Hi. I'm new here. I've never dealt with anything like this before . The only pets I've had pass away on me were gerbils and fish, and even that was hard. I picked up my cat Simba(who has always been a little chubby) about 2 weeks ago and noticed he had felt a lot lighter than usual. I told my parents to please make a vets appointment because something was wrong. They took him to the vet yesterday and the vet said he lost 2 pounds. They also found a heart murmur and said his liver enzymes were very high. Which is already a lot of problems for a cat but the vet said the heart and liver are not what's gonna kill him, those issues were the least of our worries. They ended up finding a mass and said his intestines were being pushed up by it. So my mom made an appointment to get an ultra sound today and the doctor said the mass was very big and his lymph nodes were very swollen. My mom has not yet gotten a biopsy to determine what type of cancer it is and at this point I don't know if she will. The vet said she thinks its most likely lymphoma and she told my mom he has weeks or a month to live. She gave us a medicine called Prednisolone, its possible it could ease his pain for a few weeks. We dont know how this is gonna turn out. Whether the pain just gets worse and we have to put him to sleep or if he'll just die in his sleep. Ive been crying day and night. Simba is a such a sweet cat, hes very affectionate. He is 14 years old and we rescued him from a garbage can when he was just a kitten. I've been trying to keep it together because family is home and I'm not one to express how I feel. I keep telling myself this isn't really happening and he's not gonna die. He hasn't been suffering at least not from what we've seen but the vet said in weeks to come it's gonna get bad unless the medicine can help. So until then I'm just telling myself this isn't happening. I know it's stupid but I don't know what else I could do


Simba
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I'm so sorry Simba is sick. I hope the medicine works and you can keep your friend a while longer. It's hard losing someone we love and I hope you don't have to lose Simba any time soon.

I am so sorry. We lost our Daddy Cat to lymphoma. Unfortunately there just isn't much they can do to help with that disease in cats. The prednisolone may help with the symptoms for a little while before losing its effectiveness. It also acts as an appetite stimulant. You might ask about pain medication to have on hand.

I did an exhaustive study of various chemotherapies. They were all about the same in that they would only add a few months to a year of life on the average. I was very discouraged at the lack of progress in this area. Just remember that you made an unwritten pact when you invited Simba into your home that he would never suffer. Watch for signs that his quality of life is slipping. When he is not enjoying life any more because of discomfort you need to seriously consider euthanasia. It is the most difficult thing in the world to say goodbye but it is a burden we all bear so our furkids do not have to go through intense pain. Remember that it is important for you to be there holding him when the time comes to say goodbye if you can hold back the tears until afterwards. We were always there to hold, pet, and talk to our loved ones at the end and it calmed them and made the transition easier for them. We always broke down afterwards but hid our feelings during the procedure so our guys weren't upset.

I wish I had happier information to tell you but I wish someone had told me these things when we lost our first guys. It would have saved a lot of emotional agony and doubts. I was, like you, inexperienced with all of this and it was a horrible thing trying to adjust to the situation and always wondering if we were doing the right thing. It doesn't get any easier saying goodbye but at least now we know we are doing the best for our guys that we can. Just love on Simba as much as you can while he is enjoying life. Give him a special hug from me as well.

There are a lot of great people here who are more than happy to listen when you want to talk.

Take care,
Ken Albin

I'm so sorry for your bad news. I understand the feeling of getting that diagnosis. I don't mean to give false hope but my cat, Niles was diagnosed 3 years ago with lymphoma and we were told by the ultrasound that his entire intestinal tract was affected and that he had approx. 2 months to live on prednisolone. We still have him! Sometimes diagnostics can be wrong. Like I said, I don't mean to give false hope but I just wanted to say don't give up until Simba gives up, you know? My cat is also 14 and I recently lost his brother, Frasier. The coming days will be tough but keep coming back to this forum. It has helped me with my grief so much to know that other people care like I do about their pets. Our babies become so much a part of the family! Take care and again, I'm so sorry for this bad time for you.
By the way, he's a beautiful boy!

im so sorry to hear about your beautiful little simba. i know how hard it is to hear bad news. my kitty fred was diagnosed with diabetes months before he passed away. i remember my heart dropping all the way down to my toes. i remember losing my breathe and thinking i was just going to pass out. its so horrible to hear bad news about your loved ones. i will keep you in my thougts and prayers. i hope that the medications will work and that you will have him a lot longer. dont lose hope. take it one day at a time and overall, treasure every moment you have with him.
keep coming back and writing. it is so healing to the heart
patricia

