Euthanasia time?

[Hullabaloo9]

I've got such a difficult decision to make and would really appreciate any thoughts or opinions.

My very old and much beloved (and secret all time favourite) best boy is failing in health. He is a big strong boy and has always been very playful despite his senior years. The last 6 months or so he has slimmed down a bit and began to look like an old cat. Still active, happy and eating well. This last week he has begun to bloat around his middle. I suspect fluid build up due to organ failure of some sort. He is still eating, drinking and behaving as usual, perhaps a bit less active but only slightly.

Any other cat I would whip off to the vets for a check up but this old boy has always been utterly terrified of strangers. I have to hunt him down and coax him out of all sorts of hiding places if we have had visitors or workmen in. For him, being boxed, transported and examined would be desperately traumatic. At his age I would not consent to any form of invasive treatment anyway.

Obviously I dont want my poor boy to suffer and need to make the call when it's time to bite the bullet and have him put to sleep. This is the hard part. As it stands he is not showing any usual cat signs of distress. He is eating, sunbathing on the windowsill, toileting as normal and lapping up fuss... but his middle is swelling up and I cant bear to think of him in any pain.

What indications should I look for that it is time? I do believe it's better a week too early than a day too late but I still dont know if it's time yet?

Any opinions or advice would be very gratefully received.

You poor thing. It's horrible seeing our little babies suffering.

In my case, I'd often wondered how I'd know it was the right time. In the end, she decided for me.

She had been showing signs of ill health but was ok in herself then she suddenly went downhill rapidly. We were talking about getting tests done but ultimately when she stopped eating and didn't even want a fuss or company any more I knew it was time. She went from cuddling up next to me in bed every night to not even wanting to be touched in the space of about a week.

It absolutely broke my heart at the time (5 months ago and I'm still tearing up writing this) but I know she was telling me it was time so I have no regrets.

In summary, look for changes in his behaviour or personality.

It's difficult with cats as they hide their pain well but do show it in other ways.

I'm sure you'll know when the time is right. Hugs.

Thankyou so much. It's so hard isn't it. I will carry on watching him like a hawk. I am just terrified of being unintentionally neglectful in some way. I never thought I would hope for him to just snuggle up and drift away in his sleep but I do

I went through exactly the same scenario with my darling Bear last week. He was 14yo and I knew if I took him into the vets there was a 50/50 chance he wouldn't come back out. I was scared of that and put it off for a few days. He'd always been a big boy but like yours had lost a lot of weight in the last year, albeit his appetite was still good.

The vet said he was probably suffering from hyperthyroidism (apparently common in older cats) and was in heart failure. He had fluid in his lungs.

I had to either consent to having him PTS or watch him suffer until he passed, a sensible no brainer, but it broke me.

Someone on here said the greatest show of love you can show for your boy is this final, unselfish act. I really felt that. I loved him deeply upto and beyond his passing and I do feel, even now, that giving that consent even though every fibre of my being was screaming to steal him away and run back home, was my final-absolute-show of love for my little bear.

He didn't have any more days left with me, but he didn't have any more days feeling ill, either.

I'm sending my love. Be strong.

Is there any chance the vet can come to you? Some vets do home visits.

Thank you all for replying. I'm sorry for your losses, its heartbreaking. My boy is still himself today and I'm spoiling him with bits of chicken. Unfortunately my vet wont come out at the current time so I will have to take him when the time comes. Here's a picture... or 2.

Tinysongstress, Bear looks adorable xxx

He's absolutely gorgeous @Hullabaloo9 💝

It's the hardest but at least you're watching him closely. He's very lucky xx

How is your boy doing @Hullabaloo9 ?

I’ve found this thread in Google, I didn’t think I’d find such a recent thread in here with a similar problem.

I’m taking my boy to the vet later this evening for a consultation, he’s diabetic which has been terrible to try and control, and now has become extremely swollen around his middle this last week. I suspect organ failure. I’ve been ignoring it for the past few days but even DS noticed it today and said he looks like he’s swallowed a bowling ball - and just today he’s lost all interest in going outside or wanting our company, so I can’t put off a vet visit any longer.

