Can I wait to take cat to the vets?

[UndertheCedartree]

I've got up this morning to find my lovely 17 yo cat is unable to stand up. I have settled him on a fleece blanket and he has had some water and a little food. I have stroked him lots and he has purred away. He doesn't appear to be in any pain or distress.

Usually I'd phone the vets this morning. Obviously he needs to be put to sleep But my DS (14) is away on a camp until tomorrow lunchtime. Would it be cruel to wait til then so DS can say goodbye? Obviously if between now and then he appears in pain or distressed I would take him immediately. I'm so sad I can't think straight or work out what's best 😿

Such a tough thing to do @UndertheCedartree but absolutely the right thing. I was sobbing, absolutely devastated when I had my old spaniel pts last February but his lovely vet described it as the last and most important act of love you can give them (which, of course, tipped me over into snotty howling!) but it's a great comfort now.

I lost my 16 yr old cat on Monday, he was PTS too. My grown up son and I took him. It's heartbreaking, but it's the right thing to do. Thinking of you.

Sorry to hear the sad news. I hope your son is coping with his loss...

Really sorry OP . You did the right thing but it hurts like hell.

I thought we had had it when my old boy (16) started defecating in the house but it turned out to be short lived. I’m dreading the day his time comes.

Thank you @Junkmail and I'm to hear your cats have also passed away. When I look back at this thread I can't believe I even asked the question. But actually all the emotion made it hard to think straight - I expect your husband was going through something similar

“He had a lovely long life. We will miss him dreadfully” No one could ask for more.

Thank you so much everyone for the kind words and sorry to hear about your pets
@harriethoyle - that is a lovely way to think about it and the tears are flowing for me too!

My DS was upset but actually he understood that we couldn't wait.

The house is very quiet now as Dcat was very vocal but our 4 yo is often a silent miower or very quiet. Our eldest always greeted us with a mew when we came through the door and there was no mistaking his hungry miow! He had become very docile in his old age and whenever I picked him up he would start to purr. He often liked me to carry him to his food bowl in recent months! He loved to sit on me or my DC purring away as he was stroked. We had him since a kitten and have lots of photos and happy memories.

@Etinox - thank you - really means a lot

He may have had a stroke. One of ours did at that age but within twenty four hours had recovered. I read up on it and apparently they often do recover quickly. The vet said the same. She lived another two years and was fine, apart from deafness to which she adjusted.

Take your cat to the vet today but don't assume he will be put down, see what the vet says.

Come back and let us know the verdict.The important thing is that he does not suffer.

You did exactly the right thing; it's hard to make that decision but it's the last act of kindness we do for our beloved pets.

Oh I've name changed this is UndertheCedartree!

@VickyEadieofThigh - thank you so much.

@Maggiesfarm - this happened on Tuesday and he had to be put to sleep, sadly.

@UndertheCedartree Oh I'm sorry your posts caused a tear.
Your cat had a lovely life with those who loved him there till the end.

Oh I am sorry SummerBreeze (also sorry I didn't notice dates of posting, my bad). The vet wouldn't have put him down unless it was necessary.

Seventeen is a good age, I'm sure you have happy memories of your lovely cat.