Our old cat with cancer

Our dear old 18 year old cat has cancer in her ears. Many years ago we had her ears cut down and all was good...but in the last few months it's got very bad again. Our vet has advised they can't operate due to other health problems she has, and it's a matter of management. At the moment she is on medication twice a day for hyperthyroidism. We keep a Ez Soft color on her permanently to stop her scratching her ears, otherwise it bleeds all the time. Even so, her ear seems to be "disintegrating". I don't know if it is time for her to go over the rainbow bridge or not...she eats, drinks and jumps up on the couch and is quite perky. But how much pain would she be in? I thought I would know what to do...but I don't. Thoughts please...and thanks for reading.

Hello . Just read about your cat I am sorry that her trouble has come back . I am sorry to that I can not help you with what you have to do sorry as I am no good at things like this all I do is cry I am a right old cry baby and it does not help with any thing but it is me I have all ways been that way . My thoughts are with you and your cat . Take care bye Mary

thefletchers said:

Our dear old 18 year old cat has cancer in her ears. Many years ago we had her ears cut down and all was good...but in the last few months it's got very bad again. Our vet has advised they can't operate due to other health problems she has, and it's a matter of management. At the moment she is on medication twice a day for hyperthyroidism. We keep a Ez Soft color on her permanently to stop her scratching her ears, otherwise it bleeds all the time. Even so, her ear seems to be "disintegrating". I don't know if it is time for her to go over the rainbow bridge or not...she eats, drinks and jumps up on the couch and is quite perky. But how much pain would she be in? I thought I would know what to do...but I don't. Thoughts please...and thanks for reading.

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It sounds like she is "ok" enough to put off letting her go, but your vet can help you figure out how much discomfort she is in.  If there pain is managable, you can use quality pain relievers like Buprenex.

I'm so very sorry you are going through this, I know it breaks our hearts to think of our babies in pain. If she is eating, drinking and being sociable, I think she most likely is not hurting too bad. When she stops eating and drinking and wants to hide, THEN would be the time to consider letting her go. I hope you can celebrate 18 beautiful years together, as she would want, and not let this intrude on the wonderful memories you have of her. You will be blessed for loving so much. I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, please give her a kiss for me.

I heard one of the vets on animal vets say about a terminally ill cat, "make a list of their 3 favorite things to do, it could be a favorite treat or food, a favorite place to sit and watch the birds, a special toy to play with, etc... when they get to the point they are no longer interested in those things - it may be time to consider bringing them in.

Our cat has an inoperable fibrosarcoma, any day that she is talking, scratching the scratching post, and sitting in our laps I consider good. She doesn't purr as often, and doesn't purr as loud... 

When our cat that had congestive heart failure was at the end, and no longer wanted sliced turkey out of the refrigerator, I knew he was in bad shape. He was somewhat bloated looking and sat in the meatloaf position staring straight down with little interaction with anyone... we knew...

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I have taken the "three things" idea on and this will help....she is always waiting for breakfast, she loves to be brushed..the right way of course! And she loves to sit in the sun for a bit. she seems to have got used to wearing the collar permanently and can get around, eat and drink with it in.....so I think we are okay for a bit longer.

@thefletchers-My 19 year old also has an inoperable cancer and was diagnosed last October.  With my vets help and medication we are keeping him comfortable.  It's like this, he eats and drinks, he pees and poops.  We still play.  He purrs and sings to his pink fuzzy ball.  The only time he hides is when he sees me coming at a certain time cuz he knows it time for his meds.  You will know when it's time just as I will. 

its hard. If these babies were in nature they would go off and die. When they live with us they depen f2f on us for care. We have to know when to let go. I had 6 yrs ago a cat that had redundant uti s. Every 2 months. After a year she became fearful of urine test as nd trembled going in. There was no stopping it. I made the decision it was time. It was hard. Only you know if the baby is suffering. Humans keep them alive because we can't say goodbye and hold on. Gd bless

@mema62-I would never be that selfish.  I am not keeping Tippy alive but I am keeping him comfortable.  He still has quality of life.  I am not going after quantity of life.  When I see that he no longer has quality then I will do what's right for him.

keyes said:

@mema62-I would never be that selfish.  I am not keeping Tippy alive but I am keeping him comfortable.  He still has quality of life.  I am not going after quantity of life.  When I see that he no longer has quality then I will do what's right for him.

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K keyes I am sorry you are going through this with your kitty. When we are in this position, we take one day at the time. I am sure you know your kitty well, and you will know when it is time. For now, just love and cuddle her. I am in the same position as you as the vet says my girl has nasal cancer. We are trying some meds and it is helping her feel better and keeps her nose looking better. When they still love life, we just do what we can for them. You are in my thoughts and prayers. :nod:

@blueyedgirl5946   As you are in mine.

keyes said:

@mema62-I would never be that selfish.  I am not keeping Tippy alive but I am keeping him comfortable.  He still has quality of life.  I am not going after quantity of life.  When I see that he no longer has quality then I will do what's right for h

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Absolutely. I understand thats why i said only you know. We have a 6th sense when it comes to virtually knowing how they feel. So many times i thought what if. But i knew she couldnt take anymore. I loved her so much. I do not understand why people think cats don't bond they love deeply. Then when 1 yr later we rescued Jack it was worth the chance of heartbreak again. I wonder sometimes is it what i feed them? Right now Jack is sick at vets 3 times this week. They still think Ii ts something he ate. After diarreah explosion at vets office during xrays they left him half wet. Came home sneezing and 3 days later still sneezing and diarreah. Medicating but angry they let him get cold. I can't bearto see these little things sick. I will pray for your little bas by.

keyes said:

@mema62-I would never be that selfish.  I am not keeping Tippy alive but I am keeping him comfortable.  He still has quality of life.  I am not going after quantity of life.  When I see that he no longer has quality then I will do what's right for him.

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I know and never meant it that way. Thats why i feel so bad for cats that never come in the house they go off and die. I faced a difficult decision with my 10 yr old burdi. She suffered over 13 months cultures. Food changes. Test. It was redundant we spent 6000$ trying to cure her. She would tremble and cry out at the vets office. Sticking her little bladder bloid test. It was horrible for her. The last day she came to me she had me follow her to the potty and so much blood she laid down in pain. When i picked her up she laid her head on my shoulder and looked at me. She was saying goodbye to me. These lttle babies love us so much i think they hold on for us. 1 yr later 6 yrs ago i escued Jack. Omg the fear i feel when he is sick like now. Diarreah vet thinks its something he ate. Test xrays showed thick small intestines full of green diarreah came out. They bathed him but left him wet came home sneezing monday still sneezing. And diarreah. But eating and drinking just laying around with warm nose. All i can do is medicate and love him. Silly but i pray for him. Wonder why people say cats don't. Bond. They love deep. Praying for the baby. Sorry you misunderstood. Never meant for it to sound that way.