Is it reasonable to put a cat down for this reason?

[Willow79]

Hi, my cat is 16 years old and I love her to bits. I've had her since I was an early teenager and therefore she lives with my parents still (I moved around a lot and lived abroad). She lives with me for stretches of time then returns home.

Anyway about 4 years ago she developed a skin problem. Constant scratching which resulted in a bloody face and eye, a bald head etc. She would get steroid shots which seemed to help.

But recent steroid shots havent worked. She is right back to scratching and she looks scabby again. She needed a neck thing and became deeply depressed in March time though she come through it with TLC when she lived with me. My mum has hinted twice recently that she doesnt know what to do because the cat seems miserable. Another line of treatment was suggested but we were told it may well lead to kidney failure. We tried hypoallergenic food and she refused to eat it. Anti histamines in food last a few hours.

I feel upset because I think my mum is hinting we may need to put her down. She hasnt said it yet, but I think that is what she is getting at. Is this a reasonable reason to consider putting a cat down?

If she's miserable and her quality of life is reducing, then yes it's a good enough reason, imo. Is she suffering?

Kidney failure can be treated / prevented with medication. Is she insured? Is your mum doing anything to prevent your cat from feeling miserable? Does she play with her, talk to her, stroke her?

If your cat is being seen as a nuisance and is being ignored (I’m guessing this happening), it would be no wonder she’s miserable.

I haven't seen her for a couple of months but I am about to see her at christmas so I'll be able to judge better then.

I don't mean to judge my mother here but I nursed her back to full health when she lived with me. The last time I visited my mum she had lilies (poisonous) in the house at an accessible level. I was v angry about this. She claims it is fine now because although she still buys them they are not at an accessible level.

Probably I'm just looking for someone to blame but I do wonder if I'd be better having her live with me again for a stretch. If she seems better I'd consider keeping her full time.

The cat prefers me - I am her person.

When she came here it was like kitty rehab. I played with her every day, stroked her, she even joined me for zoom calls! She went from sheer misery to happy and glossy.

My mum says she does give her attention but I'll judge that for myself tbh. She never gave her much. But clearly she has an allergy and that isnt my mum's fault!

I’ve never owned a cat but I’ve had dogs. Apart from my last girl, the decision was made to let the girls go with dignity when life had become too much and when meds no longer helped.

If meds aren’t working as they should and your cat is having a miserable time of it - elderly or no - it is kinder to let them go. You’ve tried which is all we can do on top of loving them.

It breaks you but I do think that it a pet in pain/misery is better away a day too early than a day too long.

I’m so very sorry. . It isn’t easy.

Yes it is, when an animal lives with you, you have a responsibility to make sure that the animal has a good quality of life. It doesn't sound as though this cat does have good quality. Do the right thing for your cat. It's hard but if it's best for your cat then you have to bite the bullet. Better a day too soon than a week too late. 💐

Oh good grief, bring her home. It sounds like your mum is actually contributing to your cat being miserable.

My friend uses claw covers in her cat who attacks her skin so much that she gets recurrent sores ( and W cone of shame just made her worse.

I do feel she declines when she goes back to the other house. This is why I would be tempted to try her living with me again. If that doesnt work, then I'd need to look at making that awful decision yes.

But if it does work then I reckon I'd need to initiate a hard decision about keeping her full time

Sorry. I didn’t see your update

By all means see if things are different with you.

And if she’s miserable - and stressed - it’s no bloody wonder she has a skin condition. She’s probably stressed out of her mind.

@Willow79

I do feel she declines when she goes back to the other house. This is why I would be tempted to try her living with me again. If that doesnt work, then I'd need to look at making that awful decision yes.

But if it does work then I reckon I'd need to initiate a hard decision about keeping her full time

What does the vet say?

@FamilyOfAliens the first vet was terrible and missed the problem. The second vet saw she had a bacterial infection and treated accordingly. It worked temporarily but then came back a couple of months later again. The vet we liked is now on maternity unfortunately.

I would prefer to try her living with me again before we make an irreversible decision.

There are lots of treatments for various cat allergies but first you have know what you're dealing with.

Has flea allergy dermatitis been ruled out? Ask the vet for Advocate.

Does anyone brush your cat daily to deal with scurf and stimulate fur growth? Also add a drop of primrose oil to food.

Is her diet rich in oils? Is it a senior diet?

Has your vet explored long term steroids, metacam, gabapentin, etc, to break the cycle of over-scratching?

But at 16 - which is 80+ in human years - you wouldn't really want to be looking at anything invasive. It's got to be about making your cat comfortable and making a decision about its quality of life.

So in these circumstances, euthanasia can be the kindest act.

@SheldonesqueIsUnwell I know you are right. But is an awful decision to have to make.

It is heart breaking. I had to put another cat down 10 years ago - you never get over it fully.

Sorry - I've x-posted with others.

I let my cat go on for far too long. He was incontinent of diarrhoea and blood. Was hit by a car a few years before so had three legs and could barely walk. He was 17 and I loved him so much.

I was cruel really, his quality of life was Terrible but I just found it so hard to chose putting him down and I think I hoped he would go naturally.

I did choose to have him put down in the end and I still find it very traumatic to think about but I know deep down it was the right thing to do. I try not to think of it because I just feel extremely guilty about going ahead with it but he was miserable.

It’s a tough call to make. I think you’ll know if it’s the right one though, Doesn’t make it easier though. Good luck.

I would want to check out everything possible with the vet and changing her living situation first. It sounds like it should be manageable

Does your mum keep on top of the flea treatment? That’s the most common cause for reactions I think. They can apparently develop an intolerance of certain foods over time too, so worth noting whether you fed her different food at yours to what your mum feeds her.

It doesn’t have to be hypoallergenic, or particularly ‘special’ food to make a difference, I started feeding mine a relatively cheap one but without sugar after she became sick and the difference in her is amazing.

Seems a shame to put her down if she was doing so much better at yours!

@JamieLeeCurtains she eats Gourmet cat food mainly, some whiskas. She gets tuna in brine and some chicken.

I was brushing the cat daily when she was here. I asked my mum to continue, but I dont know if she has been.

Flea dermatitis has never been mentioned by any vet that has examined her. Happy to bring it up. They warmed against long term steroids as they said it may lead to kidney failure.

She has only had steroids, the vet hasnt given my mum any other treatment apart from a cream for the eyes and head. Not flea related.

They can't work out what is causing it

@Whatisapension may I ask what brand you bought?

Just in case you haven't tried then cbd worked wonders for my fil cat who had terrible skin. She could even stop wearing her compression suit.

She had it in her food couple of drops a day, you can get online or from Holland and barret. The difference in her was so marked.

Really @@DimidDavilby? Is it quite safe? Does it need to be a specific type for a cat