Would you have your cat put down because

[LadyRussell]

She is 17.

She has lost 1/3 of her body weight in the last 4 months but blood tests which cost £250 are really good, clear and nothing wrong with her kidneys or liver.

She is eating twice what she used to eat and scavenging for food constantly and shitting all over the house even though she has a litter tray - tonight she curled a massive shit down in the middle of the dining room table.

What do I do

What does the vet suggest? Our cat had dementia and became incontinent. The vet gave us a lot of guidance and eventually it became kinder to PTS.

Personally id put all cats down, but then I really don't like them. My wife however loves them to bits and I live with 5 at present so have some experience, and over the years we have had cats that have lived to 19 and 20 and have gotten very infirm. As others have said this is down to quality of life. If she's getting a bit slow and just cant get to the tray quickly enough then she will be distressed to curl one off down the dining room table so extra trays is a must. If she has dementia, and only a vet can determine if her mental capacity has gone, then what quality of life does she have anymore.

I haven’t been back to the vet since two weeks ago as scared of hearing what I can’t bear to hear

We would have PTS with the thyroid issue if we hadn't had a diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes there is a solution.
I've always thought of PTS as avoiding pain and suffering. Our vet said it was about maintaining dignity. At the end old girl didn't have that. It was time.
Awful for us. She was at peace.

She's an elderly cat with dementia & incontinence. She can't be enjoying life. I'm sorry, but I would pts in that situation.

Don't leave it. It's hard when they're old or ill BUT you HAVE to face up to it. They can't get treatment for themselves. Only you can do that. And you must.

She is the first pet I have had as an adult.

I was 25 when I got her.

She has been through so much with me and the kids all adore her.

Its the humane thing to do, I hope I am allowed to have the same done to me when I reach that age. Animals seem to be treated better than humans these days.

This screams hyperthyroidism at me. I asked my vet to test my old boy for it. He said he definitely didn't have it as heart rate would be faster but tested anyway and he did have it and he went straight on tablets. I hung on too long and only had him pts when the poor chap was at death's door, but I wouldnt have been happy to do it earlier really. Sorry not very helpful.

I’m sorry Lady, but in a way, this isn’t about what you don’t want to hear, but what your poor wee cat needs. Please go to the vet and find out what’s going on. IF your cat is ill, rather than just old, you need to deal with that, for her sake. Help her if she’s old and let her go if she’s ill. 💐

One poo in an inappropriate place doesn't make an incontinent pet.
Lower litter trays.
More litter trays.
Different litter.
May help.
I would DEFINITELY want thyroid ruled out. Old girl lost loads of weight and we really thought it was it. A couple of pills a day and back to herself. Well that and a heated whelping pad AKA butt warmer. (Her arthritis was BAD!)

yes I would pts. at her age she is only likely to get worse surely? I actually think it would be a kind thing to spare her any suffering, but this won't be the majority view. x

Hyperthyroidism is both treatable and an obvious, easily diagnosable differential. OP, ask your vet to test for hyperthyroidism. They may well be able to do so on the residual blood from the other tests they've run.

It's often said better a moment too soon, than a moment too late.

Speak to your vet. Be guided by them but make your own decision; she is your girl and you know her best. If you have any doubts then speak to the professional.

It could be thyroid, could be deranged liver/kidney function, could be an organic brain disorder or it could be all of the above. Something coukd be treatable by acting now, or it may be that she's moving into her twilight months.

My little boy was 10 when lymphoma cruelly snatched him from me. I could have kept going with aggressive chemo and a partial gut resect, but when I was called into theatre and saw him under the GA, I knew the time we had together was stolen. I miss him terribly but to keep him going was asking him to stay (miserably so) for me.

Yes, if her quality of life has gone, which it sounds like it has. I know how hard it is, but PTS is the final act of kindness we can give to much beloved pets. Better a week too soon than a day too late, as they say. Hugs

I actually think it would be a kind thing to spare her any suffering, but this won't be the majority view.

I agree. It's selfish to let them hang on because you can't deal with the repercussions. OP, take her to the vet, and do what the vet suggests.

My dog Amy had terrible arthritis and we paid a fortune to the Vets to keep her alive and pain free . One day it just came to me it was cruel and a long time overdue, we were blind to her distress because we loved her so much. I had this with my Sil with her dog too. Only you know in your heart of hearts , do what is best for your Darling cat

At 17 the cat has had a good long life, getting it PTS is a kindness .

I would Take her to the vet and see what they say. If the vet thinks the kindest thing to do is put her to sleep then you need to be strong and do that. If the vet can see no medical reason why she should be pts maybe try putting a litter tray in every room she has access to. Seems extreme but if she is incontinent or just forgetting where the tray is it might help to have one always nearby.

In response to Extravagant when I'm lame, incontinent and my mind is going, no I hope my family wouldn't have to put me down - I hope I'll have arrangements in hand with Dignitas well before then.

If the cat's quality of life is suffering, yes I'd have the cat pts.

Age isn't always an indicator of whether to PTS.
Our old cat had a mass in her stomach. We opted to try and operate. It wasn't cancer and she lived for years.

I agree with MollyDaydream. People hold on too long without thinking about if it really benefits the animal. Ask yourself is she likely to get better? No not if the vet can't find anything wrong. So her quality of life can only deteriorate and if she is constantly starving now she's not in a great place.

I'm so sorry for you, it's the hardest thing in the world to do but sometimes the kindest.

I would understand if you did op. It doesn't mean you're not a loving pet owner if you do. Sounds like she's had a good run.

So the vet has ruled out thyroid? Or you've have initial tests and not gone back yet?

Have had to make the decision to have mine pts when I thought that it wasn't fair to put them throu an op and they're quality of life wasn't good. It's hard but it's being more caring than letting them suffer. Cats really don't like being dirty. I would take her back to the vets.