Sunday, December 7

Bad News About Sox

It all happened so fast, we are still reeling from shock. We had to go back to the vet yesterday because Sox needed two more blood tests...and then we had to wait because the doctor wanted to talk to us. I had a really bad feeling about it all.

Just a few weeks ago, I took this picture of the gang. Sox is in the front, in the blue collar, eating with his normal gusto.



The picture I posted of Sox and TB was taken about 3 or 4 weeks ago, when he was still a frequent visitor and cuddler.
I didn't think much of it when he stopped because he began cuddling with Heidi under a nice warm blanket and just assumed he preferred that in the winter coolness of the house to sitting with TB and me.

The girls began to say that Sox smelled and that he wasn't grooming himself. I noticed he was getting thinner and realized that although he was still showing up with the gang, he wasn't eating the dry food. He'd knocked over a pail of garbage and gotten chicken bones and I was worried he had one lodged somewhere in his mouth or throat. I watched him when he did try to eat and saw that he shook his head back and forth and was having trouble chewing and swallowing. So we took him to the vet.

The first vet said she saw an ulcer and a swollen tongue, gave us antibiotics and a pain medication and drew some blood to rule out a problem with kidneys or some other underlying condition.

It was that "underlying condition" that now had me worried.

Sure enough when the vet (a different one from the first doctor) came in to talk to us, she had dire news. She said she didn't see an ulcer but she did see a growth--a tumor--under Sox's tongue. Because of the location, she said we could try chemo but that it probably wouldn't do any good. Surgery is out of the question because it would mean removing his tongue.

"You're saying he's going to die?" I couldn't believe it. Not our dear, sweet little Sox!

"I'm saying we should help him get there," she answered. "He's suffering. He can't eat. He can't groom himself."

But after we'd seen the first vet, I'd gone out and bought baby food chicken and turkey plus all the soft cat food I thought he could handle. He had trouble with the cat food but was scarfing down the baby food.

While in the vet's office, he was as active and curious as he'd ever been, getting into everything.

It is true that at home he's taken to hiding away from all of us and only sits with Heidi when she pulls him out and wraps him in a blankie to sit on her lap. She's been giving him baths to help with the grooming issue and he's been great about it!

So we are all in shock. I think the vet would have been all ready to put Sox down then and there but we said no. We needed for the kids to be able to say goodbye--and WE needed to come to grips with all this. The doctor understood and handed me a box of tissues. I was crying like a baby.

TB thinks the second doctor is wrong. He says Sox is eating the baby food well and we should give him a chance. What if it is an infection and not a tumor? One of the blood tests they gave Sox (which got "blown out" by the tech, whatever that means, and had to be run again) shows he's not making any new red blood cells.



This video was taken in the last week or two. If you look really close you can see what I missed: the left side of Sox's face is a little swollen and so is his tongue.

Nobody wants Sox to suffer.

It's just not fair. Sox is such a sweet, gentle cat! We are all just torn apart.

27 comments:

Everycat said...

I am so sorry to read this news about Sox. he is indeed a lovely cat. I know you love him very much and you will do the right thing by him, even if it is the most difficult thing. Sox will let you know when it's time.

Rumbly purrs and hugs to all of you.

Whicky, Angel, Oliver, Gerry & Mum

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

We are purring and purring for Sox, and hope so much that it is something other than cancer. You will be in our thoughts and purrayers ...
Many hugs, purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam, Simon and Momma Jan too

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Of course you don't want him to suffer. But if he's eating the baby food with such gusto, it makes me wonder. You can also get Hills A/D food which is very rich and can be put in a syringe. You can "whip" it up and they slurp it down, without the syringe, of course.
If it was my cat, I'd find a third vet, or a fourth, someone who perhaps understood that this is a family member and wasn't so quick to want to put them down.
We will be praying for Sox and for his family, and of course the cats are already purring for him.
ML

Mr. Chen and Ollie said...

Oh we are so very sorry about this awful news.... Poor Sox!! We think you did the right thing to not help him to the bridge yet. Sox will let you know when it is time to help me there, we think. We are sending you all our biggest hugs and purrs during this extremely difficult time for you and your family.
Purrs.
Mr. Chen & Ollie (and their mommy)

seriously amused said...

We are so sorry to hear about Sox. This must be very difficult for you because it's not an easy decision to make; it never is.

Go with your heart. He is eating and maybe another vet might be able to help you. It's never easy to know what to do because you don't want to prolong suffering and yet you don't want to give up if there is a chance you can help him heal and go on to live a happy life.

