Chicken bald back

[Rhapsody]

CanI get your opinions on something?

Killer, my 16yo housecat has been with us since we got her from Battersea at 8 weeks old. The kids grew up with her and she has survived 3 doggy additions and 2 house moves, and now we live on farm with no catproof borders and plenty of places to get lost.

And in the past 6 months she has gradually deteriorated from defying her age to a completely blind senile old lady; it started with her blundering around a bit and culminated in her wandering out into the storm last saturday night and getting lost and stuck behind my stable block, I only found her the next day when I was making up feeds and heard her calling me, she had spent all night out in that awful weather as we couldnt find her, and TBH we thought a fox had got her (she is tiny and useless in a fight).

Ever since then she has been in a dog crate by the woodburner, with her mega cosy bed a litter tray and a bowl of Sheba. She eats and sleeps and asks to come out, we let her out into the living room but she doesn't really settle but wanders around bumping into furniture and the dogs (who are being brilliant about it). I cant let her back into the kitchen which is where she used to live in case she goes out the back door again, which is often open. I'm not convinced she has any quality of life, and where is this situation going, she is never going to get better.

Do you think its Time? Over to you......

Edited December 19, 2009 by Guest

[BeckyBoo]

Hard call. I think you know when the time has come, so if you're not sure maybe it's not just yet. But then if you feel she has no quality of life, you know your cat best. Personally (without knowing your cat) if she's not in pain, and not distressed, and is enjoying a kind of quality, then whilst it may not be what she's used to it's all still relative, and maybe sleeping and cuddling up is all she needs. If you wnat a massive dog crate to give her a bit more room I have one you can borrow. I feel for you - every pet lovers nightmare judging when to make that call.

 

Thinking of you

 

BeckyBoo

[fluffyfeet]

Hi there

 

A few questions for you.

 

If you stroke her does she purr/show affection?

 

Is she using her litter tray okay?

 

Is she in pain or exhibiting signs of stress?

 

If the answers are yes, yes and no then I would say no it isn't time, but that is just my personal view - others may see it differently.

 

I have an elderly cat (over 20) who has given us a few sleepless nights just lately too .

 

Dawn x

[Space Chick]

I agree with Fluffyfeet, my grandparents had a cat that lived until she was 23, and whilst she was completely blind she was happy, purred lots, loved a fuss and got used to dealing with her surroundings without her sight.

 

Her time only came when she developed a serious liver problem and was obviously in pain, but she lived for quite a few years with her blindness before the liver problem.

[The Dogmother]

It sounds like she deteriorated quite quickly then

 

I think that you're managing it very well and she is probably less confused by being kept in a smaller area with less to worry about. It is a fine line and a hard decision to make, but watch her closely and you will know when the time has come. In the meantime, she's enjoying a very peaceful and cosy retirement.

 

I understand that, for all our attempts to anthropomorphise them, their perception is different from ours so try not to worry too much about her fretting and give her loads of cuddles.

[Olly]

It's such a hard decision - I think a lot depends on how you can manage the situation. I agree with all of the above about her reactions, does she purr etc but it's also about the reality of looking after a sick or disabled animal.

 

If you are at home most of the day, and you are ok with her having the dog crate, litter tray etc then she's got a good quality of life. If you have to be out of the house for 10 hours a day and you can't be there to let her in/out, check on her etc, then her quality of life is not so good. If I were in this situation, I would have to consider the fact that I am at work all day and not around to deal with any special needs, and that would - sadly - have to influence my decision. I'm being pragmatic I hope, not hardhearted.

 

It sounds as if you're managing the situation and in that case, I'd carry on unless things change. You'll know when the time is right, a cliche I know, but it's true.

[Jools]

One of our beloved terriers developed the same kind of problem so I know exactly what you're going through. As if ageing and all that entails isn't bad enough, losing their mind is so very heartbreaking. I don't really know what else to say, just that I'm thinking of you.

