Tumorous Cancer

[Vashti_pg]

I'm not completely sure of my cat's age, I know he's about 6+ (Found him as a stray 6 yrs ago)

My cat has cancer in his mouth and he's beginning to sneeze a lot, one vet said it's just allergies. I would believe that if he's done it before, but he hasn't. Another vet said the tumor is growing bigger into his sinuses and we have to watch for bleeding from his nose. They said there's approximately 2 weeks left.

They asked if we wanted to be there when he's put down, what would be best for him? I'm a little worried I might not be able to take it, but would it be more comforting for him if I was there or does it not matter at all? Not sure what I should do.
-Vashti

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/Crypt_pg/Just%20for%20JayJay/JayJay3.jpg

[nanamouse]

I'm really sorry this is happening to you and your cat. I'm thinking that after six years together he would be happier with you there (or less unhappy at least) if you are able to hold yourself together until it's over. I always go to pieces afterwards, even when it was a cat we'd found already past saving, but I would be eaten up with guilt thinking that I had left one alone in the hands of strangers at the end. They do pick up on our emotions though, and if you are falling apart while he's still alive that would probably scare him and make it harder on the both of you.
Not much help, am I? Really, it's a question that has a different answer for every animal, every owner and sometimes just the particular situation. Good luck, and my sympathy go out to you, whatever you decide.

[Pugzley]

I'm soooo sorry to hear this about your kitty. I just went through having my cat euthanized about 4months ago. My heart goes out to you.

I stayed with my kitty when he passed over. And yes, I was falling apart.

I don't know if I did it for the cat or for me. Probably for me. I had time to think about what it would be like for me when it was over if I hadn't stayed with him.

Whether or not my decision to stay with him was a result of projection of human thought and emotion onto my cat, who is to say? Maybe they understand more than we know, that is what led me to be with him, too.

Knowing that my cat had a certain amount of reasoning power and the fact that I was his only companion, led me to stay. My husband was there with him, too. But Mr. Peepers was "my" cat more than my husband's.

I'm glad now that I chose to stay, I wanted him in familiar arms for that moment whether he knew what was going on or not.

This is purely an individual decision and one you will have to make for yourself based on your own feelings.

I will always be with all of my animals when they are euthanized, falling apart or not, but that's just me.

[xpalaboyx]

I'm really sorry about your cat. I think it will be more comforting for your cat if you are beside him...

[ringletchk]

I'm sorry you're having to go through this but I can't imagine ever not being with my pet when it is given the injection

I now have a cat but was raised with dogs. The last person I wanted them to see was me. I don't know if it's comforting to them but I hope it is but it is definately a comfort to me.

[DaddyTo2Cats]

I would be there with your cat when it's time to put him to sleep. I'm sorry you're going through this. It's wonderful having cat and dog friends except when it's time to say goodbye to them. I last went through this four years ago with my cat Jasmine. I forced myself not to cry while I was saying goodbye to her the half hour before they gave her the injection. It was very hard to not to cry but I didn't want to for her sake. I'm sure it will be a comfort for him to have you by his side, petting him perhaps saying a few things.

[special]

I'm sorry about your cat's fatal illness, What a beautiful picture.

Absolutely you want to be there for him when he passes over to the Rainbow Bridge. The last thing he should feel are your arms around him, the last thing he hears should be your loving voice in his ear singing his song, or wispering special words to himm, however you do with him at home.

if you think it will be easier on you and him both, you can ask if your vet will come to your home to administer the Final Kindness.

I lost a cat to a cancer in her sinus cavity. My heart aches for you.

[web-scribble]

Sending you a heart-felt hug and adding another vote for being there.

[uwllv88]

It has to be more comforting to have you there since he has been with you for so many years. You can tell him it's ok (and it's not a lie because he will be ok, at peace, and out of pain). It's better for you to be holding him so he won't be quite as scared as he would be not having you there. But if it's more than you can bear it's understandable. Hopefully, you can hold it together until it's over and then you can grieve. The grieving process takes a long time but you will know you did what you could to help ease him through it. You and he both have my sympathy, I've had to go through it 4 times and it's never easy.