Original poster

theinbetween · 19/10/2026 21:27

Thank you for all for sharing your experiences. I am so sorry for your losses. The vet has told us it's our decision she wouldn't sway us either way, just gave us the facts.

OP posts:

GreenEyesMillennial · 19/10/2026 21:29

theinbetween · 19/10/2026 21:27

Thank you for all for sharing your experiences. I am so sorry for your losses. The vet has told us it's our decision she wouldn't sway us either way, just gave us the facts.

Sorry to hear but i think letting her go is the right thing to do. Sending love

Thiscouldbe · 19/10/2026 21:33

Such a tough decision to make. Cats are such proud, clean creatures that in our extended family we have always worked on the basis that if they stop grooming themselves then it is time to say goodbye, however difficult that is.
I’m not sure I’d even wait a week. It sounds like you have the very best of intentions but, if she doesn’t like being picked up (perhaps because of pain), then there won’t be many cuddles. And she can’t be that comfortable if she’s not grooming. To say nothing of her paw.
She is clearly much loved and has given you lots of love in return. I think that letting her go sooner rather than later is the final act of love.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 19/10/2026 21:43

So sorry OP, it’s really hard. When our lovely girl was diagnosed with cancer aged ten we were given the option of chemo to extend her life for a short time. If it had been “treat to cure” we probably would have, but we let her go the following week - she would have found the treatment/going back and forth to the vet very distressing and we’d have been doing it for us, not her.

On the day I had a wobble and asked the vet, if she was her cat, would she do the treatment? She said no, she wouldn’t, but they had to give options. It was the absolute worst thing, but I think the brave and kind thing for our beautiful girl.

caringcarer · 19/10/2026 22:05

I'd ask for pain killers medicine spoil her and give her lots of fuss and cuddles for a couple of days then let her be PTS while you hold her. I gave my cat tuna for 3 days before I had him PTS at 18 also had cancer tumour.

Ohthatsabitshit · 19/10/2026 22:09

What’s confusing you is the fact that it will be “cheaper” to put her to sleep. It makes you uncomfortable because you love her and at good people.

I wouldn’t hesitate to put to sleep regardless of the money. You must do what is best for her and that isn’t a year of operation and then decline. It’s her time. Say goodbye and do what is best for her.

Unforgettablefire · 19/10/2026 22:12

Bless you op you know what you have to do and you’re seeking confirmation I guess?
PTS. It’s horrible yes but when it’s cancer in animals and it’s in more than one place it’s just a downward spiral.
Give your girl loads of love and treats and be kind to yourself.
Sorry you’re go through this it’s awful

Anguscoo · 19/10/2026 22:30

As sad as it is, even with all the operations and care. She is declining. Time she goes to sleep.
to delay will be much worse outcome. Physically for her and mentally for you.
Do the kind thing,
while you can and still have good memories and not harrowing ones,
of where you are trying to get her to a vet at a weekend or out of hours which is traumatic for you and your beloved cat.

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