Old cat with thyroid & kidney issues

[RaspberryBeret1999]

My 18 year old cat was diagnosed with kidney failure two years ago. I tried her with renal food which she stopped eating after a while. At her check up, she had lost weight but kidneys were no worse so vet said so long as she ate that was the main thing, so I gave up on the renal diet.

Six months ago she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, so is on medication for that.

I took her to vet two weeks ago as she was drinking a lot, moving uncomfortably and having a few toilet accidents. So, unsurprisingly kidneys are worse, stage 2. Vet has suggested to go back onto kidney food with pronefra mixed through. Vet also gave me 5 day course of pain relief for arthritis. She seemed to eat the kidney food ok, but is now turning her nose up at it.

I’m at a loss now and wondering if it’s fair to keep going like this. I feel cruel squirting two doses of medicine into her mouth, twice a day, and trying to feed her a diet she dislikes at 18 years of age.

I did ask the vet when we should start considering her quality of life, and she said that at the moment its at stage 2, and there are 4 stages of kidney failure, which I’m aware of, but should I wait until she’s at stage 4, it seems cruel. 😢

Should I keep persevering?

18 is a very good age for a cat. One of mine lasted until that age, she'd been on thyroid and liver treatment for 2 years, then got acute heart failure and had to be pts.

Many vets will tell you to keep having treatments for an animal, even when the outcome is not going to improve. They're running a business, so they want customers to keep going - however, if your cat is having toilet problems and is moving about uncomfortably, I'd say the time is near for her.

Only you know your cat and know whether she's in discomfort. It would be unkind to keep an animal going if they are in pain or are unhappy.
Best of luck x

My cat had the same issues, but she had 2 good years from diagnosis.
When she was obviously miserable I took her in. Cats are very good at hiding symptoms and are very stoic. You know your cat far better than the vet.
I was upset when she was euthanised, but in a strange way it helped me to be with her at the end.My one thought was 'I never have to worry about her again'
Trust your gut, good luck. Hope you're ok💐

@TheCreamCaker
Thank you for your reply. A couple of people have mentioned that the vet is running a business, but I hate to think they’re putting money before an animals welfare.
It is costing a lot, a check up every few months, bloods & medicine. This last visit has cost me about £250. If I could see an improvement in her, I’d happily keep paying, but at the moment, her life is sleeping in my daughters cupboard, moves to use the litter tray, often missing it, and now not eating much probably because she dislikes the renal food.

@Clarich007 Thank you.

I’d much rather make the decision sooner rather than later. I made this mistake with one of my previous cats. She was diagnosed with cancer and we were due to go on holiday, the vet thought she had a few months left, but sadly our cat sitter found her having passed away in the garden while we were away.

I so wished I had her pts before we went on holiday so I could have been there with her.

It's heartbreaking, but what you are going through is worse I think. It's a constant worry and stressful for you both. My lovely vet said to me... Better a day too early than a week too late.
Re the renal food, my cat did the same woukdn't eat it, so the vet said to get something, anything down her. She lived on chicken and white fish for a while.
I hope you are ok

Re. Squirting the medicine, will she drink cat (lactose free) milk? I put it in that and the cat guzzles it down.

Re the cost, our vet was getting very cheeky, demanding blood tests every 2-4 weeks for £250/time. After a while I put my foot down and said I refuse to pay for tests more than once every six months, I would still like to buy the meds, and you as a vet have to make the decision whether you’re going to sell me the meds or let the cat die. They sulkily sell me the meds without the blood tests now, though I had to sign a disclaimer.

Anyway. As to when to euthanise, I leave that to you. 18 is a fantastic age to reach but if she is happy and you can afford the meds there’s no reason to rush into it.

Hey OP

Assuming 18 is too old to have the thyroid issue treated surgically? Our cat had both sides out last year as she was getting so stressed out having daily medication for hyperthyroidism (stress licked all the fur off her belly!) Albeit she’s 10/11ish and so a fair bit younger.

She also has kidney problems as a result of the prior thyroid issues. Have you tried other brands/types? She’s always been a fussy eater and will turn her nose up at the wet food much but happily eats the renal dry kibble type biscuits (think we use Hills but there are a couple of different brands that do it). Not entirely sure how as she doesn’t have many teeth left but she manages to chow it down somehow. It’s been a bit of a trial and error process to find something she will eat consistently and we’ve look outside of the offering out vets have (you can get it cheaper online as well)

Hope this helps

Time that you put her to rest.
She isn't happy or healthy anymore.

It is very quick and you can hold her while it happens.

Thank you for the replies.

Radioactive therapy was suggested for the thyroid, but really didn’t want to put her through that at her old age and with also having kidney failure. If she had been younger, definitely would have considered that or surgery.

I have tried different foods and the vet also gave me a selection to try. Some she seemed to like, but as before, she then rejects it. I do have dry renal food, so have offered her that with a bit of the pronefra on it, worth a try I guess!

I’ll keep trying to get her to eat over the next few days and if still no luck, will call the vet to discuss options.