My name is Sam and I am Mom to a very special domestic short hair tabby. My Doc is shades of black and gray with a white belly and paws. Doc is my love bug who snuggles, purrs, and wakes me up when he’s hungry. He has Mommy wrapped around his paw!
Doc is 17 years old and we have been battling his diabetes for over 6 years now. I almost lost him summer 2009 due to a bad insulin reaction. He has really bad teeth (apparently related to the diabetes) and he had cleanings twice a year from 2003 until 2008. In July 2008 he had a bad reaction to the anesthesia which caused an almost comatose state for two days followed by violent vomiting for another day. Since that time I have refused to allow him to be put back under anesthesia.
Over the last year we have dealt with varying degrees of sickness with vomiting and accidental bowel movements averaging 2 ½ times a week in the last 8 months. He had a 4 month check-up on Thursday 10/28. I was informed that he almost certainly has malignant melanoma inside his mouth, as well as a small speck on his ear and a mass the size of a pea on his lower back (this is the site I actually pointed out to the vet during his checkup). Add to the list that he has 5 teeth the vet would like to remove as he states these teeth are all abscessed. Not sure I completely agree with this as Doc’s eating habits have not changed, including his ability to eat dry food as well as canned. The vet has proposed Doc have the full cleaning with extractions of the 5 teeth, a biopsy of the melanoma spots, and to prepare for almost certain surgery and chemo for the cancer.
I am just so torn apart on what to do. I said screw the expense years ago (as I am sure you all have!), but I always promised Doc I would not make him hang around for me. I do not want to put him through losing more teeth, and most certainly not surgery or chemo. I do not want to have Doc suffer due to his teeth as we all know how much a tooth ache hurts. I also do not want to have him suffer a long battle with cancer. However, with all that said, I believe Doc is still living a happy loving life and I am not ready to consider other options. He maintains his weight, snuggles, purrs, and loves to socialize with guests. In the last few months he has started displaying small bits of temperament and attitude which I have chalked up to just being a grumpy old man.
That’s my story of Doc and my dilemma. Not sure if I am looking for advice, support, or just need to share with a group who will be able to relate.
Doc is 17 years old and we have been battling his diabetes for over 6 years now. I almost lost him summer 2009 due to a bad insulin reaction. He has really bad teeth (apparently related to the diabetes) and he had cleanings twice a year from 2003 until 2008. In July 2008 he had a bad reaction to the anesthesia which caused an almost comatose state for two days followed by violent vomiting for another day. Since that time I have refused to allow him to be put back under anesthesia.
Over the last year we have dealt with varying degrees of sickness with vomiting and accidental bowel movements averaging 2 ½ times a week in the last 8 months. He had a 4 month check-up on Thursday 10/28. I was informed that he almost certainly has malignant melanoma inside his mouth, as well as a small speck on his ear and a mass the size of a pea on his lower back (this is the site I actually pointed out to the vet during his checkup). Add to the list that he has 5 teeth the vet would like to remove as he states these teeth are all abscessed. Not sure I completely agree with this as Doc’s eating habits have not changed, including his ability to eat dry food as well as canned. The vet has proposed Doc have the full cleaning with extractions of the 5 teeth, a biopsy of the melanoma spots, and to prepare for almost certain surgery and chemo for the cancer.
I am just so torn apart on what to do. I said screw the expense years ago (as I am sure you all have!), but I always promised Doc I would not make him hang around for me. I do not want to put him through losing more teeth, and most certainly not surgery or chemo. I do not want to have Doc suffer due to his teeth as we all know how much a tooth ache hurts. I also do not want to have him suffer a long battle with cancer. However, with all that said, I believe Doc is still living a happy loving life and I am not ready to consider other options. He maintains his weight, snuggles, purrs, and loves to socialize with guests. In the last few months he has started displaying small bits of temperament and attitude which I have chalked up to just being a grumpy old man.
That’s my story of Doc and my dilemma. Not sure if I am looking for advice, support, or just need to share with a group who will be able to relate.
