Feline Leukimia diagnosis - what is best now?

[Karenanne]

unfortunately, Gatsby was diagnosed on Friday. Originally the vets were going to send him to a 24hr Animal Hospital for the weekend but they said he would be better at home with me as the condition is incurable. They did hydrate him and give him antibiotics. He is now with me..lethargic but he is still eating. (Boiled chicken) I have spoken to the vets about them coming out so that he can pass away quietly at home..but should I do this sooner rather than later? (They are still talking about looking at the blood tests again) i know no-one can make this decision for me but any advice, especially from those who have been in a similar position, would be so helpful.
Karenanne
Ps I have had to re-register but any long term members might remember the story of the 3 cats who went missing from the same road and were eventually found 8 days later in a house where the owner had gone on holiday and left the cat flap set to in only. This forum kept me going through that.

[booktigger]

Did they do an in house test or was it sent away? What symptoms does he have?

[Karenanne]

It was an inhouse test but they have sent blood samples away. He has all they symptoms according to what I've read so far. Tired, loss of appetite, weight loss. The vet said he is very anaemic. Very sudden. He seemed fine last Sunday. He is eating now (roast chicken) and trying to get out through the (locked) cat flap. Seems brighter though clearly not himself.
Kx

[booktigger]

I wouldn't do anything till the external bloods have come back, as the in house have a high false positive result. How old is he and have they done any other bloods?

[Karenanne]

He is nearly five. I was so upset on Friday that I will need to speak to the vets again on Monday when I can take it all in. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply.
Kx

[booktigger]

Has he been in a situation to have contracted the virus recently, a fight or something? I'd wait for them to ring with the results personally, it used to take 10 days.

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

Hello, I don't want to give false hope, but I agree with Booktigger - wait for further clarification. My Pepsi was given a quick diagnosis of Lymphoma two years ago on the basis of an in house test at the emergency vet when she was struggling to pick up after a dental operation. I was in floods of tears in the middle of the night with a strange vet. The next day we were told the machine was giving false readings and she was perfectly fine. She still is, two and a half years later and 18 years old!

This doesn't take away from the fact that your little boy is obviously not well and this is very distressing for you. I hope that things are not as bad as it seems. Keep us posted.

[Karenanne]

Thank you so much for your reply, Sarah. Gatsby was better at lunchtime and I spoke to two vets - the one who is treating him and a specialist. I booked him in for another blood test. His anaemia is very bad. I wanted to see if it had improved. Unfortunately, he has taken a turn for the worst tonight and I think I need to let him go. He has gone down hill so rapidlly. I will let you both know what happens. It is good to talk. Xxx

[booktigger]

I'm sorry to hear he has got worse, hopefully they can treat the anaemia

[meriad]

Keeping fingers crossed for you. x

[Karenanne]

I tried to tell myself that Gatsby perked up a bit this morning as he ate a little chicken and drank some water but really he is still very weak. I have come home from work to sit with him. The vet also says he has enlarged kidneys and possibly a tumour there. I will let you know what happens tonight at the vets but I really do think he wants to go now. The vet has said there are things they could try but there would be no guarantees and I think he would miss his outdoor life. So so sad xxx

[booktigger]

Good luck tonight

[Karenanne]

I decided to let Gatsby go peacefully in my arms at the vet tonight. Cancer of the kidneys seemed likely and his anaemia was much worse. I will never know whether I did the right thing but he has been through so much in his little life....thank you for caring. I will never forget the little street cat that came in to my life. Xxxxxx

[booktigger]

I'm sorry to hear this, cancer of the kidneys doesn't have a good prognosis, so if that was likely, combined with his anaemia, you did the right thing. RIP little one

[lilynmitz]

I'm really sorry to hear this. I lost two cats too young to cancer, and can say that you really have done the right thing. We are naturally inclined to cling to "where there's life there's hope", but if Gatsby had no hope of recovery or any quality of life, then letting him go peacefully before things got any worse for him was the kindest thing to do. Comfort yourself with the quality times you had with him, he was very lucky to have found himself with you.

[meriad]

I am so sorry to read this. Sweet dreams Gatsby play hard at the bridge.

I will never know whether I did the right thing but he has been through so much in his little life....

You 100% did. The best advice ever given on this forum (well I think so) was "rather one day too soon than one day too late". You gave your boy that greatest final gift - a painfree, peaceful and dignfied passing. He's no longer suffering and is now at peace

[Karenanne]

I have just come home to a very empty house and wanted you all to know how much your replies meant to me. I have been up all night thinking about what ifs..and whether I should have asked for more tests. Thank you all so much. There will be another little cat in my life one day. I never chose Gatsby, he chose me. My wonderful street cat who found an open door and refused to go away xxx

[alanc]

Very sorry to hear of your loss of Gatsby. I lost my Badger to cancer and anemia 6 months ago. Utterly devastating. There is nothing you could have done other than what you did do for Gatsby.

[Crewella]

I'm so sorry, I had nothing useful to add as I have no experience, but I feel for you and I know that you did your best for him, which is all he could have asked.

RIP Gatsby.

[Karenanne]

Thank you both. I feel so guilty so your kind words really help. X

[meriad]

I feel so guilty so your kind words really help. X

Easier said than done, because I've been in exactly your position, but try not to feel guilty. What you did was very much the right thing to have done. And hopefully one day soon you'll be able to think about your boy with fond memories of happy days and a a smile in your heart vs these last few sad days and tears in your eyes (((hug)))