I am really struggling with this decision.
Background: got rescue cat December 2010, had been microchipped (couldn't trace owner), was living rough for at least 6 months prior to capture, had tail missing, our vet thinks had broken pelvis at some stage, limp (left foreleg - arthritis ?broken in past). On metacam for arthritis. Rescue people confidently gave age as 9. Several vets confidently say at least 2-3 years older. SO probably around 16-17 now. I live near main road but they let me have her as they said she was the laziest cat they'd ever had - she did lie on her bed for the first 3 months, only moving for food, water and litter tray! Then she started going outside to lie in a sunny spot. We stopped the metacam (with vet advice) as she seemed fine without it. Was having a lovely life.
A couple of years ago she came in one night, seemed she had fallen in the pond and was limping much more, vet thought soft tissue injury. We penned her in corner of kitchen for a few weeks, leg a bit better but since then has deteriorated and now she moves very awkwardly. Back on metacam! She is also pretty much blind. Last Easter she stopped eating for a few of days, hid away in igloo, totally unresponsive. I thought she'd slip away peacefully in the night but she bounced back! Did the same in June. She is thin but vet thought not horribly so. Weight been stable for 6 months. She loves her food still, normal wee and poo activity, loves a fuss - as soon as she knows you are there she will roll on her back waving her paws, hoping for a tummy rub. I had been thinking about the euthanasia option as I feel she must be in pain - I watch her walk and she doesn't move like a normal cat. I know cats hide pain and she is particularly enigmatic 
Last time at the vets (December) we had a big discussion - testing for hyperthyroidism etc; they decided not to as they probably wouldn't treat because of other issues; the vet thought it wouldn't be unreasonable to go for euthanasia but also not unreasonable to wait and see. So firmly on the fence.
On Sunday we think she had some sort of neurological episode - we found her on the floor, lying in a pool of wee. She tried to walk but kept falling over. So we thought - easy decision. She lay on her bed and seemed very peaceful - she ate a bit and drank, but was a bit out of it. We hoped she might slip away but planned to take her to vets for the injection after the weekend as she wasn't at all distressed. However she was back to her "normal" self the next day - I have just been rubbing her tummy and stroking her while she purred and she is eating and drinking well. Using litter tray normally.
I'd rather let her go too soon than too late but she is sort of content in her own way. I hate having power over life and death. Although I am extremely fond of her I am not overly sentimental but just want to do the best for her. I wish I knew how much pain she was in. Any advice would be gratefully received.
Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.
The litter tray
Please help with decision about putting cat to sleep
Rosie295 · 10/02/2016 13:40
One of my elderly cats appeared to have no real quality of life to an outsider. But he was actually quite happy despite all his health problems. His last night alive he hopped up on to my lap and led on me purring away for over an hour.
Next morning something had changed and he was very not happy. I had him down the vet's and pts before 9.30am. He would have died slowly and painfully some time in the following 72 hours :(
The point is I've questioned my judgement with all my dcats but when the time arrived, I could see it clearly.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.