According to the National Library of Medicine, domestic cats suffer from various cancer types, including oral squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, soft-tissue sarcomas, and mammary carcinoma. Once your cat is diagnosed with cancer, you will know she doesn’t have many days to live. To end her distress, you may resort to euthanasia, although knowing precisely when to euthanize a cat with cancer for a smooth, humane ending is vital.
When euthanizing a cat with cancer, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to assess your cat’s condition. The vet will consider the cancer stage, chronic pain, the pet’s quality of life, the emotional impact on you and your family, and the financial costs that euthanasia procedures may incur.
Follow this guide to learn when to euthanize a cat with cancer. We’ll discuss ten crucial factors to consider before you can perform euthanasia. Keep reading.
When to Euthanize a Cat With Cancer: Is It Humane?
Euthanizing a cat with cancer is humane if a veterinarian does the process professionally. This is because the vet injects your ailing cat with a sedative before applying the actual euthanasia medicine. So, your cat will pass on peacefully without feeling pain.
Depending on the cancer type and stage, your cat may experience severe symptoms, including;
- Lack of energy or lethargy
- Rapid weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Sores and rough fur
- Stiffness
- Breathing difficulties
Your cat’s probably in great distress and pain with these symptoms. End-stage cancers are hard to manage, even with a solid pain management plan.
That’s why you need a vet’s assessment of the cat’s current state. If they see fit to help rest the cat, that would be better than leaving her to continue suffering and waiting for a natural death.
In this context, cat euthanasia is considered a compassionate act intended to provide a calm and painless transition into the afterlife. This is why expertly performed euthanasia is the best option and a humane way of ending your cat’s life. The reasons to perform euthanasia include;
- The vet usually assesses your cat’s quality of life, so it’s a surefire step a vet takes to help the cat.
- It puts a stop to the cat’s suffering and distress
- It takes out the cat quickly and without pain
To ensure a smooth process, the veterinarian uses highly effective medications. To that effect, phenobarbital injections are commonly used to blank out cats.
The drug is administered in higher doses to make the animal lose consciousness fast and eventually shut down their heart and brain functions. The cat will pass out quietly in minutes – and this is humane.
Once dead, the vet will confirm with a stethoscope whether the cat’s heart is still beating, if not, they’ll pronounce it dead.
Also Read: How to Euthanize a Cat at Home With Tylenol: 5 Steps and Why You Don’t Have To
How to Decide When to Euthanize a Cat With Cancer: 10 Things to Consider
Here is a guide to help you decide when to euthanize a cat with cancer:
1. Poor Quality Life
The first signal of a cancer-ravaged cat is the cat’s overall quality of life. You want to check whether she eats normally, has no mobility issues, is active and playing with others, eats as usual, and even excretes healthy poop.
For some reason, a cat suffering from advanced-stage cancer has several health issues. She will show the opposite of all the qualities listed above. The cat does not eat well and spends much time vocalizing in distress and pain. You may also notice your cat drooling most of the time.
Additionally, the cat cannot move properly and is in great discomfort most of the time. She may also stop eating. Generally, your feline friend has a poor quality of life worsened by reduced immunity.
All said, a cat in such a state due to cancer cannot live long. Rather than let the cat continue to suffer, your best bet would be euthanizing her.
3. The Vet’s Assessment
The veterinarian is the only individual mandated to declare whether your cat is cancerous and, therefore, recommends euthanasia. Usually, before you decide on your cat, contact the vet first. Since this is your local veterinarian, they know your cat’s health history.
The veterinarian should assess your cat’s physical and behavioral state. They should provide insights into your cat’s condition, prognosis, potential treatment, and whether you should consider euthanasia as a humane way of relieving your cat from suffering.
If the cat were probably in early-stage cancer, the vet would see no solid reason to euthanize her. Surprisingly, the vet may recommend further treatment rather than taking her out.
As an expert, the vet gives you an informed decision prioritizing your cat’s well-being. Ultimately, consulting a vet ensures that your decisions are based on expert knowledge rather than assumptions and anxiety.
3. Cancer Type and Stage
Cancer type and stage will determine the level of decision to make when considering euthanizing the cat. Several cancer types affect cats. Here are four common types that you should look out for;
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is probably the most common and deadliest cancer type in cats. As the name suggests, this cancer invades the lymphocytes and lymph fluid. Hence, they reduce your cat’s immunity significantly.
The cancer can spread to many parts of the cat’s body, causing enlarged lumps in regions such as the neck, shoulder blades, and behind the knees.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is a skin and oral cavity cancer that comes about due to exposure to long hours of the sun. It’s associated with white or light-colored cats. Some of the areas affected include the ears, eyes, and mouth.
Mammary Carcinoma
Mammary cancer is high in unspayed cats, that is, cats that still breed. In other words, it’s the cancer of the breast. These cancerous tumors may also spread to other organs like lymph nodes and the lungs.
Soft-Tissue Cancer
Soft tissue cancer (or fibrosarcoma) is considered one of the softest cancers affecting cats. But, once it invades an organ, removing the tumors is nearly impossible.
Other than the type of cancer, the stage also matters. The vet can recommend treatment options for early-stage cancers and monitor the pet until she recovers. However, things are not the same with late-stage cancers that cannot be eliminated except by relieving the cat through euthanasia.
