Hi All
My 11 year old cat was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on one of his forelegs this week. The vet took x-rays and the tumor is in the bone which is apparently extremely unusual. Because it's in the bone amputation is the only option.
The lump has come up VERY quickly, Buddy is a much loved cat and is always sitting on my knee and I've only just noticed the lump in the last 7 days.
The vet x-rayed both forelegs and his lungs. The cancer hasn't yet spread to the lungs but is apparently very aggressive and it will only be a short time before this happens.
The x-rays also showed arthritis in both forelegs and along his spine. On the telephone she said the odds were stacked against him but when I went to pick him up she said that despite the arthritis amputation is still an option and that he will still have a mobile happy life.
I really don't know what to do. On one hand I obviously want to have my friend with me for a much longer time but on the other hand at 11 years old and with arthritis being a factor as well I don't know if it would be kinder for HIM to give him pain relief for as long as possible and when the time comes have him put down.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated, this has hit me like a ton of bricks and I am very upset about it. I want to do what's best for Buddy as opposed to what I want.
Thanks very much for your help.
My 11 year old cat was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on one of his forelegs this week. The vet took x-rays and the tumor is in the bone which is apparently extremely unusual. Because it's in the bone amputation is the only option.
The lump has come up VERY quickly, Buddy is a much loved cat and is always sitting on my knee and I've only just noticed the lump in the last 7 days.
The vet x-rayed both forelegs and his lungs. The cancer hasn't yet spread to the lungs but is apparently very aggressive and it will only be a short time before this happens.
The x-rays also showed arthritis in both forelegs and along his spine. On the telephone she said the odds were stacked against him but when I went to pick him up she said that despite the arthritis amputation is still an option and that he will still have a mobile happy life.
I really don't know what to do. On one hand I obviously want to have my friend with me for a much longer time but on the other hand at 11 years old and with arthritis being a factor as well I don't know if it would be kinder for HIM to give him pain relief for as long as possible and when the time comes have him put down.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated, this has hit me like a ton of bricks and I am very upset about it. I want to do what's best for Buddy as opposed to what I want.
Thanks very much for your help.
