Whens the right time to make the call

[andy-xr]

Cat's been off his food for a week or so, also taken to hiding under a bed a bit and peeing by the back door instead of the litter tray. Took him to the vet yesterday who felt a lump in his intestines, quite a big one as well, and told me it's terminal.

She's given him an injection (not sure what of) that seems to have picked him up a little so he's back eating again, and the vet said we can do that monthly or for as many months as is necessary, but he's on borrowed time.

The horrible thing is, when I'm lying on the floor next to him he thinks it's me thats in trouble and tries to lick me better.

To look at him physically there's nothing wrong, but I know he's got a tumour the size of a cricket ball in him. It seems so sudden, this time last week he was out chasing bees and butterflies in the garden, and it could be today, tomorrow or some point soon where I have to take him in

I've read up on and am behind the idea that it should be whats best for the cat, not me, but when do you make that decision so it's as painless to him as possible?

I don't want him having to piss blood, be continually sick or not be able to release anything and be stressing, but I don't want to rob him of an extra day if I can help it. The vets said I'd know when the right time was, but I think when I know it's too late for him.

When do you do it?

Edited by andy-xr on Friday 13th April 13:18

[SmokinV8]

interesting to know how the vet knows its terminal just by feeling for a lump, has the vet taken a biopsy and got the results back?

[andy-xr]

No, the first vet called for a second who both felt around his tummy and said they could feel a blockage. With that, and that he cant pee too well, they both thought a tumour was pushing against his bladder. I asked if surgery was an option and they said with the size of it, probably just delaying the inevitable

[hman]

Do it now whilst your pet is not in pain, it's downhill from here and you can offer a way out for the poor animal.

I had to have two pets put down on the same day last week, I'm over it now but was gutted at the time- couldn't let either of them go on due to their lives being effectively over at that point.

[vixen1700]

hman said:

I had to have two pets put down on the same day last week

Christ!

One of our cats is very old now and on thyroid pills and another pill for his breathing, and we monitor him each day, as he only really seems to eat then go straight to the litter tray outside. He used to be such a big, grand cat but now has lost so much weight over the last year or so he just looks a shadow of his former self.

Not sure when we may have to make that call either.

[R1gtr]

Sorry to hear this,I would give it a bit longer and to be honest if they have not done thorough tests I would be off to another vet for a second opinion, explain situation, they may say the same thing but at least you will know for sure.
And you will know when it is the right time, you just will

[cwis]

Usually the right time is when they go off their food, or stop taking an interest in their normal activities. I wouldn't worry too much at this point - as others say, you will know.

Just enjoy the time you have left together and remember most animals live for the present - the future doesn't scare them.

I'm sure all of our thoughts are with you.

[K77 CTR]

As others say, I think you know when. I've had that struggle to know if I were doing the right thing for my cat, the vets told me to carry on and thankfully he picked up and now back to his normal self. The fact that he was still eating an happy in himself (even if it were just laying in my lap purring) was what got him an I through that decision.

I also think I'd want another opinion, how old is he?

[Jasandjules]

If he is not incontinent, is eating and seems happy enough then it's not time yet. I am in the same boat with one of our dogs, it is not an easy decision and like you I am struggling to weigh it all up.

[andy-xr]

K77 CTR said:

I also think I'd want another opinion, how old is he?

He's 8. I'm going to leave it over the weekend and have an appointment with a different vet next week to see if they say the same thing. I've had 2 people say it already. I'm just getting to that acceptance stage now and don't want false hope, but also don't want to do something if it doesn't need to be done.

Jasandjules said:

I am in the same boat with one of our dogs, it is not an easy decision and like you I am struggling to weigh it all up.

It's all a bit Thatchers Funeral isn't it? But it's worse, as you (and I) are the ones calling it a day for them, and they're the ones looking at you expectantly to make it better. From the sounds of it, third opinion aside, it's not going to be peacefully in sleep for mine. Awful feeling, the two cats have been my only pets since being adult so not really had to do this one before.

[bexVN]

Tbh abdominal tumours in cats can be pretty obvious to the trained eye/ feel. The only follow ups would be ultrasound scan then exploratory surgery where they may advise not letting your cat wake up.

Depending on the type of cancer chemo may be an option but only further investigation will be able to help decide that.

It does seem a little odd not to offer more investigation but maybe they don't want to be seen to be giving you a large vet bill for something they are confident cannot be cured.

Re a decision don't rush yet judge him on his daily activities. If he's comfortable, eating well enjoying the sun and still has good body condition let him enjoy the summer. As soon as the bad days out number the good or if he seems to be in discomfort then it's time to make that awful but right decision.

Wish I was able to offer something more positive

Edited by bexVN on Friday 13th April 17:17

[andy-xr]

Thanks Bex

[Jonnas]

I had exactly the same thing with mine and sadly had him put down a week ago Monday. He started to lose lot of weight and wasn't really eating at the end. It was an easy decision in the end as he really did look a sorry little thing.

