I’ve scrubbed the complaining post that was here before, because the vet called back very promptly and gave me the bad news.
According to what we discussed Wednesday, there were two possibilities for Click’s condition: infectious meningitis, or a brain tumor. The vet got Click’s blood work back this morning, and she’s not infected with anything. So…
Click’s eight or nine years old, and I’d cheerfully go to as much trouble and expense as I can support to give her more years of life. But brain surgery is simply out of the question even if she’d thank me for it. She’s almost lost the use of her hind legs, and the trouble is clearly spreading to her front. At this rate she’ll soon be immobile. It hurts my heart to see such a smart cat, such a marvelous mouser, who adopted LB and used to bring him frickin’ rabbits for god’s sake, reduced to this.
I’m afraid it’s time.
I’m so sorry. My cat is ten or eleven and I hope she has a few good years left.
It’s hurt to loss a loved one, even the four footed furry ones. My sincere condolences.
Sorry to hear of your feline friend’s troubles, just make her as comfortable as she can be. I agree – brain surgery is going overboard.
I’m also terribly sorry to hear the news.
What a shame. I’m so sorry, but you are right to make sure she doesn’t suffer…
Sorry to hear it. You’re not having much luck with the cats lately.
Sorry to hear there’s another cat leaving you. Even if you did the surgery, cats are cats and it may not have the results hoped for. As much as they depend on us to feed and love them, they also depend on us to help in the end.
~ naturegirl
I’ll do the rational bit here. None of these questions need be answered here, nor anywhere else; just stuff to think about.
Did the doctor give odds on if or how much Click would benefit from surgery? I know that cats don’t always respond well to surgery, nor even anesthesia. If surgery does have something approaching reasonable odds of doing any good, you do have a pretty generous batch of readers here.
Does Click still seem to be contented with life? If surgery isn’t a worthwhile option, I’d say to keep pampering her as long as that makes her feel better. But when her suffering outweighs the joy, help her on. That’s what friends are for sometimes.
I lost a human friend to a brain tumor. Even before the “end” as legally-obligated doctors judged it, he… just wasn’t there anymore. It wasn’t him; it wasn’t _anyone_. I thought long and hard on that, and decided if I ever got diagnosed with that form of cancer, I’d hang around long enough to say a few goodbyes, then check out on my own. While I could.
I’ve been following the life of another cat recently: Tiny Tim. He’s in a similar situation (untreatable cancer, but a different form), and his doctor is just helping him get the most out what life he has left. Including hand-fed rotisserie chicken. And lots of attention.
https://www.facebook.com/tinytim.atspah