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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

My poor old lady - it's her last night tonight :(

25 replies

Marlinspike · 05/05/2011 19:55

My lovely old cat is poorly. She's had kidney problems for some time and has been taking a food supplement. She's been drinking loads, and over the last couple of days has been trying too wee everywhere, but all that is coming out are spots of wee with blood in them. Took her to the vet this morning who said she was very dehydrated and probably experiencing kidney failure... so given the fact that she has reached the grand old age of 22, we have decided to put her down. I am taking her tomorrow morning, and have brought her home so we can all say goodbye.

She has been with us longer than the children! She has used up many of her 9 lives - she disappeared from home once, and has managed to get herself stuck in a car engine and travelled about 2 miles! I shall miss her so much, but she has slowed down so much, and must be in some distress from the weeing problems, I am pretty sure I am doing the best for her . Please reassure me that I am, fellow cat-loving mumsnetters.

OP posts:

Panzee · 05/05/2011 20:01

You are doing the very best for her. She is in pain, you are easing this.
I had the same problem with my beloved cat.

I don't know if it will help, and I'm sorry if this makes you sadder, but you never know: the night before my appointment I let my cat know what I had planned. My lovely cat took the decision out of my hands that night and went to sleep all by himself - independent to the end. :)

ShowOfHands · 05/05/2011 20:01

You are doing the best for your girl. My cat had the same problem and towards then end was thirsty, weeing everywhere (with blood) and so very, very sad. We brought her home to say goodbye and she slipped away in my arms.

You've given a lot of love to that cat and the hardest thing you can do for her, you'll do tomorrow. But remember you're doing it with the same kindness you gave every stroke and every fond word.

I'm so sorry.

LadyWord · 05/05/2011 20:07

I really feel for you. We lost our cat last year and we were so sad.

Remember you've given her a long, happy, wonderful life full of love and at the end, she'll be in no pain, close to you and comforted. That is the best possible result for a cat and you are doing her a kindness.

BendyBob · 05/05/2011 20:09

I am so sorry. She sounds a wonderful friend. You are doing the right thing though, poor puss she sounds very ill.

But 22! That's a fanstastic long life full of love and adventures she's enjoyed, and you gave her that. No cat could hope for more.

Sorry to hear about other poster's beloved lost friends too They are such lovely animals aren't they?

TheOriginalFAB · 05/05/2011 20:11

I am so sorry for you and if you feel you are doing the right thing, then you are.

One thing though, my cat has kidney failure but the vet said cats are not in pain with it.

Original poster

Marlinspike · 05/05/2011 20:12

Oh, you are all so lovely! I would be so pleased if she just slipped away tonight, I really am not looking forward to tomorrow morning.

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and stories of your cats.

Feeling a bit better now [teary grin emoticon]

OP posts:

SecretNutellaFix · 05/05/2011 20:18

To see a cat deteriorate to the extent that they cannot have any enthusiasm for anything is when you know that it is time.
9 years ago I watched my much younger cat get so unwell from heart failure, he lived at the vets for the last 3 weeks of his life. He took the decision from us in the end.
You have loved her and cared for her all of her life. Missed her when she was off gallivanting and played with her when she was around and no doubt shouted at her when she swiped your ankles in the morning

It's going to hurt, but you have 22 years of love and memories to smile at. x

GRW · 05/05/2011 22:56

I've never heard of a cat live to 22 before, so she is very special. I'm so sorry, and will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Valpollicella · 05/05/2011 23:09

So sorry to hear this OP I hope you get through tomorrow ok

Vix1980 · 06/05/2011 07:58

God im in tears reading these posts! but your cat has reached 22 years and thats an amazing feat in itself, you should be proud you helped her achieve that by all the love and affection you have given her over the years!

I hope today goes as easily as it can for you! take care x

FluffyDonkey · 06/05/2011 08:06

I hope you are ok today.

