We have a nearly 20 year old tabby who is now not in good health. We are approaching those last few weeks we think where we have to deliberate how long to leave him without either seeing him off before his time, or holding out for the best and regretting making him suffer. :(
He's had thyroid problems for a while, but it's controlled by tablets.
At easter he took a dip and didn't seem at all happy, he was given steroid injections and vitamin by the vet. He made an almost miraculous recovery! From dragging himself around to jumping onto high perches.
The vet said he had a lump in his abdomen and probably had just a few weeks left.
Weeks and weeks later and he is still with us, but has started to get wobbly on his back legs. If he stands and shakes his head, he will fall over. He needs a little stool to get up onto his favourite sleeping place.
However, he's still (slowly) making his way outside for his toilet (we do have a tray but he's preferring not to use it) and to drink out of the pond (again, he has water inside the house but prefers to drink from the pond!) And he's eating.
We took him to the vets on Friday and they gave another steroid injection - but it's not had the same miraculous effect this time -in fact he's no better really.
So it's rock and a hard place time. He doesn't look too miserable but isn't the happy go lucky cat he was. Bless him. We are treating him lots and watching out for any further dip in his condition.