My cat has lymphoma :-(

[devilgrrl]

And there's really nothing I can do about it other than trying to keep him comfortable as possible. He became ill last week, at first I thought it was constipation, so I took him to the vet and was given an enema and had a blood sample taken. The sample showed signs of kidney disease, it was recommended that he be put on a low protein diet and the vet told me if he didn't improve to bring him back. Well, he didn't improve so I brought him back. They took xrays and found evidence of an inflamed kidney and a "mass" right next to it, so they took biopsies of the kidney and mass. Both came back positive for lymphoma... :cry: and I was given the option of consulting an oncologist should I decide to pursue chemotherapy. The cat is 12 years old and that will just make him more miserable than he already is. So, I told the vet that I was just interested in keeping him comfortable and that's what I'll do. :-(

This so sucks ass.

This is him and he's my little friend:

[SoCalDem]

1. Shit shit shit.. Hugs to you both

:hug:. 12 is not terribly old, IF a cure can be found, but if it's just to "buy a few more months", it's not worth it. I think you made the right decision to make hin comfy, and not scared and in pain..

We lost Skunkie to kidney failure at 11, and although we will always miss him (I delivered him), He would not have recovered, and to prolong his life wound have been for US...not him..:cry:

[devilgrrl]

6. Thanks.

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

2. I'm sorry.

He's a beautiful guy. Give him all the love you can and spoil him rotten for me, okay?

[devilgrrl]

7. Thank you.

I just need to get from out under the bed to start the spoiling.

:hug:

[skygazer]

3. I'm so sorry

He's beautiful. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

8. Thanks.

Yes, he's a BIG pretty cat. And as sweet as he is big.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. What a beautiful little boy you have.

I guess all I can say is hang on to these precious moments with him. I'll be thinking of you. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

9. Thanks bunches.

:hug:

[CatBoreal]

5. I'm sorry...

Give him lots of love and cuddles.

I think you're doing the right thing.

Lots of love to you both.

[devilgrrl]

10. Thank you.

I'm in tears right now. :cry: :hug:

[texanwitch]

11. So sorry to hear about your cat.

He is very beautiful, I have two cats that same color.

I recently lost a cat so I know how you are feeling.

You have given him 12 years of love, and he knows it.

Enjoy your time with him, and when his time comes your little friend will be at peace.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[devilgrrl]

21. Thank you.

:hug:

[derby378]

12. I am so sorry

I had a "little friend" once - it was my future wife's dog. Sally was such a sweet, demure, but spunky little girl. It tore out pieces of our souls when we finally had to put her down.

We now have two cats and two birds, and they're all so beautiful. But we certainly share in your sorrow. Love on your little kitty and let him know how special he truly is.

Getting choked up here, myself - I'm truly sorry.

:hug: :cry:

[devilgrrl]

22. Thank you.

:hug:

[Mz Pip]

13. So sorry.

We lost our kitty to cancer this summer. We kept him comfy for a month after the diagnosis but when he no longer wanted his treats we knew it was time. We could have dragged it on but didn't want to see him suffer. Took him to the vet when we knew it was time and gave him lots of strokes and scratches. He went out purring. We should all be so lucky.

Your critter is a handsome beast. He's been a lucky cat. You'll know when the time is right. It's hard but he is counting on you to make it as easy as possible for him.

Peace to you and your kitty.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[devilgrrl]

23. Thanks.

:hug:

[tuvor]

14. So sorry to hear about this, devilgrrl.

Take care.

[devilgrrl]

24. I shall, thank you.

:hug:

[StellaBlue]

15. I am SO sorry!!!

I am not even a cat person (allergic!)... but he is SO sweet. And your little friend. They are little friends.

You are bouth in our thoughts...

[devilgrrl]

25. Thank you StellaBlue

:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

16. Aw, man :(

I'm sorry, devilgrrl. That's just... :cry:

I'll tell Lucy so she can send positive feline energy. And I'm sending you some positive human energy. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

26. Thanks.

Your thoughts are appreciated. :hug:

[ThingsGottaChange]

17. I'm so very sorry, devilgrrl

It is so difficult to lose a furry friend. Just remember how happy you have made him all his life. He knows how much you love him. Shit. This is why I never read these posts. :cry:

[devilgrrl]

27. Thanks for reading this post...

:hug: you're too kind.

