My beautiful Cat is dying

[Harebellmeadow]

My beautiful cat who is 12 has been “getting older” over the past year. This summer she started behaving really oddly, going round in circles for a long time and no longer coming upstairs, no longer cleaning her fur, stepping into her water bowls. Walking around our feet so we trip up.

Several visits to the vet and she was diagnosed with just old age - spinal pain. Given painkillers and vitamin shots. But this last week she has disintegrated severely, lies splayed across the floor. Since yesterday she is no longer eating, just licking some wet food when I bring it to her mouth. Her pupils are permanently dilated. I think she is going to die. I am sure that since yesterday she is in pain. I give her the painkiller drops into her mouth now sinxe she wont eat her food anymore.
I wont let her out today but i am glad she could lounge in the sunshine yesterday. She just shuffles this early morning, isnt walking properly.
I cant believe this disibtegration is from old age alone and i think she is demented - she jumped on front of the lawnmower 2 days ago and 4 days ago the neighbour rescued her from the edge of the road, saying she looked very confused and lost.

I feel very guilty. I should have taken better care of her. I always thought she would live much longer, she was always slim and super fit and very intelligent, emotionally and socially, she could jump up and press handles to open doors.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Is there anything that can be done? I would only allow her to be put to sleep if there was no other hope.

Harebell amazing prognosis and paws, crossed for ultimate cure! However, weekly injections may not be sustainable? I really do hope the prescribed way forward suits both you and beloved cat. Xx

Just wanted to give you kind MNers a quick update on my cat (here on the left) - she is much better at the moment but we are still in the middle of the therapy of weekly cortisone and anabolic steroid and vitamin B injections, and painkillers. I discovered she was spitting the painkiller liquid out so i use a pipette-syringe thing that the vet gave me. And it works. Just not sure my insirance covers it :(
She walks well and can manage stairs, up and down again. still peeing on every available footmat though And thankfully not in pain (currently). However im not sure how long she will last, as although she seems well again she is just old and the aging process cant be reversed. But we will look after her.
Thankyou for your kind words when i was distraught and needed a fellow catlover ❤️

This is the painkiller liquid she gets in case anyone is interested.

Another update: my cat passed away peacefully on Thursday morning. She had become so well from the medicine, was always hopping about, going up and down the stairs, walking normally. On Thursday morning she came up to the bedroom, we went down, they both got an extra big breakfast of wet catfood, had a drink, walked about . . . When i checked her mid morning she was dead, on her IKEA chaise longue, keeled over. I like to think it was quick and that she was in her favourite spot, looking out into the garden.
I am glad she wasnt in a pitiful state, but warm and well fed. I was hoping she would make it through, but aware she may not have.
I am grateful for her peaceful end on All Hallows’ Day. We will bury her today. Very strange that she is lying there now stone cold but i keep expecting her to get up when i call her or get food out. I suppose that is what death is.
Love to all kitties out there, may they live and die softly.

Ah love.
Sounds like she drifted off after a good feed in her favourite spot.

Sending hugs OP x

So sad, but it's part of being a pet owner.

She had a beautiful life, so loved & happy which is clear by your posts.

Sending 💗💗💗 xXx

OP I'm a kitty owner & when she passes I plan to keep a bit of her fur ( taped to a bit of card ) just suggesting as it's a nice way to have a bit of something to touch & remember them by 💕

This had me in tears. I have an 11 and 12 year old cat that seem so sprightly still. Sending lots of love. It sounds like she had a beautifully peaceful passing in her favourite spot at home with her family around her. 💕

Sounds like she had a wonderful life with you.

Thankyou everyone. It was helpful to be able to write about it when it was so dark and cold - i slept 2 hours last night. Eager to lay her to rest once DD, 7, comes home from school. It is sunny today. We have often held squirrel and bird funerals but this is a loved one, soit is different. I know it is for the best but it is still sad, if only i had fed her better, played with her more etc etc
Like.the idea with the fur. I have a collection of stray whiskers that fell out over the years

If anyone needs a donation of an unopened bottle of metacam 30ml, please tell me. Otherwise i can ask the vet here either for a refund or to donate it to someone who doesnt have much money.