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When should I put my cat down?



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 30th 11, 01:54 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Brian[_2_]
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Posts: 47
Default When should I put my cat down?

My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?

Advice from others would be welcome thanks.

Regards Brian
  #2  
Old March 30th 11, 02:28 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Rockinghorse Winner[_5_]
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Posts: 12
Default When should I put my cat down?

* It may have been the liquor talking, but
Brian wrote:

My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?

Advice from others would be welcome thanks.

Regards Brian


I'm not an expert, Brian. I'm not even an amateur. I've only had to put down
one pet in my life, and that was my life companion of 14 years, my orange
tabby, Henry.

IME, you will just 'know' when the time is right. It doesn't sound like that
time has come yet for you and your pet. If the little guy still enjoys the
warmth of the sun and the comfort of a lap, his life is worth preserving,
IMO.

In Henry's case, he stopped eating and drinking completely, so it wasn't
much of a difficult decision. However, just enjoy the time you have left to
the max.


*R* *H*
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  #3  
Old March 30th 11, 12:02 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
nobody
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default When should I put my cat down?

On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:54:27 +1300, Brian wrote:

My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?

Advice from others would be welcome thanks.

Regards Brian


Brian,

You're likely close to needing to make a decision. I've been through
this before and it's never easy making that decision. No matter what
you decide, you will probably second guess yourself (did I wait to
long or not long enough?). As the other poster said, you will know
when it's time and as long he is enjoying life and not in obvious
distress, just enjoy having him around. Best of luck to you.
  #4  
Old March 30th 11, 02:32 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
dgk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,268
Default When should I put my cat down?

On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:02:34 -0400, NoBody wrote:

On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:54:27 +1300, Brian wrote:

My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?

Advice from others would be welcome thanks.

Regards Brian


Brian,

You're likely close to needing to make a decision. I've been through
this before and it's never easy making that decision. No matter what
you decide, you will probably second guess yourself (did I wait to
long or not long enough?). As the other poster said, you will know
when it's time and as long he is enjoying life and not in obvious
distress, just enjoy having him around. Best of luck to you.


That's my standard line on this subject. You can't win because they
can't talk. Either we feel guilty that we sent them over the bridge
too soon, or we feel guilty that we made them suffer too long.

As long as he is enjoying the sun and lying in a lap, he's probably
worth keeping alive. When he seems to be feeling crappy all the time,
then it's time to go. Seventeen is a good long life for a cat. I know
folks talk about this cat being 20, or 21, but out of my six cats that
are now gone, only one made it to sixteen. And I feed them all good
quality food and they get good vetcare.
  #5  
Old March 30th 11, 10:37 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Phil P.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,027
Default When should I put my cat down?


"Brian" wrote in message
...
My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?


I think you can probably help him live a lot longer and improve his quality
of life significantly by treating his diabetes. He should stop losing
weight as soon as you start treating the diabetes. Its not that difficult
or expensive or stressful for your cat or you. You can get a lot of help and
info at http://felinediabetes.com and

Is the cancer a squamous cell carcinoma on the ear flap? Is your cat white
or light-colored or does he have very little hair on his ears? If the answer
is yes to these questions the SCC might be solar-induced. If the SCC
reappeared after surgery, its possible your vet didn't remove all of it and
didn't send the tissue he removed to a lab for histologic evaluation of the
surgical margins. He probably didn't think that was worth while either.

As far as his kidney problem: cats with CRF can live for years after
diagnosis with proper care. My cat with CRF died 6 weeks before her 25th
birthday. She was diagnosed with CRF when she was 14. You can find a lot of
help and support at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/

But the first thing you should do is find a different vet.

Keep the faith,

Phil


  #6  
Old March 31st 11, 02:33 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Rene
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 117
Default When should I put my cat down?

I have to agree with Phil in saying his quality of life will improve
greatly if you treat his diabetes. Also, since he has kidney disease,
are you giving him sub cutaneous fluids a few times per week? You can
do this at home inexpensively, and it really improves their quality of
life.

Also, what are you feeding him? I can't remember if you addressed this
in your earlier posts. I strongly suggest that you feed a wet, grain
free diet. This is important both for the kidneys (more moisture) and
diabetes (he doesn't need carbs from dry food). Here is an excellent
article on feline nutrition: http://www.catinfo.org/

Please keep us posted. It's hell watching our pets age.

Rene
  #7  
Old March 31st 11, 04:23 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
dgk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,268
Default When should I put my cat down?

On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:37:40 -0500, "Phil P."
wrote:


"Brian" wrote in message
.. .
My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?


I think you can probably help him live a lot longer and improve his quality
of life significantly by treating his diabetes. He should stop losing
weight as soon as you start treating the diabetes. Its not that difficult
or expensive or stressful for your cat or you. You can get a lot of help and
info at http://felinediabetes.com and

Is the cancer a squamous cell carcinoma on the ear flap? Is your cat white
or light-colored or does he have very little hair on his ears? If the answer
is yes to these questions the SCC might be solar-induced. If the SCC
reappeared after surgery, its possible your vet didn't remove all of it and
didn't send the tissue he removed to a lab for histologic evaluation of the
surgical margins. He probably didn't think that was worth while either.

