Help me please, I think I need to let our old boy go

[Upwiththisiwillnotput]

He is 18. Not really eating now but will take some cat milk, still just about managing to use the litter tray but moving seems painful. He also seems to have a swelling in his mouth (no teeth for a while). He had a vet appointment next week but I don’t know if he will make it and it will stress him out.
ideally I would like him to pass at home, do vets do this?
Please be gentle with me, I am in bits x

It sounds as if it's time to let him go. Yes, vets will come to the house. Big hugs, it's awful.

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that. Please don't wait until next week. He's very ill and his time is up. Please take him to an emergency vet tonight, or somewhere tomorrow.

Had cats for 45 years, know how sad it is to lose them or have to let them go

Can’t do it tonight, he’s a family cat and DDs since she was 8 so we will all have to agree, but yes I do think sooner would be best.

So sorry, OP. It sounds like time, and while it is awful it is also the very kindest most loving thing you can do for your little friend. Please don’t wait until next week, ring the vet first thing - it will be worse for everyone if he passes away potentially suffering.

I know. This is fucking awful. His sister went last year very quickly from heart failure, no suffering at all. DS is with him now, he is in the Good Front Room on the comfy sofa, no other cats allowed in to bother him.

Trust your gut OP and you will do what's best for him.

So sorry OP . We had to let our much loved 19 year old girl go on Monday. Hugs to you.

💐💐💐

My dear old puss, went in 2023, at 17. I knew he was failing, and gave him a few last days in the sunshine before the vet. I decided that because I had let my previous boy go on probably a month longer than he should have ( compounded by my mother dying very suddenly around the same time ). I was determined not to do that again. I miss him every day, but am glad I did it sooner rather than later.

It’s heartbreaking, so thinking of you all.

Well Mumsnet, miracles do happen. Moved the vet appointment to today and it turns out he has a nasty abscess hence not eating much, and a touch of arthritis in his back legs. She gave him antibiotics and pain relief for both and said we should notice an improvement in the next few days. So he is not going anywhere yet!!

How are you and the old boy doing OP?

Sending love

Much better, his facial swelling has gone down and he’s eaten a little and had some cat milk. Currently having a snooze ❤️

Cat tax paid

😍 keep strong little one!

Oh great news! We had to have our old boy - 19 - put to sleep three weeks ago today. Was not a hard decision as it wasn't a decision at all, it was time. We got his ashes back last Friday and I have bought a honeysuckle to bury him with in the garden that he loved so much. His name was JinJin and Jin Yin is honeysuckle in Chinese apparantly. Going to do that over the weekend if my husband can now bring himself to. I hope your lovely boy has a lot more time with you and 18 is a great age for a cat.

Awwwww look at him, so lovely. I’m glad he’s doing better x

He passed away on 11th October. He went downhill quickly over a few days, on his last day DS gave him a bath as he was a bit smelly and matted. Put him on the sofa with a hot water bottle and a towel, DH found him next morning. He is buried under a tree in the garden next to his sister so they can torment each other in the next life just like they did in this one 🥲
Rest in peace my dear friend. You were a great cat xx

What a gorgeous boy, and I'm glad his passing sounds peaceful. He will clearly be missed so much.

So sorry, OP. He was a handsome lad 🤍

Thank you x

Ah so sad but a peaceful ending to, I'm sure, a lovely life with you OP. Blessings.