I wish it would rain.

[green_dreams]

Took Kitten[1] into the vet. Quality of life was determined to be unacceptable, and the vet explained that because of the size of the tumour (both in terms of the blood loss that surgery would entail and the loss of skin that would mean a long slow healing process with a huge possibility for infection in the area left open[2]), and the condition she was in (she'd been eating alright for one rat, but she was kind of eating for herself *and* the tumour; her bones were poking through[3]), surgery was a bad idea. They do surgeries there that other vets in the city won't do, due to sheer expertise and experience, and she still recommended against it.

Despite faint flicking hopes, the diagnosis of Malaysian Left-Leg Tumour Pattern--which gets to *exactly* this stage and then is reabsorbed within a fortnight leaving a perfectly healthy rat--was not forthcoming.

I hate it when vets get teary.

In the end: Kitten went to sleep very slowly, on a soft sock, with a belly full of peanut butter, petted and surrounded by people who cared.

(I'll be fine. It was easier than with Toby, since she was in objectively much worse shape and since I hadn't known her as long.)
---
[1] It occurs to me that when posting about the rat, I have not previously mentioned her name. That is it.
[2] The lack of the word is driving me batshit. Granuloma? Granulated something.
[3] EDIT: That's "her bones were poking through" in the sense that you could feel the spine and hipbones and the ribs very very clearly. Not in the sense that there were ulcers over her skeleton. Sorry.

Comments

[kookiemaster.livejournal.com]

You saved him from a very slow and painful death ... you did the right thing.

*hug*

[torrain.livejournal.com]

I know. I just get really frustrated when the best right thing I can do is put her down. {:)

Thanks.

[oni-neko.livejournal.com]

*blinks back tears. i'm glad she...had a quiet death. RIP Kitten...we miss you.

[torrain.livejournal.com]

*thanks you and Jason for the condolences*

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

*hug* Condolences; and yes, I agree that it was the right thing to do; and I'm happy that you did it in as gentle and caring a way as possible.

And I think your icon very appropriate, too.

[torrain.livejournal.com]

(I've grown fond of it, of late.) Everyone there was very kind and helpful, which probably helped her relax immensely. She was comfortable enough to be exploring the vet's jacket cuff with a view to try crawling up the sleeve; very sweet.

[bellacrow.livejournal.com]

thank you for doing the hard thing.

[torrain.livejournal.com]

Thanks. (Honestly, I still have enough faith in humanity to be surprised someone didn't beat me to it.)

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Rest in Peace Kitten, and deep thanks to you Frances for doing the hard thing that i could not.

[mzdemonique.livejournal.com]

big hugs sweetie
you sure have been through a lot
your compassion is inspiring

[torrain.livejournal.com]

Heh. {:) Thanks. It's an unhappy situation.

I have to tell you, right now I am *so glad* that Angel is being healthy at me. Demanding, crochety, and imperious, but healthy. :)