My Poor Cat - reassure me we are doing the right thing

[poorpussy]

My lovely Cat has turned 11 today and for the 1st time in his life he seemed unwell today so also had his first ever vet visit (other than annual jabs). He has followed me like a dog and been my great companion for so long. He has a blocked tube which has turned out after treatment today to be a well lodged stone that can only be removed by specialist surgery. He is fit healthy and happy but without this he must be put to sleep (tomorrow) accepting the staggering cost (in the region of £1500) we have decided to go ahead with the op and give him more life although it will be a long tough op for him. I truly hope it is the right choice for him.

Aw sorry PP. What a tough choice. I would go the surgery route in your shoes I'm sure and yet ... I do remember almost forcing my poor old dog to stay alive. He was so ill in the end he could barely eat and without my intervention he would have wasted away. I remember pureeing chicken and squirting it down his throat with a turkey baster. I was convinced it was the right thing because he perked up breifly with the food inside him.

In the end though it prolonged his death and made it more long and drawn out.

Eleven isn't all that old for a cat necessarily. My vet says they are making it into their twenties more and more because of better diets etc.

Anyway I didn't want to be gloomy but rather to impart a cautionary tale. If you go down the intervention route ... know where it will all end.

My mothers dog was kept alive on drugs for ages and limped on longer than was natural.

We have these animals as our companions. We love them so much we take responsibility for their health, feeding, well being .... then are unprepared for the end.

All that said I know I'd spend the money in your position.

All the best to you and your lovely cat.

Thank you Spidermama -we are told that if we take the specialist surgery route it should be a cure once he is over the op (7-10 days in the vet hospital though)so at least it is not a known short term solution. He has a sister and she is missing him tonight as they have never been separated since we got them when they were rescued from a rubbish dump as kittens. I have my fingers crossed for him.

Oh best of luck to him. Look after his sister and yourselves too.

After a second surgery this morning it became clear that the problem and resolution were significant - I have made the sad decision today and have just returned - I am heartbroken.

Oh I'm so, so sorry.

Oh poor poor you. Big BIG hugs. I do know exactly how you feel - a few years ago we had to put down our 16 year old family cat who we'd had since he was 6 weeks old. It was absolutely heartbreaking but the only consolation was that, like in your case, it was the right thing to do for him.

oh no poorpussy - that is so sad. Leaving Lucycat's sister at the vets was the hardest thing my dh has ever had to do.

Have a big cry. Thinking of you all and his sister too.

Yu may well notice a change in his sister in the next couple of months - Lucy 'came out of herself' when Pip went and assumed top cat role. Give her a big hug from me.

Thank you all - pulling myself together now to tell the children (6&8) this evening