[Julie68]

I want to thank everyone who gave their advise to me a couple of months ago regarding my beautiful Clarissa.
My heart is breaking now as one of my other cats, Gizmo, has agressive cancer and has only about a week to live.
At first two of his toes were swollen and he had a slight limp. I took him to the vet who said they could be abcesses or tumours. He went through an operation where the abcesses were removed and a tumour found.
When the tumour results came through, Gizmo had to have two toes removed from two of his paws and during the operation the vet saw another toe on another paw was starting to swell so that was removed too. Poor Gizzi had only one paw left with all its toes.
When we took him for his three day check up we had noticed a lump on his mouth and so he had another operation where the lump was removed and was found to be the same kind of tumour in his toes.
When he had his three day check up after that operation the tumour had started to grow back and he had lost lots of weight.
The vet says the cancer must be really through him for him to have lost so much weight so soon and for the tumour to come back so quick.
He is now on tablets until he dies and its so heartbreaking. He's been through so much and he's only 16.
I can't believe I'm losing my Gizmo. Life is so cruel.

[wildpumpkin]

That is just awful, for you and Gizmo; poor poor boy

[Julie68]

Originally Posted by wildpumpkin

That is just awful, for you and Gizmo; poor poor boy

Thank you. It's so heartbreaking watching him dieing and being unable to do anything to help him.

[Terry Telly]

Originally Posted by Julie68

I can't believe I'm losing my Gizmo.

Please accept my sympathy for your sick cat - all readers of this thread will read of your cat's illness with great sadness.

[dekaf]

Originally Posted by Julie68

Thank you. It's so heartbreaking watching him dieing and being unable to do anything to help him.

Oh Julie - My heart goes out to you . You have done all you can, and unfortunately, it's time for Gizmo to leave you. He's not in pain and he will know that you are with him. Just try and enjoy him and the time you have left. Keep strong.

[Maisey Moo]

I can see you love gizmo too bits and he will know that. Its time for him too leave you now. My heart realy does go out too you and gizmo. Spend what ever time you have left with him, hold him, tell him you love him. Please take care and give giizmo a big hug from me. All of us on here are here for you when ever you need it.
jane x

[Juliet_G_]

How sad. There are no words to comfort you at such a devastating time but I'm so very sorry.

[mrs perfect]

I am really sorry about your cat; I would suggest re-naming your thread though. You aren't losing a baby. you are losing a much loved and cherished pet. Some people coming across the thread title who have actually lost their babies might be upset by it.

Having said that, I am very sorry for your loss, a pet is a part of the family, very much so; but can't ever be compared to the loss of someone you have nurtured and given birth to.

Again, I am so sorry for your situation, I feel your thread title is a little insensitive though. Sorry.

[dollylovesshoes]

Aww so sorry to read this. It was only last Friday that my boy had to be pts, I was told only earlier on in that week that he was very ill.

((((hugs))))

[MarellaK]

My 16 year old cat is currently at the vet's awaiting X rays, ultrasound and possible biopsy to confirm the vet's suspicion of a lymphoma. I'm gutted. Have been googling treatment options and feel very depressed. I only realised yesterday that she was sick.

I know cats aren't 'babies' but animal lovers, even if they've lost human babies, will understand and empathise with such terminology. It's a pet forum so one would assume the title of the thread is alluding to an animal.

[dekaf]

Originally Posted by mrs perfect

I am really sorry about your cat; I would suggest re-naming your thread though. You aren't losing a baby. you are losing a much loved and cherished pet. Some people coming across the thread title who have actually lost their babies might be upset by it.

Having said that, I am very sorry for your loss, a pet is a part of the family, very much so; but can't ever be compared to the loss of someone you have nurtured and given birth to.

Again, I am so sorry for your situation, I feel your thread title is a little insensitive though. Sorry.

FGS - She doesn't need lectures from you right now, does she?? Did you notice this was the PET forum? The insensitive one here is you.

[DaisyMaisy]

Julie, that is heartbreaking. All of us who have had to say goodbye to a loving and loved fur baby know and understand the pain you are going through.

Give Gizmo a big, but gentle, hug from me.

[HenryAboo]

It's cruel to let them suffer. If it was my cat i'd have her put down.

[scarlett_78]

How awful. My thought's are with you. Give your baby, a big hug from me.

[MarellaK]

I've had a phone call from the vet. Not good news. Tabitha has a mesenteric tumour which they're now trying to operate on. The vet says he won't know what to expect until he opens her up and that he'll phone me in a couple of hours to potentially 'have a conversation'. I really can't agree to her being put to sleep without me being able to say goodbye. I want her to come home to the place she loved for at least a few more weeks. I can't believe this is happening, I had no idea she was so ill

I don't want me leaving her at the vet's yesterday to be the last time I ever see her. I'm not prepared for this at all.

[Maisey Moo]

I think where all with you. I sadly had to let my simon go at the vets he needed to be at home. My thoughts are with you we will be here for you when ever you need it

[MarellaK]

Tabitha's tumour was inoperable. However, they've not euthanised her, she's going to come home tomorrow for palliation - pain killers, antibiotics and steroids. Depending on the biopsy result she may be offered chemo to prolong her life for a few more months. Tabitha loves the warm weather and spending time in the garden and I want to give her every opportunity to enjoy one last summer.

