My cat has cancer

On January 7, I found a lump on my 14-yr old cat, Kirby - on his ribcage. He seemed fine.

I went to get it diagnosed and the vet said she didn't think it was cancer but his x-ray showed a nodule the size of a ping pong ball in his lung which she was fairly certain was cancer.   They didn't have much in the way of treatment options other than to give him a month to live if we gave him Prednisone.

 He has been going downhill - barely eating.  The vet has since said that the lump on his ribcage is also cancer.   The lump on his ribcage has grown noticeably over the last 2 weeks.

I was a basket case at first.  It all came along so suddenly.   I am trying some homeopathic and holistic treatments but it's not looking good. 

I'm looking for a way to prepare for the time when I have to say goodbye to him.  I pray that I won't have to put him to sleep, but I fear that I will. 

 I went online looking for Pet Grief sites and found one but since my pet hasn't passed, I didn't know if it was ok to post.  I read about pet cancer forums so I thought I'd try here.

 Is there a place I can go and post in order to help prepare for the day I have to say goodbye?

 Thank you.

I am so sorry to hear about Kirby's cancer.  We are all in that boat on this site.  I think you are the first "cat" person, but we welcome you with open arms.  I will say the same to you - enjoy each and every day you have with him.  There are some miracle "babies" on this site who have beaten the odds and lived much longer than first anticipated.  Use each day to its fullest and don't let him see you upset.  There is a wonderful site you can go to www.petloss.com - you can add Kirby to the Monday nite candle ceremony - for pets that need extra help.  Please do come back.

I am sorry about your Kirby's diagnosis.  You have come to the right place for support.  I do think most here are canine cases.  But they are all our babies.  I agree with the above poster and encourage you to enjoy every moment you have with your Kirby.  And yes, there are many that have made it much longer than expected.  Keep coming here for support!!

Muffie's mom

Thank you both for the kind messages and the hope that maybe Kirby will be around longer than expected.   It really helps.

It's nice to know that there are miracle pets out there.  

We thought we were losing Kirby earlier today but he's still with us and seems about the same.  He had an episode where he threw up and we thought he was dying, but he's ok. 

I talked to the vet and she said it was probably the catnip that I had given him to stimulate his apetite. He got overstimulated.  

He's hanging in there.  I'm glad I found this site.  

 I'm sorry for all of those who are also suffering through having their pets have cancer.  I know how hard it is.

 

Sharon

Sharon, so glad to hear that Kirby is still hanging in there.  It can be such an up and down/ day to day thing.  And don't forget to take care of yourself too ;)

 

I have heard that apricot seeds help pets with cancer.

I just wanted to let those who responded to my message know that Kirby did pass away.  He died on Feb 10.   I'm still having difficulty with it and have been visiting the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Forum.   I also attend a local Pet Loss Support Group and have actually become Co-Leader of the group.  

Thank you to those on here who were kind enough to respond to my messages and to care about Kirby.  I wish he could have been with me longer.

 

Sharon

Dear Sharon

As a veterinary surgeon I just can tell you It´s always amazing to see a cat with 14.It shows all about owners care and love for them. You did the possible thing...As a person i just can send you a big hug and... cuddle him with your memories.

sara

I too lost both of my cats to cancer.  They were brothers (both from the same litter).  Pepper lived to be 12; Mittens 14.  Mittens was my husband's best buddy.  He cried like a baby when we had to have Mittens put to sleep two years ago.  They both had cancer together.  Sadly, my husband died just this past February 22 of stomach cancer.  He had stage IV for 3 years. I know they are all together in heaven.  Sound crazy?  No way.  God loves all his creations.  They're waiting for me.

Diane

 

Dear Sharon,

I was so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved cat, Kirby.  It's devastating to lose a companion that you have had for such a long time. Clearly, you were a wonderful cat Mom.  I hope the support group is able to give you comfort; it sounds as if you are doing everything you can to get through this time.

Good luck to you.

Marty