Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years

[KiffyKiffyKiffy]

Well not missing exactly but we lived at our old address and as our cat got older and we had kids and 2 dogs our cat spent more and more time with our elderly neighbour. We would try and coax him home but he always went back.

The neighbour loved him and spoilt him rotton.

2 years ago we moved house and we tried to catch him a few times to bring him with us but he evaded us. So we went to the neighbours house to ask him to catch him for us. The elderly neighbour said he would like him to stay (his wife and dog had passed away) as he was good company

So over time we check in on him, make sure he doesn't need vet care etc.
Neighbour has our number.

We just stopped by to check in and he asked if we could take him.

Of course!

But I'm worried as he's not seen our dogs in years. He's never been to this home and we have somehow adopted a stray cat here who treats it like his home and is basically out unplanned cat too now.

We are picking him up in an hour and I'm just a bit stressed at how to navigate this!!

We never planned to be apart from him but he chose the neighbour over us and at that time the neighbour really needed him.

Any advice please!

So this one had been wormed with the flea treatment but obviously didn’t touch them (he must have thrown up about 10 biggish ones and then visibly came out in his poo too -before this no sign he had them) as he was still just pooing a lot and very bad ones, he then got a double dose with the panacur and spot treatment again and that’s when he actually managed to get rid of the worms and started pooing normally x

Little update.

Gingercat been completely fine. Started to come back in our room and sleep on top of wardrobes again. Getting along a little better with Vader, they were both asleep in my sons room a few days ago.

Vader: Well he seems great physically. No pooing or weeing in the wrong place. Using his trays. Eating well. Mobile. Purring and playing with his toys. Sleeping a lot.

The only issue for me is his night time antics 😣

He wakes up and justs MEOWS so loudly because hes deaf. He walks round the room in a track. Going from his bed , to the litter tray, to his scratching post, back to his bed.

I definitely think its dementia. He does it during the day, walks around meowing just looking for someone. He doesnt like to be left alone.

But theres usually some body in the house to sit with him.

Because hes physically well now I feel like him being PTS is just not on the table now.

Hes not had a fit or anything, his bloodwork was all good. He seems happy.

Were just seeing how he is day by day.

Im just feeling a bit cranky as my sleep is being disrupted quite a lot!

Gingercat.

Gingercat is gorgeous ♥️
Can you get a nightlight for Vader so that he can see better at night? I read somewhere that this works well in elderly cats.

Jackson Galaxy has a great short video on feline dementia and lights ar night:
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Thanks, we always leave the hall light on and the door open so there is light.

Though i wonder if his sight is getting worse so he cant see very well. I can't leave the big light on all night but its definitely not a dark room.

Just watched that video. Very helpful

And thats the exact noises he makes!

You‘re welcome and maybe using some Christmas lights on (as Jackson Galaxy suggests) or getting some night light socket lamps can help Vader.

My old cat was like that at night - I used to have to get up, tap her (as she was also deaf and therefore loud), and take her back to bed. She was fine during the day, but at night it was like she'd forgot where she was.

She was otherwise fine in herself, so I did just put up with it. I wish I'd watched that video!

I said at the time that having cats can be worse than having a newborn because at least the newborn grows out of the sleepless nights phase!

My deaf cat howls away and it’s very loud! I don’t think it’s dementia, he just can’t hear himself or us. I’ve always shut him away at night so grateful for a quiet nights sleep.

Its not just the meowing. Hes almost 20 and walks in circle and sits facing the wall, staring without any movement. He spaces out and then snaps back if you touch him. He also begs for food right after being fed and cant eat because he is full but keeps going back to the bowl like he is hungry. But isnt.

Do you think he's unhappy? Because realistically that is what you are aiming for.

My grandad had dementia. Towards the end he didn't know where he was or who we are but he knew he was warm and comfortable, that there was music playing and he wasn't alone. He was content.

It may seem unconnected but I think that should be your guide. Vader knows he is warm and in good company. Talk to your vet about if a bit of overeating would really hurt him - i believe it can take longer to feel full with dementia but don't quote me on that. If he walks in a circle or faces a wall does that do any harm or distress him? I know it is hard for you to see but is it hard for him?

I know how awful this must be so please don't think I'm taking this lightly. With dementia in humans the advice is to go into their world and that may be the best thing to do here as well. No suggestions for how to get sleep though!

@KiffyKiffyKiffy just wanted to express my admiration for your perseverance, you obviously love Vadar even though he is driving you bananas. I hope you find a solution that keeps him happy and lets you sleep, sorry no advice on how that happens 💐

I think the time has come. In the last 24 hours hes projectile vomited 3 times, everywhere.
I'm going to call the vets in the morning and book him in for Thursday.

DH still reluctant but I don't think he will fight me on it anymore.

Poor old sausage.

I'm sorry. But he has had a wonderful last few months with you, thank you for giving him that.

That is so sad.

So lovely though that he has ended his days with you being so well looked after.

Hes been really happy

Hes been pooping out of his tray alot but still eating and drinking really well
Sleeping a lot but still wanting snuggles.

The vet will want to take him him in again if we investigate the vomitting like last time, he was away for days.

Hes obviously just old and not managing to keep food down anymore.

I'll probably get him a cheeseburger tomorrow and take him out for a walk in the enclosed dog buggy.

I've just red your whole three! So happy that you were reunited with him, and were able to give him lots of extra time, and that he was happy and loved. It's so hard to say goodbye, but let the vet guide you. (One of ours outlived his prognosis for at least two years!)

A cheeseburger and a walk sounds very nice. Do tell the vet that you don't want to prolong his suffering for stupid tests. I hate when they unnecessarily keep them in overnight when it's obviously the end, I think it's a bit like dying in hospital v dying at home. I brought one of mine a bit of salami for his last meal at the vet. Despite his reluctance to eat he still gave a good purr and drool.

He woke me up this morning with his stinky breath 🤣

Made some mutterings to DH last night about it being time and he got annoyed :( I thought he would agree given the amount of vomit he had to clean up at 11pm

Have to have a proper discussion when he is back from school run.

I'm so upset.

I told DH that I think its time and hes got really mad at me.

I said hes projectile vomitted 3 times in 24 hours and he said we should just change his food.

Hes pooped on our bed yesterday, pooped in the hall. Pissed on my kitchen side.

He asked why Im so eager to kill his cat

Im fucking so upset. Why is he acting like i want him to die?? I don't.

But hes 20 years old. Hes got dementia, his back legs randonly collapse, he cant controll his bodily functions now (or cant remember how to get to the multiple litter trays) and is vomitting regularly.

And yet Im the bad guy for thinking thats unfair to him??

I've booked him in for this evening with the vets. I'm going to be frank with the vet that I think its time and see what he says.

I'm sorry. I wonder if he has kidney issues, the weeing and stinky breath might indicate that. He doesn't sound like he has a great quality of life. 20 is a great age for a cat.

He had a full blood panel ran when he stayed in at the vets and everything cane back normal.

I honestly just think its age :(

Do insist that your DH comes to the vet. It's unfair that he's blaming you and irresponsible. Has he never had to put down a pet before? Responsible ownership includes death.