Expert: Ali - 6/2/2009

Question
hi ali,
my 14 and a half year old cat has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in his right upper foreleg. the vet has recommended amputation (including the scapula), but (after much agonising) i have decided against it....

he also has a 12 year old tension wire in his left foreleg (& resultant arthritis in cold weather) and had a blocked urethra (struvites) some 6 years ago.

i want to spare him the major surgery and keep him comfortable until he really is in pain & then euthase....for now the vet has injected him with long acting antibiotic and anti-inflammatory.
are there any forms of palliative care you can recommend?
he has pretty much stopped feeding a few days ago and i wonder if there is anyway i can entice his appetite back (none of his favourites work, i think he is ready to give up....)

thank you


Answer
Cosi,

I'm so sorry to hear that your kitty is so sick. It sounds like he's had a bit of a rough ride in terms of serious health problems. I wish that I could offer you something more besides suggestions to keep this little guy comfortable until it's time for him to make his way to the Rainbow Bridge, you've had some tough decisions to make over the years and it sounds to me like you love your feline companion very much and want the best for him. Given the serious nature of his condition it's possible that your kitty is having some pain that could be alleviated through pain medicine administered by mouth or in patch form. I'm not sure that anti-inflammatory medications will entirely alleviate this kitty's pain since his condition is so serious. I'm not sure if this option is available in the UK, but in North America there's the option of giving the kitty a constant dose of powerful narcotic medicines like Fentanyl through a patch. If your vet does give your kitty a patch to deliver pain medicine s/he'll need to shave a small patch of fur so that the patch can be applied directly to the cat's skin.

As for feeding options it's possible that your kitty will start to eat on his own again once he's not in pain, but it's not a bad idea to consider trying special treats like tuna, meat based baby foods, salmon, sardines or gourmet canned cat foods to see if he's willing to at least show interest in foods that most cats would do anything for. Sometimes warming foods up to body temperature will make them more appealing for cats, so that's certainly something you can try. I'm sure that your heart is breaking right now, and I know exactly how difficult it is to make heartbreaking decisions about how we'd like to treat a terminally ill pet and where to draw the line in terms of supportive care. You could help prolong his life slightly by force feeding your kitty baby food by syringe, only you know for sure what's right for this cat. You know your little man best, if he really seems to be saying it's time for him to go then you'll need to make some tough decisions in the near future.

I may not have a chance to speak with you in the near future, so I've taken the liberty of including a piece of writing that I hope will help offer some comfort to you once you've made the decision to say good-bye to your precious kitty companion.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I know that there will be some difficult days ahead, and I know what it's like to be in such a heartbreaking position. I'm more than willing to offer any help, prayers or support that I can. Love your cat as much as you can during the coming days. When it's time to let your little man make his way to the Rainbow Bridge take comfort in knowing that you can remember him well. Take good care of yourself, you and your kitty will be in my thoughts.