Could we be nearing the end - renal failure

[TattiePants]

I posted a couple of times earlier this year about my 19 year old cat who’d stopped eating and wasn’t using her litter tray. She has been diagnosed as being in the early stages of renal failure plus some gum disease/lost teeth. She’s been on a renal diet for a few months and we were due back at the vets for repeat bloods soon. She eats very little and rarely uses her litter tray now.

Today she was lying on DD’s knee being stroked, stood up and started to poo on the sofa. Fortunately I had some kitchen roll to hand and put it underneath her. I don’t know whether she panicked and jumped or fell to the floor but her back legs collapsed and she was basically dragging her back end across the floor. The whole episode probably lasted a minute and she was then able to walk and is now sleeping in her favourite spot.

Does it sound like things are advancing? Fortunately the vet could fit us in at 6 so not long to wait but I’m wondering whether to prepare the DCs.

Yes prepare them but see what the vet says as well as there could be other things going on. I've never seen this in kd but I have seen it in saddle thrombus does your cat have a heart murmur? Ask the vet to listen and tell them they symptoms you saw.
If it's saddle thrombus it's going to happen again and trust me you don't want to see that.
Hope your kitty is ok, she's had a good long life and 19 is amazing.

The advice I had here, when I asked the same question, was that if I was asking it was probably time already.
Mine too was 19 and got to the point lack of dignity and it was time.

It was so sad however it was right to take the decision when I did. I found a local mobile vet come to the home to do the euthanisis which was a much better option as my cat was soo scared of the vet surgery.

Thanks for the advice. I have asked the vet previously if she’s suffering which they didn’t think she was but obviously what’s happened today is a new development. If the vet thinks it’s time we definitely won’t prolong it. She was checked over thoroughly earlier this year and nothing was said about her heart.

Personally, I think when they become incontinent and it's not as a result of something easy to fix, it's generally time to let them go.

Cats are clean animals and will hate being in a position where they have no choice about where they use the toilet.

I am so sorry

Sending you lots of love as sounds to me like maybe today was the day.

Said goodbye to my beautiful old girl not long ago. It's so hard. But for her to have gotten to the age of 19 shows what a wonderful life you gave her.

Thank you for all the kind words but she’s actually still with us! We were in with the vet for about 45 minutes and she was really thorough and even got another vet to come in for a second opinion.

She has lost a bit more weight since last time which isn’t unexpected in an elderly cat but they were pleased that her appetite has improved. There could be various reasons for her back legs going but they think the most likely is a small/partial blood clot that temporarily blocked the signals to her leg. The femoral pulse in one side is quite weak compared to the other and her back feet were a bit cooler than they should be.

Despite that, they still don’t think anything is imminent or that she is suffering. It was too late to take bloods so we are booked in for Tuesday lunchtime for bloods and blood pressure and we have the number of their animal hospital if we are worried over the weekend.

I do plan to have a frank conversation on Tuesday about when I will know the time is right. I need to balance what is right for our cat but also don’t want to risk her having a stroke or heart attack and one of the DCs being the one to find her.

I forgot to add, sorry to those of you that have lost your beloved cats. It’s been 8 years since my other cat died. She had seemed to be in perfect health but had lain down by the side of my bed and likely had a stroke or heart attack.

Wishing you and your furry friend all the best. I'm glad you still with her 🐾
Your vet sounds helpful and compassionate. I'm sorry to hear how your other cat died - that must have been traumatic for you all.

She’s sticking to her happy place today (in my ironing pile!).

Aww op she's lovely.
The clot is saddle thrombus, it will probably happen again and I don't want to scare you but honestly you don't want to experience it if a big one hits her, I'm just thinking of you and your cat.
Sometimes the vets will give baby aspirin to try and prevent it, I do hope she's ok. 💐

Aw she's beautiful!!

So glad she's feeling ok and you still have more time with her.

I am pleased your cat is feeling better and she is gorgeous.