Time left to live

Is there some law where veterinarians can't give an estimate or range
as to how long an animal has left to live?

I recently took in my cat who has severe liver problems and with the
way the vet was talking it sounded like he only had a few months to
live. So I just went ahead and asked the vet if he's saying the cat
has less than a year to live and all I got was the runaround. I don't
know if my cat has 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years to live.

People doctors will usually tell their patients how much time they
think they have to live so why can't veterinarians do that? I
understand there could be legal problems if they say 6 months and the
cat dies two weeks later. But there's no reason why they can't say
something like the animal could possibly live up to a year or it might
die next week. Why can't they just say that?

It would be nice to know how much time my cat might have left and
whether or not further testing and poking and prodding is even worth
it for him.

On 9 Feb 2005 03:04:43 -0800, (Mike) wrote:

Is there some law where veterinarians can't give an estimate or range
as to how long an animal has left to live?

I recently took in my cat who has severe liver problems and with the
way the vet was talking it sounded like he only had a few months to
live. So I just went ahead and asked the vet if he's saying the cat
has less than a year to live and all I got was the runaround. I don't
know if my cat has 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years to live.

People doctors will usually tell their patients how much time they
think they have to live so why can't veterinarians do that? I
understand there could be legal problems if they say 6 months and the
cat dies two weeks later. But there's no reason why they can't say
something like the animal could possibly live up to a year or it might
die next week. Why can't they just say that?

It would be nice to know how much time my cat might have left and
whether or not further testing and poking and prodding is even worth
it for him.

It's very sad that your cat is so ill. Unfortunately your vet really doesn't
know how long there is left. The answer you gave "up to a year or it might
die next week" is the same as not knowing if you think about it. I know how you
feel though, especially about not wanting to make his life a misery with
treatment that's pointless.

It might be easier to get the vet to say how likely (very likely, possible,
unlikely) it is that your cat will still be around in 12 months time. That's
much less definitive, and from his experience the vet should be able to tell
you how other cats have gone on from where your cat is.

In the meantime give your cat loads of love and strokes, and look after yourself
too.

best wishes,
Jim


Jim

in article , Mike at
wrote on 2/9/05 5:04AM:

Is there some law where veterinarians can't give an estimate or range
as to how long an animal has left to live?

I recently took in my cat who has severe liver problems and with the
way the vet was talking it sounded like he only had a few months to
live. So I just went ahead and asked the vet if he's saying the cat
has less than a year to live and all I got was the runaround. I don't
know if my cat has 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years to live.

People doctors will usually tell their patients how much time they
think they have to live so why can't veterinarians do that? I
understand there could be legal problems if they say 6 months and the
cat dies two weeks later. But there's no reason why they can't say
something like the animal could possibly live up to a year or it might
die next week. Why can't they just say that?

Human doctors are often wrong too. Very often people outlast whatever
estimate they give. The same could go for your cat. Only you can really
judge how much discomfort your cat is in because you know it's regular
behaviour.

I'm sorry though that your cat is not feeling well. What kind of liver
problems does it seem to be having?

It would be nice to know how much time my cat might have left and
whether or not further testing and poking and prodding is even worth
it for him.

What has he had done and what more do they suggest?

Mike,
I can understand your frustration. If it were me I would spend everyday
just loving and cuddling him.
I am so sorry he is ill.
Its hard not knowing.
Purrs for you and him.
Holly

Mike" wrote in message
om...
Is there some law where veterinarians can't give an estimate or range
as to how long an animal has left to live?

I recently took in my cat who has severe liver problems and with the
way the vet was talking it sounded like he only had a few months to
live. So I just went ahead and asked the vet if he's saying the cat
has less than a year to live and all I got was the runaround. I don't
know if my cat has 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years to live.

People doctors will usually tell their patients how much time they
think they have to live so why can't veterinarians do that? I
understand there could be legal problems if they say 6 months and the
cat dies two weeks later. But there's no reason why they can't say
something like the animal could possibly live up to a year or it might
die next week. Why can't they just say that?

It would be nice to know how much time my cat might have left and
whether or not further testing and poking and prodding is even worth
it for him.

**How old is your cat? Many vets don't like to give a set amount of time,
because, honestly, animals can be very resilient, just like people. I would
try using your* gut instinct, because you know your cat much better than any
vet. If your vet recommends a procedure down the road that is very
invasive, and/or painful, then I would think long and hard before making the
decision. There is trauma with any* procedure done, some much more than
others, and you wouldn't want to make him/her sicker by the trauma, since
his immune system is already compromised.

I, personally, like to take a holistic approach to most cat health issues
that I might be faced with. But, getting back to your question, just use
your own good judgement. When I had to have my 15 year old, elderly ( now
deceased) cat, Blue, eye' removed, back in 2000, my vet insisted* to me that
Blue would only* have about a year left, maaaybe, a maximum two year left,
Tops! But I knew better, and with lots of TLC care, Blue lived on for
another good and happy 4 1/2 years.

ML

"Mike" wrote in message
om...
Is there some law where veterinarians can't give an estimate or range
as to how long an animal has left to live?

I recently took in my cat who has severe liver problems and with the
way the vet was talking it sounded like he only had a few months to
live. So I just went ahead and asked the vet if he's saying the cat
has less than a year to live and all I got was the runaround. I don't
know if my cat has 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years to live.

People doctors will usually tell their patients how much time they
think they have to live so why can't veterinarians do that? I
understand there could be legal problems if they say 6 months and the
cat dies two weeks later. But there's no reason why they can't say
something like the animal could possibly live up to a year or it might
die next week. Why can't they just say that?

It would be nice to know how much time my cat might have left and
whether or not further testing and poking and prodding is even worth
it for him.

Doctors usually use their judgment when passing on really bad news,
assessing how the owner would react if told the truth; accept it or have
hysterics.
I suspect the vet may have formed an opinion about you as the owner, right
or wrong.
Just be kind to your pet, relieve any pain and accept nature's course.

Icedog.