Is it time?

[MrsBertBibby]

My old girl was diagnosed with a brain tumour 3 1/2 years ago. She has defied the vet by surviving with steroids since then. Reduced eyesight, clumsier than ever, skinny and very slowly diminishing, but happy, spending her days pootling up and down the garden, drinking dirty water, visiting the poorly man next door, and lazing about in warm patches and sunshine.

Yesterday, she was suddenly different, restless, lowly, walking around the edges and getting "stuck" in corners. Came down this morning to find her lying curled up and awake on the cold tiles. Popped her into her bed where has stayed, passively (she never stays where you put her). She is usually 100% reliable using the tray, but overnight she has pooed at the far end of the kitchen from her tray.

She is quiet, now. Still in her bed, hopefully warming up.

I can't bear the thought of ending her life prematurely, but I don't want to leave it too late.

How do you know?

That was yowly, not lowly.

Sun worshipping a month or so ago.

Take her in and ask the vet, she doesn’t sound a happy cat. They’ll be able to decide if they can treat it or if you have to make that decision.

I knew it was the end when my wonderful cat was curled up on the tiles - she seemed to want to be cold - usually she would find the warmest spot. Also at the same time when she didn’t go outside or use the litter tray but wet on the floor.
Your cat sounds amazing to have lived much longer than the vet thought. But maybe now it’s time .... you know your cat and know their behaviour.
Wishing you lots of strength.

I think the pacing and yowling is because her vision has now completely gone.

I just feel taking her to the vet is taking that decision. There is no other treatment, I know that. It's just when.

Dear old lady. She's been a rubbish cat, she does zero cool cat things, but I love the silly surface.

Furface. Stupid tablet.

Thanks.

Her and her brother when they came from Cats Protection. 11 years ago.

my old boy did the same. he lay on the kitchen tiles yowling the day before we had him pts. he was 16.

your girl is lovely. how old is she?

She's about 15. She was such a fatso before the tumour started up. And now she's so skinny.

Had them when they were around 4.

I think in your heart you already know the answer. If she's staying put and it's so out of character.... You have to do what's right for her now; you've had a few extra years of happiness, both of you, but that time has now ended. I feel for you, I'm crying myself typing this x

Its so difficult @MrsBert. We had our 2 since they were way too young tiny from CPL. Our big ginger lad lost weight got even more grumpy than normal. Vet said maybe thyroid/renal, nothing majorly abnormal on bloods. He just slowly went down hill. When it was time for their vaccs we just decided his time had come. He was 16 1/2. That was last April, his sister now looks like she is going the same way. She was always a little fatty and is now a bag of bones, still eating and drinking and seems happy enough but I don't think it wil be long.
If they start seeming unhappy or different you have to let them go 🐱💔

Thanks all.

Hand hold from over here, I think you'll do your best for her.

So we let her go this evening. Poor old lady. She was so shakey and confused, I'm sure it was the best for her. Had a rainbow driving home. I keep looking for her in her spots.

I'm so sorry MrsBertBibby

We had to let go of our similarly uncool cat who didn't do cat things in January and I was so heartbroken. Me and my DH cried together all night but we kept saying we did right, we did right.

It's a small consolation but you can have lovely dcat cremated on their own and ashes returned. I didn't feel better until I had him home again

Think of the lovely life you have shared and how you took the best decision for her at the end. I'm sure she felt calm having you there and it's a comfort to know you did everything right for her x

You did the right thing, you must be in so much pain but she’s not now and you helped her.

you did the right thing for her. it's so hard isn't it.

My darling boy Grover crossed the rainbow bridge a year ago. He was almost 20 and was perfectly fine, if a little tatty, grumpy and clingy, like a little old man. We came down the Friday morning and he was curled up on the floor and wouldn't move. The vet said they could do tests but it looked like he'd had a stroke. We knew it was time to say goodbye, keeping him alive and poking and prodding him would only have been for our benefit not his. We had him cremated and I didn't sleep properly until his ashes came back. My house was so empty and cold without him and I miss him every single day. 4 months later, Ozzie bounded into our lives and helped fill the gap Grover had left.

Mr Ozzie!

I knew it was time for Fatty, when I kept finding her curled up in corners. She never ever did that. I looked at her and realised the light in her eyes had gone and she'd had enough.

Ah MrsBert, you poor love. We love them so and it's awful when they go, but it is our last act of love for them. They leave their pawprints on our hearts. RIP beautiful girl.

I'm sorry. It was clearly time for her to go. They do leave a big hole behind. I always say this but it is definitely the hardest part of having pets.
With our girl she had various ongoing issues then she suddenly deteriorated so quickly we knew it was time.