Vet found liver tumour in my cat (16), said no biopsy recommend. Nothing can be done except enjoy time w/ him?

Question

No biopsy recommended coz afraid of non-stop bleeding. Cat vomits almost dailly coz tumour may be close to stomach. Vet'll give med to stop vomit prob & ease his constipation & will examine tumour a mth later - see if it grows. Then will decide what action to take - e.g. give med / other form of treatment. Apart fm tumour, health is quite ok for his age. Not v. active now but "spirit" still ok - even resist when examined by vet. Vet said no operation due to his age - so nothing can be done except wait & see. Unsure as to how much longer he can live coz nature of tumour unknown.

No biopsy recommended coz afraid of non-stop bleeding. Cat vomits almost dailly coz tumour may be close to stomach. Vet'll give med to stop vomit prob & ease his constipation & will examine tumour a mth later - see if it grows. Then will decide what action to take - e.g. give med / other form of treatment. Apart fm tumour, health is quite ok for his age. Not v. active now but "spirit" still ok - even resist when examined by vet. Vet said no operation due to his age - so nothing can be done except wait & see. Unsure as to how much longer he can live coz nature of tumour unknown.

16 yr old cat lives w/ my parents and I've 2 adult cats (approx 8) w/ my spouse. Parents can't take care of cat in the near future, would u recommend me taking the 16 yr old cat to my home? Afraid of the stress that may be caused to him by the 2 adult cats (and vice versa).

Thank you all for your answers & most importantly, support!!!

Quick update on my cat's situation - I picked him up fm the vet earlier tonight. He apparently was doing quite ok - staff at clinic said he had been eating (tho not his usual food) & his constipation problem was solved with the help of med. Cat was allowed to walk around when kept in clinic and staff said he had good spirit. Eating mouthful of food even the moment b4 being put into his own bag.

Cat now back to my parents' place and had eaten a bit tonight. Hope the med prescribed by vet helps! Now need to work out with whom he is going to live.

A couple offered to take him a while ago but not sure whether it is still possible. Of course I want to keep him with me but vet did say the stress could be high (given I've 2 cats already). Utmost is he has sb. who can take care / monitor him during day-time (which I can't coz have to work). My house is not big at all and can't really keep him in a room.

Answer 1

for a day to see if it works out and if it does keep it

Answer 2

Try the meds, see if that stops vomiting. If your kitty can get some relief from that it will be great. Vomiting may get worse as tumor grows. Sounds like your kitty was taken care of really well by your family. I do think the stress of sharing his life at this stage with 2 other cats is not a good idea. He probably isn't having any pain as the liver will shut down. My old kitty was l8. Had diabetes the last year of her life. I regulated it with food instead of shots, she would have hated that. Her last year was great for her, she enjoyed every day. At the very end all her body shut down slowly, without pain. She died in my arms. She wasn't sickly and was still able to eat and drink right up to the end. We all have to make this hard decision at one time or another if we have older pets. Do what you know to be right in your heart. Your kitty knows how much she is loved. Maybe your parents cannot stand to watch her this way. My best to you and yours.

Answer 3

Oh, I'm so sorry for you and your cat, that's just a shame. He's had a long life and sounds like he still has some time to share. Sometimes all you can do is just leave things alone and let nature take it's course. I'm sure he knows how loved he is and like you said, enjoy your time with him, he may have longer than you think.

My Golden Retriever is 14. He's had 2 tumors removed and has another but he's too old, too. We're in the same situation and it breaks my heart. I understand what you're going through and I sympathize with you, bless your heart. Take care and kiss your kitty. So sorry.

Answer 4

I would wait the month to see if the tumor grows. I would also have to think really hard about what the cat would want. It must suck to be sick every single day. If you are sure it's not suffering or in pain then let nature run it's course otherwise it may be time to say goodbye. 16 years is a good life for a cat.

Answer 5

If he isn't in too much pain you can wait and see like the vet said. He might like to spend his last days with you- if he is not too upset by it you can try to keep him at your home- maybe in your bedroom or some other room that can be closed of from the other kitties when he needs to rest.

My Blackberrie passed away recently because of a tumor on his kidney. He appeared to be gaining weight very quickly (from normal to seemingly obese in about two weeks), but he was in fact retaining water in his abdomen. He passed away the day after we diagnosed his condition. He was in good spirits as well, he wanted company most of the time, he would ask for what he wanted by calling us to him and showing us what he wanted (like to be put on a bed or sofa), and he called us to him when he was about to pass away. He was a few months away from 17.

Your kitty's illness sounds like it is slower, so if he can be kept comfortable enough by his medicines you might get to spend more time with him. Best wishes.

Answer 6

Sadly there is nothing u can do at all. my neighbour has just lost her cat though the identical thing. My vet who is fantastic, said that all we could do was make her last few weeks happy, if she wanted chocolate let her have it etc. You will know when the time is near as the cat will be sick and have diarroeah, thats the time to take the cat back to the vet, it is time to get yourselves used to the idea of losing your cat. i'm very sorry.

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your kitty.
16 year is good long age..
Of course give her a lot of love and care if you can.
Stay with her.
If liver tumour is growing too fast, you want to be sure poor kitty doesn't have to suffer.
I know its sound so cruel.!!
Please do not let her suffer.!!
My heart go out to you..
I lost my ragdoll when she was 4years old. She fell down from my 8Th floor apartment.
I know how you feel.!!!

Answer 8

I am so sorry to hear about your cat....Just spend alot of time with him with hugs and kisses......I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.......