Is it time?

[Diversion]

Our old boy is 16, on Tuesday he ate only a tiny bit, on Wednesday morning I took him to the vet who did bloods and said he had an overactive thyroid and prescribed medication, also prescribed pain medication because he teeth aren't good. He has a heart murmur which we have been aware of for a few years and the vet scored this as 4/6 and said that she would not recommend anesthetic for his teeth to be dealt with. They admitted him to be put on a drip as he was apparently dehydrated, but gave him pain meds, he apparently ate a big bowl of food and was discharged without the drip. Since then, he has eaten very little, wont touch his normal food, wont touch any of the soups, pates, tuna etc which I have bought trying to tempt him. He had a poo in his litter tray yesterday and had a big wee today and is affectionate and reactive but not his normal self. He is tolerating his meds and we have started syringing him some water (very carefully) to keep him hydrated. He ate a tiny bit of roast pork which I hand fed to him yesterday after he refused everything else and today he has only eaten 5 dreamies and a little piece of chicken which I broke up into tiny pieces. I have tried warming up chicken a little tonight but he isnt interested. We are taking him back to the vet tomorrow but I really dont know whether we should try other treatment, in patient treatment or whether it is time, both the thyroid meds and pain killers apparently can cause a decrease in appetite (according to my google searches). He is absolutely loved and adored since we got him as a tiny kitten and he walked to the door of his birthplace as though to say take me home please.

So sorry to read this. I think you’ll know when it’s time. I’d had my cat since she was a kitten. She developed thyroid issues when she was around 17/18 and was on medication. She was sprightly and absolutely fine up until June 2024. We went on honeymoon and when we came back, she’d gone downhill massively (we used a cat sitter whilst away). She just slept on the rug in the dining room. Was still eating and drinking to a degree and using her litter tray etc. We took her to the vet and they did tests and said her thyroid was okay, but she continued to lose weight. She was then put on arthritis medication. She seemed content so I didn’t want to put her to sleep. This lasted for around 10 weeks, when she suddenly went blind. It was awful and I knew it was time. I booked her into the vets the next day but she had a fit in the morning and passed away. I am glad she passed at home with me, where I could hold her and she could have her last moments at home.
I would keep an eye on him. If he doesn’t seem to be in pain, and the vet will try treatment, then I would. If he seems to be in pain or goes downhill, it might be the kindest thing to do.

I know how heartbreaking it is. My cat died at the age of 20 😢

Oh gosh. I'm crying. I'm so sorry for both of you. I've lost two cats, one planned put to sleep in two days time and one completely unexpectedly after just a few days of her eating half her food.

I now have a cat who is 15.8 and his blood tests showed thyroid and a couple of other issues. He's been pooing on the sofa, unlike him, shouting for food but also playing like a kitten.

Don't think bloods being repeated less than the planned three months is sensible.

@IwanttoWFH thank you, he is much loved especially by one of our daughters who he kept company whilst she was unwell with glandular fever many years ago. She was devastated tonight when I told her. We obviously have his best interests at heart, he is a huge part of our family.

@12234m I am so sorry for your losses, they are such a huge part of our lives arent they.

It may sound ridiculous to say, but it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. She was my constant companion and I was devastated. It’s been two years next month and it’s still hard, but I take comfort that she had a lovely life.

I’d definitely seek the vet’s opinion. I think mine were slightly premature in wanting to put her to sleep, as she was so old. You will know your cat and whether it’s the right thing to do. I hope he perks up.

Oh I’m sorry. Aside from the teeth he sounds a lot like my 16 year old boy. He’s been on thyroid meds for a couple of years and has had periods when his appetite had disappeared and he’s had stomach issues (colitis, vomiting) to the point I’ve taken him to the vets worrying I wouldn’t be bringing him home. We know we’re in palliative care now but for the last month he’s been on steroid and painkiller injections that last a month and it’s been the best month he’s had in a long time. I wouldn’t say he’s like a kitten again but he’s quite happy pottering about and lying in the sun. He had bloods today and they’re so pleased with his thyroid, kidneys and weight gain that they don’t recommend bloods again for 6 months (assuming he stays stable). We’ve had them monthly in the past.

I’d say to discuss all the options with the vet tomorrow. We have had appetite stimulants in the past just to get him kick started and then once he’s taking his thyroid meds consistently (in food) he seems to perk up and want to eat more.

All that said, we’ve agreed with our vet that a week too early is better than a day too late, when the time comes, so if he’s in pain and unhappy then don’t hesitate to make the decision to free him from it x

So sorry, OP - it does sound like it’s time if he’s not eating and you’re having to syringe fluids into him. We had to have our last cat it’s aged just ten because of cancer, and it was honestly the absolute worst, but I am so glad we were able to let her go with grace, with us there holding her, and her knowing she was so, so loved, and not in some horrible emergency situation.

Well today is good news, he ate lots of the food we left out for him last night and has used his litter tray again. He is back to his more vocal self and let me know earlier that he wanted food. He has taken a liking to being hand fed bits of chicken but I will continue with small meals as often as he wants and the bits of chicken. Another one of his nine lives gone I think, but it is so lovely to see him back to nearly his normal self. Hopefully he will not go back into a decline, but it he does we will be straight back to the vet.

They are. In my opinion, they really make a house a home and I never feel I'm coming home or an empty house.

That is great news about him eating.

Mine is always shouting for breakfast and tea and wouldn't turn down a snack. Currently on the lounge windowsill checking who is about.

That’s great news! Thyroid issues can make them even vocal. My girl was like a wailing banshee. Make sure the vet is switched on with check ups, blood tests and monitoring etc. Keeping everything crossed for you.