how to make a very important decision for my cat

[edgycat]

hello all,

i am new to the forum, so i hope i am posting in the right section.

my cat Tabitha is 16 years old. she is quite ill. here is her situation. a year ago, she was diagnosed as having "vaccine induced sarcoma". it is apparently a very aggressive cancer that occurs typically at the site of vaccine injections. we were told at the time that the only way to address this cancer was to remove her leg (where the bumps were found).

she was already 15 years old at the time, and had other health issues such as kidney and thyroid problems. the vet normally would not even clean her teeth because that involved anaesthesia. so ... we chose to let her live out her life without the invasive surgery that did not guarantee full recovery.

she managed to be happy and active till about 2 months ago when the bumps became bigger and bigger. now, she has a massive growth on her leg, walks by dragging her leg, and we have spent the last couple months dealing with the bleeding, the bandaging, feeding her antibiotics and pain medicine.

the vet told us that we will "know" when it is the right moment to let her go. i have been watching her closely over the last weeks, and i have begged her to give me some sign. cats are notoriously stoic about things, so it is very difficult for me to tell.

the last 72 hours or so, her situation is this: she basically sleeps all day at the same spot, hardly leaving the couch, except to use the litter box, drink some water and eat. but she's eating less and less.

i have a feeling the moment is going to come soon that we have to make a decision about letting her go. i cannot see any quality of life left for her even if she eats, pees and poops okay.

so, my question is how have others dealt with a similar situation, one that is not so clear cut. any feedback would be very helpful. thanks!

[marie73]

When Cinderella stopped wanting to eat, that was it for me. I could have given her appetite stimulants and syringe-fed her, but I never wanted her to suffer in any way, and as hard as the decision was, I couldn't justify keeping her around longer just to put off saying goodbye.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

[princessbear]

edgycat - I am so sorry you are going through this. Having recently experienced this myself, I know exactly how you feel. I just KNEW and called the vet to make an appointment for the next day - Princess had been sleeping on the floor of the linen closet for a couple of weeks, even at night when she always slept with me. She was a lap cat - whenever I was on the couch watching tv or reading, she was on top of me. But she stopped doing that - even when I would pick her up and bring her downstairs, she would get down and go back up. I had to bring her food and water to her in the closet. This was after a two month struggle of getting her to eat, being convinced that a feeding tube was the best option (and it was, it got her started eating again - but she was miserable so I had it removed AMA after 5 days)...it was a tough decision to make. She was my soulmate cat - but I had to let her go. Her quality of life was non-existent.

Interestingly, the night before she actually came into bed with me - and when I adopted her, her foster mom had told me she loved the inside of her hind leg rubbed, which she did! But she hadn't let me do that in a few years, her belly rubs becamer a preference. That last night she rolled over on her side and lifted her right hind leg for rubbing. That's when I knew it was the right decision. She was saying goodbye to me.

You will make the right decision for your baby... My thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.

Mary

[AnnieHall]

I am sorry that you are going through this, it's such an agonizing decision to make. With my cat, I asked the vet a few times before it was really the right time whether it was time...he basically said the same thing your vet is saying, and he was right. When my cat couldn't get comfortable any longer and she couldn't sleep for an extended period of time (she had hyperthyroidism) I knew it was time. Having said that, I think you answered your own question when you wrote this:

i cannot see any quality of life left for her even if she eats, pees and poops okay.

I think that when you realize the quality of your cat's life is no longer there, it might be time to do the kind thing for her and let her go.

Sending you warm energy during this difficult time...

[October]

I'm so sorry to hear this. You're going through what is probably the roughest time for pet owners.

Please know that your decision on whether or not to let her go isn't a reflection of how much you love her. On the contrary, most believe it's the most loving thing to do, to end their suffering. My husband and I had to make this decision for our first cat, for different reasons and at an earlier stage than you're at, but I know it's agonizing.

[Mitts & Tess]

My heart goes out to you. I adopted a cat, Sissy, out of a no kill shelter that was in advanced stages of your cat's disease. I know the heartbreak you're going thru.

Once a cat stops eating and drinking you basicly have three days, while the organs are shutting down, then they pass.

Usually friends call me to discuss where an animal is healthwise to help or confirm the decision to euthanize. So they can be free of suffering and pain. It helps to have someone walk with you thru this.

My vet will come to your home to help them pass there rather than stress an animal out with a trip to a vet office. On my vets webpage~ Haley's Angels~ she gives guidance of signs to aid you in making the decisions.

I say animal lovers tend to err on the side of letting animals linger too long. Remember this isn't the end. They will be waiting for you on the other side. Their life isnt over.

If your cat is isolating them self from you. Has little interest in normal routines barely eating and drinking I would lavish her with your love. Verbally tell her good byes and let her move on. Remember she is depending on you to not let her suffer. Its a gift from you to her

Cyber hugs to you and your sweet companion. (((())))

[edgycat]

thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. i really appreciate this.

this morning, my husband woke me up to tell me that Tabitha missed her box when pooping and (no need for detail descriptions here) we had to clean up the mess.

she "appears" interested in food, or treats, but when we do give it to her, she only licks the gravy and eats small bits. then she goes back to her couch.

her eyes look sad.

@Mitts & Tess, thank you for the website Haley's Angels. i did read through the assessment questions. it was very helpful. thank you.

i will keep you all posted. hugs to everyone.

[edgycat]

i just realized that i posted this thread in the health section instead of over the rainbow section of the forum. i'm new here, and i've been so distraught last couple days i got confused. sorry.

[cooncatbob]

Like others have said it the hardest decision a pet owner has to make.
My Samantha was 16 too and had a belly full of cancer, I couldn't bear to see her suffer after she'd led such an active life.
She died in my arms know her Papa loved her.
I miss her terribly but don't regret letting her go.

[marie73]

Originally Posted by edgycat

i just realized that i posted this thread in the health section instead of over the rainbow section of the forum. i'm new here, and i've been so distraught last couple days i got confused. sorry.

It's in the right section. You can post a tribute to her if you'd like to once she's crossed over the Bridge.