My beautiful Cat is dying

[Harebellmeadow]

My beautiful cat who is 12 has been “getting older” over the past year. This summer she started behaving really oddly, going round in circles for a long time and no longer coming upstairs, no longer cleaning her fur, stepping into her water bowls. Walking around our feet so we trip up.

Several visits to the vet and she was diagnosed with just old age - spinal pain. Given painkillers and vitamin shots. But this last week she has disintegrated severely, lies splayed across the floor. Since yesterday she is no longer eating, just licking some wet food when I bring it to her mouth. Her pupils are permanently dilated. I think she is going to die. I am sure that since yesterday she is in pain. I give her the painkiller drops into her mouth now sinxe she wont eat her food anymore.
I wont let her out today but i am glad she could lounge in the sunshine yesterday. She just shuffles this early morning, isnt walking properly.
I cant believe this disibtegration is from old age alone and i think she is demented - she jumped on front of the lawnmower 2 days ago and 4 days ago the neighbour rescued her from the edge of the road, saying she looked very confused and lost.

I feel very guilty. I should have taken better care of her. I always thought she would live much longer, she was always slim and super fit and very intelligent, emotionally and socially, she could jump up and press handles to open doors.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Is there anything that can be done? I would only allow her to be put to sleep if there was no other hope.

[AjasLipstick]

Oh OP there's no hope now. It's kinder to take her and see her go off gently...she could suffer for too long.

[Harebellmeadow]

No, i wont let her suffer. I am just surprised that the disintegration is so fast- she first got painkillers 2-3 weeks ago and was still mobile, sprightly and fine. But things moved fast this week 😢

[Notveryadventurousname]

Has she been to the vet since she got worse?

[Harebellmeadow]

No, i am taking her today.

[Notveryadventurousname]

It might give you a focus for today to take her. Whatever the outcome, it sounds as if she has had a lovely life and you are caring for her very well at this difficult stage.

[Harebellmeadow]

She had a lovely life. She would drink from my cup and sleep on my feet, and now she cant even walk. She had a beautiful garden.

She is shuffing to me for cuddles and strokes. I didnt give her enough of them this past year.

[YeOldeTrout]

piccies? xx

[Harebellmeadow]

She was seemingly fine in august, but seems so haggard now. My poor Darling. I have a second cat, a boy, also 12, but he is still hopping about eating mice. He will be very sad because it was a case of eternal unrequited love ❤️

[Harebellmeadow]

My first babies ❤️

[Charlottesshoezzzz]

OP I have a cat that I've had 10 years, the thought of having to go through this just breaks my heart into little pieces.

If you do decide to have her PTS please make sure you stay with her.

Sending hugs xX

[Charlottesshoezzzz]

I can tell by the photos that she's had a lovely life & felt loved & cared for 💕

[Harebellmeadow]

Thankyou. Yes, i will stay with her. Will let her say goodbye to the garden and her friend first though. Have an appointment in an hour, if the worst, will ask for strong painkillers to get through the day. She is stumbling around this morning (better than shuffling), and seeking human contact. Will not leVe her alone 💔

[ShotsFired]

I'm so sorry OP. You HAVE given her the best life you could, please don't beat yourself up about that.

She will know she is much loved right up till the end, I promise.

[MrsCatE]

So sorry Harebell, it does sound neurological. I'm sure you'll know what's best to do later. Handhold and

[Charlottesshoezzzz]

People who don't have pets just don't realise how heartbreaking this can be. Hand on my heart this is one of my worst fears. I lived abroad for years & I brought my cat back with me, having adopted her from abroad being a street kitten... The costs must have racked up to approx £1000 ( which back then I had no commitments so luckily I could pay it ) but I just couldn't be without my little companion 💗 several people thought I was mad for paying that... I told them to mind their own business.

Big virtual hug & handhold here OP.

Will be thinking of you

[wtffgs2]

A hard decision but a loving one.

[Harebellmeadow]

Reprieve: just back from the vet one minute ago - she is not a candidate for being PTS - a huge relief. The vet confirmed his diagnosis by doing an xray - backbone disintegration, and the issue is indeed neurological rather than physiological MrsCatE. A few injections, and more painkiller drops for daily use - she is walking again, a gait that betrays her age (12 years old translates as 64 human years) but no longer shuffling pitifully and not dragging her paws anymore. She doesnt look broken but fixed.
I know she wont last a decade but i am glad that she is eating and drinking again and moving well. So happy she doesnt need to be PTS - had prepared in my mind already where to bury her 😦
Thankyou everyone for the handholding. I think i may need it again in the future but she is happy for now. Weekly injections required to keep it up.

[ifonly4]

OP, so sorry to hear this. It's not easy going through the last few days and making that final decision.

You said you feel guilty and should have taken more care of her. It's so hard to tell with cats if they need more from us and I doubt there's little you could have done to change her last few months. During her time with you she's been a much loved cat and she's had a full life going outside, and like you said enjoying the sun.

[ifonly4]

Sorry, missed your post. So glad to hear it's good news, I bet your shocked and delighted at the same time.

[Harebellmeadow]

Thats ok ifonly4 - i know better now how to deal with it when the time does come - and that she wont live so much longer (my feeling, not the vet’s) but that i am strong enough to end her pain for her.

[AjasLipstick]

Oh thats lovely news! for you and your lovely girl.xxxx

[Charlottesshoezzzz]

Lovely news OP x make these days count & treasure every moment xXx

[YeOldeTrout]

gosh, that's a turn-around. How much do the injections cost?

[Harebellmeadow]

Shes still walking all wobbly and pupils still dilated but shes walking rather than dragging. Sunning herself on terrace, vet says the heat helps.

Todaywas EUR120for everything incl xray and new painkillers. Would check invoice for injections alone. Have pet insurance, need to see what they cover, but if no money spare I have some shares i would sell to cover it. I know it is luxurious to be able to do so and i am grateful.

[YeOldeTrout]

Is she being injected with a painkiller, or what?