End of the road for elderly mog?

[laineylou]

When is it kinder to pts? He's at least 18, been deaf for years, now his sight is limited (and getting worse) and his back legs are wobbly.

He gingerly walks round our garden (mostly in circles) and is very vocal and yowl-y.

He is still keen to eat and drink.

He has to sleep in the kitchen as its the only tiled floor on the ground floor -he can't manage stairs and will wee wherever he happens to be.

He has been ok over the summer as he likes snoozing in the sun but I'm thinking now his quality of life is not what it should be for a former mighty hunter

I made the decision for his bro 4 years ago but he was obviously sick whereas Boris is just old...

[cozietoesie]

Des he still enjoy his lifedo you think?

Oh - and is he on any meds/treatment from the vet?

[chockbic]

I would be thinking of making the kindest decision.

Its sadder and sadder to watch them going downhill.

[timtam23]

A very tough decision. I suppose it depends on a few things. (Having gone through this decision twice in the last year with my two 18 year old cats)

Old infirm cats do have a harder time in the winter as they can't lie outside in the sun for hours. But if they have a snug warm sheltered spot inside in the sunshine, that can be fine too.

If still enjoying food/drink & having a fuss made of him - that sounds good too.

Continence helps but is not necessarily key to the decision - my old boy cat (who was blind) had a litter tray but tended to do a wee in it, then get out & solemnly poo next to the tray. The tray was on a hard floor so any poo was easily cleared up and we tolerated his freerange pooing as everything else seemd to be going ok for him at the time.

We ended up taking things week by week and then day by day as things can change so quickly when they are old and ill. The end when it came was very sad and the nature of his final illness was a bit unexpected, but we were able to give him a final really lovely weekend of food & fussing before taking him to the vet in a relatively planned way, which was far nicer than a frantic dash (which is what had previously happened with my old girl and I very much regretted it afterwards)

[laineylou]

Thanks guys. He had a litter tray up to 6 months ago but he stopped using it (perhaps cos he couldn't get into it any more)

He's just a half a small tin of tuna and we are going to take him to the vets today for a professional opinion

[cozietoesie]

While you're there, you could ask the vet to check for arthritis. (His not using his tray and not being able to get upstairs.) Meds can make a heck of a difference to them.

Have a read of this perhaps?

[chockbic]

How did you get on at the vets?

[laineylou]

We decided with vets advice that we had to make the decision to pts. His quality of life was not good enough anymore. RIP Boris

[Selks]

Aw, sorry for the loss of Boris. Sounds like he has a long and fab life, though.

[cozietoesie]

RIP Boris.

[chockbic]

Hard to do but the right thing.

Sleep tight Boris.