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When should I put my cat down?



 
 
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  #11  
Old April 3rd 11, 03:56 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
pat Chlebowski
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 178
Default When should I put my cat down?

First--- Get a new Vet
Second---- Treat the diabetes
Third----- Don't leave him outside when you are gone......

  #12  
Old April 3rd 11, 04:09 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Lesley Madigan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 715
Default When should I put my cat down?

On Apr 2, 4:03*am, Brian wrote:
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.


Best advice I can give is the same as other people here- get a new
vet. Diabetic cats can live happy good quality lives with treatment
and it could be the diabetes is aggravating/causing kidney trouble
(Human diabetics do sometimes develop kidney problems especially if
their diabetic control isn't good-it was what killed one of my
favourite authors) and cats with CRF also can live happy good quality
lives. Your vet either doesn't know how to treat the problem and is
too proud or stupid to admit to it and send you to a vet who knows
what they are doing or is just making a value judgement that is not
hers to make. Does she think you won't be able to maintain the
regimen for the cat or something? True some people don't manage very
well but Liz on RPCA recently took in an older cat that was about to
be PTS for poorly controlled diabetes, she's handled diabetic cats
before and in less than a fortnight the cat was a picture of health
again.

I seem to recall your cat has recently handled 2 surgeries for the ear
cancer - if he can come through 2 anaesthesias in a relatively short
space of time he must be doing well.

By refusing to treat your cat, your vet is condemming him to a
lingering death- for your cat's sake get a second opinion!

And that recommendation is endorsed by Phil P and there is no higher
authority than that!

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs
  #13  
Old April 4th 11, 04:02 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Matthew[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,287
Default When should I put my cat down?


"Phil P." wrote in message
...

"Brian" wrote in message
...
"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.


Due to the invasiveness of this type of cancer, its impossible for her to
see with the naked eye if she removed all of it. With this particular
type
of cancer its imperative to send the removed tissue to a pathology lab
where
the margins can be microscopically examined for cancer cells. If cancer
cells are found in the margins all the cancer wasn't removed and another
surgery must be performed or the cancer will return. If the margins are
clean, the cancer shouldn't grow back. This type of cancer is locally
invasive but very slow to metastasize (spread). Complete removal is
usually
curative.


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.


There's some information about Solar Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma on my
site:

http://maxshouse.com/Solar-Induced_S...ma_in_Cats.htm


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


You should see a dramatic improvement in all areas once you bring his
diabetes under control. If your vet doesn't support treating your cat,
dump
him. Your first loyalty is to your cat - not a mediocre vet.

Good luck,

Phil


Howdy Phil How have you been and how is the colonies ;-)


  #14  
Old April 4th 11, 05:01 AM 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
...
"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.


Due to the invasiveness of this type of cancer, its impossible for her to
see with the naked eye if she removed all of it. With this particular type
of cancer its imperative to send the removed tissue to a pathology lab where
the margins can be microscopically examined for cancer cells. If cancer
cells are found in the margins all the cancer wasn't removed and another
surgery must be performed or the cancer will return. If the margins are
clean, the cancer shouldn't grow back. This type of cancer is locally
invasive but very slow to metastasize (spread). Complete removal is usually
curative.


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.


There's some information about Solar Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma on my
site:

http://maxshouse.com/Solar-Induced_S...ma_in_Cats.htm


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


You should see a dramatic improvement in all areas once you bring his
diabetes under control. If your vet doesn't support treating your cat, dump
him. Your first loyalty is to your cat - not a mediocre vet.

Good luck,

Phil



  #15  
Old April 4th 11, 06:50 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Brian[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 47
Default When should I put my cat down?

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


Thanks everyone for your advice.
There is a group called 'cats protection league' in my country so they
may know of a different vet but I have a feeling that the vet I go to
is recommended by Cats protection League.

The main things I notice is a lact of weight
A lack of energy (but then he's always been a slow cat)
Staying in one spot, sometimes he will go outside.

On the possive side he is keen to get food and water and demands it.
He will play with his toy which is feathers string from a rod when I
wave it in front of him.
He also is able to walk back from the back section and will push on
the door to get out attention.

Maybe it's the cats age (17 years) and the fact that he has cancer on
his ear (after two operations) is the reason why the vet thinks he
should be put down. I think that the last operation might have been
too much for him and caused these health problems.

It's still warm and winter has not arrived so we don't have much
choice than to leave him outside when we are away. The neigbour is not
going to want to change his dirt box once or twice a day.

Regards Brian
  #16  
Old April 4th 11, 06:28 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Rene
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 117
Default When should I put my cat down?



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?


Subcutaneous fluids are fluids giving via a needle just under the
skin. Usually the needle is inserted in the scruff of the neck (where
a mother cat would carry her kittens). With kidney disease, this is a
common treatment that can easily and inexpensively be done at home.