Thank you, I understand. I have lots of hope myself. Just a question.... Did Niles keep losing weight? Because that's really what I'm most concerned about at this point. The Prednisolone seems to be helping him with his suffering which is great. Because before we give him it he lays in places he usually doesn't for hours, no eye contact or anything. But he keeps losing weight so I just don't know

Thank you so much for all your kind words everyone. It really just came out of nowhere. The last time we took him to the vet was at the end of '08 because he was walking different. They told us he had arthritis, they checked everything else and said he was fine. All the sudden a few days ago I noticed he felt a little lighter then usual. Made an appointment expecting the vet to tell us he has a thyroid problem and to just treat it with pills. Cancer was the last thing I'd expect seeing as how he's 14 years old and was told he was healthy in every other area just a year ago. It's really mind boggling.

We are keeping a close eye on him. This morning I got very upset because the vet told us when a cat is in it's worst stage, you'll know. They lay in places they have never before, they stop eating and or drinking, they look right past you and won't make eye contact with you and get easily distracted.. etc. So I called him this morning with "Simby" which he always responds to and he wouldn't even look at me. He's also been laying in places he never has before for long amounts of time. But right when we gave him the Prednisolone, he got better and responded to his name. But I also need to keep telling myself that the Prednisolone is not a cure for what he has and it's just to ease his pain a little before his passing. He still seems like he's getting thinner by the day and is probably losing ounces each day. So do any of you in general feel that with his cancer, and his rapid weight loss, he should just be put to sleep immediately or if he keeps being affectionate, eating and drinking, don't think about it yet? I don't know what to do yet how to feel about all of this.

I'm so sorry to hear about Simba's illness. It's really hard to know when to say goodbye, huh? I think you are the one in the best position to make that decision, but I would say in general, if he's affectionate, eating, drinking, and does not seem to be in pain, then I would wait. But if he stops eating and drinking and doesn't seem to be enjoying life anymore, than it might be time. And it might be time then, even if he doesn't actually seem to be in a lot of pain.

I had a cat many years ago that was ill, but she didn't seem to be in any pain so I just wanted to let her go on her own, at home. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time. She hadn't eaten or drank anything in a couple days so I thought it would be any time now. Then in the middle of the night she started having seizures and howling like she was in horrible pain. That was the longest night of my life. We were waiting in the parking lot at the vet's office when the vet arrived in the morning. But I know she suffered for several hours until then. And I regretted not having done it a day or two before.

Magdalene

I agree with Magdalene regarding the eating and drinking. I hate to say because I know it will discourage you but Niles did not continue losing weight. In fact, on the pred. he blew up like a balloon because his appetite became insatiable.
I do believe that you will know when it is time but I would encourage you to stay in contact with your vet and ask him/her to help you decide. On Frasier's last day, I simply asked my vet if it was his cat, would he do it that day. His answer comforted me in my decision because I respect his knowledge. Another reason I needed the vet's guidance was because even in those last minutes before we put Frasier to sleep, he drank water, was purring, and even tried to bat at a piece of string. I didn't expect these things given his condition. But when the vet explained what I could expect in the coming hours, I knew I couldn't put Frasier through that. My biggest fears were him seizuring during the night and crying in pain. I didn't want to end up in the emergency hospital with people I didn't know.
When all enjoyment is gone for Simba and he stops eating and no longer seems to find any comfort from you, I believe you will know. I hope this helps even a tiny bit. I am so sorry for you. It is all still so fresh in my memory so I understand the suffocating feeling you must have right now. Take care and keep posting.
-Donna

i agree as well, although you are the only one who can make that decision, i would also say keep monitering his eating and drinking. when fred was diagnosed with diabetes i thought he could still live a long and semi-healthy life. but that horrible evening when he kept stumbling, i knew it wasnt good. i am very fortunate to have wonderful vets and they let me know what was coming. of course they gave me the option to try and keep him alive, and i did but the minute he was in pain and not doing well, they called me and let me know. (he only lasted a few more days) i knew that although i selfishly didnt want to let him go that i had to. there was no room to think of myself. i had to only think of him. and as painful as it was, well, thats why im here....
do talk with your vet and i also believe that in your heart you will know when its time.
i know its so hard. please know that you are not alone. we are here for you!
patricia

