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Original poster

Treat or euthanise senior cat and seizures

51 replies

phlossy · 13/02/2025 14:57

Hi, my lovely 15 year old lady has had a perfect life of health, no issues.

Today she has had 3 seizures. I've got an appointment at the vets at 30

Obviously no one here knows what's up but just after a sounding board really and any advice.

I am happy for small things like bloods to be done but I don't want her to have to stay in or have scans etc that are going to be very stressful for her. And I wouldn't want any surgery/invasive procedures

How do I know if it's right to ask her to be euthanised instead of medicated or tested

Will they think I'm neglectful if I say no to tests?
The downside of having a clean bill of health all her life is that when she does go to the vets she finds it very very stressful

Thank you

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
PondWarrior · 13/02/2025 19:30

phlossy · 13/02/2025 19:12

We went to vet, they looked her over etc she was very happy and wandering about. We agreed that we would take her home with rectal diazepam and if she had any more seizures book blood tests.

Back in the car and she had another seizure so rushed back into vets and they took us straight in to back room. Vet took one look at her fitting and said I'm very very worried I'm so sorry but this looks intercranial and not something that we will be looking at treating and I can also say for certain she will have more tonight.

So we had her pts. Vet even didn't do paperwork first she said she looks like she's brewing another one so it's better to do it quickly while she's happy rather than it be traumatic for all of us.

Dd 14 was with me and burst into tears when she saw her fitting.

Rest in peace baby cat

Oh I’m so sorry, poor kitty. Well done for looking after her through a long and happy life.

CurlewKate · 13/02/2025 19:32

I left it too long with my lovely dog and I regret it so much. Too soon is better than too late.

Coffeeishot · 13/02/2025 19:33

I'm so sorry you went through a horrible experience take care

JobHuntingMum · 13/02/2025 19:38

phlossy · 13/02/2025 19:12

We went to vet, they looked her over etc she was very happy and wandering about. We agreed that we would take her home with rectal diazepam and if she had any more seizures book blood tests.

Back in the car and she had another seizure so rushed back into vets and they took us straight in to back room. Vet took one look at her fitting and said I'm very very worried I'm so sorry but this looks intercranial and not something that we will be looking at treating and I can also say for certain she will have more tonight.

So we had her pts. Vet even didn't do paperwork first she said she looks like she's brewing another one so it's better to do it quickly while she's happy rather than it be traumatic for all of us.

Dd 14 was with me and burst into tears when she saw her fitting.

Rest in peace baby cat

I'm sorry OP. Our beautiful boy died this week and despite the fact he was 15 and his death was much better than it could have been, it's still utterly heartbreaking. Sending you hugs.

WTF99 · 13/02/2025 19:44

Poor baby.
I'm so sorry for your loss OP. You did the right thing not to let her suffer. I said goodbye to my kitty a couple of weeks ago and didn't get the timing right 😥Miss her so

oakleaffy · 13/02/2025 19:46

@phlossy Was thinking of you this afternoon...What sad news.
Your Beautiful cat is much better off without suffering, and she had a magnificent 15 year life with you, Queen of her Domain.

As kids, we had a beautiful Siamese cat who had sudden onset fits and it was grim.
We loved Sammy so much, but mum like you, decided to let Sammy go- he was only Six years old.
Vet at the time thought Sammy may have been hit by a car, but this was long before MRI scans for pets.

Sammy no longer suffered, and I do hope, unscientific though it is, that we are reunited with beloved animals when we too die. 🙏 🐾

WifeImprovementWorksInProgress · 13/02/2025 19:54

Your poor girl, and poor you and dd.
I hope that you find comfort in time in the fact that you gave her a wonderful life, and her death was as short and pain free as was possible, she couldn't wish for any more x

oakleaffy · 13/02/2025 19:58

phlossy · 13/02/2025 19:30

Thank you all. Very sad to lose her, she was born in our house so we've had her literally all her life. But of the ways she could go it was probably one of the better

Definitely- It was almost as if you knew, subliminally.
Quite possibly your cat let you know this.
When we have a very close bond with an animal, they definitely do let us know.

A vet said that with the advent of pet insurance, there is sometimes pressure to keep an animal going for as long as possible...but

''Just because you can doesn't mean you should''.

Some animals are put through lots of uncomfortable treatments even though the treatments may prolong their lives by a few months at best.

Quality of life is so important.

