I know I've posted before, but I'm struggling.
Portia is nearly 19, kidneys going (drinks gallons pees gallons, mostly on the landing despite two litter trays). Her semi long fur is now all matted underneath, though I have managed to chop a few matts out. She's down to 2.2 kg and barely eats... goes a day or so without then eats a little.
She's stiff and struggles to get moving in the morning and spends most of the day curled up in a little padded cat bed on the dining table..reached by steps put there for her. She is a bit senile... yowls at walls and randomly,
She's had steroid shots every few weeks which perk her up a little but this time the improvement was short lived. She just looks exhausted and bewildered. Tonight DH said he felt it was time and I should call the vet to come and have her pts.
A few weeks ago I felt it was time, but she rallied a little. Then my Mum (ultimate cat lover) came for Xmas and was shocked at how Portia looked... I guess we are used to how thin and frail she looks.
BUT she still purrs when I stroke her, still tilts her head to have a scratch of her bony little neck and I just can't FEEL it's time because she isn't horribly ill as such. Some evenings she totters in and purrs next to me and my heart breaks at the thought of her not being here.. 19 years is a bloody long time and she's such a faithful little girl.
Tell me ..am I wrong to keep her going? Our old vet has retired and the new ones seem more invested in keeping her going with injections, but I'm not sure if they are right ..they seem to be all about the money.
How will I KNOW ? I knew with Morphy as he was in pain and it felt the kindest thing, but she is frail and senile but doesn't appear to be in much discomfort.
Help me .
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The litter tray
Help me make the decision
StillMedusa · 30/12/2018 23:21
Vet nurse here and with kindness, it sounds like it is time to let her go.
Purring is something that is very misleading as it is something cats do when very unwell and uncomfortable. It isquite different to the purring with pleasure that they do.
We have a saying that says "better a week too early than a day too late".
I know its hard but i think you are going to have to be strong.
From a horribly practical point if view, bear in mind that most vets will be closed on new years day and ooh vets unlikely to be able to facilitate a home visit.
19 years is a fantastic age. She must be very loved 
Thank you for replying. She's been a pain in the ass for most of those 19 years 
a proper feisty tortie who until this year, slapped me awake every morning with a claw across the nose. Never a lap cat, but a sit near and swipe pasta off my plate kind of a girl... super hunter until she was 15!
She's such a personality, even until the last few months but now she is just tottering , peeing and sleeping. But having her pts feels like murder..I wish she would just go in her sleep (don't we all?)
I have the vets on wednesday with the other two (Obie is going for his shave of shame and they are due jabs) so I will ask about having them come to the house .
How can a 2 kilo ball of matted fur have such a hold on our hearts? But she does...
We had to make this decision for our old girl. I had always thought of it as preventing suffering. But the lovely vet we saw said it was about maintaining dignity. And she had none.
Does your cat still enjoy the things that make them “them”?
Can you improve things? Old girl was fine for ages on painkillers and thyroid treatment and a heat mat and daily furminating. And then she wasn’t.
It is the hardest thing but sometimes the most unselfish thing you can do. I wish they could speak just the once to say “enough”.
It’s so hard when they just slowly decline.
Wishing you strength and thinking of you. It’s a horrid time.
When it's your own it's hard but it's not murder. Our upstairs neighbour's cat passed away in her sleep aged 18 and a half. She had hyperthyroidism, diabetes and was getting a bit stiff but went very peacefully on her favourite chair. It does happen but not often.
Definitely speak to the vets and look after yourself .
PS. Hopefully Obie won't go AWOL pre shave.
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