My cat been diagnosed with cancerous tumor?

Question

Hi, I am absolutely devastated my 16yr old persian was pawing at his mouth so i took him to the vet and we thought he had an abcess but when the vet sedated him and removed the tooth he found a tumor which turns out to be cancerous and they cant give him any treatment because his kidneys aren't great. After the surgery we got special mushy cat food and he was wolfing it down but yesterday and today he wont eat anything, apart from not eating he is still really sprightly, I know he will maybe have to get put down at some point but he doesnt seem in pain, (he had a pain injection that lasts a month) and is really sooky but he just wont eat. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated, I was thinking of feeding him with a syringe but dont want to force it.
He was only diagnosed on Friday.

I feel so sorry for him its been one thing after another, he had a stroke then his eye was ulcerated, and I thought he was getting better then this happened, I've had him since I was 6 yrs old, I'm 22 now, and everytime I think about him or see him I cant stop crying

Answer 1

First of all just let me say how sorry I am about your cat.

If he's not eating you're only option may be to force feed him...I know it sounds cruel, but he has to eat.
You could even try human baby food, like chicken or turkey he might eat that....I know one of my cats was very ill at one time and the Vet told me to offer her baby food and it worked.

I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you say the cat doesn't seem in pain...but with cats it's so hard to tell they will hide pain until the very end.
A cat that is suffering or dying will still purr to comfort itself.
Again, I'm not saying that to upset you I just want you to be aware that your cat maybe in pain but just isn't showing it.

I think the best thing you could do for your cat, because it obvious that you love him a great deal...is to call your Vets office now...most have an answering service...( If not call first thing in the morning ) and tell him the your cat isn't eating, ask him if force feeding or feeding baby food would be something you could try.

Also ask him about quality of life for you cat, if the Vet thinks that you should consider putting him to sleep...even though it's the hardest thing in the world....believe me I know, because I've been there....then it's something you should consider.
That would be the kindest, most loving thing to do.

Good luck, I REALLY hope that he starts to eat and has some good, pain free years ahead of him.

My heart just breaks for you, I know how you feel.

( I'm sorry if there are any typos...spell check isn't working AGAIN! )

Answer 2

I am so sorry to hear this, I just lost my long time friend and buddy of 17 years named Master. He was a Maine Coon Cat
and this past Thursday he was diagnosed with a tumor that had moved his intestines to one side of his body causing paralyzes and i was told his kidneys were also weak. I knew this day would come but never realized how hard and what a lost it would be without him! i understand your reluctance to let him go but if he can't live his life without suffering you will have to make the hard choice of letting him go. Master also was not in pain but not being able to walk would not be the way i would want my baby to live his life. Be with him love him and be thankful of all the years you had together, me and my wife where with him when he passed and as hard as it was i would not leave him to pass on alone without our love.
I always feel i did the wrong choice even if it was the right one but that's love and it's never easy to make the right choice that hurts the most.
Be strong and i really feel for you and your love as my tears have not yet dried.
Richard and Krista

Answer 3

That is so sad.. give him time i wouldnt try and force him to eat
Try giving him some tuna not many cats can say no to that..
If he doesnt eat then he just doesnt want to..
keep an eye on it and if after tuesday he still isnt eating then get the vet out to see him..
Keep him in for a few days.

Answer 4

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. When they are sick it is SO hard on us owners. I'm also very sorry that there isn't anything you can do for him. Since he is 16 years old and you seem like you are a good parent, I'm sure he had a wonderful life.

We recently lost our two year old male tuxedo kitty to liver disease. It isn't fun and it hurts you to see them hurt, but the fact of the matter is... if he won't eat hun - he will die. I would feed him with a syringe as long as you can until you see he will either eat on his own or until he is in really bad pain. We did that with ours.. he never started eating (which he had a totally different problem) but we had to put him down only weeks after his problem because he was in so much pain. It is only fair to the pet.. they can't tell you to do it, but he was sure trying.

My suggestion is just to wait it out. You will know when he is ready to go on. (to heaven) I would feed him with a syringe. It's going to give him extra time you in your home.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I would wait another day maybe. Keep an eye on him though. Trying giving him treats and see if he will eat them. If it persists bring him back to the vet. You may have to eventually syringe feed him so he does not lose too much weight. Just remember when feeding him do not under any circumstance force it doen his throat. This causes respiratory infections. He may just not be hungry right now. Just watch him.

Answer 6

He might be eating when you're not looking. I would watch him to see if he eats anything during the day. Set out a bowl of food at night and see if he eats any during the night.

I lost a 17 year old cat as well but she had kidney disease. I was devastated when I couldn't get her to eat. I had to put her to sleep.

My thoughts are with you from one cat owner to another.

Answer 7

why dont you try giving him some treats like chicken or something i would seee how he gets on for another 2 days.im sorry to say but if no improvment i would put him to sleep i had my persion put to sleep last year she was 20 (human years).it was one of the hardest things i have done.i was there when she went into a peace full sleep i cryed and cryed but when i looked at her and gave her a last stroke i knew i done the best thing she was in peace and not in pain.i hope this helps and it is hard but yu have to be kind to the cat and he has giving you all his love and im sure if he does need to be put to sleep he will be happy to have along peacefull sleep

Answer 8

so sorry to hear about your cat..
he's given you 16 years of love...
has the tumor spread to other organs?..or was it just contained in his mouth?
i wouldn't force feed him...
you can keep him hydrated..with water..or milk...but when it's reaching the point where he need to be coaxed to eat..and has a diagnosis of cancer...
he's obviously in pain of some sort...the fact that he was given an injection to last a month....( does it really last that long?)
unfortunately with animals we can't ask them how they are feeling..but you are very in tune with him...after 16 years you know him better than anyone else.
my labrador retreiver had tumor on her paw....i had surgery done..but there came a day when the tumor advanced..and it was a tough decision to make...but at one point..if you love the animal ..you can't let them suffer anymore.
watch him for the next few days...please don't force feed him...let him take food naturally..
animals know when they are able to eat & when they aren't.
i trust at one point you will make a kind decision.
best wishes.

Answer 9

Generally speaking when an animal looses interest in food it's time to do the last job of a responsible pet owner. As long as your cat is acting OK and eating and has enjoyment (quality) of life then enjoy her company. When she is ready to go she will let you know.

Answer 10

My heart goes out to you ..... I lost a 17 year old cat two years ago in similar circs and the loss was traumatic. My advice? Make you cat's time here special .... lots of affection and special food .... he is old now and time will be limited anyway so make it special for you both. You will know when the time is right to put him to sleep .... and then celebrate his little life by burying him in the garden ( if you have one ) and fill his grave with flowers and favourite toy. All life is finite, it's just we need to handle it best we can .. Good luck ..