To have taken my sisters cat to the vet and hope she will pay

I would not have this cat put to sleep without trying the special diet and medication first. She's losing weight because her thyroid hormone isn't regulated, which is what the tablets aim to correct. She could have a much better quality of life, even if it's not for a long time.

I once had a cat put to sleep even though I had decided not to. But it quickly became obvious that it was the only kind thing to do. If this cat is not at that stage then I wouldn't do it yet. It might be 19 but some cats live several years longer.

I adore my cat and dog but I am also of the opinion that just be a they can treat, it doesn’t always mean they should.
I also feel this about humans too btw. lives are often made miserable, dragging on far too long and in pain and distress in some cases, for both pets and humans. Put the poor thing out of its misery.

You've done the right thing! I know circumstances are different for people, but I can't imagine not having insurance for my pets. If your sister is worried about the current costs and ongoing costs involved, and given the age of her cat, maybe it would be more humane to have the cat PTS?

Why when there is treatment?

The heavy breathing - I would arrange PTS at the first opportunity. An unmanaged death can be an ugly and messy thing.

My DM regrets not putting her elderly cat to sleep. It's a much nicer way to say goodbye.

Hyperthyroidism is very treatable with medication. If that's the reason cat is unwell then it'll feel better with meds.
Not sure why everyone is saying PTS when it's a treatable condition.

It’s reasonable for you to have taken the cat to the vets to see what’s wrong with it. But now the cat should be pts.

Op, you have been kind!
Hyperthyroidism is a disease that responds well to treatment, and so the cat does not need to be euthanased. Many cats take the medication with no fuss. Hopefully this old girl will start to improve, and be much happier in her old age!
I would recommend that the cat stays in its home though. Moving home can be quite stressful for both your cats, and you mums cat. Hopefully your mum/sister will keep giving the medication. Once the cat is stable on a dose then you may be able to ask for a written prescription to source the meds online, which will probably be cheaper.
If you did want the cat to be euthanasia, then you just need to ask for this.
I hope this helps!

Just to be aware that my cat was diagnosed with failing kidneys (renal failiure) I took him in every 3 days to have treatment (injection) to help his kidneys and he was in a special diet
Then blood tests then took him in every 5 days. It took a couple of years to get to once every 6 months and then he was given the all clear

He lived till 22years old

I disagree with those suggesting you should PTS. If this is treatable then it would be heartless to just have her put down. I would try the treatment for a couple of months and if it doesn’t help at all then maybe then it is time to consider PTS.
I don’t think it’s the vets that are being cruel but your sister and mum who clearly have neglected this poor cat who needed to see a vet ages ago.
People seem to forget that vets are there to make animals better! They don’t PTS animals purely because they’re poorly and old. They don’t train for years to exploit owners of poorly animals and extend the lives of animals that don’t have a hope.
I would listen to the vet over a bunch of mumsnetters! And I would do my damndest if I were you to give that poor cat a happy retirement if your other cats can learn to live with her.

I would have asked the vet to put the cat to sleep. She doesn’t sound well at all and I wouldn’t be trying to keep an animal with such a poor prognosis alive. Just because you could treat her doesn’t mean you should!

If she’s wandering and peeing in places she shouldn’t then it’s likely that she’s going senile. It happened to one of ours and was genuinely heartbreaking how quickly he went downhill. He was incredibly confused in the end and couldn’t even find his way around the house. I would honestly suggest that you let her go sooner rather than later and avoid any suffering.

The vet's eyeing up a nice juicy bill, that's why. The kindest thing to do with a 19-year-old cat this poorly is to PTS.

This

My cat didn't have pills - she had a cream stuff rubbed into her outer ear, and a liquid stuff squirted into her mouth (she didn't mind it) or onto her food.

I have an 18 year old cat that weighs about 2kg and isn’t responding to hyperthyroidism meds ….. she’s thin for sure but doesn’t appear to be in distress or pain and so she’s currently still wandering around the house peeing in places she shouldn’t . Our vet would put her down if we asked but isn’t suggesting that we do if you see what I mean

I’ve been struggling with the idea of knowing when I need to let her go - her sister was pts last year and it was obvious but with this cat I just don’t know. It’s interesting that the consensus is that it’s kinder to usher her along. Maybe I need to think again

The words of someone who has never tried getting pills into a cat.

It doesn't sound as though the cat will have much longer left, poor thing. Your sister and mother have neglected the cat, and seem heartless. They should have to pay the vet bill.

I had cats for over 40 years, would never have let any of mine ever get to that stage - one did have an underactive thyroid and kidney failure at the age of about 16, and had medication for both conditions, was well-fed, much-loved, and lived to be 19.

You need to send DSIS a message along the lines of
DSIS, I am unable to afford further treatment for dcat. Please advise what the vet should do next.

My parents had this with a vet with their much loved dog. They were like you and did all the tests/pills etc because they cared so much for him and desperately wanted him to get better but really the vet should have suggest PTS much sooner.

I would PTS

I was writing my post as you updated so I saw that after I posted.

As other people have said vets are all about profit, especially since there are few independents around now.

The cat has hypothyroidism and probable renal failure, it's time to let her go. Your mum and sister don't seem interested so I doubt they'd resist if you suggested the cat was PTS.