Ive been to the vets and they have said they would have to remove part of his right ear to take the polps away,but because of his diabeties i'm worried it won't heal,and he will suffer more,also his ear is cut inside where he keeps scratching it,which has made it even worse.
The vet said it usualy comes back,but would be easier to treat the next time because part of his ear won't be there,but how will he cope with all that.
I just want whats best for him,and the thought of him suffering perhaps even more eats me up inside as i love him to bits.
Animal lovers i need some advice please,this is so hard for me.
2007-11-08 23:53:32 · 7 answers · asked by MR Mystic 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
You don't need Ken to help you via email with the diabetes, see www.felinediabetes.com if you want solid help IN PUBLIC.
2007-11-09 09:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by kananaskis95 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Twelve is not old. You "love him to bits". Since you don't mention cost, it must not be a factor or a worry. He has a growth that can be removed. There is a risk involved, but you have no certainty that it will not heal, no absolute certainty that he will suffer enough after the procedure for you to justify euthanizing him before it. Plain and simple, I would do it, have the surgery. If he does not heal well and really does go into terrible suffering, then you would have done all that you can do. And you can live with your decision to euthanize.
Have the surgery.
You know, this is different by many orders of magnitude, but because there are similarities, I will mention it. Seventeen years ago almost this exact moment, the phone call came from the hospict, that my mother had stopped breathing. She had battled breast cancer for 8 years, had had the deforming surgeries, suffered the humiliation of cancer treatments, and fought like a banshee. And lost -- because there was a palpable, golf ball-sized tumor in her armpit -- her brachial plexus. The doctors had told her they could remove it, but the arm on that side would be withered after surgery, and of limited use. Mom was ambidextrous, so that didn't affect her decision, but she refused the surgery, and probably died because of her choice.
The truth is, I will never know. But had the decision been in my hands, I would have chosen the surgery and the withered arm, just for the chance to have her longer.
Love is the most and maybe the only real treasure. It is rare and always to be cherished and savored, whether it is the love we share with a parent or a pet.
If there is a chance he can have a decent, lengthier, quality life and you can afford the procedure, I really feel you should take the chance. If it works out well, you will be gratified; if it doesn't, you will have gone to the mat for him, and you can live with yourself.
Thumbs up. A definite thumbs up. Get him to the vet and give him the chance. Love is always worth it.
2007-11-09 01:03:50 · answer #2 · answered by Mercy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I just went through the same thing with my little Chili-Anana. She was 10.
First it was her thyroid, which I treated with pills for about a year. Then it was diabetes, which I treated with insulin for about 3 months. One a.m. I was at my computer and she just started pitching around heaving...that was it.
I had to put her to sleep that day.
The vet offered treatment, but asked if I had something else in mind, because when I called to make appointment I said 'euthanasia'.
So- here's what I learned: Some cats age really fast.
Diabetes is EXTREMELY hard to monitor and regulate in cats.
It's a hard decision (mine was more or less made for me that morning) but I can tell you in all honesty after diabetes, it's pretty much downhill.
I know there are people who feel that any kind of life left is worth a "valiant effort", I mean, people put animals thru dialysis, chemo, good god.
Chili HATED her shots.
I have had a lot of cats. The way I look at it is, a cat isn't made to endure shots, repeated surgeries, and the stress of vet offices and overnight stays.
Kitty has had a long, full life.
I feel that money spent saving a cat that's had a full life and is slowly failing could go instead to the spay or neuter of another cat who is without a home.
It seems to me to be a good and fair way to come to the decision.
Maybe just treat his ear as best you can for now and let things run thier course...when the time comes, you'll know.
Hope this helps.
2007-11-09 00:42:41 · answer #3 · answered by Mimi B 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think you should get them removed. You can't have him scratching at them...
I'd actually be tempted to get the whole of his ear removed, he should be fine without and he won't need to keep going back to have a bit more cut off each time they reappear.
The diabetes may slow the healing, but that does not mean that it won't heal. You might just have to keep it clean for a couple of weeks longer :)
I'm sure he'll be fine.
2007-11-09 00:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi
I think they should be removed. The diabetes should not interfere with the healing. I have worked with diabetic cats for many years and am sending you an email
Please do not listen to the poster below. Diabetes is very treatable and there is no quality of life lost if you know what you are doing
2007-11-08 23:59:29 · answer #5 · answered by Ken 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Be guided by your vet's advice. Good luck to the little one.
2007-11-09 12:58:09 · answer #6 · answered by steffi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sad but if it was my cat I would put it to sleep so it does not suffer
2007-11-09 00:37:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