I’m hoping it’s something easily fixable but I know it’s probably not, I’m fearing the worst .

Hello @KitchenFairy. I'm so sorry that you are also going through this.

My Timmy is still here with me. His belly gets more bloated every day and is very tight and hard. It does look like hes swallowed a ball. Despite this he is still eating, drinking, toileting outside and enjoying fuss and the spring sunshine. I think once those things start to go I will definitely say goodbye

Yesterday morning I thought it was time. He looked kind of dull and didnt get up for breakfast. I called the vet and made an appointment for him, cried lots. When I went back to him he got up, ate his bowl of food and strolled out the front door like nothing was up. I cancelled the appointment. It's such a tough judgement call to make.

Please keep me updated on your poor kitty. Sounds like they have the same thing.

I'm sorry your boy is ill @Hullabaloo9 but why don't you take him to the vet to see if he can be actively treated - it could possibly be something easily treated?

Hi Purpleraindancer. I have agonized over this. If it was my other cat it would be a no brainer. Timmy is particularly terrified of strangers. He is big and strong and boxing him is traumatic as he really has to be forced. The first course of action in diagnosis would surely be to take bloods which again would be particularly terrifying for him. He is very old (nearly 20) and at that age I feel it would be unfair to commit him to any invasive treatment anyway. I just feel that it wouldnt provide him any improved quality of life at this age.

I made the decision that if he has to endure the trauma of a vet visit, it will be only once. To be honest, I'm confident that the only thing offered to me would be tests then PTS anyway.

I made the same decision with one of mine a couple of years ago, I have several ex ferals who are terrified of strangers and vets visits are very traumatic for them. Mine had the same symptoms of bloating and I explained to the vet that I didn't want any invasive treatments or tests. She said it was more than likely his heart or something life limiting, and while she could do tests to find out what it was, the outcome would probably be the same. I let him go then and have no regrets that it was the wrong thing.

It’s so very hard, but it absolutely sounds like you are acting with his best interests at heart. We had to make the decision last year about our beautiful boy and our vet also wouldn’t come to the house. Luckily we have this woman locally and she was amazing www.peacefulpetgoodbyes.uk/ Wanted to post just incase you are in Sussex or if they have something similar to you locally.
Wishing you all the best. Deciding when it was time for Herbie to go was one of the hardest things I have done, but like others posters said I hung onto the fact that it was a final act of love for him. Much love to you and Timmy x

Our vet visit last night resulted in £220 of blood tests. The vet could hear a heart murmur, there is definitely fluid build up in the abdomen and the blood tests will show whether it’s a heart issue or related to his diabetes or something else. Further options - all depending on results - include an ultrasound, a procedure to drain the fluid, medication, surgery...

He’s had an awful time with the diabetes, regular blood testing at home, injections twice a day, we have to fight him into his crate to take him to the vets, quite often he soils the crate on the journey, last night he got his paw stuck in the bars of the door and the vet had to snip the bar to get his paw out.

I can totally understand the decision that invasive treatment will be a “no”. We’ve decided that if they can give us some medication that we can go and pick up, fine, we will give that a try. Anything else, we will have to have a think about whether the outcome will be worth it.

With my darling girl who was 21 all of a sudden she couldn't get off the sofa to eat or toilet and then I made the heartbreaking decision. This was 5 years ago and still breaks me now. There was a good pet cremation near us that eased the pain.

Although I am sure she guided an abandon cat to have kittens behind our shed 2 years ago and brought cat joy back to our lives again!?

Aw what a beautiful ginger boy he is. One the double of him has just turned up in my garden with bite injuries, sadly I can't keep it, but I do love a ginger.

@KitchenFairy I hope that you get to bring some medication home to try. Do please let me know the results you get from the blood tests.

We are slowing down here today. Eating less, but still eating some. For the first time in ages he didnt wake me up at 4am for food. I was convinced he had passed until he greeted me with a loud miaow when I went downstairs.

