Cat - fluid on the lungs and heart failing

sexki11en

Thanks guys.

It's not good news i'm afraid. She has a cancerous growth in her chest cavity, which, because it's so big, has pushed against her lungs and heart. Operating isn't really an option, even if we could afford it (upwards of £5k) the vet said there would only be a small chance of it working.

We've bought her home with steroids which should stop the inflammation of the mass, which should ease the pressure on her heart & lungs. Unfortunately, the mass will keep growing and eventually she'll be as she is now. This could be days, weeks or months, the vet couldn't say, but he did say she isn't at the stage where she's in any pain, just uncomfortable. The steroids should help this but it's a really short term measure.

At least we have a few more days/weeks/months with our baby and can spend that time fussing her.

SK x

MCLF

Oh no - I'm so sorry.
I've had dogs with growths and their symptoms appeared suddenly too.
(I have a cat too).

I know this news is a terrible thing to hear - give her a stroke from me.

mancbird

Oh I am so sorry to hear this poor kitty xxx

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwww, I'm so sorry to hear this

I have an elderly lab with several cancerous lumps so know what you're going through.

Operating wasn't an option for me - not due to cost - but I simply don't believe it would've been fair to put an old dog through a very difficult op (that he might not have survived) just to get a few more extra weeks - like you I've no idea of time left (around a year so far).

He's comfortable and not in any pain so we'll keep going while that's the case - fingers crossed it's still a long time yet .....

Met someone yesterday who said "what a happy boy" (people often do - he's just such a happy chap and loves everyone) so he's obviously still got his "bounce".


We try to enjoy every day and do something special to cherish each extra one that we have (((hugs))) - please give her a little scratch under her chin (my cats' favourite "pettable" bit).

Fire_Fox

sexki11en wrote: »

Thanks guys.

It's not good news i'm afraid. She has a cancerous growth in her chest cavity, which, because it's so big, has pushed against her lungs and heart. Operating isn't really an option, even if we could afford it (upwards of £5k) the vet said there would only be a small chance of it working.

We've bought her home with steroids which should stop the inflammation of the mass, which should ease the pressure on her heart & lungs. Unfortunately, the mass will keep growing and eventually she'll be as she is now. This could be days, weeks or months, the vet couldn't say, but he did say she isn't at the stage where she's in any pain, just uncomfortable. The steroids should help this but it's a really short term measure.

At least we have a few more days/weeks/months with our baby and can spend that time fussing her.

SK x

So sorry to read this; I had my darling boy PTS in February with a large tumour on his liver and a second near his heart. I only knew for a couple of weeks that he was not right, the changes were very subtle and I understand that it is normal for cats to hide pain very well. Even the vet was shocked with the results, he had only commented that morning how lively and well muscled my boy was. I'm crying writing this as I'd give so much to have him back.

I have two regrets, firstly not saying goodbye properly (I left him for tests and the vet the advised PTS whilst still under). Secondly missing subtle signs, allowing him to be uncomfortable and probably in pain. Steroids really are not nice drugs to be taking for any length of time, please try to make the decision too soon rather than too late. Some vets will do home visits so you don't have the stress of the final journey to deal with. :grouphug:

spike7451

sexki11en,

I am so sorry to hear that & I know exactly how you are feeling,having gone thru the same with Orbit.My vet didn't x-ray him so I don't know if the were tumours.I could have chickened out & had him pts when he was diagnosed but my thought was as long as he wasn't suffering,then he'd get the best quality of life I could provide him in his last times.
Like you,I'm also welling up typing & reading this.People who say 'it's just a cat/dog/hamster ect' are idiots.It's not just a pet,it's part of the family & you care for them the same,if not more,than your family. (I mean,at least humans can flush the toilet!..smelly litter...phewwee!)
Thinking of you & your loverly cat at this time.
Regards & hugs,

Merv

(ps,can we have a picture of puss please)

Elle7

sexki11en wrote: »

Thanks guys.

It's not good news i'm afraid. She has a cancerous growth in her chest cavity, which, because it's so big, has pushed against her lungs and heart. Operating isn't really an option, even if we could afford it (upwards of £5k) the vet said there would only be a small chance of it working.

We've bought her home with steroids which should stop the inflammation of the mass, which should ease the pressure on her heart & lungs. Unfortunately, the mass will keep growing and eventually she'll be as she is now. This could be days, weeks or months, the vet couldn't say, but he did say she isn't at the stage where she's in any pain, just uncomfortable. The steroids should help this but it's a really short term measure.

At least we have a few more days/weeks/months with our baby and can spend that time fussing her.

SK x

Oh I'm really sorry...The thought had crossed my mind but I thought it would be more likely to be a cardiac problem.

I hope the steroids work well and she is feeling better soon, and I hope you have a long time left to enjoy with her.

This has made me well up

E x

Darlyd

Awe I am so sorry to hear this, I am not a cat lover but I am in tears here.

We went through the same with our Dog, He was fine one min then the next diagnosed with a brain tumor. We put it off, wanted more time with him, but he was so uncomfortable we had to have him put to sleep. ... Miss him so much. But it was for the best..

Give her lots of love, they aint stupid they will know they are not well xx

sexki11en

Thank you all. Well, she perked up for a short while but this morning was looking quite poorly. She's not eating now or drinking - she's given up so we've made the decision to take her in tomorrow morning and say our goodbyes

Thank you all for your support over the last few days.

My beautiful little girl



SK x

spike7451

She is loverly...I am so very sorry to hear this,you're in my thoughts & prayers.

One thing tho is getting Daisy so soon after Orbit went helped me immensely,and it gave a homeless kitty a forever home.