My cat had cancer. Was euthanasia the right choice over surgery?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Based on the information you provided, I believe you made the correct choice. Bone cancer is extremely painful. If it was in the pelvis and inhibiting her ability to defecate, this would be even more painful. If bone cancer occurs in a limb, that leg can be amputated. This will provide the patient a few more months to live (even this is not a cure). This would likely not have been an option for the pelvis. You relieved her pain and suffering by electing to euthanize her. I know what a heartbreaking choice this is, but you should bravery by putting her needs above your own. I hope this information brings you some peace.

Poor Sutry. It is never an easy decision to euthanize a loved one. From what you are telling me, it sounds like he was likely suffering from intestinal lymphoma which is a type of cancer they get in the intestines. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do for these cats. If he were my cat, I would have made the same decision. Please take comfort in knowing you made the right decision for Sutry and that he was lucky to have such an amazing family. Please know I am thinking of you all during this time.

You have just lost your companion of 5 years and you have ever right to question the decision. All too often as pet parents, we struggle with the question of whether or not we made the right decision to euthanize. In a younger pet with a treatable disease, the guilt seems multiplied because you will inevitably ponder the unknown. The unknown being the outcome of treating for a few more days or even the outcome of a surgery. While it is imbedded in our DNA to contemplate what could have been, the answer of the unknown remains unknown. Ultimately, this is not a question or right or wrong. All too commonly more heartache and suffering are endured down the road of unknows. In this case, it was more likely than not your cat with a history of crystals would encounter future complications especially if stones were present. Take comfort in knowing you eliminated pain and suffering in the present and the future. I hope the joy of his memory will comfort you through this difficult time.

I am sorry to hear of your loss, it is a very difficult time to lose a pet as even as time passes, memories are brought back by many triggers. I would also have agreed that euthanasia was a valid and kindest option given the symptoms of such severe weight loss of more than a quarter of his body weight, bleeding into the bowel and likely the chest given the pink fluid and black stool and the failure to respond adequately to steroids. Please do not feel guilty for allowing him to go with some dignity, quality of life has to be much more important than quantity for our pets and often allowing them to go is the bravest and kindest treatment we can offer in debilitating conditions

I am very sorry to hear about your loss of Jake. Based on this information, I believe you made the kindest and most humane decision to let Jake go, as this information all supports a diagnosis of an invasive tumor in a region not amenable to treatment.

I'm very sorry that Persephone has been diagnosed with cancer in her spleen and intestines. You can talk to your vet about putting her on pain medications, but if she isn't eating and not responding to appetite stimulants or antiemetics, then it may be time to let her go peacefully. Not eating will cause her to slowly starve, which will be painful in itself, and she will be suffering from that. From what you have told me, it sounds like her quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. Because I work for a home euthanasia service, I face these types of decisions frequently with my clients, and I'd be happy to have a consult with you to discuss this further if you'd like. Just click the "consult" button under my answer. I wish I had better information for you, and I'm very sorry :-(

Goodness, I am so sorry for your loss. Based on this bloodwork and on what you’re telling me, I think that euthanasia was a very reasonable and humane decision. Not only were the red cells low, but the white blood cells and platelets as well, and there isn’t any evidence of the body trying to “regenerate” these cells on the bloodwork you’ve attached. A transfusion may have given a temporary “Bandaid” to the situation, but I’m afraid that a cure was likely impossible. I know how difficult these decisions are. Please rest assured that you did the best thing for your kitty. I’m afraid continuing to treat would likely have only prolonged your cat’s suffering. You have my sincere sympathy for your loss. Please let us know if you have any other questions we can help you with.