Cleo-another update

[pastafreak]

Some on here know about my torty cat Cleo...she was diagnosed with a particularly virulent form of feline oral cancer back in October. She had been doing well until about a week ago but the last few days she has not been eating well, the tumour is visibly larger, and she-poor baby-is shrinking. She is starting to look like an old lady tho she is only 5+. I took her to the vet today-she is now on steroids....she may have several days or several weeks. I am distraught and i can't seem to stop crying. She doesn't understand, but I am finding it unbearable. Toby's post has added to my sadness

[cruella]

pastafreak
Oh my god, I really feel for you.
THis has to be awful for you watching your cat fade away.
I know you may not want to hear this, but maybe it is time for you to do the right thing for her and let her go.
That is the kindest thing you can do if, especially she is in pain.
Talk with your Vet. They very seldom suggest that to you as it has to be your decision but it may be for the best.
I am near to tears reading this pasta.
Please keep us posted. x

[bensmum]

I am so sorry to hear about poor Cleo. It was exactly 1 year ago that I lost one of mine to cancer and it was a very hard to have to make the decision but I had to let her go. I know that you love her and won't let her suffer but as cruella says maybe now is the time to make that decision. I really feel for you here.
XX

[pastafreak]

Hi,cruella ,thankyou for your kind words....the vet said I would need to give the steroid injections several days to take effect......if they don't-then I will need to think about ending Cleo's treatment. The only good thing about this cancer is that it doesn't affect the rest of her body. I sat on the internet this morning-reading first -hand accounts by cat owners who have been thru this. It was heart-rending.......I couldn't stop crying.

[cruella]

My heart goes out to you pasta.
Lets see if a few days on the steroids make a difference, but that type of treatment is short term too.
Just hang in there and give Cleo all the cuddles that she wants. x

[daffidazey]

Aww sweetheart! I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. I haven't been on here recently so never saw your first post. My thoughts are with you. Daffi x

[bigmamma]

Oh pastafreak , how can I say anything sweetheart to lift your sadness . Having to watch your poor cat not eating properly and losing weight must be awful , no wonder you are in tears. Nobody likes to see their pets sick . Big hugs for you love and I do hope the steroids kick in soon and give Cleo some relief . xxx

[pastafreak]

Oh thankyou Mamma-I really felt that hug!! Yes-I feel terribly helpless...wish I could stop it all from happening...:-(

[bigmamma]

Bless you pastafreak , you are in my thoughts xxx

[Silvercat]

We are all crazy for loving our cats so much. Its a sure thing it leads to sorrow as they live such short beautiful lives compared to our 3 score years and ten.

I have a little 4 year old part Bengal tabby she cat and already I dread the day when we will have to part for ever. Hopefully we will have many years together yet

Cats, they walk all over your keyboard and leave claw marks in our hearts.....!!

Pastafreak, nothing I can say will help, but I feel your pain and sympathise. I think I would agree with Bensmum and maybe think about letting her go soon....

Love to you and Cleo

[pastafreak]

Thankyou, Silvercat-I suspect Cleo will tell me,and I hope I am brave enough to listen to her. I don't think she is in pain, but I do know she is not happy. I must give the steroids a few days to take effect,if they don't......

[wolf63]

I think that one day you will just decide to end the pain for both of you - and you will know when to do it.

I really am sorry that Cleo is suffering and especially at such a young age.

When my first dog was ill I dreaded making the decision to end his life, but when the time came the decision was actually quite easy. It was such a relief afterwards - I felt better (and no longer jumping every time he made a noise) and he was in a much better place.

Cleo knows that she is loved and you know that she loves you. She has had a good life so don't be afraid to let her go.

I am sure that frankiecat would also like to leave words of cat wisdom but this site won't let me log out so that he can log in. He sends his love and hisses and probably some growls.

Take care.

Susan and the devil kitties.

[toby99]

I am so very, very sorry pastafreak. The hardest part is sometimes that they don't understand, but maybe that is not a bad thing; They do understand love and being cared for though.

I have been devastated about my Tilly, I haven't slept all night, with the recriminations, whys and what ifs, but none of that really matters; what matters is she was loved and cared for and didn't suffer at the end. Your Cleo is dearly loved and lucky to have you and she understands that.

I luckily got the strength to make that awful decision not to prolong things, (but she only had one to two days left) and the end was so peaceful, dare I say, an almost a lovely experience for her to go so gently and I have no regrets that it was the right thing to do.

Your heart will be breaking, and nothing you can do will make that go away, as you are obviously a lovely, caring lady. Make the most of your time together. The steroids may help her and give you some more quality time.

I am so sorry and am here for you x

[pastafreak]

Thankyou so much,wolf and,especially you toby....to be able to extend such kind words when you have had such a devastating few days. I have not slept well...I keep seeing my baby in front of me. Tho she was on the bed all night,I could barely feel her move. Like toby,I have wracked my brain with what-ifs and WHYS ....it is shear torture. Yet i know there is absolutely NOTHING I could have done differently. So I can only continue to give cleo all the love and care she deserves. Love to you both xx

[leelapops]

Oh pasta, love, just wanted to echo everyone else's sentiments really, what else can I say? Nothing will stop the hurt...

Thinking of you. Keep us updated.

Cuddles and kisses for Cleo xx

[ruthann58]

oh pasta so sorry for you cant really say any more than anyone else but you have done your very best for her i know how you are feeling and my heart goes out to you ,we are all here for you and it does help to be able to talk and share with the folks on here ruthxxx

[pastafreak]

Tho she is still purring and seeking out my lap, Cleo has barely eaten today-which is extremely worrying. If she continues in this way then I will know there is little chance of a temporary improvement. I have felt like death -warmed over all day-just as well it is my day off. xx

[Kleiber]

Oh, pastafreak, my heart goes out to you! I, too, have a little cat called Cleo and she means the world to me. I've been in your situation before, too, and I know the pain you are feeling. I can only echo what everyone else has said - give her lots of love and remember that whatever happens, she will always be with you. Love and hugs (for both of you), K xxx

[jules77]

pasta I am so sorry........after reading Toby's post then this, it brings back all the memories of losing my old boy some months ago.

My heart goes out to you. take care x

[bensmum]

pastafreak you are in a horrible place at the moment and one which all pet owners will know and dread. When they are so poorly you keep watching them and hope that you can see signs of improvement. My vet told me that I would know when the time was right for my Minnie and she was right. It didn't make the decision any easier but I had to make it - I owed her a dignified and peaceful end.
Am sending hugs as I know how low you must feel
XX

[persianlady]

pastafreak..... there is nothing I can say that has not already been said. But when the time comes for you to let her go, then be assured that it will be the very last loving thing you can do for her. I only wish we got the option to go that way.Fly high Cleo xxxx