My love has terminal cancer

[caramelandmisty]

I am having a very tough time letting my cat go. she was diagnosed with kitty breast cancer and we found out today through xrays that she is at the point of having fluid in her lungs and stomach. I'm having a very difficult time deciding on when to put her down. Some days are great and others are bad. I cant stop crying and don't want to let her go but I don't want her to suffer. She's eating and drinking and going to the restroom but she seems uncomfortable sleeping and is restless. I really feel she will let me know when it's time. What are your thoughts?

 

[caramelandmisty]

Caramel is the black cat

 

[caramelandmisty]

She's such a special cat. She licked my tears at the vet today and is always with me. My heart is broken.

 

[DeesCats]

I'm so sorry you are going through this health issue with Caramel. Did your vet offer any suggestions for treatment?

 

[stephanietx]

I recently had to put my kitty down due to a suspected cancerous mass in his intestines. It's never an easy decision, but what we decided was to load him up on some pain meds, lots of anti-nausea meds, and inflammatory meds and spend one last night/part of the day with him to give him lots of loves and a final good day. We took him late in the day and put him to sleep since he'd stopped eating. I am glad we did it that way and we didn't prolong his suffering. It was a VERY difficult decision to make, as finding this out was unsuspected and very surprising. Overall, my philosophy is that it's always better to let them go one day early rather than one day late. I also look at their quality of life and comfort level. I don't ever want to keep an animal alive because it's what I want while they are suffering.

 

[caramelandmisty]

Thank you for your kind words. They offered to try and extract fluids to help her but it is no guarantee and if it does work it will only buy us about two more weeks. I really don't want to put her through another procedure. We had the initial tumor taken out about a month ago.

 

[caramelandmisty]

I recently had to put my kitty down due to a suspected cancerous mass in his intestines. It's never an easy decision, but what we decided was to load him up on some pain meds, lots of anti-nausea meds, and inflammatory meds and spend one last night/part of the day with him to give him lots of loves and a final good day. We took him late in the day and put him to sleep since he'd stopped eating. I am glad we did it that way and we didn't prolong his suffering. It was a VERY difficult decision to make, as finding this out was unsuspected and very surprising. Overall, my philosophy is that it's always better to let them go one day early rather than one day late. I also look at their quality of life and comfort level. I don't ever want to keep an animal alive because it's what I want while they are suffering.

Thank you. She's still eating and is doing her usual thing. I feel so guilty for leaving on vacation a couple of weeks ago. I feel her health declined when we left.

 

[iPappy]

I am so sorry. I have lost so many special ones to cancer and it's so, so difficult to be faced with this. Many here understand exactly what you're going through.
Have you talked with your vet about pain medication, or anything non-invasive you can do at home to keep her happy?
Caramel is beautiful. I have a short haired black cat as well.

 

[caramelandmisty]

I am so sorry. I have lost so many special ones to cancer and it's so, so difficult to be faced with this. Many here understand exactly what you're going through.
Have you talked with your vet about pain medication, or anything non-invasive you can do at home to keep her happy?
Caramel is beautiful. I have a short haired black cat as well.

Thank you iPappy. Yes, I have her on prednisone twice a day again and we have been giving her pain meds when needed. I'm also feeding her anything she wants. At this time she is on baby food which she loves. I'm just so upset and can stop crying especially when I'm with her.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Your cat is beautiful. I am so sorry this is happening.
If she truly has fluid in the lungs. If you truly trust that your veterinarian is correct in this interpretation of the radiograph. ( second opinions can be helpful in situations like this) If she is having symptoms of fluid in the lungs, such as increased respiratory effort. Can you observe labored breathing or an elevated respiration rate?
If there is truly a buildup of fluid on the lungs, then sadly she is drowning. Very slowly, but still drowning.
I am sorry to be so blunt, but I have to be honest here.
That being said, I do need to say that I have never known an animal to eat well with fluid in their lungs. So if she is eating well, it’s hard to imagine that there is fluid on the lungs.

Just to clarify, I am not a veterinarian and all I write is just my opinion based on my personal experiences.

 

[caramelandmisty]

Hi there, thanks for your input. I did see the X-rays and saw there is fluid in her lungs and stomach, but she is eating, not a bunch but she is eating and drinking. She does have labored breathing which is why I'm having to make the decision probably sooner than later.

 

[caramelandmisty]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and hugs

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi again. If she is eating enough and does not appear to be in distress, then there is no rush in your decision.
Sometimes for reasons unknown to me, if I take a picture, I can be more objective. Maybe this would help?
The picture you posted, is this a current photo? Because the beautiful cat in that picture does not look unhappy at all. Maybe it is an older picture?
Did the veterinarian mention a diuretic to pull the fluid off?

 

[caramelandmisty]

Hi there, Thank you for your reply. Here are some pics I took 5 min ago. She was scratching on our furniture and curious as can be. Please let me know what you think.
The vet asked if we would like to do another procedure to remove the fluid, but she would have to be put under and I don't want to do that to her. I feel that recovery from anesthesia would make her feel worse. She didn't do well after the first procedure to remove the tumors.
Thank you so much for your support.

 

[caramelandmisty]

Cari is super special. One time, she alerted us to smoke in the house (toaster), and another time, she let us know there was a leak in the roof. She is a motherly cat and is always in tune with our emotions.

 

[fionasmom]

Did the veterinarian mention a diuretic to pull the fluid off?

Your vet may have a very good reason for not prescribing a diuretic, but I wondered the same thing. Lasix/furosemide is often used with cats and is FDA approved for that application.

 

[caramelandmisty]

Thank you for letting me know about the medication. I will email our vet now and ask her about it. Thank you!!!

 

[caramelandmisty]

Our vet clinic is Adobe Animal Hostpital in Los Gatos, CA. Anyone have any insight about their doctors?

 

[caramelandmisty]

Thank you for letting me know about the medication. I will email our vet now and ask her about it. Thank you!!!

I've just requested this with the staff and will let you know once I hear back. Thank you so much.

 

[rubysmama]

I'm so sorry this is happening to your beautiful Caramel. Having recently lost my Ruby girl, I know how hard it is to lose them. One thing I will suggest is making sure you know the location of a 24 hour ER vet, because even when they are stable, things can suddenly change. Sending love to you and Caramel.