El... Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Stay out if this is going to break your heart. Sorry. 😞 My cat is 19, maybe a little older. A year ago we thought she was dying (gasping for breath, lying still on the floor) but she started Solensia injections every month and perked back up. Now she's not doing well again. She's not due for a shot. She appears to be in pain when she walks, more than her usual arthritis. Last night she vomited foam. Then I saw her crawl into the cat box and kind of lay down. I got her out gently and put her in the soft cat bed. She got up twice this morning, but didn't jump up for tap water, which is normally her routine. She breathes hard when she walks a little; her sides suck in a bit more than normal. She has not defecated. She's shut in the pretty bathroom with everything she needs, so the dog won't bother her, and is not asking to be let out. She's lying curled in her cat bed. I'm thinking this is the end of the line. I'm considering taking her to the vet to be put down tomorrow. How do I decide? I've never had a pet this long before. If she defecates in the litter box, do I reconsider? The kids are going to be very sad. Me too. 1 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Can you talk to an emergency vet, preferably today? Get an informed opinion. The worst thing is waiting too long. I’m so sorry you’re facing this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Some people say you'll somehow just know when it's time, but that's not really been my experience. It's always such a hard decision, with lots of second guessing. I think a lot of the second guessing is really wishful thinking. My feeling has always been that it's better to err on the side of being a little too early than waiting too long. It's very, very hard. But I think she's telling you that she's ready to go. Hugs. It's hard. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Hugs. I'm sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 8 minutes ago, Pawz4me said: Some people say you'll somehow just know when it's time, but that's not really been my experience. It's always such a hard decision, with lots of second guessing. I think a lot of the second guessing is really wishful thinking. My feeling has always been that it's better to err on the side of being a little too early than waiting too long. It's very, very hard. But I think she's telling you that she's ready to go. Hugs. It's hard. I agree with all of this. I'm also very sorry and sending hugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Hugs. I’m sorry. When we were worried day and night and our cat was behaving like you mentioned, it was time. Definitely time for him, though it happened fast enough that we weren’t emotionally ready. Your plan to call the vet tomorrow sounds reasonable. I doubt your kitty will poop, it even if it happens, it’s not enough to reconsider. Quality of life appears to be low. ‘I’m sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 It’s so so hard and sad but it really sounds like it’s time. I wish had taken our cats a little sooner than we did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. Yes, it is much better to err on the side of too soon than too late. From what you've described, it is time. Again, I am so incredibly sorry! This is such a hard thing to do but it will be the last best act of love you can do for her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Many many hugs. I am very sorry. Our sweet furry family members simply do not live long enough. I have had to make the choice to let 2 of ours go and I always say that it is the last loving and kind thing I can do for them. It hurt like hell, but I have never regretted my decisions (made, of course, with the guidance of our vet). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 21 minutes ago, stephanier.1765 said: I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. Yes, it is much better to err on the side of too soon than too late. From what you've described, it is time. Again, I am so incredibly sorry! This is such a hard thing to do but it will be the last best act of love you can do for her. I just read this after I posted. I agree with you fully on all points. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSera Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Agreeing with everyone else. We had one we waited too long for and I always regret that. Are there any services in your area that come to your house and do it? That’s what we have done (except for the time when we waited too long), and it’s a nice way to make it more peaceful if it’s a possibility in your area. There are several around here that get recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I’m so sorry. I would take her in tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I'm so sorry. If it were me, I would take her in tomorrow. Hugs to you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I'm so sorry. Deciding when it's time is so so hard. I agree with everyone else that sooner is better than later. I had a vet tell me once that drawing out my cat's life would be for me and not for her. He wasn't being judgemental; just very matter of fact. And it really helped with the decision to euthanise. It was 100% the right decision, even though it broke my heart. Is there a home visit vet that could come and euthanise peacefully at your home? thinking of you 🌻 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 @El...thinking of you and your family today. ❤️ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Specifically, old cats not eating go into rapid kidney failure and that is apparently a very painful death for humans so also for cats, I believe. We have had to put down a few. Our second to last one was because he stopped eating after already being old and rather frail at that point. He was a 16 year.Siamese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted April 2 Author Share Posted April 2 Thanks very much. You really helped me make the decision. She went to kitty heaven at the vet's today. It was the right move. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 I’m sorry you lost your kitty. Hugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 I’m sorry for your loss. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 I’m so sorry. It’s hard, even when you know it’s the right decision. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 I'm sorry too. It's so hard and painful even when it's the best and most loving thing to do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 I am so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of hugs your way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 It’s so hard. Many hugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 Deepest sympathy. ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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