Palliative care is all that's left for my beloved Kitty (mammary cancer) [View all]

I've learned something important since seeing her tumor two months ago.

This. Shelter cats, adopted at mid-life, often were just spayed when the shelter took them in, and had spent half a life NOT spayed.

Alas, the mammary cancer rate is very much higher for female cats who were not spayed when younger.

My beloved Kitty, then eight, had never been spayed til she arrived at the shelter, and had lived with five other cats meaning that she likely had multiple litters............and was a ripe candidate for mammary cancer.

And here we are. If it isn't discovered very early, the chances of survival are very poor. And I won't put her through (or could afford) extreme means.

I adore her. She is extremely loving, kind and thoughtful. She is alert, aware of what's happening, keeping an eye on me. But beginning to refuse food. Tough times ahead, I know. Will have to act before too long.

I have buried many a dear cat who died in my arms. This one really hurts. We are such close friends.