If your pet had a terminal illness...

[Freckles]

Ask the vet what he would do if Nicki was his.

[slick]

Max is 13.

If I were told that he had cancer and it was terminal, then I would not opt for treatment. Assuming that he's eating OK, acting normally and in no pain, he would come with me and I would appreciate all the days he has left. There is no question that Max would let me know when it's time. I would not wait until the last minute.....the very second I suspect he's in pain, then I would help him to the Bridge. It's all about quality of life, not quantity of days.

Prayers for Nicki.

[slleipnir]

I hope Nicki is ok

As for me...I would find it so difficult, but I don't think I could live with myself if I let them suffer just because *I* don't want to let them go. It wouldn't be fair. This is lame, but if I had some illness I would suffer, then die from....I would wish to be "put to sleep" if it were allowed for humans....

[jenluckenbach]

Having been in this situation recently, as well as several times in the past, I know that there would be NO WAY for me to "wait until the last moment". Because, to me, the pet's emotional pain would be as real as any physical pain they might have.
A dog that can't walk............he doesn't understand why his legs will not do as he commands............emotional pain.
A cat who can no longer jump up on a favorite perch, no matter how low it is, will continue to try and fail..................emotional pain.
Any pet who begins to have constant accidents in the house.............they know it is wrong to be dirty.................they don't want you to be mad...................they know it puts a subtle strain on your relationship...........emotional pain.

Having dealt (in all instances) with cats, I know they hide their physical pain. The signs are subtle. They may eat less. They may stop doing a ritual thing that they have done their whole life. They may simply look "dull".

You will know in your heart and you will see it in their eyes when it is time.

{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Jessika]

So long as they are in no physical pain or at risk for physical pain, I would let them live it out. Because who knows how many years they can have left? If they seem happy and are not in pain, enjoy the time you have left!

[sirrahved]

As long as I was assured by the vet that they were still happy, I would not PTS. If I knew they were suffering... that's the point where it becomes too much.

[Alysser]

As long as the animal isn't in any physical pain and can live a pretty decent, normal life, I would not put them to sleep. I would keep it as long as it can live happily. I am so sorry about Nikki, catnapper. I know how you feel, because I keep thinking about that horrible and dreaded day, and I don't know if I can bare it. Sassy has bad back legs and they are getting worse and worse and it's seems to be a sign of her old age. It seems so unreal..((HUGS)) I hope Nicki is okay.

[luvofallhorses]

So long as they are in no physical pain or at risk for physical pain, I would let them live it out. Because who knows how many years they can have left? If they seem happy and are not in pain, enjoy the time you have left!

exactly what I was thinking. I would hate to lose my 6 babies to a terminal illness.

[Logan]

Max is 13.

If I were told that he had cancer and it was terminal, then I would not opt for treatment. Assuming that he's eating OK, acting normally and in no pain, he would come with me and I would appreciate all the days he has left. There is no question that Max would let me know when it's time. I would not wait until the last minute.....the very second I suspect he's in pain, then I would help him to the Bridge. It's all about quality of life, not quantity of days.

Prayers for Nicki.

Kim, if you have followed my stories on Murphy, Zipper and Mimi, then you will know that I am not into heroics, especially to buy just a little more time. BUT, I always have had excellent veterinary advice, which I think is crucial. He has never told me what to do, but he has guided me to my decisions.

I quoted Slick because I thought her words were what I was trying to say.

Good luck. I hope it isn't something that can't be reversed, but I also pray that if it is something that can't be fixed, that you will have the strength and wisdom to do what you need to for Nicki.

Logan

[catnapper]

I talked to hubby. If it IS cancer, we won't be doing anything except making her as comfortable as possible since she'll be 12 in a few months and when she was a puppy I was told her life expectency was 10-12 years. So in my mind, she's lived a good long life. In my mind, 12 years is NOT ENOUGH!

But anyway, if it is cancer then we'll just take it by day and see what transpires. I can't afford a vet trip at all right now. Just take my word on it - its not going to be a financial possibility. We have too many medical bills for ourselves and the baby (and the father is NOT paying ANYTHING ), I have to have exploratory surgery, I basically quit my job the other day.... so I'll watch Nicki closely for the next few weeks. I don't know what to think. She's losing weight but still eating well. She's active... actually more active than she's bieen in a long time (perhaps because she now feels better to be thinner?) She seems happy and attentive. I don't see any pain in her eyes or actions. She didn't flinch when I palpatated her stomach. Her stools are completely normal.

[Catty1]

Would this case not qualify for IMOM? So sorry that deadbeat dad is not paying anything! Do you have a friendly lawyer who would send him a warning letter for no charge to you?

Or Ashley might be able to get assistance through a single parents organization or something.

Fingers crossed!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

She's active... actually more active than she's bieen in a long time (perhaps because she now feels better to be thinner?) She seems happy and attentive. I don't see any pain in her eyes or actions. She didn't flinch when I palpatated her stomach. Her stools are completely normal.

Kim, I think you answered your own question here. As long as her quality of life is still good, spoil her more than ever and treasure every minute with her more. In other words, spoil spoil spoil!

As you know, Peanut had a cancerous tumor removed from her bladder in June of 05. Later that year during her follow-up checkup, the vet said there was still "a malignancy there somewhere," but he couldn't see it while doing the surgery and it didn't show up on the ultrasound. So I knew it was just a matter of time for her. Today, over a year later, she is still doing well. She has lost a lot of weight and has taken to peeing on the rug in the bathroom more than in the litter box, but is otherwise healthy and happy. The minute I think she is in pain I will help her peacefully to the RB, but until then, she is being spoiled rotten.

You will know when it's time for Nicki. She will let you know. Even if you took her to the vet and found out it was indeed a cancerous tumor, knowing her age and the good life she's led, your decision wouldn't be any different, so just spoil, spoil, spoil and know that you will be there for her when she truly needs you.

{{{hugs}}}