Hello I'm new here,
My 12 1/2 yr cat, Harry recently developed a swollen tummy, I took him to the vet last Monday and was told they suspected a lump on his kidney and fluid. He went in on Wed for an ultrasound, when I collected him I was devastated to be told it was a tumor and blood in his stomach cavity, and there was nothing they could do for him. He's been such a healthy cat, they don't think he's in any pain but have given me pain killers just in case while we decide when to let him go, I was too upset to ask whether he had days or weeks but we have decided it will be this week.
Has any one else had experience of this, we are all still in shock from loosing one of our dogs only a few weeks ago.
Barbara

really sorry hun (((hugs)))

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i am very sorry but have no experience with this. prehaps ring your vet monday and ask, telling them you forgot to ask at the time due to the shock of it all.

i am very sorry about your dear cat.... xx

Yes, my 15 year old Maine Coon had a probable cancer but in his intestine. Vet gave steriods which improved his apetite and shrunk the tumour a little. However he was not really interested any more in the outside world and only wanted to sleep.

We decided, after talking with the vet, that the time had come for him to be pts. As we could decide when, she suggested last appointment in the surgery as it would give us time to be with him after.

We got the whole family together to say goodbye - glad we did, as it gave closure for our sons for their family pet.

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There are a couple of things I would have done differently, which I did not think about until after.

I would have paid more for a home visit. That way our other cat could have seen the body and said good bye in her own way. it might have caused her less grief - it took several weeks for her to stop looking and stop bringing mice.

I would have talked with the vet about the injection used - it seemed to be extremely quick - not the gentle putting to sleep I remember from other cats I have had. I can't quite explain it, but it worried me a bit.

Do, do give yourselves time to grieve and don't worry about crying. All of us cried buckets in the surgery - tissues were to hand. Also you WILL find that you cry at inopportune times for several weeks later. its OK

Thanks everyone
Harry is still eating, drinking etc, he hasn't shown much interest in going out in the last week, that was one of the pointers that something wasn't right. The previous week he had brought in a 'live snack', so this has all been quite sudden. We are undecided as to surgery or home visit. Harry has always been good on the odd occasion he's been to the vet in the past. I just don't know whether he'd be more stressed with the vet coming to the house. We have done both in the past with our dogs, but they were happy going to the vet and not stressed seeing the vet at home. I just want the best for Harry, he's such a sweety.
Thanks again.
Barbara

I'm so sorry I have lost two very loved cats to tumours. My experience was that the vets were very happy to help me treat them and keep them comfortable for as long as possible. My guess would be that in this case they cannot offer any rteatment to prolong life or reduce the tumour, as I am sure they would have discussed this with you if it had been an option.

You are doing the bravest and kindest thing to not allow any more suffering.

Once again, I am so sorry, I know how much it hurts.

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