Paula- Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 (edited) Hi everyone hope you don't mind me putting this here - not dog- but health-related. My mum just called - my cat Gremlin (who still lives with them) is at the vet. She always has been a fussy eater, more so in recent years and has been off her food again the last few days - still eating some food and otherwise her usual self, just a bit fussier than usual. However, today she was vomiting faeces ... off to their vet and she is full of tumours and completely blocked up. She is nearly 15, and the vet said at her age it is likely malignant. However, he can operate and have a look, and if it's benign could cut it out and she could be OK. He didn't make a recommendation and mum wanted to ask my brother and I what to do. Gremlin is at the vet overnight but a decision obviously has to be made either way by tomorrow morning. I always do what's necessary to care for my pets - operations, medication etc - but I also know there can come a point where you have to realise it would be kinder to put them to sleep rather than keep trying. However, when is that point? Gremlin has always been healthy, but is now looking like an old cat. She has never reacted well to anaesthetics. If she has the operation and it's benign and its cut out, she could have good years left - some cats live til their 20... if it's malignant she wouldn't wake up. But if she doesn't have the operation, she will be pts. It's not a matter of choosing between a major operation in an old cat and just keeping her comfortable - she can't live without the operation. I want to get the operation done, and I told my mum that, but am I just not wanting to face the decision? Help! :rolleyes: edit: my parents and OH agree that we always do what we can, but in this case they aren't sure I'm being realistic. :D Edited January 25, 2005 by paula_canberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carebear Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 i would prolly pts myself (not knowing the WHOLE situation of course) but if there are lots of tumours, they are probably likely to come back after being cut out anyway, and u said the cat was never good under anesthetic, chances are she might not come out of it too. but it is ur choice, that is just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapferhund Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I am very sorry to hear about your lovely cat. :rolleyes: You have to do what you feel is right. If she is going to die anyway why don't you let the Vet operate ,at least to have a look at what type of tumour it is. If it is not good then she can be pts while she is on the table. At least you will feel you have tried everything before the final decision. The reason I say this is because I knew a woman who had a 17 year old Dachshund,this dog had a huge football size tumour in her abdomen and she was extremely ill. The prognosis was very poor but the owner decided to have the dog operated on and the Vet was able to remove the tumour. This darling old dog was as bright as a button the next day and went on to live until she was 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bommy Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Paula, I really feel for you, we are facing cancer at the moment with Molly, in her case though we know that is is malignant... Last June though we had this option with Chief when he went from being happy to being a mess in a few hours a vet visit & a check resulted in the knowledge that he had an internal tumor that had burst, we had the option of puttng him through a blood transfer and an op or PTS, it was heartbreaking, he was 10 & had been my love for many many years, we as a family decided that PTS was the kindest option, even now I sometimes wonder what if but I know in my heart that I couldnt put him through that pain just for my own needs. Sweetie, no one can tell you what to do you have to make that decision but please do what is best for Gremlin & yourself not for others. Goodluck Jacqui Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 :rolleyes: What a horrible time for you all. If Gremlin were mine, I would probably have her PTS....sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 You mention the fact that there are multiple tumours, and I think this is a concern. Even if the vet fixes the current problem, it seems likely that there could be similar problems down the track. I would clarify this point with the vet before coming to a final decision..If her quality of life is doubtful, I think I would (regretfully) choose not to have her suffer further. :rolleyes: This is a tough time for you, and these decisions are very difficult to make! Thinking of you.....Fido. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Paula, I had a dog that had tumours. We decided to ultrasound his internal organs to find out if the cancer had spread to the primary organs. It was in both his lungs and liver. We decided to give him quality of life until he had to be pts. He had a lovely few months with us. Hope this helps, best of luck. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Oh Paula, I am so sorry to hear your cat is ill... I cannot offer advice as I have not been in your position, but please know that we are all here for you to talk to, should you need it... Please know that you are in our thoughts Jodie and Ollie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted January 25, 2005 Author Share Posted January 25, 2005 Thank you to everyone who replied or pm'ed :rolleyes: Everyone agrees - will check with the vet and if he thinks she can deal with the operation OK and can have a good quality of life afterwards, then we'll give it a go. If she won't have a good quality of life, then she'll get one last cuddle and be pts as it's about what's best for Gremmy, not us. It's apparently unlikely to be benign, in which case she will not wake up from the operation. But at least she may have a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 Update: well, Gremmy came through the operation OK, they've chopped out the growth, and couldn't find any more. She's staying at the vet for observation and they've sent off the tissue for analysis, but at least it wasn't so bad that they wanted to put her to sleep on the table. Fingers crossed she recovers well and can enjoy more years snoozing behind the stove and playing chasies with the dogs :p She's getting old but is a tough old nut, and I'm glad we made the decision to give her a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vehs Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 :p Hope she recovers quickly and that the analysis doesn't find anything too nasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bommy Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Paula, Thats a fantastic outcome for today....Sure am glad she came through okay for you. Jacqui Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted January 29, 2005 Author Share Posted January 29, 2005 Gremmy's home ;) Mad old cat is acting like nothing happened and she was just away on holiday Don't have the lab results back yet, but whatever time she has left she's one happy kitty and her ordeal of the last few days doesn't seem to have harmed her. Knowing her previous reaction to anaesthetics, she had a full blood work up before the op, different anaesthetic and careful post-op, and she's fine yippee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 That is wonderful news Paula... Cheers Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Gremlin has just got her wings Almost a year to the day that the tumour was removed. It had been malignant and the vet said it would recur... however months went by and Grem was the happy, lunatic cat she'd always been, acting like a kitten. Whenever she was boarded at the vet they were amazed at how well she was, considering the cancer and that she was 16. The cancer came back recently, swelling in her belly... Grem was happy and eating, loved a belly rub and a cuddle. However in the last few days she slowed right down and it was time. Run free, furry little munchkin you had a good, long life. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 So sorry Paula... RIP Gremlin Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bommy Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 paula so very sorry jacq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collie angel Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 very sorry for your loss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha_numeric Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 So sorry for your loss she sounded very much loved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 What a gift to have that extra year, Paula. Rest in peace, Gremlin ... by name and nature, I presume? Our old girl, Misty, is 16 this year and still feisty as ever but slowing down significantly. We're dreading making the eventual decision as a family ... I hope she lets us know when to do it, as Gremlin did. Hugs to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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