Am I being cruel to my cat?

[FlopsyandMopsy71]

She is 17 years old and has had hyperthyroidism for many years. Treated with twice daily doses of Thyronorm. She has health checks every 6 months. Last one yesterday. Unfortunately she's losing weight despite the dosage being increased. Last had bloods done to check thyroid levels about 18 months ago and at the same time had a big lump removed which was thought to be connected and also traces of cancerous cells were found.
The last time bloods were done was very traumatic for her. She soils herself and is sick on the way home then takes a day or 2 to get over it and eat again.
Because of this I don't feel it's in her best interests to do it again. The last check up before today the vet said she was on the highest dosage. So if she needs more Thyronorm she can't have it anyway. What would getting blood results do if I don't want to put her through any treatment? The vet just says do them and we find out why she's still losing weight. But what then?
All I want to do is let her live out the rest of her life happily and without invasive procedures or further treatment. Am I wrong or am I missing something?

Hi OP, I really relate to your situation, we went through similar with our beloved cat who had been with us for 18 years or so, and also had thyroid problems as well as kidney failure and other issues. There did come a turning point for us where we had to make a difficult decision and let her go. We agonised over the decision and found it useful to make a list of things she liked to do, things which made her happy, and we then realised that there were lots of things on her happy list that she was no longer able to do at all, or else not without being in pain. So it became obvious what was the right thing to do, otherwise we were just keeping her here for our own selfish reasons as we couldnt bear to let her go. It doesn't sound like you are at that point yet, but you know your own cat and it is entirely reasonable that you dont want to put her through any further tests, especially if the trips to the vets are upsetting her so much and unlikely to change the outcome. Trust your gut and you will do the right thing. Sending you hugs, and a stroke for your brave little lady.

Yes you will be more than likely charged for the telephone consult as you are taking up a vet's time (likely a normal consult will have been blocked off so the vet has the time to speak to you, likely two as they will have to go In much more detail over the phone considering they haven't seen your cat in over a year and they won't be able to examine him, so if they wouldn't charge you the practise would be losing that amount of money they could be making from normal consults). Just as you would be charged if you called a solicitor for advice.

And of course you can change vets for any reason at any time, but no vet would prescribe further medication to your cat without having seen them first, due to the "under care" rule I've explained earlier on in this "zombie" thread. I have a lot of sympathy for owners and the rising costs of pet ownership, medical treatment and care but also bitter experience has shown the people you bend over backwards for are the first to complaint if something goes wrong. No vet is going to risk a suspension or losing their license by not following the clear instructions the RCVS has set our about how we are meant to practice, and no "but the owner had no money/didn't want to come for a visit" isn't going to cut it as an excuse in front of the disciplinary board I'm afraid.