As far as his kidney problem: cats with CRF can live for years after
diagnosis with proper care. My cat with CRF died 6 weeks before her 25th
birthday. She was diagnosed with CRF when she was 14. You can find a lot of
help and support at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/

But the first thing you should do is find a different vet.

Keep the faith,

Phil


Phil makes better sense than I do. Listen to him. Seriously.
  #8  
Old April 2nd 11, 12:03 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Brian[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 47
Default When should I put my cat down?

Rene wrote:

I have to agree with Phil in saying his quality of life will improve
greatly if you treat his diabetes. Also, since he has kidney disease,
are you giving him sub cutaneous fluids a few times per week? You can
do this at home inexpensively, and it really improves their quality of
life.

Also, what are you feeding him? I can't remember if you addressed this
in your earlier posts. I strongly suggest that you feed a wet, grain
free diet. This is important both for the kidneys (more moisture) and
diabetes (he doesn't need carbs from dry food). Here is an excellent
article on feline nutrition: http://www.catinfo.org/

Please keep us posted. It's hell watching our pets age.

Rene


He has lost a lot of weight which I think is caused by the diabetes.
I've changed his food from dry food to canned food (and some dry food
in his bowl. I've also tried giving him colloidal silver water which
he is happy to drink. What are sub cutaneous fluids?
The vet thinks he should be put down as he has three things wrong with
him. Ear cancer, kidney trouble and sugar diabetes so she is not
treating him for sugar diabetes.
I don't know if the cat is suffering, but he still enjoys eating his
food and will demand food if he has run out of food in his bowl by
continuously meowing.

Regards Brian
  #9  
Old April 2nd 11, 12:14 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Brian[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 47
Default When should I put my cat down?

"Phil P." wrote:


"Brian" wrote in message
.. .
My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?


I think you can probably help him live a lot longer and improve his quality
of life significantly by treating his diabetes. He should stop losing
weight as soon as you start treating the diabetes. Its not that difficult
or expensive or stressful for your cat or you. You can get a lot of help and
info at http://felinediabetes.com and

Is the cancer a squamous cell carcinoma on the ear flap? Is your cat white
or light-colored or does he have very little hair on his ears? If the answer
is yes to these questions the SCC might be solar-induced. If the SCC
reappeared after surgery, its possible your vet didn't remove all of it and
didn't send the tissue he removed to a lab for histologic evaluation of the
surgical margins. He probably didn't think that was worth while either.

As far as his kidney problem: cats with CRF can live for years after
diagnosis with proper care. My cat with CRF died 6 weeks before her 25th
birthday. She was diagnosed with CRF when she was 14. You can find a lot of
help and support at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/

But the first thing you should do is find a different vet.

Keep the faith,

Phil

Thanks Phil for your help.
He has some hair on his ears and is a mixture of white and other
colours.
He has been operated for ear cancer twice last year but it quickly
grows back. Each time the vet has said that she tried to remove all of
the cancer. She also said that as the cat had white parts then it's
common for cancer to occur and the cat should avoid the sun.
He has had treatment twice for his kidney problem as he needs a
monthly injection. I think the vet has given up on the cat now he has
three things wrong with him and won't treat him for the diabetics.

Is the cat likely to be suffering much with his current condition?
He seems to have lost a lot of weight and lacks in energy.
I've changed from dry food to wet food with a bit of dry food he likes
this a lot and it has less sugar.
I've also tried giving him colloidal silver water which he seems to
accept.

Regards Brian
  #10  
Old April 2nd 11, 12:23 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Brian[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 47
Default When should I put my cat down?

NoBody wrote:

On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:54:27 +1300, Brian wrote:

My cat has sugar diabetics, a Kidney problem, and cancer on his ear.

The vet treated him for his kidney problem but did not think it was
worth while treating him for diabetics as this is not his only
problem.
He has been operated on twice for cancer on his ear but it has
appeared on his ear again after the second operation.

The cat is 17 years 14 weeks old.

The cat sits outside to enjoy the sunshine and likes sitting on
someone's knee but spends most of the time in a certain location in
the kitchen. He is still drinking (a lot) and eating but is loosing
weight.

Should I continue to let the cat live what life he has left and wait
until his health is worst before considering putting him down?

Advice from others would be welcome thanks.

Regards Brian


Brian,

You're likely close to needing to make a decision. I've been through
this before and it's never easy making that decision. No matter what
you decide, you will probably second guess yourself (did I wait to
long or not long enough?). As the other poster said, you will know
when it's time and as long he is enjoying life and not in obvious
distress, just enjoy having him around. Best of luck to you.


Yes it's difficult to tell with cats if he is suffering as he has
always be a cat that fights for what he wants. Lately if he has run
out of food in his bowel then he will demand more food by continually
meowing until he is feed.
He does spend most of his time in a spot in the kitchen rather than
run around outside. I sometimes take him down to the garden and leave
him there to give him a change of scenery but he soon comes back to
the house. He will sometime push on the door to rattle the door if the
door and his cat flap is closed to get someone's attention. His keen
interest in feed when I feed him wet food lately makes me wonder if
he's not quite ready to end his life. It would be great if he could
tell me what he wanted or how he feels.
One problem is that I and my wife will be going away for a few days
soon so he will be left outside and the neighbor will feed him so I
don't know if he will survive or not.

Regards Brian
 




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