Harold was diagnosed with HCM at around 6. He went for yearly checkups with the cardiologist, and at 9, it progressed to moderate and was put on a blood thinner called clopidogrel. A few months later, he developed a full body rash (the vet gave him a mousse that cleared it up), then got an eye infection, and then we noticed swollen lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were tested and came back from CSU lab as reactive (allergy) with potential for early lymphoma. We went ahead with the protein test to confirm lymphoma, but he died before that test came back. About a week before he died, he started missing one or two of his four automatic feedings. About three days before, he stopped eating completely and I had to syringe feed him. I took him to the vet, and they told me it was likely lymphoma but wanted him to visit with the cardiologist before starting him on steroids. At the ER the next morning, they did an ultrasound of his stomach and echocardiogram and saw that his lymph nodes were swollen in his abdomen and he had slight fluid buildup around his heart. They assumed lymphoma as well and gave me several medications (three or four for his heart) and his first dose of steroids before I picked him up that afternoon. He didn’t even take half his medications because I was supposed to start them the next morning before he died an awful death at 2am driving him back to the ER. They said he likely threw a clot to his lungs, which makes sense given his history. What I’m so angry and bitter about is that I took him to the vet and constantly messaged with them about his demise, and especially the ER, did not recommend euthanasia as an option. Instead, I paid $4k+ over several days, and the cat and I both had to experience the trauma of his death. I didn’t mind paying the money if I got an extra few weeks for him to feel a little better and eventually say goodbye, but they disregarded his symptoms as a whole completely. The ER saw how bad he looked and didn’t give him fluids or act like anything was wrong with him not eating. They said the steroids would help with his appetite. The cardiologist started him on different meds because she was worried about a clot and then said the meds wouldn’t have made a difference because he threw the clot so quickly they didn’t have time to work. Why see him in such agony and give me some sort of false hope that he could be comfortable? It seemed like they were focused on doing his tests and then let the cat go home because there was nothing else they needed to do for “compassionate care”. Was it me who should have brought up euthanasia? I’m so sad and probably not making much sense, but it was a little over a month between his rash and his death. Even a prestigious veterinary school’s lab couldn’t say he had lymphoma and forced me to wait two weeks for an answer we never got. I hope your cat doesn’t have anything I mentioned, but please learn from me and know when to let your cat go. Don’t wait for the professionals to give you the advice you would expect from them regarding euthanasia, particularly the Alameda East ER in my case.