My Cats Got Cancer. Only Has Weeks To Live?

Question

Today has been the hardest day for me since my father has pasted away. My cat Sooty is dying. She only has weeks to live. She has large tuma lumps on her belly, which has spread to her lungs, Kidney's. I cant stop crying, I know some people might find this strange but I'm not just loosing a cat, I'm loosing a friend, a best friend. Does anyone have any advice to help me through this hard time? How will I know when its time. She loves me, she follow's me everywhere, in my family i'm the only one she will go to. Sami

Thank you everyone who has posted a message, They have all helped. Sami

Answer 1

I am so sorry for your heartache! :(

Maybe it would help to write down how you feel. Write a letter to your cat telling her how much she means to you and how much you are going to miss her. You don't have to do anything with the letter, or you can bury it with her, or burn it after she's gone.

Spend as much time as you can with her. Take pictures if possible. Pet her gently if she can stand it (I don't know how bad her pain is).

When the pain is really bad, you'll know.

Again, I am so sorry!!! Just think how happy and healthy she will be when her spirit is finally released from her mortal body. She will always be with you in your heart.

Don't be ashamed to cry! It is a natural reaction!

Good luck! :)

Answer 2

I don't see how a person could feed a critter, love it, see how it adores you back, and then not be distraught when it dies. I understand why you're so upset.

I know this sounds hard but if the vet has told you Sooty will pass away, I would have her put to sleep before she becomes miserable. If she's comfortable now, eating, playing, etc let her enjoy her days as long as they are good ones. But if she becomes sick and unable to walk I think euthanasia is easier on both pet and owner. It will give you a chance to prepare yourself for her passing and say goodbye.

It's a cruel thing that animals can't live as long as the humans that love them. You'll probably go thru a rollercoaster of emotions but one day you'll be able to think of Sooty and smile instead of cry. Keep in mind she will be at peace and never feel pain, hunger, fear, or illness ever again.

Answer 3

Sami -

What wonderful messages of compassion people have posted for you! I have two cats with cancer now and lost one three years ago when the cancer has metastisized to the lungs as it seems Sooty's has.

When the time comes Sooty will go to sleep peacefully in your arms. Just remember that the loss and sadness you are feeling is something Sooty picks up on so try clear some of your feelings when you are not with her so that she doesn't have the burden of your emotions right now.

Go off by yourself and write the letter (then you can cry and sob out of her presence). When you return to her for your last times with her try to think of the positive things - the love and happiness you have shared for so many years. Don't stress her by letting her experience your pain right now.

Take care of yourself, Sami.

Answer 4

It is very hard watching someone you love die, it doesn't matter if they are an animal--they are an important person to you. And you are an important person to them.

I've nursed more than one faithful old pet in their last days, they best thing you can do is make sure they are comfortable as they can be and in their most favorite places. If you have to line their favorite resting places with old sheets or towels so they can be comfortable and you can change them if they have incidents. Always make sure they have food or water within a few feet of where they like to lay, dehydration is a can speed up the animals illness because there bodies need all the fuel they can get. Keep tract of how much food and fluid she is getting, if she is not drinking or eating by herself you may have to get a small syringe (like the type used to dispense cat medicines) to get water into her, you can also find ones large enough to hold pureed food. My 16yo dog recently had serious dental surgery and we had to hand feed her water and food like a little lamb for a month, we would make her dogshake: meat shavings blended with gravy, brown rice, carrots, olive oil, and egg. Once she got over being fed like a baby, she actually looked forward to her little meal.

I hope this helps you with helping her live as best she can, in the end the best thing you can do is sit beside her and talk to her when you can. Some people don't think animals can contemplate their own death, but they can, and they appreciate any comfort you can offer just like any other person. I’ve noticed myself that sometimes just being present and empathetic to their pain seems to lessen it a little.

Answer 5

Im so sorry, Ive lost cats in the past too that I was heartbroken about. DONT take that persons advice by taking pictures of her right now! The pictures will only remind you of the pain she went through, you don't want to remember that! You want to remember the good times ;) If you miss her down the road, pull out some OLD pictures of her
Just be there for your kitty and pamper her, thats the only way you can cope with this. Get her some extra special food just for her, and let her remain comfortable. If she's able to.. try to play with her and cuddle with her. The best thing you can do for your little baby is be there for her because she really needs you right now.
When my guinea pig died last year I was devistated, but the 2 days he was sick before he died.. I had a feeling that he was going to pass away. I put his cage in my room and kept getting up all night every now and then to check on him and pet him. He passed away when he was in my arms, it was very emotional.. getting teary eyed just thinking about it

Pets are just like family members, my parents had a dog that we all grew up with and when he died we were ALL crying about it for days, and we still mention him every now and then eventhough that was over 10 years ago

Answer 6

Of course. All living things get cancer, but fortunately many types of cancer are treatable if early enough. If you suspect your cat has cancer, take the cat to the vet. The vet will check it out, and make a diagnosis. No need to worry until an actual diagnosis is made. Many lumps and bumps that look scary are often times benign - they might be an abscess or fatty tissue, or something else that doesn't need to be treated, or is very easily treated.

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your difficult situation. I have 2 cats and the thought of losing either one is so terrible. To people like you and me, our cats just aren't pets they are part of our families, which makes losing them so awful. My advice, for what it's worth, is to spend as much time with Sooty as possible and spoil her as much as you can. If at some point Sooty stops eating and/or drinking water and starts crying a lot (cries for pain are recognizable and different from the usual, everyday meowing) then you will know that it is time to let her go. Making the decision will be the ultimate way of showing your love for her. I wish you the best.

Answer 8

I know what you must feel. I lost a cat to cancer that I had owned for 21 years...yes 21. For me it was a childhood friend that I had grown up with. But, I'll tell you this...it may provide you a little light in your day...

My vet told me my cat had a couple of months to live, at most. She lived for another 9 months. Odd things can happen. In my cat's case, the tumor grew in a way that cut off its own blood supply...slowing the inevitable... So, enjoy the time you have, don't focus on the amount of time you are told is remaining.

Answer 9

Wow!
First, I'm very sorry, that is hard.

I lost my cat years ago to feline lukemia. He was 18 yrs old and was cool as an animal can ever be, so I'm not without understanding.

We are betrothed with two that no-one can ever take away;
..to be born
...and to die

We all know that, we just have to accept it when the time is right, it will come.

My family is a bit strange. When we loose someone we celebrate them. I'm not saying its all happy, or depressing. There is even a Hugh party for every funeral, food, music, drinking, everything!
No one says it, but it is our family's way of enjoying that person, even their faults; and taking away the affect their life has on us. They seem to stick with you too.

It's like partying just because we had them, and saying thanks for everything.

Answer 10

u poor thing i have gone through what u have the best way to get over it is before to goes take loads of pictues and only think of the great memoris u have toghether and if u can by a nother cat like sooty and u will have to get over it to pass ur love to another