Old cat, grey diarrhoea

[littlestrawby]

Hi all

Our cat is getting on a bit, around 18 years old now. She's deteriorated a lot over the last few years, unfortunately has lost control of her toileting and has diarrhoea basically all over the place. To manage this she is sadly restricted to the utility room(with cat flap leading outside) and garage area. This was a last resort and it was only after about a year of trying to clean up poo from around the house (before our toddler found it) that we admitted defeat and kept her in a separate room.

We clean her room twice a day (and her whenever she can bear it). She doesn't clean herself at all and will walk through the pools of diarrhoea which obviously then gets all over her bed and her. She is creaky and frail but still bright and interested in food.

The vet seems to think it's either cancer or liver/kidney issues, both of which will probably kill her soon and given her age they don't propose investigating. She is on steroids to try and help her tummy and this helped control her weight loss. The vet doesn't think she's in any discomfort.

The latest development is that her diarrhoea has gone even more watery and very pale grey. We're not sure what this means and whether she has deteriorated further and this is a clue to that?

We keep wavering around putting her to sleep as we're worried that she has no quality of life at all, other than enjoyment in food. She used to love cuddling up with us but doesn't get that now :( and she never goes outside. but we're also conscious that we're sick of dealing with diarrhoea mess constantly and therefore don't want that to cloud our decision making.

I have no prior experience of cats (my husband had her when we met). Does anyone have any insight into what the grey diarrhoea might mean and/or any suggestions as to how to move forward (or do we just keep going as we are...?)

Thanks!

Ring your vet, her life doesn’t sound much fun. None of us would want to walk in our own poo or never go in the house.

I don’t think I would want my cat, who loves company and sitting on laps, to be in a room on her own. It really doesn’t seem like a very good quality of life tbh. I think it might be kinder to have her PTS. I know it’s a difficult decision, we had to make the decision about our lovable old dog, but I don’t think your cat can be very happy so it would be kinder really.

I think it's time. Poor thing, doesn't sound like she's has much quality of life now.

It sounds really difficult as you're obviously really trying to do your best for her.
I'd give the vet a ring for some guidance. They usually ask you what you feel the animal's quality of life is like.

It does sound miserable for her. Agree to call your vet for advice but I think it's time to say goodbye. Being stuck away from everyone can't be much fun for her either (I realise why you've done it but she won't understand) and it sounds like she is very poorly.
Do spend time with her before you say goodbye especially as you may not be allowed in the vet room with the coronavirus situation.

Thank you all for your thoughts, it's given me some clarity.

I think because it's been such a gradual decline, both in terms of her health and living arrangements (first of all she was restricted to downstairs only, then just in the kitchen, then finally just utility room), it's desensitised us slightly to how unfulfilling her life is now.

It's so hard to make the call because she does still enjoy food and attention when she gets it. We are often in and out of the garage and so interact with her frequently. But ultimately she has a very limited opportunity for any enjoyment in life and it will only get worse :(

I think we will have this final weekend with her and call the vet on Monday to discuss further.

You know her best and if you take some time to think you will know if it's best to let her keep going or not. It sounds as though she is not in pain so not necessarily time to say goodbye.

It's a difficult time OP and I feel for you.