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Unwell cat and holiday plans - unsure what to do. Please be kind.

65 replies

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:27

I’ve booked a holiday with my parents for a couple of weeks’ time, which we’re all really looking forward to, as we haven’t been on holiday together for a while. The holiday is for just under a week.

My parents have an elderly cat, who we all adore and who is amazing, but she’s starting to show signs of her age - she’s 19. So far, she has been the picture of health (as far as we know). She goes for annual check-ups and vaccinations at the vet, and at her most recent one (March), they said she was doing really well for her age and she got a clean bill of health.

A couple of weeks ago, their cat was off her food, then she got tempted into eating again. Over the last couple of days, she went off her food again. She is already treated like a queen, but my parents are going above and beyond to tempt her (as they should be ❤️). My parents booked her into a cattery for during our holiday, before she started going off her food. We know they’ll be kind to her, but won’t fuss over her like we do, because understandably they won’t have time.

I’m basically wondering if we should cancel our holiday, in case our cat doesn’t make it through the next few weeks? Sorry - can’t find a better way to put this! I’m also going to go and see her as soon as our holiday is over, to spend time with her. I love her so much and I know she’s elderly, so the moment was always going to come when we’d have to say bye, but I just find it really hard to accept. We all love her so so much. Is it selfish to go on holiday when she is off her food?

OP posts:
AutumnPlease101 · 05/09/2024 19:30

I have a dog and I personally couldn’t leave him like that because I would be too worried about if he got worse when I was away and I wouldn’t enjoy my holiday, and also, if he died and I wasn’t there I would never forgive myself. Sending hugs x

Greentreesandbushes · 05/09/2024 19:31

Rather than cattery I would book a pet sitter at home, the DCat is in own home should the worst happen. Make sure that the sitter has vet details.

CherubEarrings · 05/09/2024 19:31

This is so difficult OP. I am so sorry to hear this. I have a dog and don't think I would enjoy a holiday under these circumstances as I would be so worried and if the worst was to happen I would feel very guilty.

soupfiend · 05/09/2024 19:32

Where are you going, abroad?

Do you know what is actually wrong with her, cancer, heart problems, thyroid, diabetes?

If it was the UK and I could be back quicky I would go.

I would be worried about not getting back in time.

Gelasring · 05/09/2024 19:33

Has she been to the vet? If yes, what did they say? It could be something easy to treat

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 05/09/2024 19:33

I think I’d have to cancel the holiday. It is a huge shame but I’d want to be there just in case.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 05/09/2024 19:33

House sitter or cat sitter popping in twice a day. A lot of veterinary nurses do this as an extra earner.
Or talk to the Cattery to see if they can offer any extra attention. It won't be peak season?

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:33

If I had a 19 year old cat I wouldn't be booking any holidays unless I could get myself home within an hour or so.

fridaynight1 · 05/09/2024 19:33

Catteries are very stressful. How about a cat sitter?
I have used cat in a flat and the lady that we used was very good. She came twice a day and stayed for a while giving cuddles. We got a daily photo which was very reassuring.
And left details of our vet if there were any problems.

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:33

Thanks so much all. My parents took her to the vet today and she had some blood tests. The results will come back tomorrow or Saturday, so I’m hoping those can help us make a decision. Our cat is just a perfect baby girl and we all love her so much.

OP posts:
ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:34

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:33

If I had a 19 year old cat I wouldn't be booking any holidays unless I could get myself home within an hour or so.

Thanks but that’s not helpful!

OP posts:
Sethera · 05/09/2024 19:35

Are you going overseas?

AutumnPlease101 · 05/09/2024 19:35

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:34

Thanks but that’s not helpful!

Can I ask why that’s not helpful? You asked for opinions and someone has given you quite a reasonable one of what they would and wouldn’t do?

Gelasring · 05/09/2024 19:35

Well I really wouldn't worry too much until you know what's going on..it.could be something dental. That would easily be sorted before you go.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:37

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:34

Thanks but that’s not helpful!

How is it unhelpful?

My answer was that unless the holiday was less than an hour away, I wouldn't be going Confused

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 05/09/2024 19:37

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:37

How is it unhelpful?

My answer was that unless the holiday was less than an hour away, I wouldn't be going Confused

It does make a big difference if you’re able to get home quickly.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:38

Gelasring · 05/09/2024 19:35

Well I really wouldn't worry too much until you know what's going on..it.could be something dental. That would easily be sorted before you go.

A 19 year old cat wouldn't be able to cope with any kind of dental work.

PurpleCheese · 05/09/2024 19:38

Greentreesandbushes · 05/09/2024 19:31

Rather than cattery I would book a pet sitter at home, the DCat is in own home should the worst happen. Make sure that the sitter has vet details.

Yes, I think I’d do that or ask a friend or relative to pop in and send updates. The holiday duration is under a week so it’s not as though she’ll be alone for long. She could be around for a bit longer yet , especially as she has a clean bill of health.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:39

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 05/09/2024 19:37

It does make a big difference if you’re able to get home quickly.

Exactly.

I'm a cat sitter myself and have looked after very elderly cats before (oldest was 20) but the owner was only 40 minutes away and could easily come home if she needed to.

SparklyMaker · 05/09/2024 19:39

I feel your pain OP. My almost 15 year old dog became poorly last week and we have just cancelled a holiday (should be away now) to look after her.

It was a UK break though as we decided given her age at the start of the year that we wouldn’t chance going abroad. I have 2 dogs and have had paid for regular visits/walks whenever we have gone away.

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:39

Sethera · 05/09/2024 19:35

Are you going overseas?

We are, yes.

For people saying we shouldn’t have booked a holiday because the cat is 19, we thought it was a calculated risk. We haven’t been on holiday together for years and both my parents are elderly. We have put our cat in a cattery many times and she has been okay. Re getting a pet sitter, I often pet sit for people, and I don’t think our cat would like to have a pet sitter, because she is shy and doesn’t take to new people easily.

When we booked the holiday, there was no reason at all to suggest my parents’ cat was unwell or struggling. This has really come out of the blue. Please try and be understanding if you can, as this has been difficult to deal with and if we’d known before booking that our cat was unwell, we’d never have booked it.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 05/09/2024 19:40

She's coming to the end of her life. Do you want to be there when she goes? Do your parents? That's the deciding factor, once the blood tests come back. It might be that the kindest thing would be to pts.

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:41

sunsetsandboardwalks · 05/09/2024 19:37

How is it unhelpful?

My answer was that unless the holiday was less than an hour away, I wouldn't be going Confused

I’m sorry - I took it as criticism. Sorry.

OP posts:
Lockupyourbiscuits · 05/09/2024 19:42

our cat lived to 20
she went off her food the last few years on and off due to kidney failure and had medication from vets
she went a few times to the cattery who were brilliant in her last few years
they made a big fuss of her and she actually put on weight while she was there
also a good cattery will be able to spot signs of a problem and involve vet much sooner if needed
I would trust them more than a cat sitter

it depends on the cattery

ComingUpTrumps · 05/09/2024 19:42

Ponoka7 · 05/09/2024 19:40

She's coming to the end of her life. Do you want to be there when she goes? Do your parents? That's the deciding factor, once the blood tests come back. It might be that the kindest thing would be to pts.

We all absolutely want to be there. I’ve had this conversation a few times with my parents over the last couple of years, as she’s been getting older, and they both know I want to be there. I’ll see what the blood tests say and we’ll decide what to do then. Thanks very much, everyone ❤️

OP posts:
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