My situation.

In November we noticed a lump on our cat, her name is Kasha. After a visit to the vet, and a blood test, it was determined that the lump was probably the cat equivelant to breast cancer. We were going to have it removed in early December, but another vet advised us not to because our cat is about 15 years old and only has 1/4 of her kidneys left. This vet told us that she probably wouldn't be able to handle the surgery.

Two weeks ago Kasha was still climbing all over us, despite the fact that her lump was slowly getting bigger.

Now what's happening totally boggles me mind... it's two weeks later and she doesn't eat, her head jerks around quite a bit, and she can't walk.

I can't believe how much has happened in such a short amount of time. I really thought it would be a gradual process over the course of 3-4 months.

I guess I'm here to ask if anyone else can relate to this. I suspect that she won't live past this weekend. I understand that cats and dogs like to be by themselves when death is near... which is also happening with Kasha... but I don't know what to do. She doesn't eat, she barely drinks, she occasionally acts like she's going to throw up... and she can't walk.

It's absolutely heartbreaking. A terrible end to our time together.

I am really sorry to hear about Kasha. I would go to the vet to put her to sleep. She might be in pain to wait for it to happen on her own. I am really sorry what you are going through. Yes I had a similar thing happen to me. When they are ready it happens quickly and it isn't pretty to watch them suffer. *hugs*

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat being so ill. I lost my beloved cat to cancer five years ago, and it still hurts.
My boss just lost her cat to the same thing as yours. It is a very personal desicion and one only you can make, but it sounds to me, a total outsider, like it's time to let her go. Have you thought about having her put to sleep? It's hard to put her needs before your own grief, but that's a really important thing to focus on right now--what's best for her. If you do right by her, in the long run, you will feel better about how things went.

Again, I am really sorry.

I suppose we'll wait till this weekend after everyone has had a chance to come by and see her again.

I just wonder what cancer feels like. That's something I've never asked anyone. Maybe it's different for cats anyways. But I wonder if it's just a weak feeling, a painful feeling, or a sick feeling. Or maybe all three.

I'm so sorry that your cat is so ill As hard as it is though i think she really should be seen by the vet who can advise you what to do next.

By not being able to walk properly, not eating and hardly drinking she doesn't have a quality of life, plus she could be in pain

In humans, cancer in the latter stages means pain - that is why most terminal cases are given morphine (at least that was my experience with my mom). If kitty is that poorly, I would have her PTS and let her go over the bridge to meet her friends that have gone before.

I'm so sorry to hear about Kasha. I know how hard it is, but you really should consider having her put to sleep. If she is sick enough that she is not eating and has trouble walking, then she is likely in a lot of pain.

My thoughts are with you and Kasha in this difficult time.

Well... sad news... I don't think we have to consider putting her to sleep anymore. Just a couple hours ago she stopped blinking. Right now she is staring into space, but occassionally her body twitches.

I'm 99% certain that she will die shortly. I'm just hoping that some of our family can get here to say goodbye.

Thanks guys. I'll update you later. I gotta go be with her right now... they just told she is breathing heavy now.

If nothing else, I hope this can help someone else in the future. For anyone that doesn't know what it's like when a cat's life comes to an end.

I am so sorry about your sweet Kasha

I'm so sorry about Kasha.

Kasha is in Heaven.


In her last few moments, she was laying on her side. It seemed like she would move her head from time to time to see everyone. I don't know if that is what actually was happening or not. There were a few times when she would "talk" and we thought that was going to be her last moment on earth, but then she would go back to breathing again and occasionally sticking her tongue out. I think this is all normal... and like I said, I hope this can help someone in the future to know what happens on a cat's last day on earth.

I feel insensitive saying this, but the way she slowly died reminded me on the ending of Braveheart. That's how it was for us... maybe that's all it always is.

I'm crying right now as I type this... and I wish my words sounded more poetic but right now this is all bizarre to me. It all happened so fast. Between the time she started showing signs of something wrong to now, there was little time to consider putting her to sleep. Literally, she was fine 3 or 4 days ago. She was actually in pretty good shape yesterday.

Thanks again for your sympathy. I've never hung out at these forums before but I knew that this was one place I could go to hear about people who have been through this before.

I'll probably add a few thoughts about Kasha later this evening...

I am so very sorry to hear this, it sounds like it was her kidneys that failed rather than the cancer - my neighbour doesn't believe in euthanasia, and his cat died from kidney failure and the ending sounds exactly the same. RIP little one, free from pain and suffering, and waiting for your humans to join you.

I am so sorry to hear about Kasha. Sounds just like how my Nana died 3 years ago. It sounds so peaceful. *hugs*

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss of sweet Kasha.

Out of respect for your grief, I'll close this thread and begin a thread in Crossing the Bridge to pay homage to Kasha.

Kasha's thread is here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho....php?p=1529429