Opinions needed

[AtLastEarwax]

Hi all

My cat is 20, I have had her since she was a kitten when I was 12. She is one of my best friends and knows almost everything about me

I noticed last night that she's lost control in her right back leg. Therefore she's struggling in the litter tray and to sit properly etc

I've taken her to the vets this morning and he's said we need to consider 'the option' as he believes she's had a stroke. She wee'd on the table in the vets when he was examining her. He tried to stand her up and she just flops. He doesn't believe her legs will get better and her quality of life will be low

However she is apart from that totally fine, cleaning herself etc

I'm crying at the thought of it and saying to dh I don't even mean the tears as she's going to be ok and he's saying she's really not.

She's tough as old boots, at the moment she's just asleep like normal

Do I consider 'the option' or see if she gets better??

If she has had a stroke she will continue to decline. It’s a horrible decision to make but 20 years is an extremely good age for a cat.
I would hate to see her start to suffer over a long period.

How long is long though? What if she gets up and walks normal and recovers??

The vet is giving you clues to allow you to come to the right decision yourself. A vet won’t demand she be put down but he is saying her legs won’t get better and her quality of life will be low.

Sooner is better than later, sorry op, I'd be letting mine go now, 20 is a grand age, don't spoil her last days by leaving it.

Slightly early is better than slightly late.

It really in the last kind loving thing you can do for them.

Thankyou I feel torn I love her so much, why can't pets live as long as us 😭😭😭

It's the tragic part of loving them. A great testament to how much they have brought to your life is how much it hurts to let them go, but it really is the last gift we can give them. Your love for her means you will let her go for her sake, and not keep her for yours.