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Most vets recommend that life be prolonged only
while the cat has a reasonable quality of life.
While a second opinion may be helpful to you (some
vets specialize in certain conditions), don't
prolong life in the hope that the umpteenth
consulted knows of a treatment or a that a medical
breakthrough is imminent. A second opinion may be
useful because different vets have different
specialisms or be unfamiliar with the ailment or
with cats in general. In these cases a good vet
knows his limitations and should refer you to a
specializing vet. Many vets and owners use the
internet for information. Among the good articles,
there are sensational articles and charlatans.
Some omit to mention the (high) failure rate or
that the treatment is experimental (laboratory
animals, small field trials).
Find out about your cat's illness or condition.
Ask your vet to explain it in simple terms and ask
sensible questions. Write down your questions so
you don't forget any. Treatments you see on the
internet may be offered in one country or locality
but not be available elsewhere, or not be feasible
due to lack of expertise. Some treatments are not
affordable. Your vet may give you information
leaflets produced by veterinary associations or
welfare associations. He may know of specialists
offering experimental treatments. They may be
situated some distance away which means a lot of
traveling or leaving your cat as an in-patient.
The word 'experiment' does not mean vivisection -
it is more like an advanced hospital offering
experimental treatments. Whether the treatment is
successful or not, your cat will not be made to
suffer unnecessarily. Lessons learnt from treating
it may help other cats in the future.
If you have any misgivings about experimental
treatments, then discuss these. If the veterinary
hospital offering the treatment is some distance
away, you may decide that travel and separation
will distress your cat or that you simply cannot
afford it. As the owner, you know your cat better
than anyone else and a good vet respects your
decision if you decide against further treatment
and will help make your cat comfortable using
treatments his clinic can offer. Choose what you
believe will cause your cat least distress.
When faced with the difficult choice of whether
or not to attempt life-prolonging treatment with
no guarantee of success, I sometimes have to say,
"He's had a good life, I will not prolong it
just because I can't bear the thought of
losing him."
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