We have a 15y/o Russian Blue kitty, he has a large abdominal mass that started out as skin cancer, now its in his brain. He started having seizures and is now on phenobarbitol and so far its controlling them. He was sitting on a chair today and would suddenly twitch but no seizure other than slight wobbling. He is eating good but very tired much of the time. I just am not sure he isn't in any pain...he doesn't show it but the cancer is probably all over his body by now, its in his lymph glands too. I know we are nearing the end of his life but I want him to be comfortable not in pain.

He doesn't play very much, still likes to sit outside, like I said eats very good, but he's tired and has sores on his skin and I dunno how bad he feels inside his little body. The vet wasn't even sure, she said he was very good for the exam but sometimes cats are stoic. Poor thing, he just sleeps next to his food bowl and barely ever gets up. He did this before the drug.

He is still so sweet and silvery soft. I'm wondering should I just put him down soon or wait until its obvious? I don't want him to suffer. I know he could be in some pain but still want to live and we're ok with that. I just needed to vent I guess. I might post a pic too.

So, soooo sorry for your pain. I was fixing to say a prayer of thanksgiving for something in my life; I will add your families' crisis to my prayer. I will pray that you receive the strength and guidance that you need right now.

Some members here have given and received a day of comfort with anything the animal still likes very much, perhaps favorite foods and caresses, or whatever gives him pleasure.

I'm thinking that yes, cats (like dogs) are often stoic by nature.

Here's the thing, and remember that this is strictly one person's POV: I have waited longer than I should have, and regretted that. I know I will never second-guess myself, based on that, for perhaps having been a little early.

I just never again want to wait until I see physical anguish. I want to be ahead of that if at all possible.

Maybe if he eats well and sleeps well, then you have time to have a day devoted to him and what he feels most comfortable with, even if it's being stroked in the sunshine for a while and having a favorite food. Maybe conscious focus on what a blessing his life has been and how well you have cared for him and what happiness he has given and received can help you create some good hours of farewell.

You have probably seen here some of the very good advice for making the procedure peaceful for you both.

I know that a lot of hearts are with you both.



ETA
It's something to strive for and to be proud of, IMO .... to know that you have given a good life to another living being.


Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/20/2012 01:58 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Alot of the animals I've seen in pain (abuse, HBC, etc) have zero interest in whats going on around them and an "inward" look. Also no interest in eating or drinking. I am so sorry to hear of your little guys illness, I think when it is time you will know. I am so sorry he and your family have to go through this. Sensing white light out to him. He is a very blessed cat to be so loved.

Sorry to hear about your cat and what your both going through, my prayers are with you and I feel one of the hardest decisions to make.

This is not the case with your cat but my GF brother had to put his Saint down last night(Zoey's bud) because of uncontrollable seizures no other option, he went weeks earlier when they were 't so bad and could not bring him self to put his buddy down he now regrets it.

A cat in pain will not eat. What Jodi said about an "inward" focus is true also. I would also keep in mind that often cats will try to hide if they are feeling really bad, so keep your cat in a bedroom or someplace confined so it can't slink away and hide.

Thanks all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I think it will be pretty soon, I don't want to wait until the tumor ruptures or he is miserable in some way.

His name is Yoda (I didn't name him). He was found out in the woods by Sport (my chow/setter) and he followed us out of the woods. The next day we went back to get him. Then the jealousy set in and Sport wasn't as fond of her little forest buddy in the house. But they got along very well for the most part, slept together, stole food together. After she died he looked for her everywhere for about a year.

I thought he was a very beautiful silver cat but people kept saying "OMG, that's a Russian Blue!" After looking up the breed, he has the temperament and type. There are 2 types, one being the extreme oriental-ish type and the other the more natural original type. He is the natural type. He is very good and will even walk on a leash and is very good with dogs.

He's neat, I will try to post a picture later.

Thanks everyone.

Having to be the one to decide when it's time, has got to be one of the hardest things to do.
It definately left a little black mark on my soul when I had to do it.

My advise is to think about quality of life for the little guy.
also, phenobarbitol helps with his pain, so that is why he seems comfortable, because he's on medication? My point is, without the meds, he would be in pain.....and im not trying to sound harsh or unfeeling, but are the meds just prolonging the inevitable?

 Quote: Tresa

Poor thing, he just sleeps next to his food bowl and barely ever gets up. He did this before the drug

Please don't take this the wrong way, but that statement there kind of makes me think that it might be time to think long and hard about taking that inevitable step.
I really want to stress that I am not trying to be mean, and I hope it isn't coming across that way. I've been there, and it's not an easy decision, I get it.
But waiting until it's "obvious" is sometimes not fair. Sometimes the most responsible thing we can do for our pets is to realize when enough is enough, and let them move on.

again...let me stress that I am not trying to be unfeeling or be harsh or critical in anyway.
Im just giving you a different POV, I know our love for an animal can sometimes cause our thinking to go askew.

Whatever decision you make, remember that you rescued him and gave him a life he wouldn't have had if your paths hadn't crossed.

Having had to do this twice last year (two of my cats were seniors - one with mammary cancer and one with general organ failure likely related to hyperthyroidism, for which I was treating him) I based it on when they were obviously in discomfort.
Cats are able to ignore a large amount of pain, but are also largely unable to benefit from most pain medications - when we decided to go the palliative route with Tabitha's mammary cancer rather than a painful chain mastectomy I looked into a number of different types of pain medications for cats and there were no awfully good answers - one night she was in visibly great pain after getting out of the litter box, the next day I took her in.
For Sisko, he was unable to keep food down - not in that he was retching, it was actually leaking up out of his stomach with bile. until that morning he had been relatively extroverted and enjoying life but there was no dignity left there. I wish I had taken him somewhat sooner to spare him that.
There is no perfect decision, only the one that works best for you and your loved pet.

FYI I'm not offended by anyone's posts.

We're keeping him as comfortable as possible right now...it will have to be soon because we do not want him to suffer horribly and then have him PTS after that. We want to do it before he gets that bad....were aren't sure how uncomfortable he is exactly....today he has been active looking out the windows talking to cats in the yard. So I guess when I see in some way he is ready, I'll let him go...I don't want him hanging on for me. Everybody else feels the same about it too. Thanks for all the support you guys.

Here's he is
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/51441/2561256090063391375S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/51179/2177540850063391375S600x600Q85.jpg