Anyone have experience of cat cancer please? And when to say goodbye :(

ly0ness

Hi, basically just wondering about other peoples experiences?

My beloved cat that I have 7 years (originally a rescue) has a malignant tumour behind his ear which is a secondary tumour. So its terminal -and the tumour on the head came up very quickly - I would say within a week! He is hyperthyroid so was only at the vets 4 weeks ago for bloods and a check up. So the onset of this has been very fast.
I know the big decision has to be made soon. But I am wondering how long have I got left with him. The vet thinks days rather than weeks unfortunately. I don't want him to suffer. He is in goodish form since he came back from vets and is eating & drinking & using litter tray as normal - though he seems to be gone off his dry food so I am giving him wet food.
I got the diagnosis yesterday over the phone and I didn't think to ask can I get meds for him. He seems comfortable but is sleeping a lot and has taken to sleeping in the bathroom on the mat rather than his own bed. He is not the cat he was a few months ago but I had attributed this to the hyperthyroid meds. I am on annual leave from next week and I hope to spend his last days by his side - but I have to work today, tomorrow & some of Saturday. I feel guilty about being at work!

sheramber

Take each day one at a time and spoil him.

Once life becomes difficult or painful then it is time but remember

Better a week too early than a day too late.

DigForVictory

^^ This.
You have to work, yes, but when you can, cosset your cat so what good times you have left are enjoyed to the full.
But, painful though it is to contemplate, definitely

sheramber wrote: »

Better a week too early than a day too late.

UKTigerlily

I had my cat PTS just three days ago, and my dog PTS 6 weeks ago. Both went slightly too early, when in fairly good health, rather than too late. I didn't want to wait for them to suffer, or have pain, when that could be prevented; after all, they don't have any comprehension of tomorrow, only the here & now.

I'd be thinking of things such as how it is likely to progress & how quickly (my cat had CKD and went 10 months from diagnosis doing well, then it showed signs of progression & I decided I didn't want her to experience more), but until then she'd had it and been well.

Don't feel guilty if at work & he does pass, I hear some cats will go when alone, as if they know.

I am so so sorry to hear it though, it's never going to be an easy thing even if 100% sure it's the right time, and it's even harder to decide to do it when they are appearing totally well!

I think we do need photos though, and enjoy the time you have with him. I found an animal communicator worked for me, it isn't for everyone but she was spot on with things she couldn't know, so there is always that to consider if it's ever of comfort/use

I'm sure he's being spoilt rotten x

ly0ness

Thank you! He was in good form last night - had cuddles for about 45 mins which is a long time for him to sit on my lap! Eating ok - wet food and drinking a bit but not as much as normal. I don't know if I am really scrutinising everything looking for a sign. He was bright this morning, meowing for brekkie and looking out the window as normal keeping an eye on the goings on! My mum is calling on him this afternoon. Forgot to mention I have another cat so he is not completely alone - although they are not best buds there would be some interaction between them like grooming and playing but she is not going near him at the moment (she is younger and initiates the play). Its like she knows he is not able. I don't think his time is quite yet but this tumour is so aggressive it will probably be days rather than weeks.If I can get past this weekend I will be happy as I can spend some time with him.

ly0ness

UKTigerlily wrote: »

I had my cat PTS just three days ago, and my dog PTS 6 weeks ago.

so sorry for your loss - how are you coping?

Mrs_Z

Hi,
Very sorry to hear about your cat - what terrible news. We had a cat with hyperthyroidsm and we had to make that decision with her (this was about 4 years down the line from the initial diagnosis and she was on medication). It is very difficult, but once she stopped eating, even her favorite foods and was losing weight rapidly, I knew it was time to call it a day. The vet came home, I deliberately chose a friday which I took as leave from work so that I had the weekend to come to terms with it all. The vet was so professional and the cat had a very dignified end. You will know when the time comes. For me, the sign is when they stop eating, drinking or doing the things they would normally do. Hope you get at least couple of more weeks with yours.

TiddlyPom

My sympathies to you, OP. I am in a similar position with a cat with renal failure now barely eating ever favourite foods and not drinking much. She's sleeping in a corner of the wardrobe much of the time which has always been her "safe" place. Looking at those facts, I would say the time has come, but when she does come down and interact with me, she is chatty and purring and I am at a complete loss whether it is or will soon be time to do the necessary.
I'll send all good thought to you and your little one and hope that we can both find our peace of mind in this hard time.

UKTigerlily

ly0ness wrote: »

so sorry for your loss - how are you coping?

Thank you x
I have moments when i'm busy & don't think of it, but then walk in & it hits me that they aren't here. I've never had no people or pets with me, and feel guilty as both were PTS so I had to decide to do it. But, they had great lives with me, lots of love and I will help other rescue cats now. They won't be forgotten, I can laugh remembering things but then cry hysterically. It's never easy, but just the fact that the OP is thinking of things and asking people shows how much s/he must love their kitty and they will know, as I did, when it's time, you just do xx

sheramber

ly0ness wrote: »

Thank you! He was in good form last night - had cuddles for about 45 mins which is a long time for him to sit on my lap! Eating ok - wet food and drinking a bit but not as much as normal. I don't know if I am really scrutinising everything looking for a sign. He was bright this morning, meowing for brekkie and looking out the window as normal keeping an eye on the goings on! My mum is calling on him this afternoon. Forgot to mention I have another cat so he is not completely alone - although they are not best buds there would be some interaction between them like grooming and playing but she is not going near him at the moment (she is younger and initiates the play). Its like she knows he is not able. I don't think his time is quite yet but this tumour is so aggressive it will probably be days rather than weeks.If I can get past this weekend I will be happy as I can spend some time with him.

Think about what you want to happen so you are prepared. If you want the vet to come to the house then arrange that with them now so everyone knows what will happen.
What if it needs done during out of hours care? Does your vet do OOH cover or is it taken over by another practice? If so who and where, if you need to go there. Out of Hours cover are unlikely to do a house call as there is usually only one vet available for emergencies.

Do you want him cremated and his ashes back? If so, what are the arrangements for that.

None of us want to think about these things bit if you have it is less stressful at the time.

UKTigerlily

sheramber wrote: »

Think about what you want to happen so you are prepared. If you want the vet to come to the house then arrange that with them now so everyone knows what will happen.
What if it needs done during out of hours care? Does your vet do OOH cover or is it taken over by another practice? If so who and where, if you need to go there. Out of Hours cover are unlikely to do a house call as there is usually only one vet available for emergencies.

Do you want him cremated and his ashes back? If so, what are the arrangements for that.

None of us want to think about these things bit if you have it is less stressful at the time.

Very true in my experience; when I called to take my cat in, the vet & nurse (I think only one of each were there), were operating on a dog & didn't even answer the phone for quite a few attempts, and my cat wasn't an emergency as in in pain or with broken bones etc, but she was 18, with CKD & definitely unwell and in discomfort.

No way would they have been able to come out to her. Plus it's very expensive OOH too and can be distressing if you're upset, the cat is unwell & taken to a vet they don't know, not your own vet etc