[Chucky Mama]

It's an awful situation to be in, I think we all hope to come down in the morning to find that a much loved elderly pet has gone in their sleep but unfortunately they rarely make things easy for us by doing this. I would say that if she is gaining pleasure from every day - purring, enjoying food etc then go with it. As already said you will know when the time is right - I do get the impression from your post though that you may be close to that. I wonder if some feline pheromones may settle her a bit. pm me if you think it will help as I may have something kicking around that I you can send you to try.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Difficult decision Rhapsody

 

My vet told me "you'll know when the spark has gone", and you will

 

{{hugs}} to you all

 

Sha x

[Sunshine]

We had to make a similar decision when our dog was really poorly. She had been in the vets two weeks before and so she was on medication. She then didn't recover and the vets had no idea what was wrong. One evening we were outside having a BBQ and we couldn't find her anywhere, dad then found her in the bushes still alive but it was like she had gone off to die peacefully. She then got up and stumlbed across the grass and it was that point that we knew it wasn't fair to keep her alive. I reckon we could have taken her to the vets and got her back on a drip and more meds but it wouldn't have been fair for her or for us. It was a tough decision but that evening we rang the emergency vet and put her to sleep.

 

I agree with what others have said in that you know when her quality of life is not there anymore.

[cathybc]

lots of good advice that I can't really add to. I too would let her continue to cuddle up while she doesn't seem to be in pain. But it is always difficult knowing when the time is right. Thinking of you x

[docsquid]

Very hard call. The advice you have is good - is she responding to love and affection, and can you show her this sufficiently often? You will know when it is time.

 

A couple of years ago Sprocket, our supremely intelligent 14 year-old cat developed breathing problems, and an x-ray showed a large tumour in her chest. The vet removed some fluid from her lungs using a needle, and we had her home for the weekend, knowing it would be her last few days. We spoilt her with minced chicken in cream, but eventually she stopped eating and drinking.

 

On the last day, she could not stand, and we carried her outside so she could have a wee. She was still purring and looking at us with love in her eyes, but it seemed to me she had no dignity left and certainly no strength. So we made the decision to put her to sleep. I am grateful that the vet gave her that last weekend with us, and in retrospect we are pleased we did this for her, as she could be thoroughly spoiled and leave us knowing she was loved. You will know, as we did, when it is time.

 

I dread facing similar with Willoughby, who is nearly 15.

[Seagazer]

Its such a horrible thing to have to decide. I've been there a few times and it doesn't get any easier. In my mind I think if it was my cat and she stopped feeding or was messing all the time ie not managing to get into the litter tray then I would probably call it a day.

 

I knew with my old dog Sally, she came out of the vets cage, went round to all of us as if to say goodbye and then went back into the vets cage. She'd had enough, the time was right. It broke my heart but it was her time.

 

I'm thinking of you, you do whats right for you and your puddy. Big hugs.

[clootie]

Our old cat Cookie was 21 when I had to make the decision. She was still eating but tiny amounts and didn't seem to be drinking much at all. She was very unstable on her legs and I think she had gone deaf too. When the vet examined her she had the beginnings of a growth in her mouth so it was most definitely the right thing to do for her. He had barely s"Ooops, word censored!"ed her skin and she was gone. Like the others have said, you will know when it's time. Just keep enjoying the cuddles.

[Rhapsody]

Thanks for the replies. She is eating fine and mainly sleeping, we let her out and cuddle her on the sofa of an evening. Do I sound heartless when I say I just really dont want a litter tray in the sitting room? The kitchen is unheated so I cant put the crate in there........ I have this feeling I am just putting off the inevitable and it might be better to say goodbye before Xmas when we have a houseful of guests which will upset her, but I feel if I had her PTS now when she is still pretty ok really I'm being selfish. Gah!

[Seagazer]

I understand how you feel. One of my first cats when I got married came down with an awful disease that the vets couldn't pinpoint. He had been a big strong loveable cat but became very thin, fur went thin all over and he became incontinent. When he started jumping on the kitchen worktop and weeing I finally decided enough was enough.