[In_The_Wind]

18. I'm sorry devilgrrl.

He is beautiful. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

28. Thank you.

:hug:

[Hyernel]

19. Little?

Sorry to hear that.

I also am the butler for an elderly cat. And I worry about her getting sick all the time.

Treasure the time you had/have. He will love you till the end, no matter what happens.

Hyernel
Going now to scratch someones head.

[devilgrrl]

29. Thank you.

:hug:

[AussieDave]

20. I'm so sorry to hear about your cat - he looks such a sweetie !!

My mother's Scottish Terrier (age 13) was diagnosed with lymphoma about five months ago - Mom decided against chemotherapy (on the vet's advice) for Maisie and she is now on some sort of drug which has shrunk the lumps - so it's in remission.

But we know it's only a matter of time and now she is spoiled even more than usual. She's doing well otherwise, so we're hopeful she'll have another 6-12 months.

Prayers and good thoughts for you both......

[devilgrrl]

31. Thanks...

and all the best to your mom's dog. :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

30. Oh no.... I'm so sorry...

:hug: He is so beautiful. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

33. Thanks you...

yes, he's a cutey. :hug:

[mike_c]

32. oh damn, I'm so sorry....

This is the flip side of companionship-- when the time comes, we always have to shepherd our best friends through the end of life. My condolences to both you-- it utterly tears me up when this happens, but more and more I've come to realize how inevitable it is, and how it's a part of the responsibility we take on when we accept their love. It's so sad, but it's part of our duty to them. Make his last days as comfortable as you can, and don't wait too long, for his sake. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

34. Thank you.

He will be loved to his last breath. :hug:

Now, I'm going to pet him.

[u4ic]

35. He is exquisite

what a beautiful kitty.

I'm so sorry, devilgrrl. I think you are doing the right thing...take care of yourself, and your beautiful friend. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

36. Thank you u4ic.

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

37. I am so very sorry.

Make the most of the time you have left with each other.
I wasn't so lucky - my little guy went very quickly. But the time I spent with him before he died - I will never, ever regret doing so.

:hug:

[devilgrrl]

39. Thank you.

:hug:

[WCGreen]

38. That's what happened to my Gizmo...

I am so sorry....

[devilgrrl]

40. Thanks WC

:hug:

[NMMNG]

41. I'm so sorry devilgrrl

I so wish there was something that could be done for your kitty. I only hope the time he has left is as painless as possible. I have no doubt you will do your best to make him feel comfortable and loved. :hug:

[devilgrrl]

45. Thank you Buffy.

:hug:

[Lavender Brown]

42. I'm sorry

:hug:

[devilgrrl]

46. Thanks...

:hug:

[SW FL Dem]

43. I am so sorry.

It really sucks to see your furkids hurting. I just took my 17 1/2 yr old cat to the vet today, she's losing a lot of weight and has a thyroid condition and a UTI. We did a kidney panel to check her kidney function. I am trying to stay optimistic.

[devilgrrl]

47. Thanks SW FL Dem.

All the best to your kitty too. :hug:

[Straight Shooter]

44. I lost my beautiful and very much loved dog Cheyenne to lymphoma.

I know what you're going through, and believe me, you're doing the right thing to keep him comfortable as possible. We're never really ready to let go of them, are we?

:cry:

[devilgrrl]

48. No we aren't ever ready.

I've been dreading this day since I adopted him at 2 months old. Thanks. :hug:

[Straight Shooter]

49. 12 years together. Bless your heart.

