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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.

Original poster

Elderly Cat, thin, meows on urinating... is it time to visit the vets one last time?

40 replies

LittleRedSparke · 06/03/2016 11:01

My boy is 16.5yrs old, is nothing but skin and bone now, cant walk in a straight line, still purrs when you stroke him. He's got worse in the last few days. Not eating much.

I've noticed though that he now meows on urinating... is it time to visit the vets one last time?

OP posts:
FishWithABicycle · 06/03/2016 11:06

If he's got pain on urinating it might be an entirely treatable kidney issue. Or yes he might have something worse but only the vet can tell. Get him seen ASAP but don't assume the worst is unavoidable.

whitehandledkitchenknife · 06/03/2016 11:07

Oh LittleRedSparke I'm not a vet but it sounds as if his kidneys are finally packing up. Cats will also purr if they're in distress don't forget. If his legs/coordination are going too, then it's not a good sign. You don't want him fitting. I'd prepare to get him to the vets.
I'm so sorry.

cozietoesie · 06/03/2016 11:51

I would - and did with my old boy. (There's more than one thing it might be.) His general condition does sound a little bleak though.

Original poster
LittleRedSparke · 06/03/2016 11:58

We had him checked for thyroid etc when he first started losing weight, but they were ok, and the vet said he would just fade away

I think he is on his way - i know most of you arent vets, but should we take him in, or just leave him to fade?

OP posts:
MissMillament · 06/03/2016 12:04

Take him in. It sounds like he is in pain. Don't allow his last few days to be a misery to him. I know it is hard, I went through the same thing with my own old girl a few years ago, but leaving pets to linger too long in pain is not fair on them.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 06/03/2016 12:08

I think miaowing when he pees means it hurts - that's not 'fading'. I'd take him in. I hope the vet can make him more comfortable and it's not the news you fear.

timtam23 · 06/03/2016 12:10

Sorry to hear this. I would take him in. Really I would. If he truly is on his last legs, it would be the kindest thing you could do for him. Cats tend not to show when they are in pain so it is not always easy for us to judge how comfortable they are.
Having gone through similar with 2 very elderly cats, the one I hesitated over is the one I regret the most as she was clearly on her last legs and her final 24 hrs at home were really hard. I did take her to the vet to be put to sleep but the last night with her still upsets me (nothing terrible happened but she completely withdrew from us, wouldn't eat or drink & looked so unwellunwell, it was very upsetting and stressful).
I really hope that there is something straightforward that can be treated, but it does sound like a vet trip is needed.

Original poster
LittleRedSparke · 06/03/2016 16:05

We've held off, as its Sunday, and wanted to see how he would go. He's now not been able to climb in to the litter tray.

I have contacted a vet that comes to the home, but does anyone know how much this will cost? I just have no idea

We're all in bits here

OP posts:
whitehandledkitchenknife · 06/03/2016 16:30

So sorry to hear this. Make him as comfortable as possible. Perhaps place an old towel underneath him. He may not attempt the tray again. But be prepared to lift him. Offer him water by holding container up so he can lap without moving. He may not be interested though.
I don't know how much a Sunday home visit would cost but when we had to take much loved cat to Vets on a bank holiday after being knocked down, it cost about £150.
Massive hugs. Sad.

timtam23 · 06/03/2016 16:34

I am sorry. He does sound quite poorly. I don't know how much a home visit would cost but if I'd had my time over again with my old girl (in post above) I would have called a vet to the house - her last day with us was also a Sunday, I ended up having to dash her to the vet at 8am on the Monday, as soon as they opened. I should have been brave and called the vet on the Sunday really. Very sad for you all Flowers

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 06/03/2016 17:04

I'm so sorry. Poor old puss, and poor you. It's awful seeing them like that. Sorry I haven't had a vet out on a home visit so I don't know the like
Y cost, but I'm sure they'll advise when you call them. I hope they can come out soon.

cozietoesie · 06/03/2016 19:22

I'm so sorry. It's very hard.

flumpybear · 06/03/2016 19:44

Poor little cat - may be a UTI, is any urine coming out? That's a good age for a cat my last two were 18 then nearly 20 when they died - but if it's something treatable I'd do it - good luck xx

Original poster
LittleRedSparke · 06/03/2016 19:48

I've not had a reply from the vets just yet, he's currently sitting upstairs with DH - its all quite calm at the moment, we've all been up there, sitting around him, talking about memories with him. He's older than my DC so they've never known a world without him

DH is going to take him tomorrow

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 06/03/2016 20:14

Take care.

flumpybear · 06/03/2016 21:52

Big hugs, these furry friends make such a cosy bed in our hearts - hope he's ok but if not he has clearly gas a loving family and that's all a cat wants from home life X

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 06/03/2016 21:59

Thinking of you all Flowers

ifcatscouldtalk · 06/03/2016 22:07

It's so rotton when they are this unwell. Hoping it's better than it sounds. My pets are members of my family so I sympathise a great deal.

Original poster
LittleRedSparke · 06/03/2016 22:21

Thanks all, he's spent the evening with his favorite human (dh) doesn't seem to be in actual pain at the moment, and will be going to the vets tomorrow

I really appreciate your kindness

We've had him since he was a kitten

OP posts:
whitehandledkitchenknife · 06/03/2016 22:33

Give him a special little cuddle from me. Thinking of you.

timtam23 · 06/03/2016 23:01

Thoughts with all of you and a gentle stroke for pusscat, it is really hard knowing they're not going to get better. I hope the night goes OK.

isamonster · 06/03/2016 23:28

My thoughts are with all of you. So hard. Look after yourselves and give him a squeeze from me.

Original poster
LittleRedSparke · 07/03/2016 20:48

My darling boy went to sleep this morning

He's buried with dh s tshirt, and a couple of other bits

The whole family are devastated, how does one little animal make such a big hole?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 07/03/2016 20:53

I'm very sorry. It's a huge hole isn't it?

BikeRunSki · 07/03/2016 21:00

I'm so sorry. Our nearly 17 year old, partly British Blue moggie left us last summer. He wasn't well, and had a stroke in the end. It's amazing how big a gap he's left. The DC never new life without him.