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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.

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Original poster

I don't know what to do about my poor old boy

26 replies

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 13:49

Please help me, and please be kind. I'm in bits.

My Bengal boy is 15; we adopted him with a pre-existing heart murmur that we did know about when he was 4, making insurance enormously expensive and unaffordable. We were young, we were bloody stupid, didn't find the money for insurance, so now I'm in the position of having an old, unwell cat with no insurance. I'm also a single, skint parent of three now.

He has hyperthyroidism and has lost a lot of weight recently, despite trying to get his medication right. He's started vomiting pure blood today, probably about four times from the evidence I have found. I need to take him for urgent attention. But I just can't afford further investigations and treatment. The money isn't there, my credit card is maxxed out.

I think I need to make the decision about talking to the vet about having him PTS, which is breaking my heart and will break my children's hearts. But what do I do when he has his heart and thyroid conditions and is now vomiting bright red blood, and I can't pay for further vet bills?

Please help me with some words of wisdom. Am I a monster for even considering it? Or is it a sensible decision? I don't want him suffering - he seems happy in himself, but I know how cats can mask just how ill they are. This is shit.

OP posts:

Original poster

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 13:50

That should have read that we didn't know about his heart murmur.

OP posts:

Clymene · 30/07/2022 13:51

I think PTS is the kindest option. He's very unwell and must be in great pain.

I'm sorry - it's very hard when our pets are seriously unwell

DramaAlpaca · 30/07/2022 13:53

I'm so sorry, but it's time to let him go. It's clear he's suffering, and in the nicest possible way it now has to be about what's best for him, not how much it'll upset you and your children. It's the hardest part of having a pet.

I'm really sorry

MeridianGrey · 30/07/2022 13:54

Pts is probably the kindest option irrespective of money. Too many older cats are mauled about by vets when there is unlikely to be anything that can be done.

Mollyplop999 · 30/07/2022 13:59

Even if I had the funds to pay I would have him pts. They do not understand what is happening to them and I feel it's the kindest decision for him. It's hard but it's the last kindness that you can give him.

Kittyshopping · 30/07/2022 14:03

It’s sad, but 15 is the average lifespan for a cat.

RandomMess · 30/07/2022 14:05

Let him go so he doesn't have to suffer

namechange7654 · 30/07/2022 14:11

He's 15. All the money in the world wouldn't make a significant difference to the outcome here I'm afraid. Let him go xx

Ps it almost certainly wouldn't have been worth getting the insurance. He wouldn't have been covered for anything pre-existing, and anything new tends to only be covered for the first year. Insurance is good for very expensive accidents, but not really for on going health conditions.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/07/2022 14:13

If you were a billionaire, this poor cat should be PTS as soon as humanly possible. They are suffering horribly. Please call the vet and have it done today.

Original poster

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 14:13

Look at him, he's so perfect and purring away with me. How can this be it?

I don't know what to do about my poor old boy

OP posts:

SundayTeatime · 30/07/2022 14:14

Even with funds or insurance, I would have him PTS.

Original poster

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 14:17

Thank you so much for all your replies, it's what I needed to be told. It's the worst decision to have to make isn't it.

OP posts:

Beachsidesunset · 30/07/2022 14:18

I would PTS even if I was a millionaire. When it's time, it's time x

Sunshineandrainbow · 30/07/2022 14:20

He is gorgeous, it is so so painful but the kindest thing for your boy.
We brought our cat home after she was PTS and she looked so peaceful.

UxbridgeVoteBJOut · 30/07/2022 14:45

15 is a great age. You cannot fix him. You can only make sure he doesn't begin to truly suffer.

Beamur · 30/07/2022 14:49

What a sweet face.
15 is a good age and he does sound very unwell. Cats often purr to self soothe, so a purring cat isn't always a sign that it's happy. They mask pain very well and can still be pleased to see you and respond positively when they are literally at deaths door.
It's your call, but PTS doesn't seem unreasonable.

Original poster

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 15:17

Thank you so much everyone for being so kind. We're at the emergency vets now.

OP posts:

sunshinesupermum · 30/07/2022 15:21

Have a hand hold OP. You have given him wonderful years of love and PTS is the kindest thing for him now.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 30/07/2022 15:21

Oh OP, your poor, beautiful boy, and poor you. Wishing him a peaceful journey.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/07/2022 15:35

I agree that PTS sounds like the right thing. Even insured I wouldn't want to put my cat through that. I said no, when the vet told me that my cats kidney failure could be treated. Not on top of her heart disease it couldn't. It's ok to say no.

neilyoungismyhero · 30/07/2022 15:39

I've always thought the kindest thing we can do for our animals is to let them go...better a day too early than a day too late honestly... I've had countless animals and still have a dog...sadly all have been euthanised apart from 2 but it was the kindest thing to do for them...they're not like us they have no perception that they are going to die they just know they are in pain and it's up to us to help them. I'm so sorry for what you are going through it's hard to lose them...x

TheLoftHatch · 30/07/2022 15:42

Just a thought but if you're in receipt of any kind of benefit, you can usually get greatly reduced (sometimes free) treatment for pets at a PDSA vets. Worth googling to see where your nearest is.

It does sound like it's time to PTS but PDSA is one more route to explore.

TheLoftHatch · 30/07/2022 15:43

Oh I'm sorry, I just saw that you're at the vet's now. I'm sorry. 😔

VimFuego101 · 30/07/2022 15:45

I'm sorry, OP. I think you're doing the right thing.

Original poster

Rashgremlin · 30/07/2022 17:28

Thank you so much everyone, your kind words and support mean a lot.

The vet was so very kind, and my boy was relaxed and purring right until the moment he slipped away. Our hearts are broken but I'm glad I was able to do this one last thing for him. As @neilyoungismyhero says, better a day too early than a day too late.

Sleep tight, gorgeous Ben ❤

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