Shall I call the vet?

[coatgate]

My poor old puss is giving up the ghost. She is nearly 21, and has gone downhill in the last few weeks. She is sleeping most of the day on her chair. Will she just go quietly or should I have her put to sleep? She is very ill, but does not seem to notice. I stood on her paw a couple of days ago and she didn't even flinch. Have read through other threads, and I know it is the last act of kindness we can do for them, but I can't bear to think of the vet putting a needle in her, there is nowhere to put it, she is just skin and bone. I keep thinking, just one more day. This is her life, and the only one she has got left. Every morning I wake up hoping she will have gone to sleep in the night. But she still clings on bless her. This morning I was convinced she would be dead, and then I felt guilty for not having been with her.

Bloody animals!

[WhyHavePets]

Is she in pain or is she happy whiling away her time on the chair?

I always think that in pain means time to go, however hard it is.

[coatgate]

It is hard to tell. She has completely lost the plot. She can't eat, she is drinking a lot, but is hardly moving. The sun is shining on her, she is on her warm blanket - I wish she would just slip away...

[WhyHavePets]

Call your vet and chat it through with them. They may feel that leaving her where she is happy to slip away is best rather than disturbing her or they may offer to pop out when they are nearby.

Personally I would try to avoid taking her in, it sounds like she doesn't want ot be moved!

[coatgate]

Crikey - wouldn't dream of taking her - I have already asked about home visits when I was there with the dog on Sunday with his cut paw. Trouble is, I can't talk about her without sobbing. Pathetic I know. Will wait and see how the day pans out ..... Thanks for responding though.

(You should have seen me when I had to have my horse put down)

[WhyHavePets]

I know, it is awful. We had our old lady PTS on monday, she was a bag of bones and more than ready to go. Everyone knew it was the right thing but still, she was a much loved horse, part of everyones life... well, you know how it goes!

[cestlavie]

Poor you, how awful. Have been wrestling with similar potential worries as our little 7 year old tabby was diagnosed with lymphoma a few weeks ago (though hopefully now looking a little better than she was). I kinda figured that the best thing to do was to get a vet's advice on whether it was the right time or not - they're generally smart, straight and compassionate people. Best of luck with it

[coatgate]

I have another horse, and the dog. You just know that one day it will be their turn. Life is so so sad sometimes. But I wouldn't be without them. Sorry for your loss

[WhyHavePets]

Yes we have two elderly horses now, luckily the dog is young as is our cat but having gone through it this week I am now getting cold feet about how I will handle it when the others go. It is likely the two horses have a good few years in them, they are still working and happy but it has put a real fear in me about the future as well as the sadness of right now IYSWIM.

One thing I would say is that, if she does pass in the night, don't berate yourself for not being there. Cats are self possesed creatures and often take themselves away at teh time, they often seem to rpefer to do this last thing when alone and secure.

[coatgate]

Thanks - I keep peeping round the door of the lounge, hoping that she will have stopped breathing. Although, it is very cold here today and the ground is frozen - will make digging the grave a bit difficult - but that is what DH is for.

[mykiddies]

Ah that is sad but my goodness hasn't she had a lovely long life in a good home. If not in pain I would leave her to rest where she belongs. My 14 year old has been v ill from last week and we thought this is the end but he is home and eating and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Now our other one has stopped eating (am so stressed over this not eating business). She is now going to vets later. Costing a bleeding fortune £210 for Mr Sam so far. I sobbed until my eyelids were swollen all weekend and couldn't talk about him in work without having to stop. Must think i'm nuts but they are part of the family. Best wishes

[Vallhala]

Love, if she can't eat, is 21 and skin and bones, I think you know what you have to do. Talk it through with your vet of course (today, don't make it worse for either of you), but I fear he/she will say the same.

I honestly, honestly don't say this lightly, ever, although I've had to make this decision myself. I'm VERY pro saving animal life wherever possible, an active animal rights supporter and would fight for an animal's right regardless of cost or inconvenience to me... but not at too high a price for her.

Sometimes it just is the last kindness we can carry out, and sometimes we have to take comfort in the years of kindness and love we have given, and which we've had returned.

My heart's with you, am here to shout, scream, sob at if it helps.

Val x

[coatgate]

But she is just lying asleep on the chair. Why can't she just drift away? The injection would surely hurt her?

[ClaireDeLoon]

The injection doesn't hurt them, it's just a very heavy anaesthetic dose my vet said. I had to have my 19 yo cat pts last week and like your cat he was just skin and bones but they found the vein, just used some scissors to clip the fur off his leg which he didn't mind. The nurse held him while I rubbed his head and he was happy and went in seconds.

I'm very sorry for what you're going through. I wished the same thing with my cat, that he would just drift off but in the end it was the kindest thing. He was not himself, very different to the day before even. His body had shut down and I didn't want him to effectively starve to death over a number of days.

[coatgate]

[coatgate]

The call is made. DH had to do it as I cannot stop crying. They cannot come until tomorrow afternoon.

[MassiveKnob]

oh coatgate. Let's hope she slips away overnight.

21 though, is amazing.

Have been in your situation myself recently, so I know how you feel.

[ClaireDeLoon]

21 is indeed amazing, you must have looked after her so well and you still are.

[Vallhala]

I know words are no use coatgate, but I'm thinking of you.

Times like this I just wish I had a magic wand and could make everything alright.

[arfasleep]

I had my lovely old puss pts about a month ago, I still really miss her . On the last day though, I came downstairs and she was lying in her own urine, I slightly wish I'd taken her before that point as it was upsetting to see her unable to stand/walk. You're doing the right thing

[Marlinspike]

Sad day Coat, but I am sure you are doing the right thing. I have a 21 year old cat as well, she's definitely declining, but still eating, drinking and wandering around, so we haven't reached that difficult time yet...

Make her a lovely grave, perhaps plant a specimen tree over it to remember her?

[coatgate]

Thanks all. Just after DH phoned the vet, she got up, went into the playroom for a drink, so I put her some food down (hopefully) and when I came back two minutes later she had collapsed. I thought she was dead, but DH rescued her and put her on her chair, and she is still clinging on.

Thanks for your kind thoughts. It is good to know that others understand.

[MassiveKnob]

[1Catherine1]

Coat you are doing the right thing. It is painful to let them go but it is equally painful for both of you to let her suffer. Enjoy this evening with her and spoil her with attention. I'm sure this will be a very difficult evening for you and tomorrow will be equally as hard. I am sure if it was me I would be sobbing my eyes out all tonight and tomorrow.

[WhyHavePets]

You have done/are doing the right thing. Awful as it is

Will be thinking of you both tomorrow.