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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.

Should we have the cat put down?

17 replies

ButterMelonCauliflower · 18/08/2015 10:48

We have two rescue Persians, both about 12. One is healthy and happy. The other has always been tiny and sickly. We tried everything to get her to gain weight but nothing works, all food seems to make her ill. We had lots of tests done when we got her 5 years ago, but no conclusive results that there's anything wrong with her. She has always pooed on the floor, now she's weeing too. We dealt with it while DS was learning to crawl/walk but now DD is reaching that age and the mess has got worse. We tried feliway and multiple litter trays etc.
She doesn't clean herself but we did take her to a groomer. They can't groom her anymore because her skin is too thin and last time they cut her quite badly by mistake. She also broke her leg recently and hasn't quite recovered from that.
DH thinks we should have her put down and I think I agree. I know it's bad to come on here looking for reassurance that it's the right decision - it's our responsibility to decide. Our last cat had to put down because she suddenly became very ill - it was the only thing we could do. This cat is different, there's nothing seriously wrong, just a general accumulation of things that will only get worse. how do I know when it's the right time?

OP posts:
SunshineAndShadows · 18/08/2015 10:52

I think you have to lol at her overall quality of life and balance the things she enjoys against her negative experiences. Which is bigger?

Gileswithachainsaw · 18/08/2015 10:53

So basically she's incontinent?

unable to groom herself or be groomed?

food makes her ill?

her legs not healing?

and no one knows what's wrong with her?

poor kitty Sad

from.what you have posted I'm. assuming she really can't he happy and must be in pain with her leg. if she's underweight and struggling to eat it's going to take a long time for her to heal properly and that's going to be painful.

I think i would PTS tbh Sad

WienerDiva · 18/08/2015 10:55

I have always felt that putting an animal to sleep is based on whether or not they have a quality of life. If your cat isn't very happy it may be the best thing for her. Although have a chat with your vet. They will give you the best advise. Thanks In the mean time though because it's shitty having to think about it.

cozietoesie · 18/08/2015 10:57

Poor lass. Do you think she's enjoying her life?

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 18/08/2015 12:13

I don't think there is anything wrong with coming on here for reassurance, it's a tough decision to take for anyone who loves animals and very stressful Flowers

I agree with others. Take advice from the vet and weigh up her quality of life. I think this could well be the kindest thing you could do for her xx

sparkysparkysparky · 18/08/2015 12:25

There are very few posters on this thread who havenâ??t been in your position at some point. It is very hard and I'm sure I'm not alone in really feeling for you.
Putting a cat to sleep is an act of unselfish kindness for an animal that you have loved and cared for as best you can for a long time.
Is your cat still enjoying being a cat? Is any further medical intervention going to improve quality of life or defer a difficult decision for you?
Please accept an imaginary hug from a total stranger and do what you feel is best.

ButterMelonCauliflower · 18/08/2015 13:40

Thanks for all your support and advice, we've arranged to take her to the vet tonight so we'll talk it through with him. I don't think she has a great life really, she tends to sleep a lot and I think her leg must be painful still. Honestly, I don't think we give her the attention she perhaps deserves, she's restricted to a few rooms downstairs because she's so messy and with 2 small children it's hard to give her all the time she needs. I feel we could carry on with her for longer, but I don't think anything will improve really. If we could work out what was wrong with her then I would get her treated, but no one seems to know.
I'll let you know what the vet says. X

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 18/08/2015 13:51

What is it they have tested her for?

my cat sounds very similar to yours. She never broke her leg but she was always small and sickly and there was nothing "wrong" with her as such she just had a crappy start in life and sadly had to live with the damage that caused her.

We managed to find a food that made her sick alot less thankfully and she still played and purred and was affectionate.

She could use a tray but her aim was shit but that was more down to just not having the instincts as she was taken away from.her mother far too young so never picked up on alot of things Sad

she was tested but nothing showed up. I guess fortunately the decision with her was easier in the sense of a definitive problem at the end. We had "good reason" so to speak.

but tbh being PTS isn't the worse thing in the world for the pet. It's just a normal day for them.up till the point it happens. cuddles and food and fuss as usual. I've seen cats purr and dribble as their owners pet them up till the last breath after having the injection so even the act it's self is often not traumatic for them.

I hope the vet can make you feel better about whatever decision you make. Flowers

Gileswithachainsaw · 18/08/2015 20:26

How did the vets go butter Flowers

ButterMelonCauliflower · 19/08/2015 08:52

So DH took her to the vet and they put her to sleep. The vet agreed it was the right decision, which puts my mind at ease a bit. He said he thought she was really quite an old cat and perhaps the rescue centre hadn't been entirely honest about her age when we adopted her. He said once they start weeing all over the house it's no fun for anyone, so kindest to put them to sleep. Poor little thing.
DH stayed with her and said she was happy till the end. I know it's the right decision but it's a tough one, so thanks for all your support.

OP posts:
ShipwreckedAndComatose · 19/08/2015 09:19

Ahh, that is tough but I agree that it was the kindest thing you could do for her. Flowers and hugs.

Gileswithachainsaw · 19/08/2015 09:25

I'm so sorry for your loss.

what lovely caring loving owners you are. You did the Best thing for your beautiful kitten. Flowers

run free. sweet dreams precious cat.Star

WienerDiva · 19/08/2015 13:56

Feel no guilt at all. She wouldn't have known anything about it and it definitely sounds like it was the best thing for her. Hugs from me and these Thanks

Wolfiefan · 19/08/2015 14:03

So sorry for your loss. It sounds like it was totally the right decision. Our vet recently used the word "dignity" when deciding whether to put down our old girl.
Flowers

Dowser · 22/08/2015 12:08

I've had five Persians over the years. Loved and miss them all. 12 is a good age for them and often when problems start to show. My favourite girl was pts while I was on holiday . She was staying with a breeder and suddenly developed kidney problems . Stayed in her basket wouldn't eat. I was devastated.she was 12.

I think Persians are much harder work than shorthairs or plain moggies. I've had several of those too. In fact it was the persians who got a bit more forgetful of where there toilet was rather than the moggies.

I won't be having any more pets. I just can't go through them getting I'll and dying any more. Just too heart breaking.

Doesn't stop me still pining for one though or a little shi tzu.

PolterGoose · 22/08/2015 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesprouts · 22/08/2015 18:18

ive been there and done that, its the best thing to do sorry about your cat x

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