older cat going downhill suddenly with illness?

Question

My lovely 18 year old cat has been showing signs of age moreso recently (she already has thyroid prob & also had eye removed a year ago!) Suddenly a few days ago her abdoman was swollen & she was more wobbly than usual. The vet did a test of the fluid (this is slowly poisoning her body!) and we knew it wouldn't be good news. Charlie has cancerous lump & I think an operation would not be best thing for her (unless anyone has experience of this and knows better?) At the moment she can slowly get to her litter tray, and she's also eating a little and drinking. I hug her a lot and she still purrs...but has anyone had this happen to their cat and what is the next stage likely to be? I wouldn't want her to get stressed if she can't get to the litter tray on time or she starts being sick...would it be better to put her to sleep before it gets to that stage, or only WHEN it gets worse for her...oh crikey, this is horrible, so please, any advice from anyone would be most appreciated.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your kind words everyone! It's sad to know that there are others out there going through the same thing...charlie is getting a hug as I type this, but I need some breakfast! Thanks again x

Answer 1

I am so sorry for you; this sounds so similar to what happened to me when I had to put my 17 1/2 yr old cat down in Sept of 2005, due to a large tumor in her abdomen.
At least your pet is still eating and drinking; our Sugar just went in the bathroom, laid on the bathmat and softly purred when we went to check on her. She would not eat or drink unless I put it in her mouth; I did dribble water in all weekend, I guess just to keep her alive until I could get her in to the vet on Monday morning. She never really lost control of her bladder / bowels as there was nothing going in; hence nothing going out. Sounds like Charlie is not that far gone yet however.
We too could have opted for surgery but there were no guarantees it would work; it would have cost $800 and no telling what they would have found when they got in there; the vet cannot tell by palpating the tumor, what type it is. My vet said it would extend her life expectancy 3 weeks to 3 months; I could not do that to her.
Although I did not find this article until months later, it deals with dogs but still applies; it helped me immensely even after the fact:
http://dogcentral.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=2987455
When the time does come, be sure and go in with her. I held her and Sugar actually purred as they slipped the needle in, I honestly felt at that point, that she had 3 paws in the grave already and she was thanking me and still reassuring me as best she could.
DO have someone go with you as I went alone and was really in no shape to drive home afterwards, even though I did.
I am so sorry for you I truly know from experience how horrible this is, but bottom line is Charlie trusts you to do what is best for her and this last thing is definitely the most difficult and heartwrenching.

Answer 2

This is such a shame, but your cat has had a good long life, 18 years is a great age.

I've seen a fair few tumours removed from cats abdomens, but I have to say the only ones I've seen pull through and go on to live decent lives were the younger ones. I have a friend who's had many cats throughout her life, and some have had tumours. One had a liver tumour, and she had it removed but she says she wouldn't do it again because the cat was never the same afterwards.

I think the next thing you're likely to see happen is that the cat will stop eating and drinking and gradually become more and more lethargic. From what you've said, it sounds like you already know what the right thing to do is - as long as kitty is happy now then that's fine, but there will come a time when she's lost her quality of life and then you'll know what to do.

We rarely recommend tumour removals in old cats - we offer it as an option of course but people rarely go for it. Do talk this over with your vet, because he knows the cat and would certainly have the most valuable advice.

God bless - I think you've done very well and I'm sure you'll do the right thing when the time comes. I lost my 18 year old cat suddenly, when she hadn't been ill your story reminds me this was a mercy.

Chalice

Answer 3

I had an 18 year old cat who also had cancer. She changed exactly as you've described. Used to go out a lot and was a really playful cat, but she suddendly started sleeping a lot and she would fall off the back of the sofa when she was asleep, so I think it must have started to affect her brain.

The vet said there was an operation they could do, but that it would most likely not be very successful and she wouldn't last much longer after the op, and that's if she survived it in the first place. She was in a lot of pain and it broke my heart but we had her put down.

It's such a hard decision to make and I really do feel for you. What you've said sounds so similar to what happened to my cat. As hard as it is to have an animal put down you have to do what's right for them. And even though she's happy and purrs sometimes, doesn't mean she's not in pain. The vet will give you their honest opinion so if you're really struggling you should ask them for their advice. I know you won't want to have your cat put down, but if that's what they suggest, then you'll just have to be strong. Stay with her whilst they do it if you can.

