Advice/ thoughts about ill cat please.

Scrapaholic

My 1st pet post . I know there are lots of cat lovers here . Our 17yr old cat was at vets for 3 nights last week on a drip . He has kidney failure + vet said there is nothing to be done for him + to have him home for a short while . He came home Friday . He's been sleeping a lot, but then, cats do . He doesn't look relaxed quite a lot of the time . His ears are cold. He doesn't purr as much now . He still jumps onto the bed , coffee table and chair and still wants company in the evening . He's still eating a bit and hasn't vomited recently . I feel he isn't ready for the trip to the vets yet, which we're dreading . I asked vet if he'd be in pain + he said no but he will feel ill and you'll know it's time . I'm so worried that I won't know it's time and is it time now , before he does really feel ill ? The vet said he's go downhill quickly in about 48 hrs but now it's Tues . Has anyone had experience of this happening to their cat ? We're so worried .

krlyr

The way I see it, in a terminal illness, a week too early is better than a day too late IMO.
Animals often hide any sign of weakness so the fact that he is looking uncomfortable would not be a good sign IMO, sorry to say so.
I found this website on Googling, it may be of some help to you? http://www.felinecrf.com/

spike7451

I'm so sorry about puss,I went thru the same thing with ol Orbit & decided that as long as he had a quality of life,he'd live on,even after the PDSA vet advised to have him PTS. (He was stressed from the trip up to the PDSA)
He lived on for another year iirc & finally passed away at home on his own time.He did go downhill fast,I think in about 3 days he'd become very wobbly on his back legs & was unable to poo.The day he passed away was the day I had decided to do the kindest thing.

juliebunny

I think you will know when it's time and it doesn't sound like that yet. I took home from the shelter a very ill old boy (organ failure amongst other issues) and he had 5 happy months with us. I knew when it was time because he stopped eating and his bowels went.

I bet he would appreciate a heated pad to sleep on. Older cats can't keep themselves warm. My older cats are always cold - I had to buy an electric blanket so they could all fit on with me.
There are heated pads on Amazon, pretty good prices.

Jox

Our 18 yr old cat had kidney failure, she woke my mum up at 3am with a howl and my mum knew it was time, though it broke her heart and she took our cat to emergency vet where they put her to sleep. Heartbreaking for all of us but it had to be done

OneYorkshireLass

I had to make the dreaded decision about my cat, years ago now, and yes it's true that you can usually tell when it's 'time'.

Mine was sleeping almost constantly, wasn't grooming herself properly and only eating titbits. She'd go to sleep in places where she'd never slept before and didn't look happy - although, somewhat oddly, she'd still purr! It was the kindest thing to do in the end.

Scrapaholic

Thank you all for kind words ,advice + website to look at . I've just now ordered a heated pad for him . Feel the time isn't quite now and will be keeping a close eye on him . This is the part of having pets that's not so good .

gettingready

Sorry to hear about your cat....

When my Tiger was diagnosed with kidney cancer - vet gave him 3-4 months. Tiger held on for about a year though...

Whe he stopped getting up to pee and was peeing on his cushion and then calling me to change it for him - we called the vet to put him to sleep at home, here with us...

You will know when the time is right..

Big hugs

Jox

Scrapaholic wrote: »

Thank you all for kind words ,advice + website to look at . I've just now ordered a heated pad for him . Feel the time isn't quite now and will be keeping a close eye on him . This is the part of having pets that's not so good .

It is so sad to go through this...spend time with him, talk to him, stroke him, take photos, give him your love (all common sense things that you do anyway), my thoughts are with you.

Fire_Fox

((hugs)) Better a day too early than a day too late, the last best thing you can do for them is to let them go before they are in discomfort. Some vets will do home visits for PTS, will yours?

Scrapaholic

Firefox, I've thought about the vet coming here but haven't phoned to ask yet . It would be better if that could happen , less stressful and not just for Charlie .He's getting lots of love, attention and special titbits . Some chicken cooling for him and our other cats now. Thanks once again all for your kind posts . Much appreciated .