Thanks all for your support on here, it really helps me to feel more confident that I can get the timing right x

Here's a picture of my boy today. You can see the swelling. Despite looking very lethargic in this picture he is up and about and still himself. I'm now scared this will go on for too long. Do you think he must be in pain with this level of bloating? He seems so comfortable.

Ah he looks exactly the same as my boy, he was lying on the sofa on his side last night and we couldn’t believe the size of the swelling.

I’m definitely noticing some discomfort in that he’s not wolfing his food down as usual, and instead is picking at it throughout the day and not eating as much as usual. That’s the main indicator for me that things aren’t right. It’s hard to tell if he’s in pain though.

We had blood test results back yesterday showing good control of his diabetes, but the other things they were testing for were inconclusive so we had to take him back to the vet yesterday evening for another blood test. We were hoping the results would be back today but no phone call so it will be Monday now. The vet offered to give us some water tablets to help reduce the fluid in his abdomen but I told her there was no way we’d get him to take them - usually we’d put tablets in his food and he’d eat it no problem but there’s no chance of that at the moment and I don’t fancy the trauma (for both of us) of wresting a tablet down his neck.

It’s horrible isn’t it, if only they could talk and tell us how they’re feeling.

Oh I'm so sorry that you are going though the same. I think we both know that our beautiful cats are on their last days. Its heartbreaking. Exactly the same here with the grazing on food rather than wolfing it down. Timmy still loves to be fussed and doesn't mind his belly being rubbed. Even his swollen sides he presents for tickles so that leads me to think it's not actually painful but who knows. I also wish I could ask him. Please do update with any results.

Am really sorry you are worried. I would definitely be taking him to the vets. I understand it’s difficult for him, but this is an undeniably physical difference that is not normal.

Cats are VERY good at masking their pain/discomfort. They will generally continue to eat/drink as it’s a survival mechanism. If they’re purring, it doesn’t always mean they are content, purring can be used as a comfort against pain.

I completely understand your reluctance due to the stress your cat will feel by a vet visit, no one wants to put their beloved feline through that. But in this case, it is a risk I would be willing to take as the advocate for the cat. The swelling does not look good, but there are at least two outcomes which are both in the cat’s interest - 1) there is a problem which is treatable, which then ensures that problem is resolved and cat continues on feeling much much better Or b) there is a problem which is not treatable and therefore PTS is the kindest option to ensure no more suffering.

You obviously know your cats temperament hence your worry about causing undue stress by a vet visit - which shows how much you care about him. Am sure your vets know what he’s like too, so would be understanding of your reluctance to cause stress to him. Could you email some photos to them, as am sure they would be able to give a better idea of whether he needs to be seen sooner rather than later?

If you think it might soon be his time, you have a difficult choice. Stress him out for a short space in time to enable him to pass in a more controlled way, or let nature take its course where he might be suffering but not show it.

Wishing you both the best, it’s really not easy.

We lost one of our cats to lymphoma in January. On December 23rd she had a tumour 8x4cm, and within a couple of weeks more were appearing. I think she had 3. We put her on steroids rather than invasive procedures and she had a fantastic quality of life until the last day. She just went Downhill very quickly and died within hours.

Please don't delay seeking advice and possible pain. Medication etc. Cats are excellent at masking pain. Ours was her crazy maniac self right up until her last day. There's no good reason not to seek vets advice, your cat deserves it. Stressed or not. Please 🙏

Ok I do appreciate these comments so thankyou. I am absolutely not against putting him to sleep, I know that I have to do this for him. You are right though, I cant wait any longer. It is time. I never expected to get to this weekend without having taken him to be honest. Your comments are the push I needed I think x

@Hullabaloo9 - it’s such a heartbreaking decision, but it’s the largest act of love and kindness we can offer to our much loved cats. Plus, you never know, it may be something that is treatable - the sooner the vet sees him the better with regards to possible medical help.

I'm so glad because your post really stressed me out. It may not be time for sleeps but you might be near. If there's something you could be doing to make him more comfortable then great. But honestly, you're better to just know for sure. Ill Never forget the vet telling us to spoil her rotten. We appreciated those last days.

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