Very elderly cat and her end of life

[OliviaFlaversham]

My beautiful cat is dying. She has eaten very little over last couple of days and I just woke up to her not in her bed and found her weak downstairs. She is very cuddly and sleepy and I’ve booked a vet appointment for this morning. I know what they will say and do but I guess I just need to know what this will be like.

I love her so much.

Very sad, and very peaceful. I took mine in, they advised me to put her on the table rather than hold her, so I didn't have to feel the change in her body (and her bladder/bowels may go). She lay down, I told her how much I loved her fir the zillionth time and gave her kisses then when I was ready (I wasn't but couldn't stand there all day) the vet gave her the injection while I stroked her. She immediately went limp and that was it.
It is often said on here, "Better a day too soon than a day too late". Awful though it is, this is your last kindness, if she's that poorly you are doing the right thing.

Thank you. Xx

I am wondering if she will make it until 10 when the appt is as she isn’t really responding now.

It the most difficult part of having a pet but you’re doing the right thing OP. Maybe call the vet and see if you can take her in sooner?

Just to send a hand hold, thinking of you and your beautiful girl .
We have a much-loved 17.5 year old and every day is precious . I hope I will be as brave as you when the time comes . xxx

It’s peaceful but sad. Just keep petting her as much as you can.

They will trim a bit of her fur for you if you want.

So sorry. I’m sure she knows how much you love her. 💐💐💐

She is 21 in a few days and the most gorgeous and affectionate cat we could have ever hoped for. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and I am sure I felt a little purr when stroking her. She’s laid completely into me and I can’t believe how quickly she’s gone from being bouncy and loud (bengal) to how she is now.

Oh I’m so sorry, we had this a few weeks ago, it’s very peaceful and there’s nothing really to see. Our darling boy was wrapped in blankets like a little burrito. They did the injection and I was surprised when the vet said that his heart would stop in 5-10 seconds. It was very quick, and very quiet. Sending love & strength.

I'm so sorry op. You're doing the right thing for your beloved cat.

It will be very calm and peaceful as pp said. She will just slip away. The vet will probably give her two injections, the first one puts her into a deep sleep and the second one will be the overdose of anaesthetic. She won't feel a thing and all she will know is your loving touch at the end of a long and hopefully very happy life.

Sending you a lovely hand hold for a difficult day but it's the last kindest act we can do for our loved ones. Thinking of you x

We just had our darling girls pts yesterday and it is the first time I have witnessed it. It is very peaceful and I believe she was gone before the vet even finished the injection. I stroked her throughout and then held her like a baby like she used to love for a little while. Be warned there may be a reflex gasp or sigh a little while after they have gone and I'm glad the vet warned me of this as it happened while I was holding her. If she isn't in any pain I wouldn't worry about it happening before you can get her to the vets, I have had a few animals pass away at home and as long as they aren't in pain it's a peaceful way for them to go.

Sounds as though she’s had a beautiful life. She’s not scared or in pain. Your heart will break but know that she is happy in your arms. Thank you for sharing your life with her.

Hold her close @OliviaFlaversham. Thinking of you

She’s stirred a couple of times and opened her eyes but doesn’t really seem to be able to move her legs much. Thank you for understanding. I really adore her. We got her when she was 9 and she’s the best.

Remember, they don’t have the fear of dying that we do. My beloved Chihuahua died literally wagging his tail when he heard me speaking into his ear. That comforts me even though two years later I still tear up for missing him.

Take care of yourselves.

That is a comfort to know. She does seem so comfortable and she’s on my chest cuddling in. She’s not closing her eyes and I know she knows we are here. But gosh it is sad

Try to have someone go in with you if possible - I know I wouldn't have been able to drive home when Boycat was PTS.

As others have said, it was very quick, peaceful and gentle. We put Boycat on the table, but I stroked him throughout and talked to him gently until he was gone and a few moments after.

They will ask you what you want doing with the body - group cremation, single cremation & the ashes back, take the body to bury yourself I think is still an option.

My recent experience was just like LittleTreeFrog's, the vet was so kind and gentle and my darling girl fell asleep in my arms so quickly. She was ready to go and it was a kindness to her even if I wasn't ready.

The vet took paw prints and sent us a lovely card with a clipping of her fur too.

Love and peace to you both

I hadn’t even thought of after so I’m glad you mentioned it. It’s an hour til we go and I’m dreading it all

Much love to you at this sad time x

I had a beloved cat PTS due to cancer and it was sad but peaceful x

my best cat ever was due to be PTS ( again due to cancer) but died in my arms that morning

it all hurts and is terribly sad but it’s the right thing

however is happens I wish you love and strength x

our vets took paw prints and some hair to remember them by which helped the kids 🌈❤️

I am sorry, its so hard and you are doing the right thing.
I have had many cats and its not easy at the end but its usually very quick and peaceful.
We had my "heart cat" PTS after a short but quite horrible illness and we probably should have done it earlier but I was struggling to let her go.
DD was around 6 at the time and she said "Mummy I think x must have been so glad when the vet killed her because she wasn't happy before". The terminology made us smile a bit but I think she did have a point
I hope this morning goes as well as possible.

Thoughts with you. The final act of love and kindness is so hard.

I agree it was very peaceful and dignified. I did cuddle mine. In blankets and and a puppy pad. The first time I didn’t support Maia’s head and was upset when it flopped back. The second time I made sure I did support and it was ok. I got a lot of comfort from how peaceful it was. Hand hold OP. It’s the greatest act of live you can do for her.

OP - you have my sympathy - my experience has always been that the cat drifts away very quickly and calmly. Hope it all goes well at the vet.💐

We had to do much the same for our elderly cat a few years ago. We weren’t sure she’d make it to the vet either.
Knowing our cat to be a vocal wriggler in her younger years, the vet was kind enough to explain the process with gentle humour but it was over in seconds - she stretched her paws, purred with contentment and was gone.

Sending my love your way.