Abbott - update. The Bad News and the Good
The bad news is this - Abbott is probably going to die soon. They found a massive growth on him that looks like it's coming from the liver. Sure we could open him up but if it's liver related all I'm doing is possibly buying in a few more months.
Turns out he's lost 5lbs. And this growth has probably been in him awhile but it's at the size that it's pushing on his organs. When Abbott was big it just wasn't felt.
The guy is 12-13 years old (I found him as an adult). And my options are basically do I spend thousands of dollars to see if removing this growth could save his life or do I just enjoy the time I have left with him until it's time to go. I know some of you would pick option #1 and may be angry at those who don't, but it's just not the option that's really best for Abbott, Evita and myself. First, he's getting older and any operation done might only add a few months to a year left to his life. And I am a single gal with a mortgage, my savings are meager and god forbid if I lose my job then what?
Abbott has given me 10 wonderful years and the Doctor said the thing that is hurting him the most right now is the weight loss. He recommends adding Densyl to his diet and said feed him whatever he's willing to eat even if it's human food. Cause honestly at this point what is human food going to do - kill him? He's already got a paw in the grave.
One of the small things that gave me hope was these snack treats they had at the Vet. The vet had these oral hygiene chews that Abbott just inhaled and then licked the floor for crumbs. After he ate it he starting getting lively again - he was purring and rubbing up against my leg (which was really surprising knowing that there was a pitbull on the other side of the room). Knowing how hard it was to get him to eat the office manager brought a few more cat treats over and he ate those too. The stuff is Virtac and I am going to order more for him. (they were out). By the time I got home from the vet (with a quick stop to the grocery story for salmon and tuna in water) he wanted to ride with me up front (I don't use a cage for him he goes in on a leash).
So at this point I'll appreciate everyday I have with him. I know what he weights and I'm to weigh him once a week. If he starts losing more weight or starts hurling up food (he has not done that yet), then we know it's time.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!
= new reply since forum marked as read
I think the quality of life is way more important than the quantity, and you really have both...
Safe passage to Abbott when he gets there, and I hope you both have a great time in the meantime.
I hope that his time left is excellent. I have been there before, a time or two. The hardest thing about living with critters is having to say good bye.
Sorry to hear about your furkid. 
When my sweet Lizzie got cancer & wouldn't eat, the vet suggested anything "smelly," like canned cat food & even baby food. Cats (& it turns out dogs) won't eat what they can't smell. So yes, get him anything that he wolfs down to keep his weight up.
It sounds as if you've made the right choice for you and for him. A friend of mine put one of her cats through two - yes, TWO - kidney transplants. Crazy. Her beloved cat only lived another 3 months.
to you guys. He's had a lovely, happy life with you and knows he's loved. That's the best life a cat can have.
You've given him a good life that he would have never known without your love.
It is a sad reality, that our fur friends rarely live as long as we think they should.
Know that you gave him the best gift you could give when you brought him into your home.
He is a lucky cat to have had 10 years with you. I've gone down both roads that you mentioned with some of my animals, and it is soooo hard. I wish you had better news, but it is good that he is eating and purring.
is coming to the end of their life. I lost my dear Max in August 2010 and was inconsolable for weeks. But a couple of months later I missed hearing a "meow" so badly that I knew I was ready for another buddy, and I got Butch from the same shelter at which I'd found Max.
Best vibes and purrs from hifiguy and Butch to you, Abbott and Evita.
