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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

19 year old boy

7 replies

Bunnyfuller · 21/12/2021 18:15

He has really gone downhill in the last year. We suspect kidneys and thyroid but he has always hated the vets and car there we haven’t taken him, particularly bearing his age in mind. In himself he’s now very demanding, has no boundaries, and we think dementia. He follows our dog around, and snuggles up to him to sleep (or keeps dabbing him to lick his head!).

He mews very very loudly for food, but this evening keeps pacing and pacing and stopping to stare into my ears and keeps mewing. I have a feeling he’s complaining about the food change. He doesn’t groom himself, but allows me to brush him, just about. He generally seems as ok as you would expect a cat of that age to be, but he is also really wearing. A vets trip would be counterproductive and I’m scared would do more harm than good at his age. Also, fighting with him to try to take tablets.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
PinkMitten · 21/12/2021 18:25

The vets may be able to take a urine sample that you collect from his tray (they give you a special litter to do it) but I imagine they would want to see him for bloods etc. A small dose of gabapentin for my old lady made a big difference to her quality of life in her last few months (she died age 21 and was truly pampered in her last few years!). Also we would never have believed she would take tablets but after a few trials of hiding them in different treats she accepted them willingly! Its really tough when they've been with you for so long as they obviously won't carry on forever but he can hopefully have some comfort. Could you have a phone consultation with your vet and talk it through? He sounds lovely! Smile

PinkMitten · 21/12/2021 18:27

However I also think it's totally understandable to start thinking about quality of life and putting to sleep, you know him best

Rosieparkerss · 21/12/2021 18:38

Hugs OP, I would be thinking about whether he is meant to leave you now. That’s a great age. Maybe some basic tests first?

Rosieparkerss · 21/12/2021 18:39

We have a mobile vet, do you have one in your area? Much less stressful.

Iamanicepersonreally · 21/12/2021 19:21

I think he really does need to see the vet. The stress still be short lived and the vet is best placed to advise. He could well be suffering. Please take him to the vet

Bunnyfuller · 21/12/2021 22:35

Thanks all. By stressed I mean vomiting defecating and will not eat or drink for 2 days after the trip. When he was younger we desperately tried to get him through it, but I am not prepared to potentially give him a horrific death for a few more months on a medication.

I’m kind of following his lead at the moment. He’s still clean (apart from one random pounder a tempting Christmas tree on a cold night!) He’s eating like mad and as soon as I had given him the biscuits he wanted he has been curled up fast asleep next to the dog.

We’re going to give him a bloody good Christmas, and give him the most comfortable and peaceful life we can. It’s just tough on us because he is very loud, very vocal and gives no shits on time!

OP posts:
Bunnyfuller · 21/12/2021 22:36

Random poo under…

Edit button anytime MN?!

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