4. Pain Management
Usually, you want to give your cat some rescue drugs to reduce the pain she could be experiencing. Nevertheless, not all conditions respond positively to such medications. If the pain becomes difficult to control, euthanasia might be the best option.
It’s inhumane to stay with a cat in great pain and distress, especially when you have tried all means possible to treat her, but in vain. If you reach the veterinarian, they’d recommend euthanasia.
5. Poor Appetite and Dehydration
If your cat’s in distress, she will likely refuse to eat and drink. The result is excessive starvation and dehydration – two conditions that render your pet weak and seriously sick.
Monitor your cat to know whether this condition persists after trying interventions such as providing her favorite treats or the best food. If the situation remains the same, euthanize your cat.
6. Emotional Well-Being
Your cat falling sick can impact your emotional stability – even worse when the disease is cancer. If you are not emotionally stable, it’s easy to be carried away, thanks to the challenging nature of cancers.
Seeing your feline friend ill and without hope of reviving her health can be distressful. Be prepared to face the challenge together with your family.
Many pet parents opt to euthanize their cats for the sake of the family members, including children. Some people can’t stand seeing their pets undergo pain.
7. Financial Implications
Cancer treatment for pets is expensive, just as for humans. You should be ready to dig deeper into your pockets to facilitate treatment procedures like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
On average, you may have to pay $3000 to $10,000 for cancer treatment. As you can see, this is no joke of a cost.
Frankly, only a few pet parents might spend top dollar on a condition without a guaranteed cure. Hence, euthanasia remains a viable, cheap option to help your cat. The bottom line is to evaluate the potential benefits of treatments against the financial burden you will carry.
8. The Timing of Euthanasia
Since euthanasia is never easy for most pet parents, planning when to perform it eliminates anxiety and unnecessary stress. You should not proceed with the procedure as a desperate measure.
Ensure you inform your family about the decision to take out your cat – the primary reason being to end the cat’s pain and peacefully transition her to the end of life.
9. Cat Starts Soiling Herself
Cats are arguably the cleanest companion animals you can ever come across. In that regard, soiling is a strange situation for cats. It could be a temporary glitch, but you know the problem is more profound when it persists.
Even worse, soiling due to lack of bladder control or intractable diarrhea can cause her coat to smell, significantly lowering her self-esteem and causing distress. In this context, you may need to see your vet to discuss whether treatment options are available or whether the cat should be euthanized.
10. Overall Behavior
When you observe your cat’s behavior and notice she can’t respond to treatment despite all the efforts, it could be time when you euthanize her. Of course, the final report on whether to euthanize should come from a veterinarian.
A dramatic change in behavior or signs of distress could indicate that your cat is not positively responding to treatment or medication provided to revive her health.
When to Euthanize a Cat Based on the Type of Cancer
You can euthanize a cat based on the type of cancer by considering how fast that cancer type spreads.
For instance, lymphoma can subside when detected and treated early. Mammary carcinomas and squamous cell carcinoma spread quickly to many body parts, making their prognosis difficult.
Often, you are left with the option of euthanizing your cat when she has mammary or squamous cell cancer.
Check out the following factors and how they affect your decisions regarding euthanasia.
Cancer progression: The stage of cancer your cat is in determines what direction the vet would give. The latter or end-stage cancer will necessitate euthanasia.
Response to treatment: how fast your cat responds to treatment measures or medications will delay or hasten euthanasia. Soft-cell sarcoma is difficult to control and manage once it spreads to other body parts.
Pain and discomfort: As the disease progresses, the more your cat continues to suffer in pain and discomfort. A cancer such as lymphoma affects the mouth, lungs, and nasal cavity – causing pain and distress in breathing, eating, and even smelling.
Mobility Issues: If osteosarcoma or bone cancer impaired your cat’s ability to move, eat, drink, help herself, use the litter box, or enjoy everyday activities, it’s probably the time to euthanize her. It’s distressing to the pet when she can’t make a step due to a brittle, painful back and bones.
When Not to Euthanize Your Cat With Cancer
You should not euthanize your cat with cancer when she still enjoys a high-quality life. For example, if she still eats normally, drinks as usual, is happy to play with other members, can move without straining, and still shows energy and no signs of lethargy.
On the same note, consider her response to medication, more so with rescue drugs. If you notice the pain subsiding after giving her the medication, you should not consider euthanizing the cat soon.
More importantly, your veterinarian’s assessment is what you need for the next course of action. You will work with a vet’s recommendations if he advises that something can be done to revive your cat’s health.
While you hold the final decision, remember to have a candid discussion with the vet. As expected, vets put the animal’s well-being first.
All said, discuss with your family, including your children. This is a family cat that different family members have connected to. If the cat still lives a normal life, your family may feel that euthanizing her would be too soon.
When to Euthanize a Cat With Cancer: Final Thoughts
Before you consider euthanizing your cat with cancer, ensure you’ve exhausted all options for saving her.
You must evaluate the cat’s physical conditions, pain levels, the effectiveness of available treatments, and the cat’s overall quality of life.
Finally, remember to consult with a veterinarian for valuable insights and support during this challenging process. Ultimately, let us remember that our responsibility as pet owners extends to ensuring our beloved feline companions experience minimal suffering in their final days, and to that end, we must make these decisions with empathy, compassion, and their best interests at heart.