The misses took him as I was working and I may or may not have cried like a baby when I got home that night. I feel for you mate........

[Munter]

bexVN said:

Re a decision don't rush yet judge him on his daily activities. If he's comfortable, eating well enjoying the sun and still has good body condition let him enjoy the summer. As soon as the bad days out number the good or if he seems to be in discomfort then it's time to make that awful but right decision.

Wish I was able to offer something more positive

I've not had to go through this yet myself. But what I was thinking was "When the play has left". And Bex appears to have put it better.

[Jasandjules]

andy-xr said:

It's all a bit Thatchers Funeral isn't it? But it's worse, as you (and I) are the ones calling it a day for them, and they're the ones looking at you expectantly to make it better. From the sounds of it, third opinion aside, it's not going to be peacefully in sleep for mine. Awful feeling, the two cats have been my only pets since being adult so not really had to do this one before.

You are quite right, there is a considerable amount of stress involved as you don't want to do so far too early nor so late as to have them suffer too much.

However, at 8 years old I'd be really reluctant to do so unless there was a real lack of quality of life. In terms of cancer in animals there are a number of treatments as well, I don't know if they work but I can say that the ones we are using on our dog is making her a lot happier, and some herbal treatments claim to be able to pretty much knock cancer on the head (there is a lot of info out there about this).

Do you know what your vet injected? Some will inject Vitamin C intravenously as well which has produced quantifiable results from what I read the other day.

[Druid]

You'll probably end up leaving it too late, I think we all do becauae we humanise our pets. My choccy lab went yesterday, she'd been ready for a little while I suspect

[Jasandjules]

Druid said:

You'll probably end up leaving it too late, I think we all do becauae we humanise our pets. My choccy lab went yesterday, she'd been ready for a little while I suspect

There is a fine line, I mean, whilst the animal has some quality of life then it is ok to let it, I mean, to me even just sunbathing and enjoying it is sufficient. As long as the animal isn't in pain and say really upset/depressed (incontinent etc) then I don't think it's too bad. Hopefully Bex will agree.

And OP, I forgot to say please switch the cat to a raw diet, it is quite helpful - you can get chicken mince etc from http://www.thedogfoodcompany.co.uk/ (we use him sometimes, there are other places on-line and even our local butcher does pet mince which is beef and fat all minced up raw)...

[andy-xr]

Jasandjules said:

You are quite right, there is a considerable amount of stress involved as you don't want to do so far too early nor so late as to have them suffer too much.

However, at 8 years old I'd be really reluctant to do so unless there was a real lack of quality of life.

Yep, thats where I'm struggling tbh. I think he's getting a bit worse but it could be cat grump which he's had from previous vets visits. Cant be sure though

From the diagnosis so far I've been told it's so big that treatment might not work. It's where you draw the line though - 2 minutes ago he was wandering around the garden sniffing grass happy enough, then when I bring him in he's kicking back at me when i hold him towards the litter tray as he's not 'been' all day.

He's scared of it as I'm guessing taking a leak is and/or has been causing a bit of pain. Now he's hiding in his cat holder he went to the vets in, so its starting to feel a bit sad and I'm wondering whether the time is coming forward quicker than I'd thought.

Jasandjules said:

Do you know what your vet injected?

As far as I'm aware it was a steroid injection, to make it a bit easier for him and it has made a small increase. He's gone down in a seemingly short space of time, from being fine a week ago with no problems to starting to pee outside the tray, and was getting progressively lighter. He's looking a bit withdrawn from everything. I'm wondering if the steroids are just prolonging keeping him alive, and he's still having pain/discomfort so much that he's too scared to take a pee/poo

Druid said:

You'll probably end up leaving it too late, I think we all do becauae we humanise our pets. My choccy lab went yesterday, she'd been ready for a little while I suspect

Thats what I'm bothered about, for his sake really. Just don't want him to suffer. Sorry to hear about your lab

Edited by andy-xr on Friday 13th April 19:50

Edited by andy-xr on Friday 13th April 20:04

[bexVN]

Steroids are an anti inflammatory and provide pain relief.

He may avoid the tray thinking it will be painful yet it may be better.

There are natural products that may help him relax - Zylkene and or Kalmaid which should be available on line or at your vets. Feliway may help as well.

[andy-xr]

bexVN said:

Steroids are an anti inflammatory and provide pain relief.

He may avoid the tray thinking it will be painful yet it may be better.

There are natural products that may help him relax - Zylkene and or Kalmaid which should be available on line or at your vets. Feliway may help as well.

Thanks again, Bex

I'd be happy if he did something anywhere at the moment! Carpet, cat carrier, litter tray...any will do! He's eaten a bit and drank some water today so guessing it has to come out at some point. He's been waiting til we've gone to bed from the looks of it for the past few nights.

Unsure whether to stay up with him tonight to check or let him get on with it and see what happens tomorrow. Will make the call on it nearer bedtime