First of all let me say that I know how tough it is to have a beloved cat with cancer. Our male cat, Kip, died two years ago of lymphoma. We let him go through surgery to remove a huge tumor but within a few weeks he developed another one and we had to put him down.

I would chose #2 even though it is a very hard thing to do. This way your friend won't have to go through untold suffering. However, with three legs he may adjust well. That isn't really the problem. The problem is that there is suffering involved and he may have to go through more. Vets make their living treating very sick animals. If he survives the first operation and adjustment and the cancer reoccurs they may suggest chemotherapy and never let you know how sick it will make him. I have had chemotherapy myself and when they suggested it for my cat I didn't want him to go through it. He went out so peacefully. I will always cherish his memory. Now I have another wonderful feline friend--not to take the place of Kip--but a chance to give and receive the same kind of love between us as between Kip and me. The love doesn't die. Whatever you decide will be difficult. THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE I SAW YOUR WEBSITE. GLAD LUCKY IS OKAY.

Originally posted by TrucknGranny:
Hi,
Lucky is 9 years old and been with us 8 years, he's Lucky cause we busted him out of an adopt a pet prison. True it was a caring prison but bars are bars. 3 weeks ago Lucky developed a limp in his right front leg, we suspected a pulled muscle and didn't worry too much. BTW Lucky goes out during the day and returns home to sleep with mom every day just before dark. Anyhow after 2 weeks of limps with no sign of improvement I took him to the vet. Where they took x-rays and blood test and sent both off for second opinions cause they weren't quite sure what was wrong. Well today Doc called and its bone cancer, which I'm told is not the most common ailment in a cat. Well now I must decide care. Doc says the 1st thing we must do is get lung x-ray's to make sure they haven't been comprimised by the cancer, then proceed with our choice of care. Here are the options I was given.

1) If his lungs are clear, we can amputate his right front leg and there is a very good chance that will be the end of the cancer. However, this procedure will probably not be cheap and I'm on a pretty small income he may go thru this only to still face death by cancer.Lucky will now only have 3 legs... Thats a very big adjustment. I've never seen a cat without a front leg... Can they enjoy life? Have you ever seen a cat with a front leg gone? Also this is not a garuntee that the cancer will be gone

2) Keep him as comfortable as possible and probably get to the point of haveing to put him down in 3 to 6 months... bone cancer is not fun..I know my mom had it and she died when I was just 13. But she enjoyed life on the good days and she had all her limbs. Should I just leave Lucky intact and let him enjoy as much life as he can.

Well thats the facts what is your opinion?



[This message has been edited by treybabe (edited August 23, 2000).]