What else can I try

eamon

Hello Folks

Cat2 is elderly and is probably close to the end of her life (renal issues and dementia) if she was in pain/distress then I'd opt to have her pts rather than have her suffer. As she wasn't eating I've taken her to the vets this morning and there is not much he can do for her. The renal issues are causing her to drink loads and urinate even more. As she isn't eating her body is turning to her muscles (strong whiff of ketones) Though he did give her a steroid injection and suggested a change of diet to white fish and or chicken breast in the hope that she will eat. So far I've cooked her a pollock fillet and she has eaten a little but not enough.
I know that she will not get better and suspect that I'm being selfish and denying the obvious way out. So I suppose that I'm really asking for permission to get her put to sleep sooner rather than later.

Thanks for reading.

dirty_magic

My dog was like this, it really is awful to watch. We didn't get him put to sleep because we took him to two different vets (usual vet on a few occasions and emergency vet) and both said they thought his condition would improve through medication. The upsetting part is that you can't tell how much pain animals are in because they compensate so well.

Our poor dog didn't improve, he got steadily worse over a few days and died in the early hours of one morning. If I could go back I would have asked for him to be put to sleep. I think we all knew he wouldn't recover, and it would have been far kinder than watching him suffer.

krlyr

Animals have no concept of life..they live to survive but at the end of the day she's not going to be thinking that she has X years left, or that you'll have done things too early. Sounds like her quality of life has started to deteriorate - and I personally would rather make that decision a week too soon than a day too late.

I know it's tough, but listen to your vets advice too. Even if you could find a drug or food to help the renal issues, it is only going to end up one way, and the dementia can't be helping matters either.

Tiddlywinks

I 'specialise' in adopting old gits so go through this heartache more than most... one food that I always keep in stock and always rely on is Hill Prescription A/D.

It is a high calorie and easy to digest food for convalescing animals which can be served as it is or slightly warm (literally just 15 seconds in the microwave and then stirred) and can be used to hand feed.

I've always taken a really pragmatic view about my cats ages and health - as long as they are not in pain and are eating then I am happy for them to bumble along.

Your puddy doesn't feel like eating - that's not good. Why not pop to the vet tomorrow and get a can of A/D and see if your pud can be tempted.

I've found a vet that I trust and I still use the practice even though I've moved to the next town over... this means that I can feel safe when I put my trust in their advice... they'll tell me when it's time, even if I don't want to see it for myself.

Trust your vet - don't take this all on yourself.

Kathy535

I found the A/D recommended by Tiddlywinks to be really good in encouraging cats to eat, I wish I'd found it sooner.

I had my cat pts a few weeks ago, he wasn't eating (even the A/D). We agonised over the decision but a few things helped us make it.

First was the idea of better a day too early than an hour too late. We knew his condition was terminal and even if he rallied a little he'd still be in discomfort and bemused by painkillers and/or in pain.

Second was the three favourite things rule - if he/she still enjoys two of their three favourite things then they have good quality of life. For our Milo, his three favourite things were sleeping, eating and getting attention. Sadly, he wasn't eating, didn't appear to be sleeping and wasn't enjoying attention as much.

The final thing was a last good day; we tried to make his last day as good as possible on the basis we'd rather he went out on a good day than at the end of a bad.

Although it was horrible saying goodbye and I wish i hadn't had to make the decision I will do the same for our other two cats. To my mind it's my final gift to him and trumps a lifetime of love and care.

eamon

Update

I had Cat2 put to sleep on New Years Eve. As with Cat1 I cried (no surprise there as I'm a big softie). It was the right decision as her quality of life just wasn't there any more. Cat2 was 20+ yo and lived with me for 18 years and I'll miss her presence in my life. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that I haven't had a cat in the house and it feels empty.

GwylimT

eamon wrote: »

Update

I had Cat2 put to sleep on New Years Eve. As with Cat1 I cried (no surprise there as I'm a big softie). It was the right decision as her quality of life just wasn't there any more. Cat2 was 20+ yo and lived with me for 18 years and I'll miss her presence in my life. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that I haven't had a cat in the house and it feels empty.

As odd as it sounds in a few weeks you will be very thankful that you made this decision, maybe when you're ready you could give another fur monster a home.

teddysmum

GwylimT wrote: »

As odd as it sounds in a few weeks you will be very thankful that you made this decision, maybe when you're ready you could give another fur monster a home.

I do agree.


I am a member of a small forum community, which raises funds for a wide range of animal charities (The small ones where the money does not go to executives) and over the years many of us have lost pets.


However, at least three, have taken on a needy pet, after a loss, and really feel that the animal who went onwards sent the newcomer their way. (One lady had her first cat for just a few weeks, but that one's leaving made her aware of a local , younger cat who needed a home, urgently.)

teddysmum

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I 'specialise' in adopting old gits so go through this heartache more than most...

I so admire people like you.


A member of a forum , I post on, takes only small old dogs into her little family, but my goodness, she gives them so much in what time they have left and in some cases they go on for an amazingly long time.

twiglet98

Sad news about your beloved cat but take comfort that you made that painful decision when you knew it had to be made, and did not hang on too long for your own sake, rather than the cat's wellbeing. It's the most awful thing about having pets, when the the time comes to make that decision, and I don't think it ever gets easier.

(((hugs)))