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- Oct 30, 2012
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My little black cat was just diagnosed with vaccine-associated sarcoma this week. She is just five. I noticed a lump between her shoulder blades that I swear grew out of nowhere, almost overnight. I took her to the vet the next day and they told me they suspected VAS. They send a pathology report off to the veterinary lab in Texas and confirmed the results.
I read everything I could about VAS and decided not to treat. I am an oncology nurse and hospice nurse, and feel very strongly that animals who can not understand what is going on should not be subjected to the type of intensive and aggressive medical treatment that would be required to treat this disease. Even after aggressive surgery and chemotherapy, the cancer is expected back between 12-16 months. I am sure in my decision and know it is the right thing for me and my little Blackie.
But perhaps the people on this nice forum can help me with a few things.
(1) Blackie has a littermate, Tabby, and the two have been together since birth. I am worried about how Tabby will deal with the loss of her bonded pair. Everything I read says that a period of depression is expected, but that the bonded cat usually gets back to being herself after a few weeks. I wonder if anyone has experience with this or can guide me to another place in the forum to post my question.
(2) I do not know when is the right time to bring Blackie in to be put down. Right now, she is a perfectly normal, 100% healthy-acting cat. She is running and playing and being herself, jumping and playful. The vet said to bring her back when her quality of life is not good. But I don't know when this will happen. Part of me wants to spare her any future pain and put her down sooner rather than later. I am afraid that may be more for me than for her. I can't stand the thought of her suffering. It is like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(3) Finally, does this forum have a place where folks talk about losing their kitty and grieve? I think that's really important. Where would you folks suggest that I post a note about that?
I am devastated by this. I do very well dealing with death and illness and unspeakable tragedies all day long. But this has brought me to my knees. I can not stop thinking about saying good bye to my little black cat for the last time.
Thank you,
Karen
I read everything I could about VAS and decided not to treat. I am an oncology nurse and hospice nurse, and feel very strongly that animals who can not understand what is going on should not be subjected to the type of intensive and aggressive medical treatment that would be required to treat this disease. Even after aggressive surgery and chemotherapy, the cancer is expected back between 12-16 months. I am sure in my decision and know it is the right thing for me and my little Blackie.
But perhaps the people on this nice forum can help me with a few things.
(1) Blackie has a littermate, Tabby, and the two have been together since birth. I am worried about how Tabby will deal with the loss of her bonded pair. Everything I read says that a period of depression is expected, but that the bonded cat usually gets back to being herself after a few weeks. I wonder if anyone has experience with this or can guide me to another place in the forum to post my question.
(2) I do not know when is the right time to bring Blackie in to be put down. Right now, she is a perfectly normal, 100% healthy-acting cat. She is running and playing and being herself, jumping and playful. The vet said to bring her back when her quality of life is not good. But I don't know when this will happen. Part of me wants to spare her any future pain and put her down sooner rather than later. I am afraid that may be more for me than for her. I can't stand the thought of her suffering. It is like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(3) Finally, does this forum have a place where folks talk about losing their kitty and grieve? I think that's really important. Where would you folks suggest that I post a note about that?
I am devastated by this. I do very well dealing with death and illness and unspeakable tragedies all day long. But this has brought me to my knees. I can not stop thinking about saying good bye to my little black cat for the last time.
Thank you,
Karen