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I found out 4 weeks ago that my precious boy, Hamish has got mouth cancer. He was drooling so I took him to the vet expecting him to say it was an abscess and he needed some dental work but unfortunately he gave me the devastating news that my boy had a tumour in his mouth. The first step was to take a sample to test what type of cancer it was and then we would go from there. The results came back and confirmed it was a squamous cell carcinoma. After lengthy discussions with my vet we decided to operate to remove as much of the tumour as possible to hopefully give me a few more months with him.

Hamish is such a sweet gentle boy who in his 16 years has always been my special boy. He recovered extremely well after the operation, you wouldn't have known that he had had anything done really. The vet checked him after a week and said everything was healing well and looking really good. I knew it wasn't a cure and the cancer would always come back but I just hoped for a bit more time with my boy.

Up until a couple of days ago Hamish was doing really well until I noticed his tongue sticking out a little bit so I made an appointment straight away for another checkup. The tumour is back, alot quicker than we had hoped for and now I've been told I may only have him for a week, possibly two.

I am totally heartbroken, I just don't know what I'm doing most of the time. I love him so much but have promised myself and Hamish I won't let him suffer - he's too precious and doesn't deserve any of this, why do these things happen ?

I just wondered if anyone else has gone through this heartbreaking disease to just help me a little over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you xxx

Hello, I know only too well about mouth cancer, I lost my lovely boy 'cc' to the awful disease exactly this time last year. Just like you, it began with him drooling and dropping his food all the time, when the vet told me that he had an inoperable tumour on his tongue I thought I had misheard him. . I truly thought he had an abscess I had never prepared myself for the news. I remember walking to the car with my husband in a daze. We had been given some tablets for him for palliative care only, this was a Thursday. Over the weekend, he began hiding away and it was clear he was in discomfort, it totally broke our hearts. We. Made the final appointment for Tuesday afternoon, as he now could hardly eat, an hour before his appointment, it was as if he knew, he came out of his hiding place for the first time in a week and jumped on my lap, my husband was in tears, as he thought it was a sign he was getting better, I truly believe that my lovely boy sensed that it was time to say goodbye, as hard as it was, we gave him a dignified peaceful passing, without any pain. I grieved and felt angry that in one week my boy had gone from being healthy to this, so I truly understand your pain, you will do what is right, I had some great support on here, I was always reminded " better a day too early than a day too late" anytime you want to talk or just vent your feelings, please do, I am on here on and off throughout the day, thinking of you....julie x

I lost my blind cat Alpha to oral cancer a couple of years ago.

Like you, we had it cut away once to give her some more time, and it did allow her to see out the summer in the garden, which I know she loved. It did, however, come back with a vengeance, and when she could no longer eat properly (we did blend her food for her towards the end) and started to look unhappy we decided it was time. She also started to lose her sense of smell (the cancer was in her upper jaw and must have been spreading upwards) and as she was blind she was very dependant on her sense of smell.

I'm so very sorry that poor Hamish is going through this, it's a horrible thing. I would echo what Julie has said, though - better a day too early than a day too late. Cats are very good at hiding the fact that they are in pain, so keep a close eye on him.

Wish I could say something to make it better. (((hugs)))

Give Hamish a gentle fuss from me. xx

Thank you both for taking the time to reply and also for sharing your experiences which I know must still hurt to talk about.

At the minute Hamish seems OK, still eating and wanting to be with us, so I feel he is not suffering. We have a check up on Friday to see if anything has changed during the week. All I can pray for is that my boy can be with me for as long as possible without any suffering or pain. I have told my vet that him being in any pain is the main thing that I am scared of and he has promised me that he won't let that happen and guide me, on a daily basis if needed. I totally trust my vet and am so grateful for his support.

I also appreciate any support on here as well, as you know you feel so alone but knowing there are people who understand the pain does help.

All I am doing at the minute is taking one day at a time, cherishing my special boy (as I always do anyway) and loving him with all my heart although it's breaking with the thought of what's happening.

Thanks again xxx

I'm glad you have a vet that you trust - it makes a huge difference, and you're absolutely right to take it one day at a time and cherish him for the time you have left together. It's the best that you can do in a horrible situation. (((hugs)))

My 17 year old cat Titch sadly had to be pts earlier this year. She had been a sprightly cat right up until near the end then she started to have trouble breathing and we were told she had heart failure and she was put on medication but her health declined more and she began to drool and struggled to eat. I was shocked to find out she had a mouth tumour too and it was horrible to make the decision to let her go but comforting to me that she had such long good life and was well loved. I am sorry you are now in this same situation and know how hard it must be for you. Sending you hugs.

Well Hamish had his check up today. The vet said the tumour has grown but not as much as he was expecting so in a way slightly better news than I thought I would get. Booked in for another check up in a week, fingers crossed for similar news next time.

I am sitting here with Hamish snuggled next to me, I treasure every second I have with him.

I feel today things are starting to change with Hamish, he no longer wants cat food - I've tried jelly, gravy, pate but he doesn't seemed interested and gives up after a couple of licks. He will eat a little bit of chicken or ham chopped up into tiny pieces but it's a struggle.

