This isn't the type of journal that I'd usually put out there, for various reasons. But I want to tell you a bit about my cat Chester.
Back around 2012-2013, I adopted Chester many years ago from someone after a short relationship with them. He's a lovely little guy, a munchkin cat with black and white coloration. Chester's lived a good, long life for a cat and is about 13 years old now.
A week or so ago, Chester started to become a bit lethargic, spent a lot of time sleeping and generally didn't move much or enjoy doing the things he normally likes to do. My dad noticed this and told me that he had a gut feeling I should start preparing for the inevitability that Chester was going to die. The way he broke it to me distraught me quite a bit, since I've started thinking about his mortality often ever since he turned about 11. I knew that he wouldn't tell me something like this unless he felt it were the case, but I also felt like he wouldn't tell me something like that unless death was imminent, because it seems like it would be pointless to worry about something I may not have any control over.
To give myself peace of mind, I scheduled a doctor's appointment for him, knowing that if his prognosis was bad, I'd have to start preparing myself for taking care of his final moments. On the days leading up to the appointment, however, Chester started acting a bit like his old self again, slowly regaining his curiosity, his appetite, and willingness to climb the stairs to cuddle in bed at night.
Today was Chester's appointment, and unfortunately, the prognosis wasn't good. The doctor found a mass or lump in his abdomen and indicated to me that it was likely cancer. He offered to schedule some additional tests such as an x-ray and ultrasound, but he quoted these procedures at about $500 each and told me that whatever they found, it was likely to be either inoperable anyway or not something that was likely to go away even if they removed the major mass.
Rather than putting Chester through all of that, I want to give him palliative care for his final days so that he's not in pain and can continue to enjoy life while he still can. I have plenty of treats and things for him so that he's comfortable with me, but due to the expense, I don't have a good timeframe for how long we have left together.
On the drive home I started about thinking of things I could do for him, but also the expense of having him put down and cremated, which the doctor quoted me at a price that sounded kinda high if I wanted him to have a private cremation and get his remains back. IDK if this is something I should opt for or not -- the price for a public cremation he said would be around $250 and private could be $400-500. That's kinda rough on my income and I'll be working to pay for it even while this little guy is still here with me.
I'm not sure what other things I should do for him, but I also thought about looking for places for low-income people where I could have him x-rayed. I'm not sure really what to do about that.
All I know is that I'm in the very early stages of having to prepare my little guy for his forever sleep, and it just feels like a punch to the gut. He hasn't started exhibiting signs he's in a lot of pain, but once he does I'll be scheduling him for what needs to be done. I have no idea how much time I have left with him.
I'd ask that if there's anything you guys feel like you can do to help me out, I would deeply appreciate it. I still have digital comics for sale, and will take donations (just send me a DM for the PayPal link).
I'll leave you with one last video I kept private for some years because my voice is in it, but you can hear this beautiful boy's meow: He knows we have to part sometimes, but it won't be goodbye forever, and at least for today, I'm still with him.
Thank you all for reading through this. I appreciate all your well-wishes in advance.
Are you sure it isn't a fatty lump on the skin that moves around? Cats tend to get fatty tumors known as *lipomas*. They aren't cancer. Now if its a hard lump in the Intestine it might be cancer or it might be feces hard enough to mimic cancer. You will only know if they do a Biopsy to be sure. And if it was the bladder of the cat the Vet should have said so.
This is my own experience. Some of my cats tend to eat alot to the point where they don't eat any more during the day and the result is hard feces in the intestine. They sleep whole day and sometimes they drool due to the pain. I usually give them cow's milk to soften and help them. If they don't drink it i force it with a seringe.
Continue to check on him during these days and try to get a 2nd opinion. I would also check his litter box if he is doing every thing normal
Are you sure it isn't a fatty lump on the skin that moves around? Cats tend to get fatty tumors know
I don't know, I just know what the doctor told me during his checkup. I could start looking around for a second opinion, but it'll probably cost money to have him checked in the lab. Thank you for letting me know about this.
Chester's bladder is fine; he's on a special diet to help with his urinary tract and kidneys. A few years ago he ended up with a blocked bladder and had to go to the hospital for a few days. That actually cleared me out financially (and they couldn't guarantee they would even be able to save him), but I promise he's doing better now on that front at least.
I will say that his stools are always pretty hard, but he's been regular enough. The main difference between now and a year ago is that he doesn't eat very much anymore and doesn't seem to like his dry food unless he's very hungry. He still drinks plenty of water compared to before his last hospitalization, thankfully.
Thank you for all the information and advice.
I don't know, I just know what the doctor told me during his checkup. I could start looking around
Id see if you have any funeral homes in the area that offer pet services. When my bunny passed away it was only $150 for cremation and we got him back in a pretty little urn.
Id see if you have any funeral homes in the area that offer pet services. When my bunny passed away
Thank you. I'd have to see what the process is for handing him over to a place after taking him for the shot. The vet made it sound like there was a place they already work with, but I'm sure if that's a thing and it isn't all super specialized, maybe I'd be able to work something out then like that.
Thank you. I'd have to see what the process is for handing him over to a place after taking him for