My parents had to have my cat put down earlier this year. My dad said he actually felt that my cat was grateful to them for finding a solution to stop her being in pain. When the needle went in she just totally relaxed and he felt that she slipped away happy.

Didn't stop my parents sobbing their hearts out though (as did I even though I couldn't be there)

Be kind to yourself and just remember the many happy years together.

reikizen · 06/05/2011 08:11

Hope you are ok today. Big hugs from me at this awful time.

geordieminx · 06/05/2011 08:13

My mum rang me last night to tell me they are thinking of taking our family cat to the vets on Monday. She is 24

Up until 6 months ago you wouldn't have known how old she was, but she has really gone down hill, can't hear, can't really see and seems to have lost the plot a bit. She is wandering away from the garden, mum is terrified a dog will get her.

I know she has had a wonderful life, we got her as a kitten when I was 6!

Thinking of you today.

TheOriginalFAB · 06/05/2011 08:25

I am thinking of you too.

Original poster

Marlinspike · 06/05/2011 10:13

Thank you all so much for your kind words and thoughts! You must all have been sending positive thoughts our way, as my dear old lady seems better this morning - she has no blood in her wee, and she is much perkier. I am thinking it may have been a kidney infection which she is on the mend from, so I have cancelled the vet and we will see how she goes on this weekend.

Geordie, 24! that's incredible! My friend's cats went a bit do-lally in their later lives - the neighbours had to keep bringing them home. If it is your mum's cat's last weekend I hope it is a special one

I will let you all know how we get on this weekend.

OP posts:

TheOriginalFAB · 06/05/2011 12:41

YAY!!!!

BendyBob · 06/05/2011 13:11

Oh that is such good news! I gave my two and extra cuddle and thought of yours Marlin. I do hope she continues to improve.

Bearcat · 07/05/2011 21:33

Ooh you just made me cry reading all these posts.
Thinking of my 17 year old who we had to have put to sleep 8 years ago.
Really nice to see your old girl has rallied.

crystalglasses · 07/05/2011 21:42

Still missing our little cat who we had to put down aged 21 years. No kidney problems or anything but she had got so scraggy and skinny and stopped grooming and eating - but still enjoyed lying in the sun. Such a lovely little old lady. I know it's dreadfully sentimental but we like to think she'll be sunning herself in heaven.

Vix1980 · 08/05/2011 09:55

Im so happy for you, i hope things have gone really good over this weekend and am sending you all big hugs and good luck xxx

Original poster

Marlinspike · 08/05/2011 10:02

Thanks Vix - things are going well - my old lady is sat outside sunning herself. She is eating well, and still weeing more than usual but there's no blood in the wee. (sorry if TMI!)

We have thoroughly spoilt her this weekend - I have even bought those expensive "gourmet" catfood portions (although they were Morrisons own brand) and she has had some M&S cooked chicken.

We are taking each day as it comes, but, to paraphrase Maggie Thatcher the day after the Brighton hotel bomb in the mid 80's (showing my age!), "this is the day she was not meant to see"!

I am certain the combined positive thoughts and good wishes from all you lovely cat-loving mumsnetters helped!

OP posts:

Panzee · 08/05/2011 10:18

She sounds so happy! That's the main thing. So happy for you both. :)

TheOriginalFAB · 08/05/2011 10:47

Fantastic news!

My cat has eaten her breakfast so I am happy today .

ZacharyQuack · 08/05/2011 10:53

That's lovely news. I hope your lovely cat enjoys the sunshine and some more cuddles today. Gourmet meals and M&S chicken all the way!

Bizkit · 08/05/2011 11:04

Was welling up reading this, but happy to hear she is feeling better.
I remember having to put my cat down 5 yrs ago after a heart condition, he was only young, just out of the blue couldn't use his back legs and was quite clearly in pain, the vets tried to treat him but to no avail, I couldn't even bring myself to go when they did it my DP had to go.

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