16-year-old cat with erratic breathing. Advice please.

[MouseThatRoars]

Hi there. Our cat has been losing weight for about 2 months now and has lost interest in food in the last 2 weeks, preferring to come up to our bed in the morning for cuddles rather than wait for her food. This is rare for her; In the past she has stolen our builders' hot cross buns climbed into a slightly open oven to drag out a chicken carcass!

We had accepted that she is old and dying but today her breathing has become erratic and quite laboured. She has also been lethargic and shifting from one chair to another, which makes me think she may be in pain. We have bought her salmon and chicken as she can't eat cat food any longer. She seems to enjoy a little of these foods but she is not right. Ideally we don't want to take her to the vets as this may add to her distress in her last days/hours. Anyone been through similar situation? Should we call the vets to come out or just make her as comfortable as possible and wait until the morning?

Erratic abnormal breathing should always be a call to the vets as soon as possible. If she is shifting from place to place she may be trying to find a position in which it easier to breath.

She needs to see the vet, don't leave her until morning.

Call the vet please let your cat have some relief. So sorry your going through this.

Thanks everyone for wise words. Our lovely Molly died about 10 minutes after we posted this. I am grateful as the vet said we would have to go a 20 minute drive to the out of hours place to have her put down. Instead she died in the garden in the place she used to sunbathe. I think the end was relatively painless for her and she had a peaceful day today, eating nice food and having the children stroke her gently as they passed her on their way to the garden.

My son is really upset but was very brave. He came downstairs while we were with Molly in the garden and he was with her when she died. We wrapped her in the cover of the cushion she most loved to sit on and she has been buried in her favourite part of the garden. So sad but I am glad she is at peace now.

I'm so sorry about Molly. She was clearly well loved and may she RIP. it's so sad to lose our furry family. Going through this tomorrow and did in October too. It's so difficult.

Thank you fackinell. Sad for you too. Take good care.