File :-(, x, )
Cat Diagnosed With Cancer Anonymous
So, went to the vet today with my little trooper Bandit, but unfortunately, the growth on her abdomen seems to be caused from cancer in her mammary glands.

They said they could operate and remove the small growths, but the cancer cells have moved around and they spotted some other growths with xrays in other parts of her body, the main reason she's limping a little now.

The vet will know more on monday, with more bloodwork, but he said it is very serious, and not to expect her to live through the rest of the year, even with proper treatment.

My question is, 6-8 months without treatment sounds better than just a year with the treatment, if she'll be spending so much time recovering, only to have it come right back, or her not even make it out of surgery.

Cost was and is not an issue. I won't make a loan on a car, but I'd do it for this. Just hate to see her in pain, and I'd rather her live through the remaining days she has as pain free as possible.

Any suggestions?
>> Anonymous
Honestly, I'd skip the treatment if her prospects are that dim. Cats can't possibly understand what's happening to them, so having to be trucked all around and operated on by strangers is a lot of unnecessary trauma, especially for a cat that already has a very serious illness. You might consider getting a second opinion just to confirm the prognosis, though.
>> Anonymous
Firstly, I'm sorry; I know exactly how this feels. Give Bandit a large snuggle for me.

Secondly, your main concern should (and seems to) be her quality of life. Extending her life by 4 months is all very well, but is it something which will ultimately only benefit you in not having to say goodbye sooner? If the cat is constantly feeling like shit, it's not really fair on her to extend it. On Monday when you go back to the vet, find out everything you can about how the treatment/non-treatment is going to affect her. Sadly, you may even be faced with the terrible choice of euthanising her now to save her 6-12 months of pain. Most vets are working with the animal's best interests at heart, so it's best to ask them what is best for Bandit overall.

As someone who has had to euthanise a cat in the past to spare her pain, I know how much it hurts. Do yourself a favour and take lots of pictures/video of Bandit now (one thing I regret not doing, granted it was before the days of digital cameras), and pamper/snuggle the living daylights out of her.
>> Anonymous
OP here. We went to the vets this morning, and talked to the doctor. He wanted to know if we wanted to do more xrays, and if we had come to a decision on the surgery.

We came to the conclusion that she'd be much better off not in pain, since over the past few days, she refused to eat anything, refused to move, and hadn't gone to the bathroom since thursday. She was fighting but a losing battle, and we thought she knew it, or she was in so much pain she couldn't do anything anymore.

So we had her euthanized, and the anesthetic they gave her before the lethal injection seemed to be the first peace she felt in a long time.

So, sad to see her go, and I wish more could be done, but the doctor even said that he felt we made the best decision for her.

So, thanks for the messages, helped get me through a generally shitty time. 4chan comes through once again :)
>> Anonymous
>>203411

202545 here, I'm really sorry. But you did the right thing, and you know it. I get the distinct impression you treated Bandit really fantastically, and I'm sure that any future cats you may have will enjoy the same good life Bandit had.