Advice on Getting Cat Euthanized

[melissamarie414]

My cat (3 1/2 years old) lost a lot of weight and was not eating so I took him to the vet. They did some x-rays and found a large abdominal mass, about the size of a grapefruit. They also said it seemed his intestines were messed up because of it as his stomach felt lumpy. His chances of survival were very slim as it was so large that removing the entire thing seemed improbable. They suggested to have him euthanized.

I took him to another vet for a second opinion and it was more or less confirmed, with the added information that he is anemic which indicates the tumor is bleeding. However, she said she could either give him medication so he could live out the rest of his weeks peacefully (they said without treatment it would only be a couple more weeks) or I could have an ultrasound/biopsy done. But it would be major surgery and there is no guarantee he will survive it. They really couldn't offer any suggestions other than get the ultrasound done because they don't know what they are working with.

I feel guilty that I'm even considering having him put to sleep tomorrow without a firm diagnosis from an ultrasound, but I'm not even sure if it's worth it if there is only a slim chance. Plus, he hates going to the vet and he has to be constantly sedated. Putting him through surgeries and chemo, if it's cancerous (don't know if it is), seems selfish of me because I don't think he would enjoy that at all.

He used to be so energetic but now he just sleeps and licks at his food a couple times a day. He hasn't been throwing up yet and when I give him his anti-nausea medicine, he does eat. But he's obviously not his usual self. What if I get him euthanized but there was a chance he could have survived? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Hobby2014]

Sorry I don't have any advice here, but I have a cat that I adore and would hate to be in this situation. As selfish as it would seem, I'd have to try everything personally, just to know I did everything I could, whatever cost. However it may not be in his best interest, but I still would. Hopefully some others will be along with some better advice soon hope all works out for you either way x

[FernieB]

You know your cat best. Do what you feel is the kindest thing for him. Don't feel guilty if you think having him put to sleep is kindest. Invasive treatment is stressful. Sometimes going down that route is a good option as the chances are great but it can also be a selfish option on the part of the owner. Keeping a pet alive at all costs is not always the kindest thing to do.

[Twooter]

Personally I would pts. The stress and pain on recovery for a likely ongoing problem would swing it for me, let alone the much bigger bill for probably the same outcome.

[MinesaMess]

Don't feel bad about opting for euthanasia. A tumour that big will probably have hundreds of blood vessels and be near impossible to remove. It's also quite likely it's already spread, maybe to the bones, hence the anaemia.
I personally wouldn't opt for investigations/surgery with such a poor prognosis.

[HolidayCriminal]

My experiences of getting tumours removed from pets (surgery) were almost all negative; I regret it. Better to PTS ime.
Sorry for your loss.

[Socks123]

My8 year old cat has an abdominal mass. We were going to have her x rayed and a sonogram done tomorrow but she is so sick that there is no question that she has cancer. The last 2 days she has vomited bile, back legs are starting to collapse and she can't find comfortable spot for herself. It is breaking my heart to see her this way. We are taking her this morning to be euthanized.

She was x rayed 4 months ago and we were told there was a thickening of the intestine wall, which could be irritated bowel disease or cancer. We treated her for irritated bowel with B12 shots. She gained weight over the next few months and seemed her normal self. Then she steadily started losing weigh and her sugar levels were very high. The vet said she was diabetic. Insulin shots followed for the next 2 weeks as she continued to go down hill.

I took her back two days ago and the vet felt the mass.

My advice don't wait and put your cat through what mine has gone through. The kindest thing you can do is what we are going to do this morning.

[HolidayCriminal]

for Socks123.

[alexandrajones09]

for everyone going through this

It is no way for a cat to live.

My cat broke his hip when he was 19 years old (long life) and he couldn't walk for over 5 months. Me and my family had to take turns taking care of him. 2 years later he developed a tumour and despite not having a broken hip anymore, he still couldn't walk. He went through so much in his life with this broken leg, we figured that the kindest thing to do for him was to put him to sleep.

It was one of the hardest decisions to make as he was a part of the family as much as everyone else was.

I would give the same advice as Socks123, don't put your cat through struggle and pain, especially if he has lived a healthy and happy life before that. Hope all goes well for you!

[bishboschone]

I recently had my beautiful boy put to sleep. he had a stroke and they offered a treatment that would potentially save him but would be very painful . I chose not to do it. iT wasn't the money as that's no problem I just didn't want him to suffer anymore. I miss him to my core every single day but I know in my heart it was the right thing to do. I think as an owner you must always think what is right for the animal never you.

[Martorana]

It's very sad, but one of the hardest things to do as a pet owner is to accept that it's what's best for them that needs to happen, not what's best for us. The problem is that a human- even a child- going through traumatic treatment can understand that it could get better. All animals have is the now. They have no time sense, no way of knowing that tomorrow it may be different, no idea of hope. Just the immediate quality of life they have.

Better to put to sleep a week too early than an hour too late.

[EauRouge]

Hello,

We had our cat pts last week for the exact same reason. We opted for the ultrasound to see if it was operable but it wasn't at all. It all happened so fast that I didn't really believe how ill he was, so the ultrasound helped me understand that there was nothing to be done. My cat was very chilled out though, he needed no sedation and enjoyed his cuddles with the vet staff, so the ultrasound wasn't a massive trial for him.

The vet told me that this sort of tumour in a cat is usually very aggressive and it seems a pretty common way for them to go. We were offered steroid injections but it would have only given him a couple more weeks so we had him pts at home, it was very peaceful. Best to go while there's no suffering, I think. Sorry you are going through this.