Animals have the one thing that we as humans don't have..The chance of a dignified, pain free Euthanasia, surrounded by their loved ones.

livelovelough24 · 13/02/2025 20:06

I am sorry for your loss OP. Interesting that I ran into this post as I am struggling with the same thing with my dog. She is almost 17yo and has been having worse time lately, thing after thing, procedure after procedure and I have been asking myself the same, should I go with this or not. My dog had an amazing healthy life but lately her health started declining. She looks old and unwell, it is sad. She is not walking or eating properly. However, my vet does not think so. When I asked him if he thought she was dying he said:” No, she looks great”. That is when I realized that this was a totally money grab. It is so sad that you cannot trust your vet to tell you when it is time to say goodbye to your pet.

I had spent over 3K in the last month or so (we do not have insurance) on different procedures and as a single mom, this is a serious burden on me too. The worst is that my dog is getting worse not better. I too feel that the time has come but it is so hard. 😔

I hope that you find some comfort knowing that she is finally at peace.❤️

Luckypoppy · 13/02/2025 20:22

I'm so sorry.

mumda · 13/02/2025 20:23

So sorry for your loss.

r0ck · 13/02/2025 20:27

I am so sorry for your loss- what a beautiful cat. I hope it brings you some comfort that you did right by her today and honoured her by not letting her suffer.

CatChant · 13/02/2025 20:44

I am so sorry. You were right to spare your beautiful girl from suffering.

She was loved all her days. I hope remembering that will help in the days to come.

Be kind to yourselves. It is always so very, very hard to lose them.

Original poster
phlossy · 13/02/2025 20:47

Thanks so much for all your kind words, you have to be strong for the children so it's nice that people are being kind to me :) little Lola cat was a gorgeous girl

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 13/02/2025 20:59

My girl was initially diagnosed with arthritis, but started fitting while at the emergency vet. They gave her diazepam which did nothing. I rushed from work, thinking I would take her to a vet hospital. But as soon as I saw her I knew I could t drive her for over an hour in that state. She was PTS. It was a huge shock but the right decision. So sorry for your loss.

Nessastats · 13/02/2025 21:05

You did the right thing op. Well done for not letting her suffer.

I let my cat go while she still had very good quality of life because she was developing kidney issues and arthritis and wouldn't have tolerated taking tablets. It would have been traumatizing for her. I'm very happy with my decision and i did the right thing for her.

HereBeWormholes · 13/02/2025 21:43

It sounds like you did exactly the right thing at exactly the right time - and your vet sounds like a good one too, who understands that cats can't bear to be ill or out of control. Sounds like your DD could see that too, that was sensitive of her.

What a lovely cat, and what lovely owners you have clearly been! My heart goes out to you. Grieve now, but you'll always have the memories of the good times to share. 🤗

Resilience · 13/02/2025 21:51

Oh I'm so sorry. 💐

Blue278 · 13/02/2025 21:57

Well done OP. We can be so sentimental about our pets but it’s very important to be responsible and sensible when they’re poorly.

I felt so guilty when I asked the vet to euthanise my beloved 17 year old girl cat with thyroid issues and other problems. She hated the tablets she had to take and was getting little pleasure in life. The costs was honestly a factor too. I think it was about £600 for further tests and treatment. I did give £100 to the local cat rescue because of that guilt which probably helped other healthy animals.

Sometimes loving an animal means making the hardest decisions. 😞

Original poster
phlossy · 13/02/2025 22:03

Thank you so much everyone :)

Treat or euthanise senior cat and seizures
Treat or euthanise senior cat and seizures
Treat or euthanise senior cat and seizures
OP posts:
CatChant · 13/02/2025 22:38

What an enchanting kitten your lovely Lola was. And what amazing tabby markings, as though each stripe had been carefully hand painted. You could see what a beauty she was going to become.

She will have brought you so much happiness over the years. And so many memories.

Take care @phlossy

twitchwitch · 13/02/2025 22:45

I'm so sorry for your loss @phlossy. She was a beautiful girl & you obviously gave her a life filled with love. May she rest peacefully

murasaki · 13/02/2025 22:46

Such a beautiful girl, and so sad. I agree with others that she was letting you know. Take care x

murasaki · 13/02/2025 22:47

This may sound trite, but I believe it, grief is the price we pay for love.

EconomyClassRockstar · 13/02/2025 22:49

You did a wonderful thing for a much loved pet, even though it hurts. I'm so sorry for your loss.