My cat has dementia...what to do?

Crocswearer

jungle_jane wrote: »

Crocswearer (love the name) are you basically monitering her and will consider having her PTS if it seems as though she is unhappy?

Hi

Aww! I love black & white cats.

Yes we are keeping an eye on her, and she goes to the vet for a blood test to check her thyroid levels every 3-6 months. Even so, when she is pacing/yowling I feel she is unhappy/suffering in confusion, and when she is enjoying her food or loving a lap I am convinced her quality of life is too good to take it away. I don't know what the tipping point will be... but yes, we will have her PTS if necessary.

pinkcandyflossprincess

my cats are still young so havent gone through this yet but couldnt read this thread without saying something:o

I think only you as an owner can truly know if your cat is suffering or not. I dont know if you have read Dewey the library cat but this thread put me in mind of him, he died at an old age but wasnt unhappy. I think if otherwise they seem happy then its best just to try and settle them in their confused moments and cherish the good times/snuggles you get. If its a matter of pain or the confusion gets so they cant function at all then obviously it may be time to consider PTS.
all your cats sound delightfull though, i guess they are just going through what happens to us all eventually:(

Crocswearer

Hi all

I wanted to follow up my earlier posts, as I'm really starting to wonder if now is the time to PTS.

She has had reduced renal function added to the list of diagnoses, so is now on a daily blood-pressure tablet too.

The problem is, she cries and yowls almost every time she wakes us, until we speak to or pet her. She has also started to forget where the litter tray is. I know she's not being picky because I've seen her measure up a suitable spot, then eventually persuaded her to follow me to the litter tray, seemingly very confused and quite "out of it". She has weed in the recycling box (which is now kept elsewhere) and peed in my handbag last week... Fortunately she hasn't settled for peeing on the rug yet. I have replaced the recycling box with a box with newspaper in it specifically for her as she tends to get confused about where the litter tray is at night, when we can't watch her.

My DH doesn't think its time yet. I'm not at all sure.

picklepick

I feel for you Crocswearer. I think if I were in your position I would ask for the vets opinion. If it were their cat, what would they do?

spike7451

The little cat still has a quality of life,although restricted but,as said before,treatable by drugs & a little patience.
Little Shadow,the office cat,passed away in her sleep aged over 20 years old,she suffered from dementia,none of us ever thought about having her pts.

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,26920.0.html

scaredy_cat

for the last 6mths of my old girl's life, i would put her in the litter tray to do her business. i watched her to recognise when she needed to go and put up with the accidents during the day.

i also used puppy pads to catch any overspills.

could you have more litter trays about?


i have also always slept with cats on the bed, so cuddling at night meant she didn't yowl for me.

Crocswearer

scaredy_cat wrote: »

could you have more litter trays about?


i have also always slept with cats on the bed, so cuddling at night meant she didn't yowl for me.

Litter trays: could do but I'm not sure that's the problem. I think its simply confusion.

Sleeping on the bed: she only comes upstairs to use the litter tray, and spends the rest of the time on or under the sofa, or pacing around the garden. I think taking her upstairs would add to her confusion.

Really, dealing with the non-litter-tray weeing is not the problem. The problem is what does this indicate about her mental state - together with the frequent cries? I'm just not sure she's a happy puss any more...

scaredy_cat

i likened my old girl to a senile old lady, just a bit incontinent.

she liked her cuddles and still purred.

meritaten

You know your cat - if, as some people suggest you ease his night time fears by leaving a light on or even taking him in the room with you, you feel he is happy and contented...........then there is no reason to PTS.
if however, you feel the cat is unhappy or fearful most of the time....then perhaps it would be kinder?
or if his health is failing..........?
taking all of this into consideration - is it the right time or does he have longer?

Crocswearer

meritaten wrote: »

taking all of this into consideration - is it the right time or does he have longer?

That's exactly the decision I'm wrestling with! There's no easy answer and my gut instinct changes several times a day. x