My cat has huge hole in her right side? Need ideas.?

[madikate]

My cat has been with me most of my life, i'm 19 and shes turning 18 this month. She has never had anything wrong with her, but about 8 months ago I noticed she had a small lump on her right hind leg. I thought it was nothing, maybe just because she was getting older, but it eventually got bigger and I took her to the vet. The vet said it could be cancerous, but more than likely it was benign. And the surgery to remove it is very invasive and I didn't want her to be uncomfortable for her last years.months go by and I notice that the hair around the lump was gone one day. She had been biting it, and she kept on biting it until it was an open wound. The open wound had pus and it eventually started smelling bad.I took her to the vet again, they gave her antibiotic shot and said to try and keep her from biting it.They also mentioned that the wound could be deep and into the bone so even if they got rid of it, it could still come back. I tried to keep her from biting it, the antibiotic got rid of the smell but I couldn't watch her every waking moment. The hole got bigger and bigger, she leaked everywhere she went. It was sad. I took her back to the vet, they said it was probably infected and she needed stronger antibiotics. The antibiotics were given by mouth (dropper) once a day and she hated them. Plus the smell came back and she continued to bother it. I decided to try some home remedies, I gave her zinc and yeast mixed in a dropper everyday (antibiotic too) and sprayed her wound with colloidal silver. Nothing worked, she smells even worse and she is skin and bones, I see her deteriorating before my eyes. I tried putting a cone on her, she could still reach her wound. She has always been a very petite cat (around 6-7 lbs her whole life). I'm almost certain her wound is infected, she has lost so much weight, I can feel pretty much all of her bones, Which I have never been able to do before. She feels like 3 lbs. She also seems wobbly and she looks like shes drunk when she walks, she has also developed a twitch. I have exhausted all my options, except for putting her down at the vet and getting the surgery. her dry food is Called Blue wilderness, She doesn't really like dry food that well. I feed her real salmon, tuna, sardines, and crab meat (when I get it) everyday (usually twice per day or whenever she comes into the kitchen and want some). She doesn't eat normal wet cat food.

[opus88]

hi...so sorry to read abt your kitty, you are not going to like what I have to say....I am not understanding why you are keeping your kitty alive to suffer as she is? can you imagine the pain of having your flesh eating away at you, no wonder she is biting at it....my gosh I bloody know how hard it is to say our goodbyes...but I find it even much harder to watch a cat suffering in front of my eyes...and yes she IS suffering terribly...
Plz do the responsible parent thing for a kitty you've loved all your life...its going to hurt, but its the kindest and most humane thing you can do for her at this point, the cancer will only continue to eat more of her flesh and the pain will become excruciating....I beg you to do this for her sake..♥

a poem by Susan A. Jackson says it all.....:))

Do you think the time has come? May I say good-bye to pain-filled days and endless nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an exampled tried to be.
So can't I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.
I want to go, I really do. Its difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and tears.
I know you're sad and so afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you, wherever you may go.
Thank you for loving me.
You know I love you too.
Thats why its hard to say good-bye and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.
-Susan A. Jackson

[madikate]

Oh I understand, and I know she isn't having the greatest time. I just wanted to see if there were any other options left. I don't like to see her suffer, she acts loving as always towards me, nothing has changed except this horrible wound she has and that she smells.Plus within the last couple of weeks she cant really walk that well and she has that twitch now. I have been thinking about taking her to the vet for the last time for a couple of days now. Her and I have been together for a long time and she is my buddy, so I hate seeing her like this. I will take her to the vet and ask if there are any other options and if its time.

[CML2014]

Hi madikate,

There is not doubt on my part that anyone would have any other opinion. I am afraid the time has come to let her go. One  final act of love for a lifetime friend. Please take her to the Vet today!!!

Let us know what he says and share you're thoughts upon losing her. We are here for you!

Thanks, CML

[CML2014]

You know in doing some more reading on this. It could be Pyroderma, a bacterial infection of the skin. This hopefully can be taken care of if it has not gone to far. So there is Hope, you just have to get to the vet to find out.

Best of luck to you,
CML

[madikate]

UPDATE: unfortunately I had to take my Kitty to the vet for the very last time on the 29th of May. I woke up to her nudging me and I found hundreds of maggots in her wound. I live in Utah and the past couple of days have been very hot (80-90 degrees). She would love to lay on my porch in the sun. But unfortunately that is probably when a fly laid eggs in her wound. I called the vet and they said it was probably time. I took her there and they investigated and only concluded that it was indeed her time. I held her and they administered a sedative, she went to sleep as I pet her. She was still purring the entire time, and then the vet came in to put her to sleep. She peacefully drifted away. I miss her terribly, but I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore. I'm just sad she had to go through what she did. Thanks for all your help.

[Jade59]

I'm so very sorry for your loss, sweetheart.  I know how difficult that was for you to do, but you did the right thing by your girl.  Big Hug to you...xo

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Piparskeggr]

So sorry to read of this, you did what was best that Final Act of Love.

May your memories of her and your time together (including how you tried to help her) be of solace.