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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.

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Original poster

Gincat is on her last paws

59 replies

GinIsMySaviour · 02/04/2017 20:09

My old friend is passing away. She's 19 and I have had her since she was 5 (rescue cat). She's not been herself for a few days and I took her to the vet yesterday expecting to be told to have her PTS.

The vet said to try her with painkillers and anti-inflammatories to see if that would help her. She had a good day yesterday but today she has been lethargic, barely able to move and slowly fading away.

I called the vet who said she's not in pain because of the meds and she doesn't seem to be in distress so it wouldn't be cruel to let her pass away naturally. My old lady hates strangers so I thought the stress of a vet trip wouldn't be the ending she'd want.

So she's curled up in a blanket next to me while I sob onto my ipad keyboard.

DH isn't a cat person so I just needed to reach out to some people who get it. It's exactly the sort of passing she would have chosen (on her terms, no fuss, no vets, somewhere she knows and after a day of having the sun on her fur in the garden) but I'm still a mess.

Anyway, thanks for reading

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 02/04/2017 20:12

Oh I'm so sorry. We lost our old girl at 19. She was fine and then she wasn't. We had to have her pts. I sobbed.
It's horrid but could your vet come out if you have to make the hardest decision.

She's been lucky to have you.

ohfourfoxache · 02/04/2017 20:12

Oh Gin

I'm so sorry, no words of wisdom but I'm offering a hand to hold xx

TheCatsWhiskers · 02/04/2017 20:17

I'm so sorry Gin. You sound like a lovely owner and you have both been very loved coy to find each other

ColdAsIceCubes · 02/04/2017 20:17

much love for you and Gincat, she's at home all snuggled up and will pass surrounded with your love.

TheCatsWhiskers · 02/04/2017 20:17

lucky, not loved coy

KonKatenate · 02/04/2017 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/04/2017 20:23

I'm so sorry it must be awful to go through this.

BigcatLittlecat · 02/04/2017 20:25

Ah bless her! She's happy and loved! She knows you are near! Look after yourself.

scaryteacher · 02/04/2017 20:27

Sorry to hear this. Just be there with her, comfort for you both.

TranquilityofSolitude · 02/04/2017 20:27

Sorry, Gin. It sounds as if she was lucky to find you and you were lucky to find her. I'm sure you're doing all the right things and she'll just be glad to have you with her now.

Original poster

GinIsMySaviour · 02/04/2017 20:38

Ah thank you everyone. I know there's nothing more anyone can do for her and it is comforting to know she is peaceful and knows she is loved.

Thank the lord for the painkillers so at least I know she's not suffering.

It's daft isn't how such small little creatures take up such a big place in our lives.

At least I am glad I can be with her in the end and know that it will be peaceful.

I don't know how much longer she'll last. She has always done things at her own pace so I'm sure she'll choose her moment well.

Thanks everyone for holding my hand (and her paw), means a lot

OP posts:

Weedsnseeds1 · 02/04/2017 20:41

Poor old girl, but at that age, when they start to go, they go very quickly don't they? As if they've made up their mind. Sorry to hear that, not been a good week for litter tray cats.

Original poster

GinIsMySaviour · 02/04/2017 20:43

Yes, she has gone downhill so quickly, I am glad she got to see the spring sunshine

OP posts:

PosiePootlePerkins · 02/04/2017 20:50

Sorry to hear your sad news Lucky cat to spend her last moments cuddled up to the person who has given her so much love for so many years. My own cat's passing aged 18 was sadly not peaceful. I hope your old girl slips away quietly. Thinking of you.

Littlemissindependent · 02/04/2017 20:51

. I had to have my lovely 19 year old pts on Friday morning. Similarly she was ok Thursday night and then not by Friday. It's horrific. You can only tell yourself you're doing the best thing for them and that they've had a long and loving life. I know there are no words than can make it any better though.

Wolfiefan · 02/04/2017 20:53

My last memory of old boy before he died was of him sitting in the spring sunshine.
If she isn't eating or drinking then I would consult a vet again.

GRW · 02/04/2017 20:56

I'm so sorry to read this, and I hope your lovely old girl will pass away peacefully at home with you. I was in a very similar situation a couple of weeks ago. My tortoiseshell girl was almost 20 and I had her from 5 too from the RSPCA. She was on medication for hyperthyroidism for 3 years, and for kidney failure at the end too. I did have her put to sleep at the vets, as she went downhill suddenly with vomiting and looked really miserable. Your cat has had a lovely life with you I am sure and you will miss her, but I hope you can take comfort from knowing you did the right thing for her. I have two other younger cats which does help.

MsMims · 02/04/2017 21:15

I'm really sorry. Losing them is heartbreaking. I would definitely have the vet out if she isn't going to make it - she may not pass peacefully naturally which would be distressing for you both. Having a home visit avoids the stress of the vets too.

QueenOfThorns · 02/04/2017 21:25

So sad to hear this

My old girl, who is 20 next month, is currently snoozing on my knee. She's been gradually getting stiffer and slower and now doesn't seem to go out at all, so it must only be a matter of time now. It's actually good to hear that there's a chance that she could have a pain-free passing at home, as I really struggle with the idea of having to make the choice to have her pts.

We've been together since she was 8 weeks old and she's outlived 3 other cats in that time, including her best frenemy a couple of weeks ago

Original poster

GinIsMySaviour · 02/04/2017 22:01

Ah thank you for your stories of other cats, they are making me smile.

Re the vets, I have been on the phone to them a few times this afternoon. They are happy she is not suffering (they gave her meds yesterday that should work for 48hrs and I have a top up pain killer pipette thing if needed) . She is basically unconscious now - not responding to anything, just breathing (getting slower).

If anything changes and she looks like she is any way distressed, I will of course call them over to have her pts.

She really does just seem very peaceful. I am going to have her on the bed tonight so she's not alone.

Thanks again everyone

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 02/04/2017 22:04

Peaceful is good. Sounds like dragging her to the vet is the worst idea. I'm glad you are with her.
I was with old girl when she was pts. Spoke to her and kissed her head once she was gone. Weirdly comforting.

Threetoedsloth · 02/04/2017 23:31

May your precious Gincat have a peaceful passing, surrounded by love. I feel so very sad for you, losing them is unutterably heartbreaking. Take care.

GreenPolishToGo · 03/04/2017 00:13

I am so sorry. It is always so hard to lose them. But she is with the person she loves, in the home she loves, and she isn't in pain. That has to be the best way to go.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/04/2017 00:32

you are giving your old friend the best end possible.

viques · 03/04/2017 00:50

So sorry to hear this, it is really hard isn't it. I am so glad she had a chance to enjoy some sunshine, we have had a few lovely days recently and I wish our old girl had lived to get some sun on her bones one last time, there is nothing so delightful as a cat stretched out in sunshine without a care in the world. I imagine that cat heaven has daily sun bathing ..........

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