Posted on 03/23/2009 5:39:30 PM PDT by GRRRRR
My oldest cat-14 years old, Smokie, has bone cancer in his jaw. Most of his right mandible has been eaten away. It was swollen and sore a week ago and I took him into the vet today.
Vet said there isn't much to do for him, just watch how he eats and his overall behaviors will tell us how he's doing. She said there is a surgery, they don't do it, to remove the affected bone area and replace it with steel. It's 1500$ at least and no guarantees of recovery or cure.
She had to sedate him for x-rays today and it took three hours for Smokie to come out of it. He's eaten 3/4 of a can of food and is all back to 'normal' for now.
She also gave me some oral pain killers for him, 2mL every other day.
OK gang, any thoughts on how long this might take for my best buddy? I almost sent him off this morning, I KNEW it was cancer before I even took him in...
I think we’ll just let some time go by and see what he tells us. It’s clear he knows he’s not well. He’s always been vocal and lately he’s added a few different ‘meowls’ that I’m sure mean he’s hurting.
I’ve been through this several times before and I’ve never rushed it, always let the animal tell me when.
I had one male, almost 17 and I took him in and the vet said let’s give him some IV vitamins....that darn cat lived three more years! Died sleeping in the bathtub!
And YOU did the right thing. God bless you.
Thank YOU! I knew there was a ping list, been searching for an hour and couldn’t find it..
G
Hugs and prayers for you and your furry friend. It’s hard to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but sometimes that is exactly what we need to do. They’ve give us their trust, their love, their companionship, and their hearts — in return, we love them, we care for them, and we lovingly (but tearfully) need to let them go peacefully ... when it’s time. You’ll know.
My pleasure.
I got some Metacam today, that’s the painkiller she gave me.
I’m so sorry. You are going to have to do a very hard thing.
As a big-time doggie lover, I can certainly empathize. It’s so hard to let go, but sometimes it is the best thing we can do for our faithful friends. You have my prayers.
I am so sorry your cat is sick.
I too have lost several cats and dogs to cancer.
It is painful to watch.
Our prayers are with you and your cat.
My cats and dogs will greet yours when it’s time.
I hope he’s not in too much pain. Cats don’t normally vocalize their pain unless it’s bad. His appetite will diminish as he gets worse, so you’ll know.
I’m so sorry.
Is it the lemon-flavored liquid with a dropper? I eventually gave up trying to disguise it in food and squirted it directly in Woody’s mouth. He didn’t care much for it, but it turned out to be more merciful for us both to just get it over with. He didn’t mind it at all after a month or so, actually would stand there and wait for me to do it, such a good sport, my buddy was.
It may be different for cats, but there is a very small minority of dogs who react badly to Metacam. If there are any warnings about blood in the urine, do take it seriously and stop treatment immediately if you see it. I was really concerned when I gave him his first dose, but no problems. He seemed to relax and feel better within ten minutes’ time, every time.
For “off label” cancer treatment, dosage is usually increased above the recommended painkilling dosage by weight. You’ll want to find someone to discuss this with, a cooperative vet if yours doesn’t want to go there.
A hard and fast rule, no other NSAIDs and no aspirin, period, while on Metacam. Don’t do it. You could kill your cat combining them.
Lastly, you can get Metacam online a heck of a lot cheaper than at the vet’s office.
My prayers are with you. Be strong and do what is best for your beloved pet at this time.
I will break from the pack and say keep him alive as long as you can but without letting him feel too much pain. Why is euthanasia ok for animals but not for humans ? Imagine the betrayal your pet, especially dogs, would feel if he knew you were going to put him down — after all the unconditional love he gave you.
As hard as it is, I also think you should ease your little furry buddy’s burden and have him put down.
Last year our friend had to have his rottie “Buttercup” put down 4 months after having his right front leg removed due to cancer. The cancer had evidently weakened his system enough that his right rear leg broke one evening while walking away from his dinner dish. I was in the kitchen watching him eat when it happened.
$3500 for 4 months of pain was not a good trade.
It’s sad, it’s hard, but it’s the promise we make them when they give their lives to serving us in their special way.
When their life becomes a burden, we promise to lift that burden. It’s our duty.
Nice kitty!
I find it harder to lose a pet than a relative. It’s too bad they don’t outlive us.
We lost two little guys to this a few years back. Is it is a bone cancer or something else? As many say, you know when it is time. It is difficult, but you know your pet and will know when he isn’t enjoying things so much. For us, one made it many months, the other was just a week or two before we knew.
Just sent a prayer for both of you and the vet and staff. May God bless you with discernment and with peace in whatever you decide.
This stuff is in 2mL syringes, for oral use. She told me to keep an eye on urine as it could affect his kidneys.
Thanks for the info.
G
I’d have harsh words myself for that vet, who subjected your friend’s Rottie to amputation, and didn’t bother to check for metastases; must not have been a veterinary oncologist. Dogs do quite well after losing a leg, they take it better than their people do, they have no vanity. But, it’s a major surgery, there is trauma to get past, and he was barely past it at four months.
There are some vets who don’t really seem to care for animals. I’ve never understood it. If your dogs or cats don’t like your vet, if he or she doesn’t interact well with them and actually seem to like them, get another vet. There’s a reason they don’t seem to care. It’s because they don’t.
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