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Original poster

Very old, sick cat

14 replies

oxocube · 11/12/2006 21:10

who doesn't seem to be suffering but is a skeleton now with a bit of fur. He is 17 years old and I think he maybe has a couple of days left. His mother died about 8 months ago. Some people have suggested I have him put down but as he seems happy, just old and v tired, do you think this is justified? The last few days he has been quite poorly and I had to take him to his food rather than him running to the bowl, but he did eat and drink. He is now in the dog's bed (he hates the dog but they are cuddling) and I don't really think he will last the morning Not looking for advice really, just experiences of other cat owners.

OP posts:
nearlythree · 11/12/2006 21:17

Poor you and cat. Does your vet have an out-of-hours service?

Our cat was a bit younger than yours, about 13 or 14 when he died. He'd gone from being the scariest cat in town to a little scrap of fur that made you wince when you picked him up. No dignity, no keeping himself clean. Whilst he would eat, however, we kept him going. One day though I found him struggling to walk to his food bowl and that was it. We had him put down that morning after a discussion with the vet - she didn't advise us one way or the other but after he'd died she said we'd made the right choice. There was no point in keeping the poor thing going.

Peggotty · 11/12/2006 21:18

I think you should just leave him in the environment he knows and loves to slip away. Taking an old old cat to the vets to be put to sleep in a confusing place where he won't know what's going on and it looks and smells weird to him just doesn't seem right somehow. I am all for sick animals in pain being euthanased (i used to work in a vets, and it IS usually a very quick and quiet way for them to go) but your cat is just an old man who would probably be best left. If he does survive the night/next few days and seems in pain, then maybe you could consider a home visit from the vets to put him to sleep? That's usually pretty expensive though.

It's so hard letting go of old pets....

scatterbrain · 11/12/2006 21:19

Ahhhhh - so sad when they go like this - my old cat was just the same - I spent a whole night sat up with her just stroking her gently and she passed away. Nice for him to know he is loved till the end iykwim.

Good luck - it will be so sad for you, but lovely way to go for puss.

interstellar · 11/12/2006 21:20

Oh, I'm really sorry Oxo.We went through an almost identical situaion a month ago.My cat was 16,really skinny sounding just like yours. She suddenly went from the condition you describe to being v poorly.I was taking water and food to her as you describe,but then within 24 hrs she was sick and basically was dying infront of me.We ttok her to the vets and had her put to sleep,this was v distressing but def the right thing,i wish i had taken 24hrs previously TBH.So,i'm not really being much help i know,but just feel for you.

fatwoman · 11/12/2006 21:27

oxo - I think if he is not in pain or anguish let him be. we had to make this decision twice in the last couple of years and it's awful. In one case there was in a lot of physical pain, not really able to breathe properly and not eating or drinking a single thing. in the other case, which might sound a bit daft, there was awful anguish - she couldn't sit still, quite literally, she paced up and down hour after hour, in clear distress, didn;t know where she was or what she was doing, stumbling all over and not a glimmer of recognition (she was about 22). I think you'll know when/if it's the right decision - it might not be obvious pain but if he's too weak to get up or eat and just doesn;t have anything of his usual self, then maybe that will tell you. lots of sympathy. I was devastated to loose my two.

HoHoHorsewoman · 11/12/2006 22:17

We had exactly the same with old cat we had found 14 years previously (no telling her exact age). She turned into a bag of bones with a scrap of fur and no appetite, but kept messing everywhere, and it was very bad. She went on downhill for quite a while before I decided enough was enough for her. She still managed to bite the vet just before he gave her the injection! I took her myself because, however hard it is, you owe it to them to be there at the end. I have lost both my little dogs this year, too and it is the hardest thing, so I feel for you at the moment. They are more than pets, they are part of the family, and I think, if your old boy is that bad, it would be nicer for him to slip away quietly at home. for you.

fishie · 11/12/2006 22:25

but hopefully he'll die peacefully.

we had vet home visit for my dog, really wasn't that expensive (sorry sordid) and was so so much better than going to them.

Original poster
oxocube · 12/12/2006 08:38

Thanks everyone. You do get so attached to animals, don't you. Well my poor old cat lasted the night and is still (I think) just breathing but he will die within the next hour or so I'm sure. He hasn't moved since last night. I think we made the right decision not to take him to the vets - it would be a horribly traumatic way to go. I'm pretty sure he didn't suffer and until yesterday, he could still eat, so at least its been a quick end for him, poor love.

OP posts:
Sherbert37 · 12/12/2006 09:15

I feel for you all. Our cat died in August on the morning when DD started secondary school for the first time (so she had to go in in floods of tears). However, it was the best end possible for the cat as she slipped into a coma and died in the car on the way to the vets, so no decision to make. She was 16. DD worshipped her and was able to stroke her as she lay peacefully on the floor. We won't forget that day in a hurry.

DominiConnor · 12/12/2006 09:29

My cats died of old age and basically wearing out.
For both it was pretty quick, doubt if a vet could have done better.
Schroedinger did however die in a way that would upset many people, since it was basically a heart attack.

noddyholder · 12/12/2006 09:32

I love the thought of his last hours cuddling the dog though I love animals They couldteach us a few things Hope this ends peacefully for you xx

Sherbert37 · 14/12/2006 07:48

What happened Oxo?

Original poster
oxocube · 14/12/2006 09:30

Oh, he died on Tuesday morning, Sherbert, just an hour or so after my last post. Very sad but much sadder to see an animal who was once so healthy and strong become so weak and helpless. I'm pleased we decided to leave him to die at home as the 5 minute trip to the vets in the car would have been too distressing for him. In the last 3 years, we have lost 3 of our 4 cats, 2 to old age and 1 to an accident. We have 1 left now - a Siamese who has always been my favourite- who is about 15 but looking v healthy and fat (eats the dog's food!!)

Thanks for asking Sherbert

OP posts:
Sherbert37 · 14/12/2006 11:55

So sorry to hear that but glad he was at home with you all. These animals have been our faithful companions since before we had children in many cases. Our cat was ill a while ago and I realised I had taken no photos of her since we had the children, so when she recovered I made sure we had some to remember her by.

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