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Hi all,
My barely 10 year old kitty was just given 2 weeks to 2 months (if lucky) to live. I'm heartbroken. She has been losing weight , loss of appetite with occasional digestive "upsets" but nothing severe. The vet found a large mass in her abdomen (5cm). Ultrasound and xray showed the mass to be complex and in the walls of her intestines. One kidney (near the mass ) appears "abnormal." Diagnosis was probable cancer - most likely lymphoma - and probably spread to the kidney. Vets and techs both teary, told me she may have 2 weeks left to live. They gave me the option to do a needle aspiration biopsy to identify the type of cancer and said the risk/benefit ratio for surgery was not good. They could try removing the mass but it appears to have spread so likely they would not be able to remove. Kitty is weakened already. She may not survive surgery even then, she might suffer only to succumb to the cancer. They think it is aggressive as no one felt it when she was there only 3 weeks ago. I left with instructions on how to give steroid injections to my girl daily, in hopes the tumor will respond by shrinking (if lymphoma which seems likely). Also anti nausea pills to give her every other day. They can't believe she is not vomiting continuously with so little space left for food to pass thru on her intestines. I give her fresh catnip to help her appetite and rescue remedy on her treats because ... Why not? It may help. I'm at a total loss - I don't want to lose her - I just lost my mother 10 weeks ago. Hard to believe my sweet kitty is dying. Does anyone here have experience with this? The vet did not mention chemo only surgery and the odds were really bleak for that. Right now I'm trying to enjoy each moment I have with her and hoping the steroid injections help her feel better and perhaps shrink the mass and maybe stop the weight loss . Feel helpless but not hopeless! Thanks so much for reading!
Bebe's mom
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty and your Mom. I don't have any experience with this but it sounds like you're doing what you can. The only thing I can suggest is to get a second opinion from a vet specializing in cancer.
I have lost three kitties in recent years that have been found to have large masses in their bellies. All three of them were acting ill, all were passing blood, and all of them had been inside kitties - regularly checked and taken care of - and loved more than you can imagine.....
That being said - I also lost both of my parents to cancer. I saw how chemo made them sick and watched them struggle - knowing that it was still going to end badly eventually. When you are the caregiver for an animal - unfortunately that decision rests entirely on your shoulders. Two weeks to two months is not a tremendous amount of time to extend the life of your kitty - and only you can decide if it is fair to her to put her through chemo, surgery, injections, etc. in order to do that. I realize that you are in pain and this is not an easy decision or something that you are emotionally ready to deal with at this time - but if you can separate the two and just focus on kitty right now - and put yourself in her paws - what would you want done?
Surgery would be painful and not a guarantee of total eradication of the mass. If one cell is left intact - it can start growing again. Personally, I think the kindest thing would be to come to terms with this - spend some very quality time with her, just absorb her into your very soul - every single bit of her. Let her know how very much she means to you - and then stay by her side as you gently watch her go - no more pain for her, no more worry for you. You will miss her tremendously - but I think it would be the kindest thing to do for her. It is what I had to do, and it absolutely broke my heart. I did it for them - not for me. I couldn't have asked them to hang around just because I could not find the strength to let them go.
Whatever you choose to do - think about it and make your own choices. I am so sorry that you are going through this - and I'm also very sorry about your Mom. I'm sending you a ((HUG))...
I'm so very sorry. The post above is an excellent, thoughtful one.
One year ago, our Tucker rapidly declined from two cancerous growths in his lungs (one near his spine and one near his heart, making surgery impossible). Fluid was filling his lungs and he was laboring to breathe. I chose to have his chest tapped to remove the fluid--and while it helped ease his breathing, it took a lot out of him physically.
The vet suggested we could tap again, but given his weakened state I chose not to. He lived just three more days. I don't regret my decision.
You know your cat best. Follow your heart and do what you think is best. And treasure every moment you have together.
Update - thank you all for your kind and thoughtful replies. Got 2nd opinion from vets who are experts at sonography and internal medicine at Veterinary Emergency and Specialist Hospital. Sadly confirmed the worst - cytology done - intestinal carcinoma spread to lymph nodes. Still using steroids but switching to compounding pharmacy liquid formula(chicken flavor) as my kitty is not happy about me giving her injections. I'm told steroids helping her eat - tumor is at junction in small & large intestine- surgery not possible. Prognosis is 2 days to 2 weeks with her.
Last edited by Bbsmom; 07-14-2015 at 03:48 AM..
Reason: Not finished
I'm new at this ... Thx for patience! I wanted to add thank you all who replied - it helps to hear your stories or just to know you took the time to read and post a reply. Special thanks for hugs and eloquent and heartfelt reply from CFoulke. I'm touched by your compassion and thoughtful answer. I'm trying to let go - I can now see how hard my Bebe is trying to stay alive for me. It reminds me of when I went home to visit my mom just weeks before she died. I kept bringing her favorite foods (chocolate cake, milkshakes, etc) - she had stopped eating and was wasting away - while I was there she ate with gusto! Later the hospice nurse told me "she was eating for you - to make you happy." It was her way of giving back to me - she had no appetite- was near death, yet was trying to make me happy because I felt better when she ate. I wonder if that is similar to what my sweet kitty is doing? I'm trying to treasure each moment I have with her.
Thanks for reporting back. I'm sorry the news is so bad. I had a strong bond with our late Tucker, and in the days before he died, I told him I needed him to tell me when it was time. He did--he lost the spark in his eyes and would no longer sit next to me.
It appears you have a similar bond with your girl--she'll tell you when it's time to go. [tearing up now]
Update - thank you all for your kind and thoughtful replies. Got 2nd opinion from vets who are experts at sonography and internal medicine at Veterinary Emergency and Specialist Hospital. Sadly confirmed the worst - cytology done - intestinal carcinoma spread to lymph nodes. Still using steroids but switching to compounding pharmacy liquid formula(chicken flavor) as my kitty is not happy about me giving her injections. I'm told steroids helping her eat - tumor is at junction in small & large intestine- surgery not possible. Prognosis is 2 days to 2 weeks with her.
So sorry that the news was not good, and your time left with her is short. All you can do is love her as much as you can till the time comes to say goodbye.
I've been where you are more times than I care to remember, and my heart goes out to you. Take comfort in the fact that she had a good & happy life with you.
Peace be with you.
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