Is it time for euthanasia? :(

[ihavenoidea20]

Hi all.

Bit of background, I have a 17 and a half year old cat she's so lovely, cannot imagine life without her.

Shes been on medication for an over active thyroid for the past 3 or so years. She's never really been fully 'stable' we've constantly had to adjust her dosage etc. When we last took her to the vets around a month and a half ago he did warn us that if he took the emotional side out of it, he would have her put to sleep now. And I always said I would go by vets advice but I couldn't do it at that time, she seemed absolutely fine aside from being underweight.

So since then we've put her dose up again on vets advice however she has really deteriorated. She still eats like a horse and is still urinating etc but yesterday is when I really thought, is this it?
Twice yesterday I had to bathe her because she'd had a poo and it was stuck to her back end, all over her tail. I dried her as much as I could but I could tell she was stressed and she just looked at me with that face like she has really had enough.

I suppose I've answered my own question really but I just want to feel reassured that I'm doing the right thing. She's been there through everything and I'm a bloody mess at the moment. Feels so wrong that we get to decide when they pass

It isn’t wrong though, it’s the kindest thing you can do.

I know how devastating it is and it is such a hard decision but better a day too early than a week too late.

So sorry

Would you like to share a picture of her?

Generally I think that if you have to ask the question, it's time.

It's a hard but necessary decision and part of being a loving cat owner.

You're doing your best for her, she can't do it herself. Be nice to yourself, you've probably got many happy memories of her.

Honestly? I think you know when they're ready
What a privilege to be able to decide when to give them a peaceful ending, and better a day too soon than too late
My horse did similar, he stopped when I was bringing him in from the field and looked at me and i knew it was time

It's so hard

It was toileting distress that was the decider for me with my last elderly cat.

It does sound like it's time.

Thank you all for your replies. I think what I find difficult is although I know its the kindest thing, she does have her good days and that's when I feel guilty for even thinking of letting her go. This picture is from the summer but she looks so different now.

No one can tell you what's right as essentially you know your cat better than anyone.

Personally though i woupd suggest getting another opinion from a different vet just in case. If a fresh pair of eyes comes up with treatment that helps improve her quality of life then great! If not that also says a lot.

Its tough whatever you do but in the end only you can judge if she's still happy being here.

Lots of love to you and your kitty xx

Her last day doesn't need to be her worst day iykwim.

As someone up thread said - if you have to ask, you know it's probably time.

I had a similar situation last year. So hard to make the call

In the end I had a mobile vet to do it at home. It was very peaceful for all of us. Plus car didn't have the stress of the vets before hand. Of course it costs but was worth it. Id recommend them or similar for when the time comes.

It is heart wrenching having to make that decision isn't it. Especially when there has been no sudden 'crisis' event, and they still have happy moments. I remember wishing that my vet could tell me 100% that it was the right time, and that it wasn't me that had to give the 'go ahead'.

I know how it feels 😥

We had to make that decision for our old girl. The vet said it was about dignity. She had none. That made up my mind.

@Wolfiefan

We had to make that decision for our old girl. The vet said it was about dignity. She had none. That made up my mind.

That's our view with our old boy. If he starts soiling himself and not able to get to the litter tray and seems not himself then we know it will be the right time. It is such a hard decision, especially when they have good days, but we left his brother a day too late and I promised I would never do that again.

If she soiling and distressed I would say it's kinder to let her go peacefully.

It’s heartbreaking. But when I think back to her youth and how she would try and catch butterflies? Eating and drinking doesn’t mean quality of life.