How do I know when it's time..

[forrestgreen]

My old girl is 14. Despite having cats for thirty years, she's the first to get old (illnesses and busy Road!)
She lost weight 3.5kg down to 2.5kg at the beginning of the year. Steroids and antibiotics turned it around, she lost a tooth and developed liver disease.
She's lost weight quickly again, I think we're back where we were. I've found her just sat there, staring into space/looking at the ground. I've bought her rubbish cat paste as the expensive stuff wasn't being touched. She is eating something, she's still weeing.

At which point is the right time? I'm on my own now so I've no one to talk it through with.

If it is the right time, do I just ring the vets and ask for my cat to be euthanised??

Also, what happens on the day, my previous cats have already been at the vets, had lines in etc

Take her to her vet and discuss options.

Signs:
Not being herself
Purring that suggests 'self-soothing' rather than being happy
Hiding in cupboards and other obscure places
My little girl started sleeping on a very rough rattan tote bag - I think to distract herself from the discomfort she was feeling
Missing the litter tray or having accidents
Eating much less - just not enjoying her food
Needing ever more intensive treatment, e.g. insulin or subcutaneous fluids and/or lots of pills that are a daily struggle to administer.

The best gift you can give her is to let her go sooner rather than later. Remember that cats have no sense of tomorrow, no bucket list of things they want to do before they go. When it's time it's time.

If your vet feels it's in her interest to euthanize, they'll be able to do it there and then. If not, you may choose to have a specialist vet come to your home. Expensive but totally worth it. 💐

Ask the vet for advice, as kitty is still eating and weeing. They may want to run test but ultimately it is your choice. I don’t envy you. I have 2 young cats but there’s always that what if thought

I think the right time is when her quality of life is such that she can no longer take pleasure in things. If she is staring into space, you may be near that time There is a saying 'better a week too early than a day too late' meaning we should try to spare our pets a painful death if we can.

Yes, you will need to ring the vet and explain that you feel it is time for euthanasia - I told the vet the behaviour I was seeing.

You will get some time to spend with your cat at the surgery- they will sedate her, shave a small patch and then when you are ready, they give two injections and your cat will slip peacefully away; you will see her eyes glaze over and then she will go limp.

You will need to let them know whether you want them to arrange cremation and if so, whether you want no ashes, communal ashes or an individual cremation with ashes (those options rise in price).

She's got me through a divorce, being Ill and a new home for us both.

She's a bloody cat but this is heartbreaking.

I think I'll ring them tomorrow. She goes out and just lies under a bench outside, it's not comfy or warm. Just weird!

She's just sleeping tbh.

Thanks all

I had to make this choice recently with my 14 year old furry boy. It was awful but he was miserable, in pain when touched, barely eating, hiding from us, refusing to come in and trying to bite the kids when they touched him. He loved kids and used to seek them out and would lie for hours letting them pet him. He just looked miserable and his eyes looked worn. It was awful but I made the right choice for him. His painkillers had stopped working and he had had enough. We could both see it in his face. He had no quality of life.

I was the same with my 19 year old cat - he'd seen me through one relationship break up, marriage to my new partner, and three house moves. It felt as though I was losing a major constant in my life as well as a much-loved friend. I cried on and off for about two weeks afterwards. There's no easy way to overcome the feelings of grief, you just have to go through them for however long it takes.

I took some photos and videos of him the day before he was PTS and when I look back at them now, it's very obvious how frail he was - more so than I saw at the time. It was the right thing to do.

If you and the vet agree it is time, you can plan how to make her last days as special as possible.

My elderly dog died very suddenly - just collapsed at home. He didn't suffer but I always felt I didn't get the chance to say a proper goodbye to him. I would always choose euthanasia over a sudden death if possible because you can mentally prepare for it to an extent and spend time saying goodbye to your pet.

I got her to the vets this morning. Sadly it was liver failure and they put her to sleep.
I sobbed like a baby but the staff were lovely.

Thanks for all your advise and support

I'm so sorry

You have absolutely done the right thing. Liver failure left to progress would have led to a very painful decline; my girl cat had to be PTS at 15 due to a tumour on her liver. You have given her a peaceful end before her life became consumed by pain; the last gift a loving owner can give to a beloved companion.

We had our 15 year old boy PTS last week
He was presenting very similar to your old girl. Its heartbreaking. You haven't let her suffer and I hope that brings you some comfort.

Very sorry 💐

any chance of a picture of the lovely girl, if you're up to it...

Oh I'm very sorry to hear that...
You've absolutely done the right thing, take care of yourself

Very sorry I think sometimes if we're asking ourselves the question "how do we know if it's time", it's probably because it IS time. You did the right thing.

You did the right thing. Be kind to yourself and let your tears run free. 💐