Euthanasia

[wineandmaltesers]

Hi, as cat owners can we request our cat to be PTS? Mine is nearly 19, she's slowed down a lot, not grooming much so coat is getting matted despite me brushing as best i can, can still jump but not as easily so i suspect aching joints. I don't want to go the vet to be told we can do this test and that etc, she's an old lady and i want her to go before she's too uncomfortable, but don't want to seem like heartless cow to a vet for refusing any tests/medication etc.

But it would be pretty heartless not to consider pain medication if that made her comfortable again. At that age my old girl needed daily grooming. I agree I wouldn’t want stressful and extensive tests though.

You can request it at any age but they have the right to refuse. At 19, with the reasoning of allowing her to go with dignity they probably wouldn't stop you, but is it worth looking at pain meds for her? If she's in pain she won't groom as much so that and her mobility could be improved. I agree at 19 I wouldn't be going down the extensive testing etc either

Whilst I wouldn't (and didn't for my last old boy) do extensive testing at this age, I would trial pain meds as far too many older cats have arthritis which is often not treated.

I agree about trying pain meds. Last January Harry's joints got really bad and he was struggling. He was 17 and had some kidney disease but his vet agreed to give him a low dose of metacam each day to see if it made a difference. It gave him a new lease of life and he was a little wobbly but got around fine.

Better a week too early than a day too late - I think this is what they say.
I had my old one PTS today. It's brutal watching them suffer.
At 19 their life is limited.