Hand hold needed - elderly cat not eating

[Elizabeth110100]

My 16 year old cat has been my faithful companion for nearly two decades but he's not been the right the last couple of days. He didn't eat dinner and hasn't come down for breakfast and he's just lying on my daughter's bed.
He's never missed a meal and has always been the healthiest cat.
I've messaged a vet practice and asked them to ring me. I think this may be the end for him.
I'm so so sad

It may not be that bad. But definitely needs a vet visit.

I wouldn't write him off just yet.
Yes 16 is an old cat and this could be a major problem, or it could be that he's a bit poorly and antibiotics will sort him.out. Or it could be anywhere in between. Get him to the vet.

You're right, it might just be an antibiotic treatment needed but something inside me just knows. I'll let you know what the vet says when they get back to me.

Hope all goes well 🤞 - I would definitely insist on a vet visit today.

We’ve just had to say goodbye to our 21 year old cat but just to say there had quite a few instances over the last few years where we thought it might be the end but then the cat rallied. Hope he’s ok (or that if you have to let him go, it’s as gentle an end as it was for ours).

Please tell me I'm doing the right thing.
I took him to the vets and he went mad. They needed two in there to hold him and they said his stomach was very tender and he was exhibiting a lot of pain and stress. They said the kindest thing is to put him down. My older kids are coming back from uni and I'm taking the cat in this evening. The kids are saying that they could do some investigations and maybe he doesn't need putting down. They're so upset with me for making this choice. But the vet wouldn't suggest that if they weren't sure would they?
I'm so heartbroken. I'm in the carpark sobbing and can hear my cat purring in his box. They've given him a tablet to help with pain and a bit of sedation.
I am so sad. He's been my companion through everything

So sorry, OP. It sounds like it could possibly be intestinal lymphoma, which our cat had - I had never heard of it, but our vet said that after kidneys and road accidents it is the most common cause of death in cats. (As it sounds, it's a malignant mass in the stomach.)

Our situation was really different in that our only symptom was vomiting which got more frequent over a period of about six months (we had multiple vet visits in that time and no concern as the cat was eating well, not losing weight, and her normal self) and I had to push for tests. £3,000 of investigations later and there we were. We said goodbye a week later rather than do chemo to prolong her life. I miss her so very much - she was only ten.

I wouldn't put a 16 year old cat through those investigations. Some of them had to be done at a specialist referral place out of town, and it was all very distressing for our girl who hated the box and the car and being out of her own cat-kingdom. I'd also say that a vet generally will not suggest putting a cat to sleep if they think there are viable options to make it well. I still feel grief stricken about our girl eight months on, but I am also certain we did the right, best thing for her, rather than treat her for our sake.

Sending lots of love to you and your puss.

He did have some diarrhoea a couple of weeks ago but it went quickly and he did normal poos after that so I didn't think anything of it.
I'm dreading this evening 😔

Really very sorry to hear this update OP. Given the circumstances I'd assume the vet's advice is correct.
💐

I've never had a vet actually say, the cat needs to be put to sleep. Even when it's been obvious to me, that it's the right thing. The fact that they have actually said it. Probably means it's time. So sorry

So sorry for you OP. Utterly heartbreaking. They’re so much more to us than just cats aren’t they. I’ll be thinking of you and puss 🐈‍⬛❤️

Sorry OP, I would be guided by the vet.

So sorry to hear this. I hope that your puss is comfortable. You obviously love him very much

I'd give your adult DC a chance to cuddle the cat and say goodbye to him if they are coming home tonight. My cat ate tuna in springwater when he wouldn't eat anything else because of it's strong smell. I'd try the cat on that. Then if he doesn't eat take him to the vet to PTS.

He fell asleep for the last time this evening. Myself and my children were all there. I'll miss him horribly but I'm glad we made the decision we did before he got really poorly. I wouldn't ever have wanted him to suffer. Thank you for all your kind words. To so many people he's 'just a cat's but to me, he was so much more. I know you'll all understand ❤️

So Sorry @Elizabeth110100 but you did the right and kind thing

Seconded. Been there before several times but it doesn't get any easier. You have my sympathy.

You’ve done the right thing. I didn’t, I waited too long and I’ll always regret it 😭

Be kind to yourselves, you’ve lost a much loved family member

I remembered reading similar sentiments on this topic previously. That was very much in my mind when I made the decision to have him pts.
I'm sorry you're living with that regret but you did what you thought was the right thing to do at the time. It was a decision that came from love.

It's going to feel very strange without my little pal sleeping next to me tonight 😞

So sorry to hear the news OP. You must be devastated. They’re not just cats, they’re soul mates. He’ll be in your heart forever ❤️

I am so so sorry.

Hi @Elizabeth110100 how are you doing today? Hope you’re taking it easy and were able to get a little sleep last night ☹️

Thanks for thinking of me. I don't think it's sunk in yet. I still expecting to see him padding up to me and meowing. I don't know what to do with his food bowl. I cancelled his flea and worming prescriptions last night and felt so sad.
We are keeping his ashes and my daughters want to make a necklace from them. My son doesn't want them and I don't know if I do or not....

I lost my Salem on 27th September under more or less the same circumstances as you. I'm still devastated. He was 15. Sending you hugs