Old cat - is he about to die?

[DonaldTheTrump]

Our cat is 18. He is very old, slim and just fragile. We got him to a vet who said he may have cancer, diabetes, etc. but no point in putting him through all the tests, etc. (I agreed). He had some antibiotics for a mouth infection. He looked much better.

He is now going down hill, he used to be obsessed with food and is now barely eating half of a pouch. He is drinking a lot though, but he can't stand on his back legs without them wobbling and falling over. WWYD?

It sounds as if he's a very old boy.......

He's falling over all the time?

PS - do you think he's enjoying his life?

Yes, he wobbles a lot, his back legs change, sometimes just wobble, sometimes the just full a bit and he has to catch his step. It's so hard to tell if he is happy :( I think he is, but I don't know now, he used to live for food and is now barely touching it

My last cat was like this. Her back legs would just go, she was very fragile and barely eating. The vet gave her some antibiotics, although now I wonder if it was more for my benefit than hers, and she perked up for a few days. Her quality of life went downhill very quickly after that. We did what we thought was best and had her put to sleep. It was very hard on us but the best thing for her.

My old boy is 17. Took him to the vets a few weeks ago as we were concerned re his back legs. There is some muscle wastage but he's been put on long term pain killers and he's a lot more mobile. May not be suitable for your old chap as it sounds like he has more wrong with him but perhaps something u could ask your vet about?

It's a very difficult one. I have a very old boy - older than yours - and he's still enjoying his life but I hope I'm prepared for when that stops. As it will. He's too dear to me to allow him to trudge on grimly to no purpose.

Sounds like it might be time to consider putting him to sleep. It's the best thing to do if there's no quality of life. Hard I know.

I'm amazed the vet wouldn't even do blood tests TBH. I agree that invasive exploratory surgery sounds the opposite of what this cat needs.

I suspect that the not doing bloods etc is an indication of the vet's view of the situation, Wolfie.

I wouldn't put him to sleep unless you really think he's in pain. My 19 year old cat died at home peacefully, laying on me whilst I stroked her, it was just old age and she had wound down the previous couple of weeks as verified by the vet.

I'm so pleased that she was at home and didn't go through the stress of being taken to the vet again, which she hated and found traumatic, but I would like to stress that it was right in our circumstances and had at any point she had shown distress, I would have had her put to sleep instantly.

The vet did do tests for my cat, but they were inconclusive and did nothing but buy us an extra 2 weeks with her.

I agree cozie.

for you, because I am now realising myself how hard it is to know what to do for the best as much loved pets age.

I have a 15 year old cat, a 12 year old labrador and an 11 year old cocker spaniel. All ageing now, with the odd age related medical problem creeping in. All fairly good at the moment, but I know that pretty soon I will be into the borrowed time scenario, if not already.

If you had asked me back in the summer whether or not I thought my labrador would still be here in December I would have been doubtful because he has a collapsing trachea which obviously causes breathing difficulties and is much worse in warm weather.

He is still here though, happy and much more tolerant to exercise in the cool.

It does bring it home to you though.

Maybe one more trip to your vet might be helpful. I am sure you will make the best decision, but it certainly gets no easier at all as they go through old age.

Thinking of you. Hope I have said something helpful. Sorry you are going through it. It comes to all of us pet owners and we understand.

you've obviously been a caring owner and he looked after him wonderfully for him to reach this age. I think the hardest bit is having to make these kind of decisions but you owe it to him to do what is kindest for him now.

I have a 17 year-old cat snoring next to me so I know exactly how you feel. Mine's OK at the moment but I'm trying to stay realistic and vigilant. Do you like your vet? Maybe talk to them?

Oh Cozie I hadn't thought of that. Just that ours have always been willing to try something. We had an old cat on tramadol for arthritis. Just if cat picked up after antibiotics could there be an infection.

Can't understand why your vet didn't do blood tests. It's not invasive and would be the first step our vets would offer. Lots can be found, and subsequently treated, as a result of blood tests alone. Doesn't necessarily start on the pathway to more invasive tests/ treatment.