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The litter tray

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How do you know when it’s time?

4 replies

beanhunter · 16/05/2018 07:49

Our eldest cat has been with us nearly 4 years. She’s at least 16 years old. For the last 6 months she has become increasingly skinny, there is no absolutely no fat on her at all. She eats occasionally but drinks and pees gallons. We discussed with the vet before and she was checked for diabetes and that was ok so most likely kidney failure for which there isn’t a specific treatment.
The last 2 weeks she’s been getting increasingly distressed from around 3am yowling and hard to settle (she sleeps in our room) and this winds up one of the other two (who she is attached to but doesn’t sleep input room and never has as she scratches everything).
I can’t tell if this getting distressed is a sign we are nearing the end. She has access to water and a litter tray overnight so it isn’t that. Shesaso wanting to soend much more time with us which is a big change. I’m also worried as in a week we are going away and a cat sitter will be popping in twice a day to feed them
And not sure how she will cope.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 16/05/2018 17:55

It's such a hard decision isn't it. I would generally be guided by a vet but, in this sort of case, I would make the decision on whether or not she seems to have any quality of life. If she is eating well, and seems to enjoy at least something - like sitting in the sun, or being stroked, then I would wait a bit longer. Any hint of not wanting to eat and that would be it.

beanhunter · 16/05/2018 22:28

I wouldn’t say eating well but is eating sometimes. She enjoys attention and will actively seek out strokes and lay on us most evenings. It’s just the overnight distress I don’t understand as she isn’t like that at all any other time.

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 17/05/2018 14:30

Howling can be a sign of kidney disease, but I'm not sure if it means they're distressed or just something they do. My boy had it, he lived every day to the full but one day I just felt like he was going through the motions.

It might be worth speaking to the vet over the phone (rather than putting your baby through an unnecessary visit). Explain that since last being seen your concerned about this change in behaviour and gauge what reaction you get.

As regards going away, is your cat sitter the sort that will look for them and give them attention for a few minutes? Also, in the event of an emergency is he/she able to get to the vet? How far away will you be staying from home?

Want2beme · 18/05/2018 15:20

Did the vets check for hyperthyroidism? I'd imagine they did, but just in case they didn't, the yowling and weight loss are symptoms of that as well - I've had 2 cats with it, so far. Hope you get to the bottom of it. Be guided by your vet, but you will know when it's time. I didn't believe it when I was told this, but it's true, because they just have no quality of life left and it's awful seeing them like that.

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