I believe my beloved little cat has cancer

3/8/16 | Me, Myself & I

[EinNYC]

My little cat Kefira has been very sick for the past few days. She is losing muscle mass, developed a pot belly, and barely eats anything for the past couple of days. She spends her days just laying Sphynx like on the floor, upright like the Sphynx. She is drinking lots of water. Blood tests show normal except for an extremely elevated white count. This points to a likely lymphoma. Vet had extra blood tests done to identify any cells in blood.

I am taking her back to the vet to discuss results of cell blood test.

Chemotherapy is not very effective in cats. It usually only buys a few months.

If the vet tells me it's lymphoma, would you just have her put the cat down and not put her through anything else?

[ConservativeDude]

thank you. i replied.....

[Williams]

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.

[Ken H]

So sorry to hear this.

[libstripper]

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.

[jch10]

I’m sorry. It will be difficult but let her be put to sleep.

[radu]

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.

[Dr. Sivana]

If the vet tells me it's lymphoma, would you just have her put the cat down and not put her through anything else?

When my cat's FIV kicked in, he wasted away from 18 pounds to seven. When it was clear what he had (the test was no longer valid as his body stopped fighting it), I had him put down. I cried plenty myself. He was a great cat. But cats cannot offer up their suffering, and there is no point in having him suffer when the outsome is inevitable. Love your cat until the end, she'll know your affection.

Then, wait a while, and get a cat that is not too much like your present cat who cannot be replaced.

[paladinan]

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!

[MarineMom613]

I am so very sorry you and your kitty are going thru this. I’ve had my share too. I will keep you and kitty in my prayers. For you to know when it is the right time and for kitty to RIP. rrrrrr/ (my cat just walked across keyboard).
Do what you know will be best for your kitty. She will be happier if she is suffering.

[smoky415]

Cats in pain will sit hunched in a guarded, crouched position with their back curved higher than normal, their head lowered and front paws often folded under them.

Another sign of pain in cats are the eyes. Do they have dilated pupils and that faraway look to them?

Cats are masters at hiding pain, even acute and severe pain.

If you believe that Kefira is in pain then do the right thing for her.

[Original Lurker]

I must agree with a lot of folks responding.
I kept my smooth fox terrier alive way to long as she was suffering from bladder cancer.

Keeping Nugget alive was, in my case, all about me.
A really good vet will come to your house to put your pet down.

So sorry for your pet.
I still miss Nugget so very much - 15 years later.

[Frangibled]

Loving our pets and letting them go is never easy. You and your beloved pet were lucky to have found each other. Tears and time do not heal that pain. But memories help.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Its time to say goodbye. I had to do it to my cat of 15 years. Its not right to let them suffer because you can’t let go. They can’t make the decision so you have to. So sorry.

[gettinolder]

Very difficult for you, we understand and are sorry for you and hope your kitty does not suffer.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Great point!
I hate cats, but I respect the love folks have for their pet friends.
Redemptive suffering is for the human person, not the animal, so putting down the beloved pet is the way. But the deep sorrow this person will feel....should be offerred to God as an honor to have had such a blessing in this earthly life....the heartache should be given to God as pure graditude all the way, each day.

[Roses0508]

We were there back in July with our dog of 15 years. We made the decision to put him down before he became uncomfortable. It was hard, but it was the right thing.

I know how hard it is when your beloved animals are ill. My thoughts are with you.

[Made In The USA]

I am so very sorry.

Painful to hear, and perhaps unimaginable to request... but if your cat is suffering it will be time to let her go.

I had to similarly say goodbye to my cat of 19 years. Held my good friend as he went to sleep. As an adult male, it was the first time I’d cried (sobbed) in years. Divorce, financial failure, etc. didn’t hurt as much.

Prayers up to you and your family.

[Twinkie]

It is very difficult. We have a kitty, Brutus the Naughty.
Our last cat, Stuffy, just went off into the woods & died
there. Only way we knew was when the buzzards started
congregating back in the woods where she was. No way we
could get down there to her. She was very independent. -
Brutus refused the name “Lambchop”. The neighbor kids made
awful fun of her for that name. She finally settled on taking the name, Brutus. Later, Cattbutt was okay with her;
but I didn’t like it any better than I do “Brutus”. It has
been difficult. She is also very picky. So sorry about your
kitty. Cats are funny.

[Battle Axe]

I am so sorry to hear this. We all seem to have kitties that we outlive.

I’ve lost two, but the Lord made sure that was another one available. A tiny kitten appeared behind my laundromat. I know Mittens and Miss Peach would approve.

[Slings and Arrows]

IMO, if she has cancer and chemotherapy is unlikely to be effective, I would try painkillers first. If/when they cease to be effective, then it's time.

Prayers.

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