Tough decision and I hope I am making the right choice re: Blue

To recap for anyone who doesn't know Blue's situation:

He got giardia from a shelter kitty I adopted a month ago. Since then, he has lost a lot of weight, not been able to totally stop the diarrhea, been diagnosed with hyperthyroid, and just last week was diagnosed with "skin cancer" that I have now learned is actually a lesion with "mass cells" and the vet can't say 100% whether or not it is cancer (grrr...BTW...that his vet tech told me it was cancer and neither of them knew that for certain!!!!).

My vet wanted to do surgery ASAP on Blue even though he has had the spots for over a year now and his bloodwork from last week was amazingly GREAT for a cat his age.

I have decided that Blue does not need to go through surgery right now in his emaciated state and that these lesions are NOT what is going to take his life if we can't get this diarrhea under control. I have decided, against my vet's advice, to wait on the surgery and to focus on getting Blue better, putting weight on him, then re-addressing the skin lesions.

I pray I am making the right decision. I have switched vets and my new vet agrees with me about Blue not being able to withstand surgery and recovery AND diarrhea right now.

Please pray with me that I made the right decision. I am second guessing myself (because I always do) but my gut just tells me I am right on this.

Blue is 14?

I applaud you for getting a second vet's opinion on this. I withheld a biopsy on Eightball last year because he had lost enough weight that I feared he would die from being put under. I followed my gut and I was right about it. Had he lived through the surgery, he probably would not have recovered from it and there wasn't much we could do for him if the biopsy was positive. They knew he had cancer, they were just trying to isolate it's location. Eightball was also 14.

Sometimes you just need to do what your gut tells you, particularly if you are very close to your baby and have a good sense on what they need from you.

Sending to you and to Blue.

Hi,

I just wanted to say I'm praying and hoping for the best for Blue. Hope things go well for you and that he is better real soon.

Keith

for blue

Trust your guts hun... Nobody loves Blue more than his mommy... You are doing the right thing - he needs his health to heal from surgery *if* that is cancer... One step at a time... First things first... Diarrhea, get him healthier, skin problems... Glad you got a second opinion hun!

Thank you all for the support. Yes, Blue is 14. He weighed 11 pounds about 6 mos ago. Last week, he weighed 8 pounds, 11 oz. I can see his spine, feel every bone in his body just by petting him, and see his hip bones when he walks. Just watching him get so thin and seeing his eyes - there is something about his eyes that is telling me how sick he really is. I just know that if we put him under, he may come out of the anesthesia, but he will never be able to heal his surgery wounds with the weakened immune system he has right now.

I am sure you know best for him, and it is good the new vet agrees with you. Sending many vibes for you and Blue.

Thinking of you and Blue and sending lots of vibes.

I always say, listen to that inner voice. It's there for a reason.

I will pray for Blue to start improving. I second guess myself all the time. I am glad your vet is in your corner.

You have gone through the mill with your kitties. You must be a very strong person. Take it a day at a time. Lots of love and attention are sometimes just as good as meds. And he obviously has that.

i bet that once he's over the giardia he will gain weight fast. so it won't be long before he's healthy enough for surgery. I understand the vet's desire to get the lesions off him asap, but it does seem like it can wait a little bit. good luck!

I absolutely think you are doing the right thing. He is not feeling well and needs to get better before going through surgery. I am really hoping that all will be well. He is beautiful and SO loving

I also think a second opinion is in order. It concerns me that your current vet would put Bear through surgery given his weight loss and health issues. Take care!

Go with your gut on this one. You know your Blue better than anyone, even vets. I have been given advice from different vets over the recent years in treating my dog Wilbur. Sometimes, my gut tells me NO and so far, he is still thriving. Plus you want Blue to be healthy for a surgery like that. Oh, I know what you are going through. It is so hard to know what is right or wrong and what is best for your dear cat.

I think you are doing the right thing. I firmly believe that quality of life is better than quantity, and especially so with a 14 yo kitty.

My Dusty is only 8 and she has CRF. Her vet would like her to be on prescription food and medication, but I have decided that it is more important for her to eat what she likes, and to have me love her, and not force pills down her or stick her with needles. I don't want her to fear me or lose trust in me. When she reaches the point where she is in pain or miserable, I think I will know. In the meantime she has put on some weight and appears to be healthier than she has been in the past 2 years. I'm leaving well enough alone.

Good luck with Blue, and trust your gut instinct.