Sending purrs and prayers for all of you!

Ms. P, Cinza and Mom

The Florida Furkids said...

We're so sorry to read about Sox. Is it possible to check with a specialist?

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Astrid (…and the kitties too) said...

oh Cassie,
I can't tell you how sorry we all are to hear about sweet Sox not feeling good. We are sending all our purrrs and purrayers and best thoughts our way!
hugs.
Astrid and the kitties

Samantha & Mom said...

Purrrrs, purrrrs, purrrrs for Sox!! We are so sorry to hear he is sick!! We will purray for you all!
Your FL furiends,

Daisy said...

I am so sorry to learn the bad news about Sox.

The Island Cats said...

We're sorry to hear about Sox. Decisions like this are never easy. You just want to make sure you have all the facts and are doing the best thing for Sox. You could try getting another opinion if it would help you decide what to do. But whatever you do, we know you will do what's best for Sox. Our thoughts and purrayers are with you....

The Meezers or Billy said...

we are so very sorry you all have to go through this. It's so very hard to have to think about making these decisions. Let Sox guide you. He knows better than anyone if it's his time. Eating baby food is a good sign!

you are all in our prayers and the boyz are sending lots of purrss to Sox

MeezerMom and Sammy, Miles and Billy

Whimpurr said...

I am so terribly sorry about Sox! It is so difficult to know that you are going to have to say goodbye to your beloved kitty! I have been there before myself and it never gets easy to do! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time! *hugs and purrs*

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Why is always the sweet cuddly ones...Not that we ever want to lose any of them, not even my little biter/fighter, but why the sweethearts. The good is that Sox knows you love him and will do whatever is necessary to spare his suffering.

Niko and Cloud said...

Momma Kat here..I would strongly recommend getting another opinion, maybe from a veterinary referral center/ oncologist. Maybe this area can be biopsied to give them a better idea?

catsynth said...

This is such sad news. Sox is very sweet, and looks so full of life in that first photo.

We hope it turns out to just be an infection. But we do know you all love him very much no matter what happens.

ZOOLATRY said...

Many prayers, and soft purrs are coming your way... not just for sweet Sox, but for all of you who love him...

Quill and Greyson said...

I'm so sorry you have this news. It is an awful moment to come too. Purrs and Mom snuggles to you.

Donny and Marie and Casey said...

We're so sorry...we hope that the 2nd vet is wrong too!! Sox seems to think so at the vet's office....

~Casey, Donny and Marie

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are very sorry to hear about Sox. We hope it is an infection and not a tumour. We are sending our purrs and prayers.

Mickey's Musings said...

I am so sorry to hear this news about Sox.This cannot be an easy decision to make. Shaking his head or pawing at his face indicate discomfort. Any growth affecting his tongue is not good. Above all ,you do not want him to be in pain and cats ate good at hiding pain.
I am sure that when the time comes you will know . It will be very hard for such a young cat. I wish you had better news too.
Purrs Mickey & family

The Lee County Clowder said...

We're purrrrring & purrrayering for you all.

We're so sorry.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Oh, no! We are so sorry to read this. We have been (and still are) computerless so we're behind on the news. We rushed over as soon as we read about Sox on the CB.

We hope this second vet is wrong and Sox will get better! Our thoughts are with you.

Nancy in PA said...

:-( Just saw the news... I am so sorry... I will pray for you guys, to God's wisdom to know what to do and when. This is every pet-parent's worst nightmare and I'm so sad that you have to endure it, and just when everything else was starting to settle down... :-(

Karen Jo said...

I can understand why you are being torn apart. It's a very hard decision to make. Since Sox is still eating the baby food and being playful and curious, I would wait a bit. He'll let you know when he's ready to go. You might want to take a look at Ayla the Grump though it might make you very sad. She had a mouth tumor. It could give you some ideas on treating Sox.

PB 'n J said...

We're so sorry to read about Sox, we'll be purring that the antibiotics help and that it's not cancer! You've got to fight Sox!

The Cat Realm said...

We agree with Karen Jo - as long as he is eating baby food and plays and doesn't seem to be in pain and suffering you should wait with any decisions. Another VET specialist opinion might be helpful.
And if the worst really will happen you will make the right decision. It is heart breaking - we will purr and purr and purr for him to get better!
The Cat Realm

Cafe Cats said...

We're all so sorry to hear about Sox's troubles! Mama says that she'd get a second opinion, but that means more stabbies! But if stabbies can help figure out a different course of action then I'm sure he'll forgive you.

We're all purring and purring for Sox and your family.

Grace In Small Things

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