We have a check up on Friday but I'm so scared that I will be saying goodbye to him soon - I just can't imagine being without him.

Oh Angie, I do so feel for you and Hamish, you know him better than anyone, I know it's hard, I really do, but once he finds it uncomfortable to eat, you need to keep a close eye on him, as I know you will, I understand the hurt you are feeling, always here anytime you need to talk.....thinking of you and Hamish....x

Thank you Julie, it's so hard - sometimes I look at him and think he's had enough and then an hour later he's walking around and trying to eat a little bit. My mind is in bits with so many different emotions.

I had exactly the same with CC, he always tried to eat, he wanted to, but it became so difficult to see, one moment he was hiding away, drooling, then he was looking to us for fuss, even his last day, he jumped onto our laps and it broke my heart, because I knew that I was just talking myself into waiting until he was suffering, before I made that last journey to the vets, and I knew I could not let him get to that point, it would have destroyed me to see him in pain, so I said goodbye before that happened...for his sake, not mine, I did not want to let him go, but I had to think what was right for him, not me any longer....as you will, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, but he passed in peace......not in pain.......xx

I'm so sorry, Angie, I know how tough this is. Julie's right, though - you really don't want him to get to that point where you look back and wish you'd released him from pain and suffering earlier. Wish I could say something to help. (((hugs)))

Such a difficult decision to make but better a day too early than a day too late x

Thank you all for your replies, he's still trying to eat a little bit so will wait and see until his check up tomorrow.

He's fast asleep on my lap at the minute so looks like I won't be getting much done for a while !!!

Thanks again for your kind words xxx

Good luck at Hamish's check up Angie !! Got everything crossed here ....xx

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you both. x

Thank you so much xxx

Hamish went to sleep yesterday, peacefully in my arms.

Miss you so much precious boy, hope you've reached rainbow bridge xxx

Oh Angie, I am so sorry. We knew this was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier.

At least he went peacefully and with his human close by.

RIP Hamish. xx Play happily at the Bridge.

((Hugs)) to you Angie.

Sue xx

such sad news Angie, but I'm glad he went peacefully - it's the most we can hope for when they have an untreatable condition

I'm so sorry, Angie, I was thinking of you and Hamish yesterday. So sad, but I'm sure you've done the right thing for him - sometimes it's the best we can do. (((hugs)))

Rest in peace much loved Hamish. xx

Angie, we've both had to say goodbye to our lovely cats today. Big hugs to you as I know how you're feeling right now.

We did both do the right thing though, before they were really suffering and in pain.

That sentence doesn't help the heartbreak and emptiness right now but it will in time.

Best wishes

Natalie x

(((Angie)))

I am so sorry you had to let Hamish go. You did absolutly the best you could for him and you made the right decision for him.

He is now playing free and well at rainbow bridge

Val x

Oh Angie . . Just saw this as been away all day . . You did a wonderful selfless thing for you lovely boy, he went to Rainbow Bridge in peace and dignity, no pain or suffering, bless you, I understand the hurt it leaves behind for you, I really do....my boy cc will be waiting to show Hamish around, as will all the others who will welcome him, till we all meet again. . . Play happily with my boy Hamish, hugs and thoughts to your loving Mom, Angie, . . . . X

Thank you all so much for your kind and comforting words, it really helps to know you understand what I'm going through, it's horrible without him here.

I know I made the right decision but like you say it doesn't make it any easier, the vet said within a few days he would have been suffering and I never wanted that for my special boy so it was the right time to let him go although it broke my heart.

Although I have the other cats it seems so empty without Hamish, I dread going to bed at night as he always slept on my pillow, snuggled up all night long. I miss that so much. There are so many things I miss about him, he was such a big part of my life.

Miss you so much Hamish, my perfect boy love you always xxx

Can hardly see to type here, I'm in pieces.
You did the right thing for Hamish letting him go to sleep before he got any pain. It's very difficult and they leave such a big hole in your heart.
He'd have had a wee welcome group waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge.
My wee Kenzie crossed it on Thursday
Thinking of you (((hugs)))

It's been just over two weeks now since my Hamish went to sleep, I still can't believe he isn't here. Night times are horrible, I think everything seems worse at night. I miss him on my pillow but like to think he's still with me somehow....

I have to go to the vets on Tuesday with Zak (Hamish's brother) as he has ongoing digestive problems and it's time for another blood test. I'm so scared of going in there again, I know I'm going to burst into tears as soon as I walk in there, but I have to go and maybe getting it out of the way will help.

The heartache will never go away, love and miss you my perfect boy xxx

I just found this thread. It's unbearable for me to read, but Angie and others the advice you give is touching a nerve with me.
I watch over my cat who has the same illness day and night for signs that it's time to go...it's 2 weeks since I had the bad news. I can see you had 6 weeks with Hamish....I am hoping for longer, but then there is never a right time to lose our cats is there.
I will remember your bravery in not letting your furry friends suffer and the 'better a day early than a day too late'. My Lucy has already suffered enough in the time before I stupidly realised she was ill. Better too many pain meds than not enough, even if it's metacam at double the dose if it makes her feel better. Seeing the vet again tonight...