question for any animal experts/vets. help please

[phorsenuf]

As you may or may not know my precious baby kitty has been diagnosed with cancer. In the last few months he has hated to go outside. In the last coulple of days he's been going out. Now I first thought it had to do with the warming weather but today is cold and raining (his 2 least favorite elements).

Is it possible that he knows the end is near and is going outside to die? I know that sounds strange, but I'm very concerned.
I mean you hear abut people who will "hold on" till their loved ones are out of the room because they don't want to die in front of them, are animals the same?

I'm sure this sounds like a weird question, but is it possible?
Thanks

 

[JoNo]

I don't want to make you depressed, but it's likely. A lot of animals have been known to "seperate" themselves from their herd or pack if they "know" they'll be passing. OTOH, maybe your kitty just wants some fresh air

 

[Tiggeroo]

my older 17yo cat who for a long time had only wanted to be inside started acting strangly, not really sick, just pacing, howling, always sitting on my lap. One day he darted out and didn't come back. I think he left to die. When he was younger he always wanted to be outside.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

I had a cat who did the same thing when he was terminally ill. The only times I allowed him outside were when I was with him. He demanded these visits more often and would hide behind a bush. He knew he was ill. Animals seem to have more insight into their ultimate destiny. It's been my experience that they are not afraid.

My DH and I did everything we could to make his final days painless. He lived several happy months after starting the hiding outside behavior. When he stopped enjoying himself, we knew we had to make the most dreaded decision.

You will know. Our precious animals have a way of communicating to us. We've been in this painful situation three times.

The day any of us adds an animal to our family, we agree to have our hearts broken.
What we get in return is wonderful and priceless.

I am so very sorry for your pain.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My take on it is that they are not feeling well and want peace and quiet. Outside must be soothing to them.

 

[Dax]

I had a cat who disappeared to go pass on. He went out of the house under our mobile home through a access panel. He never came back. It was tough on the other cats when he left.

 

[DocRafiki]

Yes, they do that. Don't let him go outside unsupervised, though. He'll be subject to predation (stray dogs, vultures/other birds or even bugs) in his weakened state, or he might just wither away, which can also be painful if he starves to death, starts having a hard time breathing, or gets caught out in the hot sun (or the cold). It will be better for him if you can help him end it whenever he really becomes miserable.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by wishuponastarforever

The day any of us adds an animal to our family, we agree to have our hearts broken.
What we get in return is wonderful and priceless.

So true. And if you rescue your pets, what we've given them is well worth what we'll have to go through.

 

[catsrule]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
So true. And if you rescue your pets, what we've given them is well worth what we'll have to go through.

 

[Sleepy]

My cats never went outside. They just started spending more time under the bed.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

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Originally posted by DocRafiki
So true. And if you rescue your pets, what we've given them is well worth what we'll have to go through.
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I can't agree more. There are so many animals who need homes.

On another post babylisa4 is adopting a 7-year old dog.
That's a truly wonderful pet person!! What an example.

 

[CheshireVal]

My cat wasn't allowed outside but as he started getting sicker he'd start hiding more under the bed and in corners where no one could get to him.

I think part of it is that they generally feel bad and just want to be alone where they're not poked and prodded and bothered.

So sad.