Cat At End of Life.

[MartinL]

My cat's 15 years old, born in our kitchen and has always been a house cat. She's suddenly gone downhill; won't eat, drinks a little water, sleeps much more than usual but still loves her hugs.

 

She has no diseases, isn't in any pain, AFAIK - she's just starting to look worn out.

 

She went to the vet yesterday and was given a number of medicines. I know, from past experience, that giving her medication is a battle. At 15 y.o., I don't want to fight her and maybe upset her in what is looking like her last days.

 

Should I fight to give her her medication - and maybe extend her life a little at the expense of our relationship - or just let her pass peacefully? My instinct is to let her go - upsetting her at the end of her time is cruel, IMO.

 

What has been your experience in these circumstances?

[ravip]

My instinct is to let her go - upsetting her at the end of her time is cruel, IMO.

 

Sad as it is, I too would agree to this.

IF there is any way to give the meds without a fight, that would be great.

Pets, when they get to this stage, is a heartbreaking experience.

[The Cyclist]

6 minutes ago, MartinL said:

Should I fight to give her her medication - and maybe extend her life a little at the expense of our relationship - or just let her pass peacefully? My instinct is to let her go - upsetting her at the end of her time is cruel, IMO.

 

What has been your experience in these circumstances?

 

Extending life by medication is cruel IMO.

 

One of my dogs is in the same boat. Having previously forked out a small fortune in vet fees, including cancer treatment, I want him to go peacefully, under his own steam, without prolonging his life with medication.

 

let nature take its course, providing the normal care and attention that you would normally provide, is the path to follow, IMO.

[BarraMarra]

As a Cat lover it was heartbreaking having to say goodbye to my Cat a few years ago but she was in Pain with a kidney and bladder problem and the Vet told me it is easier to let her go she will never recover. So i held her when the vet put her to sleep. Heartbreaking never had another Cat since.

[G Rex]

If you feel that her quality of life has gone - it is kinder to let her go.

I have faced this situation countless times - with my own animals, but mainly with my patients.

It would be interesting to know what the diagnosis was. (I expect renal failure).

 

I am not a fan of the 'Thai way' of letting nature take its course - I think it extends the suffering in many cases.

If you can find a vet who will euthanise her, that would be preferable.

[giddyup]

22 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

As a Cat lover it was heartbreaking having to say goodbye to my Cat a few years ago but she was in Pain with a kidney and bladder problem and the Vet told me it is easier to let her go she will never recover. So i held her when the vet put her to sleep. Heartbreaking never had another Cat since.

Was that a vet in Thailand? I believe Thai vets are loathe to euthanize animals.

[BKKBike09]

 

44 minutes ago, MartinL said:

My cat's 15 years old, born in our kitchen and has always been a house cat. She's suddenly gone downhill; won't eat, drinks a little water, sleeps much more than usual but still loves her hugs.

 

She has no diseases, isn't in any pain, AFAIK - she's just starting to look worn out.

 

If it's just old age (15 is a decent age for a cat) and there's no underlying health issue(s), which is what you say, then Nature will take its course.

 

5 minutes ago, G Rex said:

If you can find a vet who will euthanise her, that would be preferable.

 

As you say - "if". Somewhat easier these days than it used to be, but there are still those that won't do it despite an animal being in extreme pain / distress.

 

I got my favourite cat to 14 despite him having renal failure. He got an extra two years of good quality life thanks to daily subcutaneous IV of fluids. I got very good at doing the IV and the cat didn't mind at all. But after two years he went seriously downhill in a matter of days; terrible to see but had already agreed with a local vet that when the time came they'd euthanise.

 

[Jerzy Swirski]

I am in a similar situation.

Have a cat that is over 12 years old, came to us as a stray so don't know her exact age.

She has been a wonderful companion for those 12 years.

 

She was poisoned a year ago and suffered greatly but managed to pull through after a brave battle and lots of hugs and medication.

She is a shadow of herself now and obviously doesn't have long.

The vet says she has a growth now and needs surgery.

 

Deciding what to do is a heart breaker.

I wish you and your cat the best happiness that time can offer.

[Rimmer]

My last little female cat made it to 17 years but it was plain her time had come, so we let nature take its course.

 

She passed peacefully one night a few weeks back in her favorite little bed/box and she now rests down the garden in our pet cemetery overlooking the pond surrounded by flowers and ten other little cat friends who have passed before her.

 

Best way to get over it is to adopt another cat or kitten

 

Each one of our cats that has passed has a stone tile marker with their name on it.

 

This is my wife preparing her plot.  

 

[Sir Dude]

Pets often become more than just pets, especially if they live a long time, they become friends and party of your family. Many people get more attached to their pets than they do to humans and it is a severe loss when they go. My personal experience with this is owning a Flemish Giant rabbit (they grow big) and they are the perfect gentle friendly rabbit... they just eat a lot but are super chilled etc. It lived a long time, but when its time came, my wife and I just decided to let nature take its course, as trying to keep it alive for our own emotional reasons seemed unfair as it might cause it pain... we haven't had another as the loss was large.

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, MartinL said:

My cat's 15 years old, born in our kitchen and has always been a house cat. She's suddenly gone downhill; won't eat, drinks a little water, sleeps much more than usual but still loves her hugs.

 

She has no diseases, isn't in any pain, AFAIK - she's just starting to look worn out.

 

She went to the vet yesterday and was given a number of medicines. I know, from past experience, that giving her medication is a battle. At 15 y.o., I don't want to fight her and maybe upset her in what is looking like her last days.

 

Should I fight to give her her medication - and maybe extend her life a little at the expense of our relationship - or just let her pass peacefully? My instinct is to let her go - upsetting her at the end of her time is cruel, IMO.

 

What has been your experience in these circumstances?

I do not care much about vets anymore if there is nothing they can do, or just give some medication to give. I have experienced that many times with our live stock and other animals. If not parasites, or any other know illnesses that can be cured, let her be. 

 

She is old to be a Thai cat. 

[FritsSikkink]

54 minutes ago, G Rex said:

If you can find a vet who will euthanise her, that would be preferable.

Did the same with ours, incurable ill, didn't eat or drink anymore and had difficulty with breathing. Did spend more than 20K before that to see if he could survive (1.5 years old)

[Packer]

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

[chickenslegs]

6 minutes ago, Packer said:

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

First time I've ever used the "thumb down" 

[fredwiggy]

If she's not in pain or suffering, you can try and give her meds in some meat, like ground burger or chicken, especially if she likes it. Also crushing the pills or tablets and mixing with a favorite of hers, like yogurt, which most cats like. 

[CallumWK]

11 minutes ago, Packer said:

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

 

Malcolm is this you?

[BarraMarra]

1 hour ago, giddyup said:

Was that a vet in Thailand? I believe Thai vets are loathe to euthanize animals.

No was in the UK giddy.

[MartinL]

41 minutes ago, Packer said:

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

 

<deleted> off! Unless you're offering your own body, of course.

[transam]

40 minutes ago, Packer said:

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

There's always one........

[roo860]

40 minutes ago, Packer said:

Check with the local zoo, they may be looking for tiger or lion feed. 

<deleted> nob head 

[norfolkandchance]

7 minutes ago, roo860 said:

<deleted> nob head 

He's not that good.