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eamon

Hello Folks

Cat 1 is a neutered tom and is roughly 14yo. In short he is geriatric and arthritic as well. For the last couple of years I've tried to do the best for him, trips to the vet on demand, manicures & pedicures 3/4 times a year since he not active any more, frequent brushing as he doesn't self clean anymore etc. For what its worth before all this Cat 1 was an active cat, hunter, athlete, acrocat and defender of his patch.

This weekend he has been much worse. The yeowling has started, sitting at his freshly washed & filled water bowl for extended time periods, off his food (yesterday he liked salmon, today he doesn't and fussy eating I can cope with) yet drinking lots of water, noticeably more unsteady on his feet (his hind quarter muscles have wasted away). He just doesn't look happy or content anymore.

Anyway I suspect and fear that it may be the time to consider having him put to sleep. I don't really want to go down the drugs route as a means of extending his life if it won't add to his quality of life.

What would you guys do?

Eamon

Tropez

As this is very much a personal decision, I don't wish to try and sway you one way or the other.

However, I find it is best to think of your pet when he was at his best and compare that life with what he's like now. If you feel that his quality of life has sufficiently diminished to the point where there is too little left of the cat you remember, then that would be when I would be looking at making that decision.

The best course of action for now is speaking to your vet. A good, honest vet would be blunt about the effects drugs could have in improving your pet's quality of life and then you could make your decision from there.

sammyjammy

My ginger Zak is getting to this stage, uses a litter tray all the time now as won't go out, not in any pain or has any particular illness just getting old. From the sounds of it your cat is at the stage where he is no longer enjoying life . Why don't you see what the vet says, they are used to ageing pets and whne its time to say goodbye. Wishing you and your cat all the best.

SnowyOwl_2

Like so many have said before, better a day too early than a day too late.

I agree that your cat needs a trip to the vet to see if there is anything they can do for his well being in the immediate future. Maybe they'll give him some steroids or similar to give him a boost. I think it'd be worth mentioning how he sits at his water bowl for extended as he may be having kidney problems.

It's heartbreaking when a once healthy and active friend goes into such decline, but unfortunately it is normal. You can only continue to do your best for him and put his needs and welfare first.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Does he still enjoy a gentle fuss? If nothing else, I would think that a normally affectionate cat that recoils from fuss from their most loved person is too tired to continue.

tanith

It could be my cat you are describing but mine is 20yrs old, she is quite healthy just old and cantankerous I feed her on demand now and don't make her go outside unless she wants to but she still likes a cuddle/stroke loves it when I comb her and always sits closeby when I am knitting so she's still has enjoyable times.. once your vet had given him a clean bill of health I'd just keep doing what you are doing until you feel he had no quality of life whether that be now or in the future the decision is yours and I'm sure you'll do the best for your pet..

gettingready

Around 2 months ago I had to put to sleep our 10 yo ginger boy Tiger.

He had a kidney cancer, was on tablets for long time but got to the point that he stopped drinking, did not get up to use litter tray but peed himself and then cried for us to come and change his bedding poor boy.

Got the vet to come home to see him, did not want to stress him with a trip to the vets so booked home visit - vet checked him over and said yes, it was time for him to go - his quality of life was non existent although he was not in pain...

The vet gave him an injection here, at home, on his favourite foot stool and he went away.. Now he is wating the 4 little terrors I have at home - from his little cat shaped casket on the shelf in my daughter's room as we opted for individual cremation...

My thoughts are with you - I know how hard it is to make this decision but as others said - better a day too early than a day too late

eamon

Update

I took Cat 1 (Zeb) to the vets this afternoon. The Vet was surprised by how much Zeb had deteriorated in a couple of months. I described his symptons and behaviour for the last few days. The Vet concluded that he was suffering massive renal failure, poor Zeb was really dehydrated etc and that treatment would be not in Zebs best interests. Thus Zeb was put to sleep. I'm really upset and have cried buckets even though I knew that he was coming to the end of his life. Luckily I have plenty of pics and I've posted a few here of Zeb as how I will remember him.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourleggedfriends/

RIP Zeb

Oh and many thanks to everybody that posted .

Eamon

meerkat2007

Eamon, I'm so sorry to hear about Zeb. It's such a difficult decision to make, but one he needed you to make.

RIP Zeb.

nicter

So sorry Eamon :sad:
RIP Zeb

gettingready

Sorry to hear that but remeber, he is happy and pain free there behind the RB chasing butterlies with other cats.....

Big hugs for you though, I know how it hurts