Good luck xx

Answer 4

I have to be honest and say at 18 I think it would be unfair to put her through an op, though your vet is the best person to advise obviously. She's at a very good age and has obviously been well looked after, I can only say what I would do (I have 3 cats, eldest is 13), I would leave her whilst she's happy but at the first sign off any deterioration I would put her to sleep, I couldn't bear any of my cats to suffer. If she was a bit younger then maybe the op would be worth it but 18 is a good old age for a cat. I think as long as you watch her carefully and ensure at the first sign of any 'worsening' you take her to the vet you have done all you can. You've ensured she's had a good long life, you've loved her and ensured her last days are not going to be pain filled.

Good luck to you and I hope you get to give her lots more cuddles yet! Give her one from me.

Answer 5

See what the vet says and also say that you would like to give Charlie a chance to see what happens. The vet will soon tell you what is best for Charlie. We gave our cat Jinx a bit longer with us but then the time came when she could not eat or drink , and only through a syringe, she did not play or clean herself. We were going to have her put to sleep on the Monday, but she died from a heart attack on the Sunday, the day before. It is sad, but often nature kicks in. Keep loving Charlie.

Answer 6

So sorry to hear this. Going through the same with our Evie cat at the moment. We have been advise by our vet not to have the operation as it can cause the cancer to become more aggressive and speed up it's spread. They felt it wouldn't be fair to put such an old cat through it. We have made the decision to put Evie to sleep in the next couple of weeks whilst she is still relatively well and still loves all her cuddles and hugs. I really do feel for you but it has to be what you feel is best for your cat and it is a difficult call to make when you would do anything to help them. We used a 'dignity and decency' (like in care homes etc) approach to our decision but it still hurts like hell knowing what we must do. Thinking of you.

Answer 7

Hi, Oh i feel sorry for you, i know exactly what this is like. Ask your vet for his advice we love our pets and don't want to see them suffer. My cat Sweep had cancer last year he was only 12 and a very strong cat, he was as big as most dog's. He had the cancer on his spleen and even though he was strong he was not expected to survive the operation he did but i was told he had a small amount of cancer on his liver, we had him for 10 extra weeks and then he started to take ill again when they did the tests we knew it was the end, and it broke our hearts, but we also knew we had given him all the love in the world, and he knew he was loved. I took him to be cremated and he is now in a beautiful box on my window sill. So he is still with us. We give our pets the best quality of life we can, and they are valued members of our family. I am thinking of you and your family and of course Charlie.

Answer 8

This is by far one of the hardest decision you'll have to make...

I believe that when my pets quality of life has declined to the extent that they are existing and not living, it is time for me to release them from their pain.

Since you already know that Charlie has cancer and that she already has other medical problems, it's safe to say that the decline will continue. Since animals are experts at hiding their pain, it's possible that Charlie is in quite a bit of pain, but would never show you. And she probably would purr, because cats purr when their happy, scared and yes, even in pain. So it's possible to purr through the pain.

It would be so much easier for us if they just went onto their favorite chair and went to sleep...but that rarely seems to happen. It's always up to us to make that decision on when the time is right. For us it never is, but for an animal who is in pain, they are looking for us to do right by them. And you will.

It may be time to start saying your good byes, giving Charile all of her favorite special treats, give some extra brushing....
You'd be doing the right thing for Charlie, even though it breaks your heart.

Prayers to you both.

Answer 9

You know your cat better than anyone else and if your vet is your regular vet, then I would be guided by his opinion to whether or not she is suffering in any way at the moment.

I feel for you as it's always guilt racking trying to decide when is the right time to let them go, but euthanasia is the final loving act that an owner can do for their pet if they are suffering in any way. When I had to do it for my 19 year old girl two years ago it broke my heart, but I knew it was kindest for her.

Treasure her for whatever time you have left together.

Answer 10

As difficult as it is is I think it is time to say goodbye to your cat she has has eighteen good years don't let her go through a stressful operation at her age. Ask the vets to put her to sleep it really is the kindest thing to do, I personally think that he vet surgery is best. I know of someone who asked the vet to come to their home and things did not go well. At least in the surgery they have all the necessary equipment to hand.