what to do

I would discuss the suffering with the owner and tell them if it makes it
easier for them that you will take the cat to be put to sleep so it no
longer suffers and so they don't have to go through the experience.

If they refuse than I'd call animal control and let them deal with it. The
poor thing should have been put to sleep long ago and not left to suffer.

Celeste

--
Save 25% or more on your eBay® auctions
Snipe eBay Auctions with Bidnip
http://www.bidnip.com/a.php?id=39019

"pussypower" wrote in message
...
What do cat owners out there make of this. A near neighbor has a cat
with oral cancer and it cannot eat properly . It can eat but not
efficiently. It takes ages to eat a small amount because its face
is distorted by the cancer. Its mouth is permanently open and the
tongue hanging out. It is about 1/3rd to 1/2 of its original weight.
Is very bony and its eyes look odd. pupils large and at times it
seems less visually competant than it used to be. The diagnosis was
some months ago. The owner is making no efforts to have it euthanised
despite its disfigurement and its drooling all the time. It cannot
groom itself and is very dirty with bloodstained fur. vet advised at
the beginning that it need not be oput to sleep so long as it is able
to eat. However, I think what is meant by "eating" is not the same
thing as able to manage tiny amounts and slowly starving. Such a
difficult scenario when you know the owner. I wonder whether
perhaps they are just unable to face the decision to bring an end to
it. I wonder whether I should offer to go with them to the vet if
they feel the time is up. On the other hand, it is into potential
cruelty territory because as far as I can see an animals suffering
needs to be treated, even if the illness is terminal. No active
treatment is being provided and it seems to me that the animal has not
been examined for months. I hate to be complicit (not legally but
in terms of conscience) in this situation by failing to challenge
the owner. The owner may now feel that taking the animal to the vet
in what is so obviously a chillingly emaciated and disfigured
scraggy appearance might lead to some problems. I have no idea. The
animal does not appear to have stopped trying to eat and can walk.

Any advice would be appreciated