 

I felt awful about the decision but the vet said that he didn't think he would get any better. I do in a way still feel bad but it was not healthy for us or the kids to have this happening.

[Olly]

No, I don't think you're being heartless - it comes down to the reality of what you can cope with.

 

It seems pretty clear from your first post that the end is not far off, and while she still has some quality of life she is not independent any more - if you don't keep her confined, then she is very much at risk. She is certainly going to find it difficult having a house full of people and lots of noise and disturbance.

 

Really you are just waiting for her to get worse - which is almost inevitable. You're clearly someone who loves animals, but part of loving them - for me - is to let them die with dignity, and I only wish we could do the same for humans.

[The Dogmother]

No, I don't think you're being heartless - it comes down to the reality of what you can cope with.

 

It seems pretty clear from your first post that the end is not far off, and while she still has some quality of life she is not independent any more - if you don't keep her confined, then she is very much at risk. She is certainly going to find it difficult having a house full of people and lots of noise and disturbance.

 

Really you are just waiting for her to get worse - which is almost inevitable. You're clearly someone who loves animals, but part of loving them - for me - is to let them die with dignity, and I only wish we could do the same for humans.

 

[BeckyBoo]

No, I don't think you're being heartless - it comes down to the reality of what you can cope with.

 

It seems pretty clear from your first post that the end is not far off, and while she still has some quality of life she is not independent any more - if you don't keep her confined, then she is very much at risk. She is certainly going to find it difficult having a house full of people and lots of noise and disturbance.

 

Really you are just waiting for her to get worse - which is almost inevitable. You're clearly someone who loves animals, but part of loving them - for me - is to let them die with dignity, and I only wish we could do the same for humans.

 

 

 

Seconded.

 

BeckyBoo

[Paola]

No, I don't think you're being heartless - it comes down to the reality of what you can cope with.

 

It seems pretty clear from your first post that the end is not far off, and while she still has some quality of life she is not independent any more - if you don't keep her confined, then she is very much at risk. She is certainly going to find it difficult having a house full of people and lots of noise and disturbance.

 

Really you are just waiting for her to get worse - which is almost inevitable. You're clearly someone who loves animals, but part of loving them - for me - is to let them die with dignity, and I only wish we could do the same for humans.

 

 

 

Seconded.

 

BeckyBoo

 

Ditto, well said Olly.

[Tiggy]

Hi there

 

A few questions for you.

 

If you stroke her does she purr/show affection?

 

Is she using her litter tray okay?

 

Is she in pain or exhibiting signs of stress?

 

If the answers are yes, yes and no then I would say no it isn't time, but that is just my personal view - others may see it differently.

 

I have an elderly cat (over 20) who has given us a few sleepless nights just lately too .

 

Dawn x

 

your old boy is like bagpus he's the biggest cat I've ever seen

[fluffyfeet]

LOL - that's the 'baby' - he's about 10.

 

Mortimer had another fit but he is now on some stuff from the vets and is his usual horizontal radiator hugging self again.

Dawn x

[Rhapsody]

Ok first of all a huge thank you to everyone who sent me messages of support over this I was very touched.

We ended up taking her to the vet, she stayed in for two nights and had bloods done- she has renal failure and high bloodpressure, she keeps bleeding behind her eyes and they have got infected. Two nights on a drip to flush out her system and some painkillers and low protein food and she is back with us, purring and climbing the furniture and looking almost like her old self. The vet says she may live another year, and while she has some quality of life we will keep her going in her dog crate in the living room, with freedom in the evening. If she goes downhill again we have agreed we will have her PTS immediately.

Thanks again to everyone who posted here and Pm'ed me.

Rhapsody x

[cathybc]

lovely news !

[Joojoo]

I must admit I dreaded reading your update but that's brilliant news You must be so relieved to have her almost back to normal.