posted 11-06-2003 06:18 PM           

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My heart and soul 8 year old kitty Santa was diagnosed with abdominal lymphoma. We brought him to the vet 2 weeks ago because he was losing weight (he is a maine coon cat and has a twin brother who weighs 20 pounds, and he is now about 11 pounds). Anyway, he is on prednisone since yesterday, but his appetite is not good and he is weak. We can't tell if he is in pain, and more than anything can't face him suffering. Does anyone know the signs of pain in a kitty? He has always had the best disposition (never growled, scratched, hissed) and we feel he wouldn't let us know if he was suffering (he's just that way). He doesn't seem to like being held anymore and I wonder if it hurts. I'm feeling like we should just put him out of his "misery", but if he's not in pain, we want him with us as long as possible. Please, oh please, let me know if you have any experience with this, or advise. Thank you and please pray for my dear, sweet lovable Santa. Thank you and God Bless, Linda

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posted 11-07-2003 07:52 AM           

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Linda,
My heart goes out to you and your poor baby. I lost my angel Spooky a month ago to FIV. He was always around me and was very friendly, but he had stopped eating and what really told me that he wasn't himself was that he was hiding behind a chair which is a sign of a very sick cat. THe vet told us that he had maybe another week so we decided to say goodbye while he was still cognicent. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life but I asked myself at that point, who was I keeping him alive for? He had to be force-fed and his kidneys were failing. He was clearly in misery, if not actual pain. I know that I would not have wanted to see him decline any further. It's your call but that's just my experience. Best wishes with a tough decision.

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posted 11-07-2003 09:41 AM         

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Can he do any normal kitty things? If he is getting weak and really can't do anything, then I'm sure he's not very happy.

Also, if he doesn't want to be held anymore, that could be a sign of pain or discomfort.

It's such a difficult and personal decision. My thoughts are with you.

Jamiya

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posted 11-07-2003 09:53 AM           

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Thank you both for your advice. Dolly, yesterday I was sadly reading about your darling Spooky, and I wondered what the outcome was. I am so sorry for your loss. I've spoken to the vet, and pretty much have decided to have him put to sleep (she told me in no uncertain terms that he will not get any better, only worse). The only decision is now when-- and that all depends on how he seems tonight when I go home. If he seems worse, I will call the vet first thing in the morning (they are there 1/2 day Saturdays). Otherwise, we'll wait until Monday. This is a horrendous decision since we don't want to lose him, but of course we don't want him to be so sick. It's so incredibly sad. Thank you again for your support, and God Bless. I'll let you know what we do. Linda

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posted 11-07-2003 10:46 AM         

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I'm so sorry, Linda. Peace be with you in this terrible time. Santa is very lucky to have had such a wonderful home and family.

Jamiya

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From:sheridan, wy
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posted 11-07-2003 12:11 PM         

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I'm sorry to hear that your baby is sick. It is such a hard thing to bear. Just know that whatever decision you make Santa loves you, and he knows you want the best for him. He will always be with you in spirit.

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posted 11-07-2003 12:14 PM         

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Im so sorry Linda, lymphoma is hard for a kitty to go through. I will keep you in my prayers.

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posted 11-07-2003 12:17 PM           

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Thank-you for the kind thoughts, Linda. Just know that you aren't alone at this time as we who have gone through a similar experience know the pain and anguish you are feeling. I still cry when I think of Spooky but I believe that his spirit lives on and I will meet him again, in this life or the next. After he died, I spoke to a counsellor who had also lost a cat and she is convinced that the new kitten who found its way into her life sometime later has the spirit of her old cat, they are so much alike. This thought was a comfort to me. When I asked my husband if he thought that cats went to heaven, he replied without hesitation that for me, it wouldn't be heaven if Spooky weren't there to greet me. This was also a comfort.

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posted 11-08-2003 07:00 PM           

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Linda... I am so sorry about your cat Santa. My thoughts and prayers are with you -- whatever your decision. One of my three kitties, Marina, was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma in August. (She is FIV negative and feline leukemia negative.) She had constant diarrhea and was eating less and less. For awhile, I was afraid we would lose her during the process of diagnosis. We were administering fluids regularly to keep her hydrated. Then she just about stopped eating.... finally found she would eat Gerber's babyfood (meat flavors) after trying all sorts of bland/mild cat brands and types of food. She is on prednisone every other day... and will be for the rest of her life according to my vet. And she gets 4 consecutive days of a heavy dose of the chemo. drug leukeran --- then about 9 days later some blood work evaluations. About three weeks later, it starts again. So it's about once per month. After 4 rounds, she is pretty stable. She is eating well --- I've got her weaned off Gerber's and back on cat food. And the diarrhea is not too bad - almost gone at times. Blood work has shown she is tolerating it well so far. Every day is a blessing. From all my searches on the internet, I've seen that cats with this form of lymphoma could live anywhere from several weeks to a few years. Occasionally, they do go into complete remission. Sometimes, I think she is in pain when I pick her up. But she is remaining active - jumping up on furniture to her favorite sleeping and "looking out the window" spots. Her appetite is good. At this point, she has good quality of life. I will continue to pray for you, too. Always remember that you loved Santa and did your best for him - making the best decisions you could.

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posted 11-12-2003 08:00 AM           

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I just wanted to thank all of you for your kind words and comfort. Santa is still with us, thank God, though I know his time is limited. He actually caught a mouse the other day and was proudly carrying it in his mouth for all to see! So, that was a good sign. We had a fire in our fireplace for him Saturday night since he always loved watching the fire. He is not eating very well, and I will try the meat baby food to see if he'll eat that. We're doing all we can to keep him comfortable and loved. Thanks again for your kindness. It means a lot to me. Love, Linda

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From:arlington,TX u.s.a.
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posted 11-12-2003 08:02 PM         

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this is a very hard subject,most poeple dont know what to do when it happens.I know that cats naturally will not show when they are suffering,as in the wild,signs of weakness could get them killed.In the vets office where I work,cats dying from various ailments are brought in every day,and their owners wont let them be put down,so we are forced to keep torturing these cats with needles and keeping them alive longer than they should be.I mean,there is no hope,why are they keeping them alive in this cold,noisy place full of strangers and dogs?If you see that your cat is no longer interested in anything or anyone,that he is thin and his fur greasy and unkept and that he wont eat,please think about doing what is right for him and when you do,either have the doctor come to your home,or go with him and HOLD HIM when they put him down.I cant tell you how many poeple just leave their poor old friend at our office to be put to sleep alone.I have a young cat that i adore and I just cant imagine what it will be like when the time comes.Ide bet your Santa had a great life and you shouldnt feel guilty when you are forced to end it.It is a cold world indeed where our closest friends are only allowed such short lives,and a terrible cross we humans must bear knowing our beloved pets will be taken so soon.

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posted 11-13-2003 09:39 AM           

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Hi, and thank you all again for your input. The message above makes a lot of sense, and I couldn't agree more about holding my sweet Santa when they administer the drug. I would NEVER just drop him off and leave him alone. It's hard enough bringing him to the vet's but unfortunately they don't make housecalls (I asked). It is so true what you say about the cruelty of this world that we fall so deeply for our pet's and then we lose them. But, for some reason (that we don't know) pain is part of this life. Thank you again for your helpful words. This website is the best! Love, Linda

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