I haven't been on here in a while due to a lot of family problems and school. Unfortunately Simba passed away on Friday. My parents decided it was the right time to put him to sleep. He was doing fine on the prednisolone for a while. Then the vet recommended taking him off of it and giving him a shot that is like the prednisolone and would last for about 3 weeks. This Thursday he was not doing well at all, the shot wore off. He stopped eating and drinking. He could barely walk up and down the stairs. He was lying around almost squinting his eyes and you could tell he was in pain. The vet told us almost all his muscle was lost. I've been a mess crying every night since. Words can't express how I feel. One day he was here and the next day he was gone. It is very weird without him here. I keep picturing him laying in his favorite spots in the house every time I pass them. My dad has been crying which is really hard to watch seeing as how I've never seen him cry my entire life. He was the one that picked Simba out when we rescued him 14 years ago. They told us they found him in a garbage can and we had to have him. Overall he was just a gorgeous and sweet cat. He was affectionate with everyone and anyone that would walk into our house. It's extremely hard for me right now, I guess it's going to be for a while. I keep thinking my parents are keeping him at the vet overnight for surgery or something which is ridiculous but I don't know how else to feel, I just can't accept that he's gone. I've been thinking of little projects I can do to remember him. I just recently started getting into doing cross stitch and needlepoint. So if anyone can make a recommendation for a stitch place or website that does custom photo to cross stitch or needlepoint I'd appreciate it. Once again thank you for all your support.

Last picture I took of him about 2 months ago after we came back from the vet and they took all the tests. He lost more weight since then. It's hard to look at but in a way it helps me cope.

Feel so sad for you and your family. Simba looks adorable and he was obviously very well loved and cared for.
He isn't suffering anymore and he wouldn't want you all to suffer and be so sad. I know its dreadful for us to bear when we lose our beloved pets. I'm still trying to cope with losing Noushka, our darling Samoyed, 2 months ago.
I think the cross stitch or needlepoint idea is great and what a 'subject' you have. Hope you can find a website. If I find one on here i will send a link.
Thinking of you
Love Jan x

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I was hoping and praying he'd pull through. What a terrific life you gave him by rescuing him from a garbage can as a tiny kitten. That's a genuine rags to riches true story. He's so very beautiful and loved. You're a Wonderful Fur Kid Mommy! Please never forget that.

Simba lives on in all those whose hearts he has touched. And, even though you may not see, hear nor feel his fur, he's really only just a breath away. A breath away is not far at all to where you are right this moment.

Josh Groban explains it so well. I'll post that here for you and Angel Fur Kid Simba. Hugs!!!

"To Where You Are"

Who can say for certain maybe you're still here. I feel you all around me. Your memory's so clear. Deep in the stillness, I can hear you speak. You're still an inspiration. Can it be ...

That you are my Forever Love. And you are watching over me from up above! Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star. I wish upon tonight to see you smile! If only for a while to know you're there.

A breath away's not far to where you are.

Are you gently sleeping here inside my dream? And isn't faith believing all power can't be seen. As my heart holds you just one beat away, I cherish all you gave me everyday!

'Cause you are my Forever Love watching me from up above. And I believe that Angels breathe and that Love will live on and never leave!

Fly me up to where you are, beyond the distant star! I wish upon tonight to see you smile if only for a while to know you're there. A breath away's not far to where you are.

I know you're there! A breath away's not far to where you are!





Please know that you and Simba are in my thoughts and prayers. Do come back as often as you feel the need to talk. Anytime day or night. It's by caring and sharing that we get through this gosh awful grief and begin to find our way to that Healing Path.

I Wish You Peace!!!

Always,
Angel xoxoxox

im so sorry to hear about simba! we all know what youre going thru and how hard this is. but please take comfort in the fact that simba had a wonderful, wonderful life with a beautiful family. she was loved and im sure that she is watching all of you now. shes no longer in any discomfort and isnt that what we would all wish for our loved ones? i know its very hard. i would give my right arm to be with my little fred and riley again but unfortunately, thats not how it works. little simba will live in your heart forever. there will come a time when you will be able to think of her without the tears. i promise. but until then, try and remember the fun, the happy times that you shared with her. she would want that.
and keep writing. it is so very healing
you are in my thoughts and prayers
patricia

I'm so sorry about Simba. I know the hurt is immeasurable right now. He fought hard and you did everything you could do. I know you're overwhelmed with your feelings - just try to endure it. It does ease off a bit. Take care of yourself as you go through this. We are all here thinking of you and understanding what you're going through. When our babies go it feels like the air is sucked right out of us - like a piece of your heart is being ripped from you. Just keep trying to breathe and keep posting.
-Donna

So very sorry for your loss, Simba looked like a beatiful cat. I was reading about his illness and scrolling down reading all the replies when I read your post on his passing, it made me cry.

Sending my love and a hug to you.

madi xx