And his, too. :hug:

[begin_within]

50. You and the cat are blessed to have each other. Here is my advice.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery will cause him suffering. Do you want to put hiim through suffering? My advice is to give him palliative care and make him as comfortable and happy as you can while you can. BUT - the minute you realize that his life is unhappy and he is suffering, put an end to it. Have him euthanized as soon as you can tell that he is in pain, suffering or miserable and not enjoying his life at all because of it. It is a very, very, very hard thing to do, but you must make the decision quickly and not prolong his suffering. Keep reminding yourself that you are saving him from more suffering and even intense suffering. I have had to do this 3 times in the last 5 years and it is never easy, but it is the right thing to do if there is no hope and he is suffering every day. Do not hesitate. But, until that day, enjoy being with him and making him happy and comfortable and have fun with him. Be sure to videotape him a lot now so you will have video to look at in future years and that will bring joy to you.

[devilgrrl]

51. Thank you for the advice...

I've been through this before with another cat we had - it just blows period.

Thanks again. :hug:

[Beausoir]

59. Wonderful advice.

First..that is a gorgeous cat and he looks so very well cared for.

We faced a similiar situation with our beloved dog. We decided against radiation, surgery or chemo. We just loved her and gave her as much comfort measures as we could.
Still, it is so incredibly painful to try and judge when the time is right to help them out of this world.
But we did the right thing. I miss her to this day, but take comfort in knowing that we honored her and kept our promise to her. She did not suffer.
So sorry you have to face these difficult times.

[nashbridges]

52. Our baby we had to put to sleep

Had cancer, and through chemo and surgery she lived for another three years before it came back in her lungs and we couldn't do anything for her.

We loved our cat, but if we had to do it all over again, we wouldn't opt for the treatment. She had one year of chemo which made her vomit for three days after every treatment, and then we got two years of healthy fun. She ultimately died because we couldn't make her eat any more once the cancer came back.

She loved snuggling right up until the end, but I'd rather her last memories to have been of being a normal kitty instead of going to the vet once a week for three years.

We still have her sister with us, but my wife and I decided that we aren't going to go through that again. It's not fair to the cat, and it's devastating for the loving parents who have to watch their baby wither over the years to a shell of what they once were.

Make sure your baby boy just has "happy times" from now on, and when it is time - he will let you know.

You have my deepest sympathies, devilgrrl.

[ET Awful]

53. Poor kitty :(

:hug:

Keep him comfortable and shower him with love. The poor "little" guy.

[Blue Diadem]

54. Oh gosh devilgirl, I'm so sorry

It's so hard when our furbabies are seriously ill. I think you've made the right decision.

He's a beautiful boy. I'm sure you'll cherish every moment with him.

Again I'm so sorry. :hug:

[qanda]

55. So sorry

Please give him a hug from me. I hope your last days together will be filled with wonderful new memories. BTW, he is beautiful.

[madinmaryland]

56. I'm sorry to hear that.

Our cat Ben, who just turned one, was recently diagnosed with the FIP Virus, which is similar to AIDS. The vet says it is just a matter time til he passes away. In the mean time we have him on an appetite stimulant and baby aspirin, in hopes that he will eat. Fortunately our other cat, Sonia, does not have any of the symptoms. She was adopted from a DU'er last winter.

[MissMillie]

57. What's his name?

He certainly is beautiful, and you can tell how much he thinks of you.

I'll keep you both i my thoughts.

[devilgrrl]

58. His name is Calvin

and he's a sweetheart.

Thank you. :hug:

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

60. hang in there, devilgrrl. good thought coming at ya.

and prayers for you and your cat.

[jus_the_facts]

61. Awww dammit....

.....I'm so sorry...give him a scratch under the chin from me! :hug: :cry:

[LisaLynne]

62. I'm so sorry.

He's such a beautiful cat. It's a hard decision to make, but you're doing what's best for him and that's all you can do. Hang in there. :hug:

[newyawker99]

63. I am sorry to hear this.

:hug: :-(

[soleft]

64. Sorry to hear that -

I wish you both lots of comfort

[5thGenDemocrat]

65. Our thoughts are with you...

John and I (Polly) are both serious cat lovers. We have had as many as 17 at one point. It is always hard to lose a constant conpanion. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I am sure that John will be checking in with you personally when he gets up.

Polly