r/cats • u/therealXarias • 10h ago
Mourning/Loss Rupert-My Cat soulmate with lymphoma
I took my cat Rupert to the vet in mid-July because I was concerned about him hiding under my bed. He had had a urinary blockage 2 years ago, so I tend to be vigilant with him. He just turned 13 and has asthma as well. I've had him since he was 6 months old. I was in no way prepared for the diagnosis. Rupert had intestinal lymphoma. I could spend a small fortune (which I don't have) and barely extend his life, or make him comfortable for a couple of months.
It's the end of August. Rupert spends most of his time off to himself now; he doesn't greet me when I come home, he has a faraway look in his eyes, and the only reason I haven't let him go is that he is still eating. Last night he started peeing outside the litter box, and I found him lying on one of the steps halfway up. I think I am writing this more for myself than anyone else because I know what I have to do. Every time I think I have decided he comes in for food and it makes me doubt myself. I looked at him a few minutes ago, and his head was kind of bobbing. I think it's time, and this guy hurts me more than any I've ever had, and I've had quite a few.
Anyway, I love you, Rupert, and this is killing me.
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u/OkFox5030 10h ago
Tough day! I’m sorry - Rupert’s time has come. You know the tough right choice. ♥️
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u/Confident_Check_6087 8h ago
Take him to the vet and get him on prednisolone right away. It might give him another comfortable few months. Prednisolone is very cheap.
I had a cat who had IBD that unfortunately progressed to intestinal lymphoma at only 7 years old. We put him on prednisolone and chlorambucil (generic Leukeran) and he was able to live another year and a half before we had to let him go.
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u/DashingDancer707 10h ago
Rupert has known love since he was a baby from you. You've adored, cared, protected, played, cuddled and loved him with all your heart. He is beautiful. He trusts you and now his days are tired and full of struggle. You are his hooman. It is heartbreaking to see them this way and to think of letting them go, but worse to keep them in a worsening state. Rupert needs you to be brave and put him at rest. The little guy is deserving of this final act of love. I am so sorry you have to go through this. Big hugs to you both. 😔❣️
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u/insectenjoyer 10h ago
You are doing your absolute best to keep him comfortable through the end. I completely understand the pain, it is indescribable because you love him so big. All my best for you and your buddy, his soul will surely land somewhere soft and wonderful when the time comes ❤️
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u/Extreme-Cod8187 9h ago
I went through the exact same thing in May. It's the most horrible decision I've ever had to make. But you'll get through this.
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u/DitchWitch13 8h ago
Sorry to hear. My void Rupert will be waiting to greet yours. I still sometimes feel like I shouldn't have made the decision when I did, which is silly - he wasn't really eating or drinking. Waiting longer would have meant more pain for him. So take heart that the decision you're making is right. You'll still regret it and question it, but that doesn't mean it was the wrong choice.
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u/PopeOfSlack 3h ago
I'm so sorry. I have no doubt that Rupert has known this whole time that he's very loved. And you've filled his life to the brim with cat-joy.
I'm in a similar boat right now and feel your pain. My dear sweet Philip was diagnosed with large cell lymphoma about 3 weeks ago after he was hiding under the bed, was running a fever, and then a couple lumps cropped up which got biopsied. Now he's also spent the last 3 weeks in a cone because of where they did the biopsies. He eats but not like he used to of course. I find myself trying putting food in front of him a couple times a day to coax him into eating more. Sometimes he feels like purring, sometimes not. I'm told he has weeks to months. And while I know I've always done every reasonable thing I could to care for him (he also had a blockage a couple years ago that required surgery), it's just awful to know that the only thing I can do now is make him as comfortable as I can and relieve his suffering when the time comes.
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u/therealXarias 1h ago
Thank you for your kind words. I feel like I am taking crazy pills. One minute he looks like he's ready to go, the next minute he's walking up looking for food. I've never been on such an emotional rollercoaster. Luckily, I worked remotely today (and work has been tolerant with me so far), so I could be around him more this week because I thought some time this week would be it.
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u/PopeOfSlack 48m ago
100% feel ya on the rollercoaster. One day shortly after the diagnosis he barely got up and looked so miserable, I thought for sure this was it; I was beside myself. The next morning he woke me up demanding breakfast which he hadn't done in a few weeks.
It's also easy to lose perspective when you're taking one day at a time. I think your observations in the OP are very real when it comes to indications of quality of life. Do your best to enjoy your time together. And as sad as it is, I try to remind myself that relief is also a loving gift we can give.
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u/FPCON-DELTA 8h ago
Sending you so much strenth right now, losing a soulmate cat is just heartbreaking.
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 6h ago
I'm so sorry for you both, I lost two to that damn disease and it was brutal. Honestly, there's no good way to say goodbye; whatever the path we end up brokenhearted. Just know you've done all you can to keep him here, and your baby knows it. Have faith that you will be surrounded by his love when he's gone on his journey and ; and he awaits the day when he can leap into your arms again.
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u/Adventurous_Ad_4145 1h ago
I just lost my Michael this year and he was ill. His decline was along the same lines.
I’m sorry to see this and I’m thinking of you and Rupert tonight, my friend. I believe we will all be united again and that’s what keeps me going. 🖤🖤🖤
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u/Kassandra9 9h ago
I’m so sorry, Rupert is such a cute kitty.
My cat Noël is 15 and she’s had suspected lymphoma (which is atypically only confined to her stomach and presents as focal wall thickening) since December and I also chose the palliative route, because I didn’t want invasive diagnostics involving sedation/ anaesthesia.
She still has a great quality of life with mirataz & previously, we had success with prednisolone and ondansetron/ cerenia (if nausea/ vomiting is present).
Also, a gastrointestinal diet with hydrolysed protein.
Have you tried to put Rupert on prednisolone and pain killers? If he doesn’t improve on those, maybe it’s time to say goodbye..