IMO I would stop feeding any dry food, even if it means giving him
more canned.

I agree with everyone else in saying get a different vet. You have to
be your cat's advocate.

Rene
  #17  
Old April 4th 11, 06:39 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
MLB[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,298
Default When should I put my cat down?

Brian wrote:
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


Thanks everyone for your advice.
There is a group called 'cats protection league' in my country so they
may know of a different vet but I have a feeling that the vet I go to
is recommended by Cats protection League.

The main things I notice is a lact of weight
A lack of energy (but then he's always been a slow cat)
Staying in one spot, sometimes he will go outside.

On the possive side he is keen to get food and water and demands it.
He will play with his toy which is feathers string from a rod when I
wave it in front of him.
He also is able to walk back from the back section and will push on
the door to get out attention.

Maybe it's the cats age (17 years) and the fact that he has cancer on
his ear (after two operations) is the reason why the vet thinks he
should be put down. I think that the last operation might have been
too much for him and caused these health problems.

It's still warm and winter has not arrived so we don't have much
choice than to leave him outside when we are away. The neigbour is not
going to want to change his dirt box once or twice a day.

Regards Brian




Are there any boarding facilities wherever it is you live. I'd never go
away and leave a cat alone outside if I truly cared for the cat.
  #18  
Old April 4th 11, 06:44 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
chaniarts
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 15
Default When should I put my cat down?

MLB wrote:
Brian wrote:
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


Thanks everyone for your advice.
There is a group called 'cats protection league' in my country so
they may know of a different vet but I have a feeling that the vet I
go to is recommended by Cats protection League.

The main things I notice is a lact of weight
A lack of energy (but then he's always been a slow cat)
Staying in one spot, sometimes he will go outside.

On the possive side he is keen to get food and water and demands it.
He will play with his toy which is feathers string from a rod when I
wave it in front of him.
He also is able to walk back from the back section and will push on
the door to get out attention.

Maybe it's the cats age (17 years) and the fact that he has cancer on
his ear (after two operations) is the reason why the vet thinks he
should be put down. I think that the last operation might have been
too much for him and caused these health problems.

It's still warm and winter has not arrived so we don't have much
choice than to leave him outside when we are away. The neigbour is
not going to want to change his dirt box once or twice a day.

Regards Brian




Are there any boarding facilities wherever it is you live. I'd never
go away and leave a cat alone outside if I truly cared for the cat.


or ask a vet for a pet sitter who will stop in once every day or two to
empty the boxes and replenish food & water. a couple of litter boxes will
last a single cat for a while.


  #19  
Old April 4th 11, 09:46 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Rene
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 117
Default When should I put my cat down?


It's still warm and winter has not arrived so we don't have much
choice than to leave him outside when we are away. The neigbour is not
going to want to change his dirt box once or twice a day.



IMO, with an elderly cat with multiple medical problems, I would not
want to leave him outside while you are away. I would hire a petsitter
(with medical experience!) or board him at the vets to make sure he
gets the care he needs.

Rene

  #20  
Old April 4th 11, 11:29 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
.. .
"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.


Due to the invasiveness of this type of cancer, its impossible for her to
see with the naked eye if she removed all of it. With this particular type
of cancer its imperative to send the removed tissue to a pathology lab where
the margins can be microscopically examined for cancer cells. If cancer
cells are found in the margins all the cancer wasn't removed and another
surgery must be performed or the cancer will return. If the margins are
clean, the cancer shouldn't grow back. This type of cancer is locally
invasive but very slow to metastasize (spread). Complete removal is usually
curative.


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.


There's some information about Solar Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma on my
site:

http://maxshouse.com/Solar-Induced_S...ma_in_Cats.htm


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


You should see a dramatic improvement in all areas once you bring his
diabetes under control. If your vet doesn't support treating your cat, dump
him. Your first loyalty is to your cat - not a mediocre vet.

Good luck,

Phil


Thanks Phil for the information.
When the cat first had cancer on his ear his ear started to bleed as
he was scratching at it. He was wearing a cone shaped collar to
prevent him from scratching his ear while the stitches were in after
his first cancer operation. about 2 weeks later after the stitches
were removed his ear started to bleed again as the cancer had come
back and he was scratching at his ear. At the moment he is not fully
washing himself so there is no scratching at his ear but if he got
better then he is likely to scratch his ear and cause it to bleed
again.
I'm disappointed that after two expensive operations to treat his ear
cancer that I have not achieved anything as his cancer is back again
and growing on his ear. The vet did what she could to remove all the
cancer growth by cutting some of his ear.
I understand that the cancer will kill him in the end if old age
doesn't kill him first but now he has kidney and diabetics I think I'm
losing the battle to keep him alive. He is also eating less food at
the moment.

Is he likely to be suffering with the health problems he has?
If his diabetics was treated then how long would it take before the
cancer kills him?

Regards Brian

 




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