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Original poster

Cat dying?

42 replies

Skala123 · 26/08/2017 09:40

Sorry for the morbid thread title. My rag doll cat is 18 years old and has recently been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, as is very common in cats of his age so the vet tells me. He's lost a third of his already tiny body weight so we know he hasn't got long. He is not in any discomfort but is very frail. Today when I went down to the kitchen he didn't get up to greet me as normal, just lay in his bed. He's not eaten anything overnight. He came up to the bedroom and got on the bed and has stayed their for the last couple of hours. He does sleep a lot anyway but he just seems different. When I stroke him he doesn't respond, just barely opens his eyes. Does this sound like the end might be near? Not sure whether I should take him to the vet (he's a house cat so this will distress him) or just to leave him be where he is content and quiet (kids aren't here) and if it's his time then let nature take it's course?

OP posts:
Want2beme · 26/08/2017 09:57

Sorry to hear he's going through this. It's such a stressful time for you. I'd be inclined to take him to the vet. It might be that he's ready to go. Or give them a call to discuss what's the best thing to do at this stage. It is a very difficult decision to make. I had to do this over a month ago with my 20 year old cat. I took him to the vet regularly towards the end of his life, just to have him checked and my vet told me I'd know when it was time to say goodbye, and I she was right.

thecatneuterer · 26/08/2017 10:01

Don't let him go naturally. It can be very long and drawn out and harrowing for you both. Take him to the vet today. I'm very sorry.

spacefrog35 · 26/08/2017 10:01

Had my girl put to sleep last week. It's such a hard decision to make but it was so quick and it really was the right thing to do. I was concerned that if I allowed things to take their own course I might end up with her suddenly deteriorating and being distressed. That was my choice though, you know in your heart of hearts what's right for you.

Take care Flowers

Orangebird69 · 26/08/2017 10:02

Don't let it drag out. Please go to the vet. I'm so sorry Flowers

saveusername · 26/08/2017 10:22

I think it does sound like he needs to be given comfort in his last moments. One thing I bitterly regret when my cat died was listening to my vet who tired to convince me my cats illness could be reversed and not putting my cat to sleep as soon as he became in pain and unwell, I still get haunted by that.

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/08/2017 10:23

Can the vet come to you?

Original poster
Skala123 · 26/08/2017 10:40

Thanks all. Just popped out and I've come back and he's still in the same spot. My worry is that my DD is away until Monday night and then DH and I go away without the kids until the following Monday. I don't know whether I should get the kids to say goodbye or not? They are only 7 and 4. DH thinks I'm over reacting and says he always sleeps this much. Maybe I will phone the vet and get their advice

OP posts:
Veterinari · 26/08/2017 10:53

If it's time then he needs to be put to sleep.
Sorry to be brutal but dying of Kidney failure is hugely unpleasant - nausea, dehydration and multiple organ failure. It's usually the dehydration that kills and that is neither peaceful nor pleasant for the cat even though it seems quiet.
Flowers

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/08/2017 11:04

I would see if the vet can come to you. I wouldn't wait for the kids, he can't be left. I'm so sorry you're going through this Flowers

HotelEuphoria · 26/08/2017 11:11

I'm sorry op, I have had a few cats that lived to an excellent old age, two in their twenties but this sounds like it's the time. I am so sorry, ring the vet they will probably have emergency appointments today and tomorrow but I don't think you can prolong this. I also think from my own experience it isn't necessarily easier for younger children to say goodbye to a living family member. Bring him home and bury him in the garden and plant a lovely plant in his grave.

I am so sorry for you all.

Figment1234 · 26/08/2017 11:20

A lot of vets will do a service where they come to your house, especially in these circumstances - that may be worth trying if you do not want to cause distress to your cat by taking him in the car.

So very sorry. I have been in that position and it's awful, but it was so peaceful and taking them to the vet was the right thing to do.

isadorable · 26/08/2017 11:29

I've just been where you are. i decided to go ahead even though my dd (6) is away with her father. I think you need to put the cat first. Your children will understand that one day. I'm so sorry, it is so sad but his long life is testament to your love and care.

