I go with quality of life. If she is greeting you when you get home, pain free, and eating and drinking, using litter pan, coming for attention. I dont think it is time yet. If the answer is no to many of these then it is time.
As someone who lost a dog to lymphoma, we did try chemo, but as you say you can’t do it in cats. When he seemed too sick the majority of the time and his quality of life was gone, then we had him put down.
It is a very difficult decision, one I’ve had to make before. My feeling has been that as long as the cat has some quality of life and isn’t suffering then he/she would still draw comfort from the attention I’m able to give them so it’s too early put them to sleep but talk with your vet. Listen to their advice as long as you trust them. They would no more want your beloved pet to suffer than you would.
I am so sorry for your little kitty. Will be praying for her I have two little guys myself(Two pups) can’t imagine hearing that news :(
So very sorry. I have three of the little critters, and one a kitten who is going to vet Thursday to get fixed. Which is making me sad to be away from her for a day. Praying for you and your cat.
I lost a cat to cancer a few years ago. It is hard and it is sudden. My sister, who is a Vet, says by the time you see most cancers in a cat it is too late to really do anything. Don’t draw it out. Give your kitty a good snuggle for yourself and one for all of us then let her go. I know it is hard, and I am starting to cry writing this. But it is better to spare her the long wasting away and also spare yourself. And I forbid you from feeling guilty for not seeing it sooner! You couldn’t have. That is just how cats are built. I was torn up by that until my sister told me it cat cancer is almost impossible to notice until it is too late. Please let that info be a relief to you like it was to me.
I am so sorry, FRiend.
Solomon said that
“A wise person cares for his animals,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel”
(my paraphrase)
If your kitty is in pain, then you may have to do it, as I have had to on more than one occasion. It is never easy, but kindness and compassion are more important than our desire to “hang on.”
May G-d comfort you in these times when caring for His creatures is hard.
I had a cat with the same symptoms a few years ago. I had to carry him around the last few days. He was starved for water and would get short of breath if he tried to walk. The vet said there was a lesion in his chest. I declined further testing and had him put to sleep. He was old for a cat and they get cancer like every other living thing that gets old enough. It was tough then, but looking back on it I have no regrets. It’s hard to accept that they are old because they are always like babies.
I am so sorry. One of my little dogs had lymphoma and I had to put her down just before Christmas
I am so sorry.
As for advice, only you can say. I am not one to put them down early. Dying is part of living. As long as she is not in pain, keep her comfortable and let nature take its course. If she is in pain, get her some medicine for it.
My collie was aging for a number of years. All of a sudden he took a big turn for the worse. It was a matter of a few days before he died. He couldn’t eat. But I stroked him gently and had those last few days with him. Dying is bad for everyone. People, too. Just make your cat comfortable.
We lost our beloved Freddie three years ago to cancer. Started him on chemo and after a month it looked like he was going into remission, then a week later bam! Downhill again. Hardest thing we had to do was let him go. Damn! I loved that cat. Nine years old was way too soon.
We thought we were going to lose Chandler, Freddie’s uncle, to pancreatic cancer, but luckily, we got a second opinion. The second vet said he didn’t have a tumor, his spleen had just folded over on itself. He actually had IBS and his intestines were just plugged up. They gave him stool softener, probiotics and a steroid. He gets pills every night now, but he’s fine.
Get a second opinion.
The lifespan depends so much on the cat and the exact diagnosis. Along with the blood tests, did you get an ultrasound? I’ve lost cats to cancer quickly and slowly depending on the specifics. One lasted with a good quality of life for three more years, others worsened quickly and had to be euthanized. Cats do tolerate chemo quite well and, with some types of cancers, like lymphoma, can get better for awhile.
With our cat it was in the bone near the nose. steroids improved her condition and extended her life several months. However, I don’t know if lymphoma can respond like that.
The vet or you will know when it’s time. If that is the case you will have done the right thing, as we did. Very sad and have a good cry but your cat will be grateful.
I can only report what happened in our case, after she was put to sleep, I am certain a few nights later I heard her walk in the bedroom, I felt her jump up on the bed as she always did. Then a few minutes later she jumped down and trotted out of the room for the last time. I am certain she was telling us she was ok and we did the right thing.
So sorry to hear this.
About five years ago I had a similar horrible problem with a wonderful dog who had been with me for about ten years. All his symptoms were of a rapidly advancing cancer, but the vets couldn’t come up with a conclusive diagnosis. Things got so bad I had to make the final decision on my own, and took him for his last trip to the vet. Then I had an autopsy done and discovered it was terminal lymphoma. You have my full sympathy. BTW, once your kitty passes, get another as soon as you can. I replaced my wonderful guy with a terrific Great Dane who’s now five years old. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m sorry. It will be difficult but let her be put to sleep.
Reading your post brings tears to my eyes. We have 34 cats, currently, and have lost many others over the years to various ailments. Cancer is one of them.
As hard as it will be, the best thing for your sweet Kefira will be to have her put to sleep if cancer is the diagnosis. She’s already far enough along that she’s miserable, based on your description of her actions.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s a very difficult decision to make. My heart breaks for anyone who has to go through this ordeal, having been there so many times myself.
I am *so* sorry...! Praying for you!
Have you looked into pet hospice? Sometimes that’s loads easier on a dying pet (they can pass away in comfortable and familiar surroundings), and sometimes some vets (usually alternative medicine vets) can make a house call for that...
We had our beloved cat Moses put to sleep, last year; it tore our hearts out. Our hearts are with you!