I won't let her suffer. I'll bring her to be euthanised when we're both ready. Up until yesterday she was a very contented cat, perhaps she was disguising her symptoms but the fact that her blood results are not that abnormal, she has a healthy heart, liver and lungs and near normal kidney function, I believe I'm making the right decision for us both at the moment.

[Squealer_Mahony]

Guys,

Please take some comfort in this,
Your cats have lived good and long lives.
Yes their last days are heartbreaking to witness but to have a pet that stays with you and lives for so long is amazing.

My cat was only 10 when she died from FIV but one of our kittens died after being hit by car aged 9 months old!

The kitten's death was more upsetting, because she was just a little baby still in our eyes, and she was nearly home when it happened and she had her whole life to live.

With the cat, it was horrible and we were losing our girl but I could reflect on those ten brilliant years of what a happy life she'd had.

When you think of all the animals that are abused and neglected - our pets have such wonderful lives.
They are looked after, well fed and live a life of luxury.

I find a real peace in that, and I hope you all will too, even if it's not right now.

[dekaf]

Originally Posted by Squealer_Mahony

Guys,

Please take some comfort in this,
Your cats have lived good and long lives.
Yes their last days are heartbreaking to witness but to have a pet that stays with you and lives for so long is amazing.

My cat was only 10 when she died from FIV but one of our kittens died after being hit by car aged 9 months old!

The kitten's death was more upsetting, because she was just a little baby still in our eyes, and she was nearly home when it happened and she had her whole life to live.

With the cat, it was horrible and we were losing our girl but I could reflect on those ten brilliant years of what a happy life she'd had.

When you think of all the animals that are abused and neglected - our pets have such wonderful lives.
They are looked after, well fed and live a life of luxury.

I find a real peace in that, and I hope you all will too, even if it's not right now.

Such wise words.

[Hogzilla]

My thoughts are with you, like everyone else's here, Julie. x

[Lippincote]

Originally Posted by MarellaK

Tabitha's tumour was inoperable. However, they've not euthanised her, she's going to come home tomorrow for palliation - pain killers, antibiotics and steroids. Depending on the biopsy result she may be offered chemo to prolong her life for a few more months. Tabitha loves the warm weather and spending time in the garden and I want to give her every opportunity to enjoy one last summer.

I won't let her suffer. I'll bring her to be euthanised when we're both ready. Up until yesterday she was a very contented cat, perhaps she was disguising her symptoms but the fact that her blood results are not that abnormal, she has a healthy heart, liver and lungs and near normal kidney function, I believe I'm making the right decision for us both at the moment.

What a horrible shock for you. Unfortunately cats do hide illness very well so they are often very ill when diagnosed. My cat was diagnosed with the same tumour three years ago when he was 11.

I discussed chemo with the vet but he said it would only give him a few extra months, and a proportion of that time would be spent at the vet having treatment; he said if it was his cat, he wouldn't do it. I agreed completely. I let him carry on as long as he was not suffering, which wasn't long unfortunately. Some cats do well on steroids for weeks or months, but my cat didn't respond at all. I hope your cat has some good quality time left with you.

[Terry Telly]

Originally Posted by MarellaK

Tabitha's tumour was inoperable. Tabitha loves the warm weather and spending time in the garden and I want to give her every opportunity to enjoy one last summer. I believe I'm making the right decision for us both at the moment.

My thoughts and sympathies are with Tabitha and you - as, I am sure, are the thoughts and sympathies of all readers of this thread.

[Terry Telly]

Originally Posted by dollylovesshoes

.....had to be pts, I was told only earlier on in that week that he was very ill. ((((hugs))))

I am sorry to read of the loss of your dear pet.

[MarellaK]

Thanks for everyones's good wishes, they're all much appreciated. I've just got back from visiting Tabitha and can't see how she's going to be ready to come home tomorrow, she's in a sorry state.

Apparently the tumour is extremely large - how did I not realise something was wrong? I attributed her sleeping a lot to the ageing process and although she's lost weight she still weighs a respectable 4kg.

Lippincote, I hear what you say about the chemo and I've researched it online - it is a big commitment to take on, weekly day visits to the vet for treatment and all for perhaps 4-5 extra months. However, it could be longer and cats generally tolerate chemo well without the side effects humans are subject to.

I'll discuss the options tomorrow. I really want her to survive to enjoy the summer months and to say a proper good bye to her. Perhaps I'm selfish but it's just that she seemed fine up until yesterday and feel she still has a reasonable quality of life ahead (once she's over her surgery) albeit for a short time.

Thanks again.

[valeter10]

Originally Posted by dekaf

FGS - She doesn't need lectures from you right now, does she?? Did you notice this was the PET forum? The insensitive one here is you.

Thank you for beating me to it. I think I may have to watch myself here or I'll get a nice holiday from the mods. What a vile insensitive egotistical thoughtless and obnoxious post. I'm fuming!