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Original poster

Cat losing use of rear legs..WWYD?

28 replies

StirredNotShaken · 04/01/2016 09:57

I posted two mins ago as she keeps peeing in the hallway but wanted your opinions on this too. She has a neurological prob which has lead to her losing the use of her back legs other than to shuffle herself along. She also has mini fits from time to time. She is under the care of a vet who strongly suspects that there is no way back for her other than to be referred to a specialist which I cannot afford to do Sad. She is eating and drinking normally and still clambers up to the settee for some fuss and cuddles. Is it fair to keep her going like this or does she sound happy? She does stink of pee as she cannot raise her hind quarters to pee or poo. Thanks for your insight.

OP posts:
PestoFestivio · 04/01/2016 09:59

I think your cat's quality of life is so reduced that I wouod personally have her put to sleep. Sorry Flowers

cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 10:00

She's an older girl?

Undertheboredwalk · 04/01/2016 10:01

Agree with Pesto I'm afraid, cats are inherently clean animals, it will bother her that she's not clean, that with the serious lack of mobility would lead me to think her quality of life is not good. I'd pts in your shoes, I'm so sorry :(

roundandroundthehouses · 04/01/2016 10:04

I'd be strongly considering PTS, I'm sorry to say. Has she previously been used to being active and keeping herself clean? If so, she is likely to be distressed by being unclean now.

NarcyCow · 04/01/2016 10:07

One of ours is brain damaged, has occasional seizures and has a rear leg injury that can't be treated. We discussed her quality of life with various vets back when the whole thing happened and they did mention that an inability to keep herself clean would be very distressing for her. Thankfully she manages, but if she couldn't I think we'd have to think seriously about having her pts.

It's a really tough situation, isn't it?

BertrandRussell · 04/01/2016 10:09

I'm in the PTS camp- sorry.

cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 10:10

Is 'managing' good enough though? Cats are great troupers and will cover up problems as best they can - but it doesn't necessarily mean they're leading happy lives.

You're right - it's a tough one.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 04/01/2016 10:12

You have my sympathies, OldBoy is going that way too Sad

It really depends on how bad she is. OldBoy has his back end showered (handheld shower so easier to do) once or twice a week to clean up the bits he can't reach. Having said that, in his situation his legs sometimes go from under him so it's not permanent (yet).

I would be guided by your vet.

gleam · 04/01/2016 10:12

I'm also in the PTS camp. Very sorry.

cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 10:16

Have you really listened to your vet? They obviously don't want to bully their clients into making what might be difficult decisions, but they sometimes use language which is pretty clear if you're really hearing what they're saying.

MajesticSeaFlapFlap · 04/01/2016 10:18

I think it's time to pts

It dreadfully sad but we have to make the hard choice sometimes

Flowers
Original poster
StirredNotShaken · 04/01/2016 10:22

Oh God, it is awful.

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cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 11:36

Yes - it's very very tough.

The only thing I can tell you is that I didn't make any decision for Darling Twoago - and I've always regretted it. Sometimes you have to be stronger than you might have thought possible.

Wolfiefan · 04/01/2016 11:38

We had to make the decision to pts last year. I'd always thought of avoiding suffering but our vet used the word dignity. Surviving and not suffering isn't enough I'm afraid. Sorry.

DramaAlpaca · 04/01/2016 16:10

I'm so sorry, I can see from your other thread that she's a relatively young cat, but I'm in the PTS camp too. It does sound like her quality of life is not good if she can't keep herself clean. I know how tough a decision it is, but there comes a time when you have to put the animal's welfare before your own feelings. It's really hard Flowers

Original poster
StirredNotShaken · 04/01/2016 16:18

Thank you everyone. My dilemma is this.....and please don't shout me down because I really am just seeking clarity....How do I know she is happy or unhappy? she still comes into the kitchen when she hears the fridge door go as she knows there is likely to be treats; chicken, meat etc, she does come over for a cuddle and a fuss and seems even more affectionate towards me. I know she cannot be happy smelling of wee and I have had to clean the mess from her hind quarters on occasion which I am sure she hates. She still clambers up on to the settee to sit with us and has a good appetite. I don't want to take her to be PTS just for my convenience iyswim. I really don't know. I am calling vets again tomorrow and will ask advice but it just feels so horrid to be killing her if she is happy - yet I am not sure she is...Confused

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fenneltea · 04/01/2016 17:12

I don't believe she can be happy having to drag herself about, a cat is a creature that needs to be able to be agile and climbing, exploring etc. and to be dirty must be awful for her. it sounds as if she is tolerating life with good grace, but is that really enough? I'm afraid for me I'd probably be making the decision to let her go. I think it is easier to think of it as releasing her rather than killing her, and feeling guilt is totally normal, I've had to make the decision three times in as many months recently and it is incredibly hard, but I knew it was the right thing and felt relieved to be able to help them. The old adage better a day too soon than a day too late us a good saying to follow I think.

cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 17:51

She has lost 90% of the usage in her back legs? And with no guarantee that she won't lose the rest - tonight, say? How could she be a happy cat in her current situation? She may manage (after a fashion) but would you say she enjoyed her life much?

PolterGoose · 04/01/2016 21:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
StirredNotShaken · 04/01/2016 22:29

I am calling the vets tomorrow - I will ask advice and listen to what they say and what their veiled message is....I feel awful. I really do feel like it is not my right to have her life in my hands...but I know you are probably all right. Thank you.

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cozietoesie · 04/01/2016 22:49

Take care. Many of us have been where you are - and it's a hard place - so there will be people to talk to if you want to.

Original poster
StirredNotShaken · 04/01/2016 23:25

Going to bed now, I feel so guilty - she is hobbling over for her night-night stroke and fuss. Ugh! I will be back on here once I have been or spoken to the vets. Thanks people.

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Wolfiefan · 04/01/2016 23:29

I will check back in tomorrow. Wishing you a peaceful night.
It's so hard as they can't tell us how they feel. At the end my girl wasn't in obvious pain. She wasn't suffering. She wasn't eating and stank. She messed herself. She wasn't grooming at all.
Think about what makes your cat unique. Are they still doing those things? It's bizarre but when the vet mentioned dignity I knew our old girl had lost hers and wouldn't regain it.
So sad.
Flowers

iloveeverykindofcat · 05/01/2016 12:58

I'm so sorry. I had a cat PTS when he lost the use of his back legs after a fall. He didn't respond to surgery = and the chances of regaining them were a) unknown and b) subject to long courses of painful therapy he didn't understand. Sometimes he seemed okay. Sometimes he didn't I read endless advice on when it's the right time to PTS and the phrase that stayed with me, from a respected vet, was 'it is time to put a cat[dog/rabbit] to sleep when they can longer live like a cat[dog/rabbit]'. I cried for a week straight afterwards.

Original poster
StirredNotShaken · 05/01/2016 13:27

Got vets appt to talk it over on Thursday. That is such a good soundbite iloveeverykindoofcat She partially lives like a cat...but largely not :-(

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