My favorite purr-buddy has cancer
By The Horse
@TheHorse (217901)
Walnut Creek, California
April 28, 2017 5:48pm CST
I noticed that that right pupil of my favorite purr-buddy--my friend's 10-year-old kitty--seemed dilated and discolored the other evening. Him "mom" and "dad" (my human friends) said that they had noticed the same thing. They said they were taking him to the vet in three days (yesterday).
Last night I got a call from them. Their worst fears were confirmed. Mom was in tears. My kitty friend has cancer of the eye. They were trying to decide whether it was worth it to have the vet check to see whether the cancer had spread. The cost would be from $300 to $600.
I said heck yes! If the cancer has not spread, they can save the kitty. Our fur family members can be almost as important to us as our people family members. If the cancer has spread, I said, let the kitty live until he shows signs of suffering. Right now, he's a bit light sensitive in that eye, but that's it.
They agreed with me. Would you have said the same thing?
(The photo is of our barn kitty, not my friend's orange kitty.)
17 people like this
17 responses
@FourWalls (67384)
• United States
29 Apr 17
You'd better believe I'd pay it! In fact, I did pay it when I had the spotted skunk-head baby in my profile picture. I would have continued to pay it if it would have saved her life, too, but they said her kidneys were failing...and, at that point, it becomes selfish: putting the pet through hell for 2-3 weeks so we can have it around a little longer. I told the vet, "No, enough," and we threw her a big farewell party.
3 people like this
@allknowing (135331)
• India
29 Apr 17
You gave them very good advice. But animals do not show their suffering unfortunately
2 people like this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
29 Apr 17
Yes our fur family is so important to us i would sell a kidney, or do anything to pay for my dogs chance at life.
2 people like this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
29 Apr 17
@TheHorse they really do I've been trying to somehow incorporate family pets into my family tree
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 May 17
@chrissbergstrom A family geneaeology would be more complete with the fur family included.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
29 Apr 17
So sorry to hear that. Yes I agree with you. We should do whatever you can when it comes to our fur babies.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 May 17
@Happy2BeMe That cancer hasn't spread! I'm going to ask our "boss man" (the band leader) if we can don't some or all of our earnings over the next couple of gigs to the kitty surgery.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
1 May 17
So sorry to hear this!! I believe in treating an animal unless it would prolong their misery. I hope they have the money to treat him, it sounds as if they love him very much.
What I don't believe in is treating the animal for just a few more months or a year of life. I have a net friend who put her poor 16 year old dog through chemotherapy for cancer. The dog lived through the chemotherapy, miserably, only to be diagnosed with another form of cancer which took his life. I wish she would have let nature take its course.
I'm glad your furry friend seems to have a treatable disease. I hope you all enjoy many happy years with him!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
6 May 17
@TheHorse That's great, and it's worth every penny! 
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 May 17
@dragon54u I look forward to seeing my friend.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 May 17
@celticeagle Fur friends are family There's no doubt about it.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60796)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Apr 17
Poor fur person. I would have said yes. We have just paid 1,600 for fake knee ligaments for our Leah dog. She's a go get em healthy dog otherwise. We cried all night, thinking about the world without Leah and decided to keep her with us.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60796)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Apr 17
@TheHorse The after recovery time has not been as bad as folks said- at first it sounded like we'd need to have to figure how to carry an 80 pound Leah down the deck steps. Oh no way. She never needed that much help. Now the worst knee has a fluid pocket on it that we are trying to figure out. Doc says it does not hurt her.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
27 May 17
How is the kitty since the surgery @TheHorse ?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 May 17
Thanks for asking, Nanette! I saw him this past weekend, and the surgery was a success. He just looked like he had an eye closed. I gave him some pets, but we didn't have time for a major purr session. Maybe later this week.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
2 Jun 17
@TheHorse Poor baby. It'll take a little time for him to get used to just the one eye, so don't be surprised if he staggers a bit.
@diosabella (4789)
•
29 Apr 17
I had a golden retriever of 11 years that had cancer. When Aunt found out it was too late for him. The cancer spread already. So we just let him live until its time...
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217901)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 May 17
@diosabella Yep, Labs and Goldens love to swim. I think they have webbed toes for swimming.
@diosabella (4789)
•
30 Apr 17
@TheHorse 
He surely did. We never walk him outside the gate but the yard was enough for him. He likes to jump on the fence and bark to every one passing by. Probably half the people who were passing by could had develop a weak heart because of him. He jumped pretty high. And he's always on frenzy every afternoon when he sees his "twin" brother walking around with a leash (A neighbor apparently bought a golden retriever too when they saw my dog running and jumping around). Oh, and he liked to bath on his own. We had a big wash basin and he always drag the hose to it means he's ready to dip on the shallow water on his own.
He surely did. We never walk him outside the gate but the yard was enough for him. He likes to jump on the fence and bark to every one passing by. Probably half the people who were passing by could had develop a weak heart because of him. He jumped pretty high. And he's always on frenzy every afternoon when he sees his "twin" brother walking around with a leash (A neighbor apparently bought a golden retriever too when they saw my dog running and jumping around). Oh, and he liked to bath on his own. We had a big wash basin and he always drag the hose to it means he's ready to dip on the shallow water on his own.1 person likes this
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
10 Jun 17
Sorry your pet cat has eye cancer.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Apr 17
I would spend the money even if in vain.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Apr 17
Having just lost our favorite cat a few months ago, I would definitely say yes.
1 person likes this
@danielasilva (176)
•
29 Apr 17
I would try to save him. I think it's worth fighting because the lives of animals are shorter. It really is very sad to see them suffer because they can't say what they feel.
1 person likes this