Original poster
Skala123 · 26/08/2017 13:28

I've brought him downstairs and tried to give him some food but he won't eat. He's had a drink though. Finding the decision so hard as DH doesn't agree with me. Don't feel I can do this without his agreement

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/08/2017 13:43

You really have to think about your poor cat, it's all about him, not you, DH or your children.

Have you actually phoned the vet for advice? You really can't leave him to suffer.

ladyballs · 26/08/2017 13:44

I agree you need to get the vet out. Better a day too soon than a day too late.

notsobeachready · 26/08/2017 14:07

Personally, I would get the vet to do a home visit with view to euthanising him. It's awful and so bloody difficult but as you've said, you will be gone for a week, what's to say in a that time he might get worse? Let him go in peace FlowersFlowers

Mittens1969 · 26/08/2017 14:08

That's so hard, I'm really sorry. It is time to make an appointment to have your beloved cat put to sleep. We have to make these tough decisions for our pets, and this can't be prolonged.

Where the DCs are concerned you need to be totally honest and tell them what's happening, but it won't help them to say goodbye.

I played it very wrong where my 13 year old cat was concerned. I had to have her put to sleep and I hid it completely from our two and a half year old DD, but then she kept asking where the cat was, and was very upset. We'd just managed to withdraw her dummy at night and we ended up giving it back to her for a few more months as I just couldn't cope with her crying at night as I was really upset myself of course. What I learned was that as long as you play it straight with little children they know they can trust you.

Once again, I'm so sorry.

MsMims · 26/08/2017 14:43

I'm sorry. He sounds very unwell. Please do have the vet see him preferably at home, it sounds like he could be suffering. He needs you now more than ever, please don't want for DH to agree while your cat is clearly very unwell. Flowers

Weedsnseeds1 · 26/08/2017 23:08

You might be able to get a vet to come to you, but it honestly sounds as if euthanasia could be the right decision. At the very least a vet should be able to advise if a change in meds could work or if it really is the end.
You can't let your pet suffer to soothe your kids' feelings.

Original poster
Skala123 · 27/08/2017 07:55

I genuinely don't think he's suffering. He ate and drank yesterday afternoon and when we popped out early evening he came to greet us when we got back so seemed much more himself. I'm going to take it one day at a time and if he doesn't get worse will take him the vet when they open on Tuesday morning and have a discussion with them.

OP posts:
jmscp2015 · 27/08/2017 08:00

I know it's not what you want to hear, but he will be suffering. Sad chronic renal failure makes them feel awful, it's like having a permanent raging hangover. Poor you, and him, it really is awful Flowers

Yogagirl123 · 27/08/2017 08:11

Hand hold OP, I know exactly how you are feeling, we had our 18 year old lovely boy PTS in May this year. Very similar circumstances, he spent more and more time in his bed, eventually he stopped eating, and I suspect he had suffered somekind of brain event, as he was very confused and walking in constant circles. You will know when the time is right, hardest part of pet ownership, and when it happens over a bank hols even more difficult, we were this situation when we lost our dog, many years ago. So sorry for you all. But you need to do the right thing for your loyal friend, never an easy decision. Flowers

Orangebird69 · 27/08/2017 08:26

Cats can hide pain really really well. I know how you feel op, a lot of us have been there (personally, several times over the past 4 years), but you're only prolonging the inevitable. Better a day too early than a day too late.

Original poster
Skala123 · 27/08/2017 08:42

Jmscp he was diagnosed about a month ago and the vet said there was no reason to put him to sleep. He said we would know when he was suffering as he would stop eating and drinking, which he's not done yet. If the vet had told us to put him to sleep I absolutely would have done but we discussed it and he said there was no need at this stage. He is much more his normal self today but as I said I will take him to the vet on Tuesday before we go away and see what they say

OP posts:
Veterinari · 27/08/2017 09:11

So has he stopped eating or not - you said in a pp that he had?

Glad he seems to be doing better

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