Advice Please!! VERY time sensitive

I recently took in a cat that had been dumped off at someone's farm, when I got him he had gooey eyes, but other than that was a seemingly healthy kitty... Fastforward a few months and he has a weird lump on his head and he's lost all interest in playing, took him to the vet where they suggested xrays, but said he showed signs of cat leukemia. Few days later his lump went away and he acted better than ever!! Then two days ago out of no where he starts having labored breathing, so the next morning he was taken to the vet where they said the only solution is euthanasia... This was just yesterday. With each hour it seemed as if he was just getting worse and worse, he just lays there panting unable to eat, I have been trying to syringe water down his throat... Today he acts slightly better, but not by much... I'm just at a loss for what to do, he literally was fine just a couple days ago, this literally happened over night. I never thought I would ever put a pet down, but that is what everyone is suggesting... My question is what do I do? He has not had the formal testing (idk if there is any) to confirm he has the virus.. I hate seeing him suffer, but I also am torn at the idea of putting him down and always wondering, what if. I want to give him a few days to see if this just passes, but on the other hand I feel like it is just selfish and inhumane of me to do so.... Please anyone who knows any information, advice, etc... please weigh in. I could use others' perspective and advice right now.

**I'm just trying to get the basic info out real quick, but if anyone does have answers for me, I can provide more detailed info. Thank you.

I hope he gets better and that you've been able to get help from the veterinarian.

He could be fighting the virus - or - maybe an insect bite?

I'd get him tested - it would eliminate or confirm what you are fighting.

When Buddy was first diagnosed he became very ill, the advice I received was to put him to sleep, but I wouldn't let him go.  That was in 2010.  Just because or IF he's diagnosed with FeLV it's not an automatic death sentence.  He'll just need to be kept away from other cats, and you'll have to take other precautions - research is important.

My advice - get more testing so you know what you are dealing with.  Insect bites (i.e. spider) can happen even if they are inside only.  If they are outside then no telling what he may have gotten in to - poison - snake bite ???

Sorry I can't be of more help other than to say this is something that would be better diagnosed by your vet.

My cat had labored breathing when she had pneumonia and she was fine with some IV fluids and antibiotics to get her through it. Did your vet do any bloodwork to see if there might be an infection?

Another cat of mine had labored breathing when he was in respiratory distress (due to anaphylactic shock during routine surgery) and needed to be in an oxygen tank for about 4 days while things settled down.

So both of my experiences with labored breathing did need veterinary support - but I did get both of them through it. So I would suggest a visit to another vet for a 2nd opinion might be in order.

There is a test for leukemia. Did the vet suggest doing that. Your cat is in a critical position right now, Without food or water, he can get in critical shape fast. If he is still not eating and drinking and the vet can't do anything to help him except put him to sleep, then you are in a position where you have to make the decision. None of us can tell you what to do. I am sorry for what is happening. It is hard to let them go, but sometimes it is the best thing for the cat.

What kind of testing was done on your kitty?  Feline Leukemia/Fiv?  Blood tests?  Xrays?  Your kitty is suffering in the condition it is in.  If the vet is not going to offer treatment, find a different vet.  Your cat probably needs hospitalization with antibiotics and/or fluid therapy. 

Some more detail will help actually. Labored breathing is not good as you surely know.

But I also want to say, that there are vets out there who are quick to euthanize rather than work to save a cat, unless of course there is a diagnosis that he can not be helped.

I mean, what did the vet say? Why did they say that he shows signs of leukemia?

I'm gathering that he is not neutered either. So the lump may have been from a bite, because it would abcess, burst and be gone like this did.

If he does infact have leukemia, it doesn't make it a death sentence either.

I have a thread here about Baby, a VERY sick, weak, skinny awful shape cat, who was found to be felv positive, and I cared for her, for months, turning her around to a healthy looking, spunky active little girl again. DESPITE my vet giving me the lecture on felv positive cats and how there should be no question in my mind on what to do, I had to try.

However, Baby did not have labored breathing. This is bad, and your cat needs fluids NOW. If you are not ready to euthanize the cat, please get fluids into him so he has a chance.

More detailed info about what the vet said and if he was tested for felv or anything else.

Yes, I totally agree w/ every one.  First of all, I would go to another vet who will actually try to help your kitty. If you have a cat only vet in your area, that's where I would go. It will make a big difference!

Yes, I agree, blood work needs to be done to determine what is going on.  He may also need IV fluids as suggested by the others.

He does need to eat. If cats go to long w/o food, (which isn't too long, more than 24 hrs.or so..) He can get fatty liver, & that can be fatal, or hard to turn around.

If you are syringe feeding him by blending his wet food down w/ water, only inject it into his cheek, & only a little at a time, so he can swallow it. If you aim for his throat, he can easily choke, or it goes into their lungs.

You can search a thread for syringe feeding on this site, but I hope you just get him to another vet asap.

Sorry if I am telling you info. you already know, I am just trying to help. 

I wish you the best of luck.

Please keep us posted. I hope he will be o.k.