Hard Health Choices for Our Beloved Pets

Dear Miss Fifi: 

My 14 year old cat has a Sarcoma Tumor with Mast cells present. Is surgery a good option with how hard it would be on her with her age? Should I just keep her comfortable or should I do the surgery, from which she may never recover? 

Thanks

- Kim 

~~~ 

Dear Kim: 

These are never easy choices, and while Miss Fifi's no doctor, I'm happy to commiserate with you. First of all, let me say that I really do have an affinity for cats ... I joke about how unsavory those rotten, stinky cats can be mainly as a way to rib my feline assistant, Dilettante Dilly. In reality, I like most every creature out there. 

From a non-medical perspective, let Miss Fifi say that the first thing you should do is discuss your concerns with your cat's vet. They can help you know what kind of post-surgery quality of life you can expect. They may also take one look at her and say that she has the bouncy countenance of a five year old kitten and surgery will be a walk in the park for her. Once you have a few official facts, then perhaps you can deal better with the emotional toil illness and surgery may play in the life of you and your cat. 

My good friend, Riley, was a handsome devil. When he was 14 he developed a type of cancer that made him quite uncomfortable. His humans took him for three rounds of surgery to remove superficial tumors, because in the beginning he was a spry youthful dog who rarely ever had a cold. He bounced back from the first surgery, though he was miserable having to stay calm and still for the 10 days of recovery. He made it about four months before he needed a second round of surgery. The second surgery made him a little more weary, and required about 18 days of recovery time for him. He was really down, and just not himself. The third surgery was only seven weeks later, and he never really recovered after that one ... when a fourth surgery was necessary his humans, heartbroken, decided that they wanted Riley to finally be at peace. He was a well loved pet and friend, and he surely loved his humans. In the end, it was the right decision for them to make, I think, even though it was hard to do. 

It sounds like your cat has had a wonderful life, having lived with you for nearly a decade-and-a-half. I know it's easy to want to hang on to your loved ones, to shelter them with your love and your warmth. But unfortunately that won't drive out the illness, and your cat may really face a steep, painful decline following surgery. Miss Fifi's human grandmother always says "there are enough pharmaceuticals in the world that nobody should have to suffer," so you might also talk with your vet about making sure your cat's as comfortable as she can be, and then allowing her to live out a peaceful life that's not intersected by traumatic surgery and recovery time. 

Before you go too much longer worrying one way or the other, talk to your vet. They may really be able to put your mind at ease, and make this difficult decision easier to face. Miss Fifi will keep you and your cat in my thoughts. Woof!