My cat (Blaze - age 8) was diagnosed this week after exploratory surgery as having liver cancer. He had been losing weight and finally did the surgery as the last option after exhausting all of the other tests. We keep wondering if we had done the exploratory sooner if we could have caught it at the stage where surgery would have worked. The hardest part is knowing that he is dying and wondering when the right time to end this will be. This isn't the first time for us -we've lost both young and old pets. So you would think we would know when the right time will be and would be easier. I just don't know if I can do this again. A part of me (selfish) wants to do it now to make sure he won't suffer. Vet says could be as long as 6 months. We will have to do biweekly shots and medicine twice a day which he hates. He still is affectionate and wants attention. Not eating well at all - I don't want him to starve to death. People tell you that you'll know when the time is right. Not so or we wouldn't have gone too long on our other animals. Help.

I just went through cancer with my cat and it was one of the most difficult times in my life. I loved Chestnut so much. For the longest time he was still acting okay, eating and drinking and would even play. He was doing regular cat activities. He started losing too much weight though. When he stopped eating and drinking I knew it was the time. I think he telepathically had let me know it was his time. I'm just making it one day at a time right now. Actually one hour and sometimes one minute at a time. It is hard, but it does get easier. I know that Chestnut's spirit is alive and well. You will know when the time is right. Until then, just love your baby as much as possible and truly enjoy your time together. And do keep posting. Even though posting makes me cry, I know that tears are part of the healing process.

Chestnut's mommy (Catherine)

Thank you. Blaze is sitting here on the desk in front of me as I type this. He's very quiet and I know that he is uncomfortable due to the surgery. Makes you wonder if it was worth it but not knowing would have been worse if we hadn't known. We would have always wondered if we had done everything possible. My vet is going to talk with an oncologist specialist but she told us that there probably isn't anything we can do except for what Chestnut's Mom told us. Keep him comfortable and love him. I only hope we recognize when the time is right. There doesn't seem to be a lot of information about liver cancer. If anyone has any good sites, let me know.

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat's condition. Having lost a dog from liver disease, I understand the pain you are feeling. It is hard to know when the time is right, but I tried to use the same standards for my dog that I would for myself. When she got to the point where, I as a human, would say it's time, then it was time.


Best wishes.

Daisy's Mommy

I too just lost a cat to cancer.
There was never any indication he was ill he just stopped eating. We took him to the vet who said he had an abdominal mass, he did exploritory surgery but it was too late as it had spread.
He survived one month after diagnosis, and we did know when it was time to let him go and so will you.
I am so sorry for what you and your kittie are going through cancer is horrible, you are in my thoughts.

Cleo 1

Thank you to those of you who have replied. I appreciate the time that you took and the words of comfort and advice. I'm sorry for your losses.

As I said in my first message, this isn't the first time we've went through this and it won't be the last. Like many people, you say you won't ever have another one because it is too hard when you lose one. But your heart makes room for more. We have had a lot of rescue animals that have had health problems. My Mom told me we seem to have the worst luck with animals. My vet said that God knows where to send them because while they are with us, they are well cared for and well loved. So, not the worst luck but fortunate for all of them having shared our lives.

Nice words above but sure doesn't make this easier. Knowing that he is slowly dying and I can't stop or help, is so very difficult.

Blaze's Family

The sad truth is nothing can make it easier. Losing a loved one is not easy Still, I would rather feel the way I do now than never have known Daisy.


Daisy's Mommy

divehound,
You and Blaze have my deepest sympathy - it must be so hard to make it through this time for both of you. I've never had to have a pet taken from me this way. The only thing even close to this experience was when I had made the decision to have my Heidi cat put to sleep the next morning, and every day I thank God that she passed in the middle of that night, with me beside her, stroking her and seeing her last breath as she went peacefully. I've realized, through this board, that what happened with Heidi was a rare experience. I had made the decision because I could not watch her struggle through each day - she had chronic renal failure, and I can only say that yes, it's a cliche, but you do know the right time, and your pet helps you make that decision. As far as eating, I found that almost till the last, Heidi always liked to have the broth from canned cat food and that was easier for her to lap up and keep down. Maybe you can try that with Blaze, since he sounds like he's still aware of what's happening around him. And give him the extra love and attention - even though Heidi was incontinent, I had her sleep with me in bed in a box lined with piddle pads, and that seemed to give her comfort and of course I felt at the time that it was the only option for either of us.

I don't know if any of this will help. It's hard to know that your cat still loves you, and of course you love your pet, and you know you'll have to make that decision, but it's so confusing and hurts so much that you know what's going to happen and know that the agony and pain is going to come no matter what.

I'm so sorry for your situation, but please come back and let us know what's happening. We'll do our best to help you and Blaze in your time of need. Take care - Barbara

PS - I agree completely with your vet, that God knows your heart so well, that He sends you the special pets with needs. You may lose a lot of them, but they come to you through the grace of a higher power. God bless you for knowing what will happen and the pain that's coming, but you do it anyway. People like you are truly heroic and give us all an example of how things should be.

My goodness, I didn't know that I still had so many tears left. Reading the messages that you all are leaving for me makes me cry but at the same time helps so much. I know that I'm not alone in feeling so sad about this. I've been printing out your messages and giving them to my husband. I think it helps him also. He brought Blaze and his brother, Cinder home after rescuing them from a ranch where they and their Mom had been dumped. Blaze has always been a favorite with him.

On the suggestion to the broth from the canned food... Blaze does lap up the liquid first and eats very little of the actual food. I started mixing with some chicken broth to thin out and he's eating more of this. I am thinking about getting some kitten milk (I'll ask the vet) since it would have more nutrients to mix with the food. He is actually still eating a small amount of dry and still likes one of his treats.

I take him to the vet tomorrow to get his stitches from the exploratory surgery removed and I'll find out what the oncologist said. I don't hold out much hope though. I think the hardest thing is that he is still young at 8 years. I also keep second guessing on doing the exploratory so late. If we had found this sooner - could it have been removed? We went through lots of tests and different things to try to figure out what was wrong but...

Blaze's brother Cinder is being quite mean to him at times. He actually bites and chases him. My guess is due to sensing that Blaze is sick but difficult to see. Any ideas or experience with something like this?

Thank you again to all of you for taking time out to help.