Sick Kitty

A

ally1966

Cathlete
Hi, all. I know we've visited this subject before, but it has new meaning to me today... My 17-year-old cat has a long history of health problems, but she's a tough girl and has bounced back from some serious challenges (she's a great example of the Nine Lives idea!). But in the last 24 hours she has stopped eating, drinking and walking. We saw the vet today, and as I imagined/feared, she thinks this is probably something that won't get better. I brought home fluids to give her under the skin and a syringe to feed her, and we're going to see how things go in the next 24 hours. The vet was very nice and not at all pushy, but her opinion is that it would be kindest not to let Ivy linger this way more than another day. At the moment, she doesn't seem to be suffering; she's just very weak and pitiful.

So, I guess I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts or experiences related to "kitty hospice." If we're not ready to choose to euthanize, I'm wondering how long she might live if she's not really eating or drinking. If her kidneys start to fail, would that be awful for her? I'm not against euthanasia, if it becomes clear that she's not getting better or is getting worse. But as you know...it's just hard...

Thanks for listening and sharing!
Allison
 
I like to put this in perspective of what you would want in that situation.

If you couldn't eat, drink or (easily) move...would you want someone to keep you alive? If your kidneys failed, would it be awful for you?

Not tryig to jam a perspective down your throat, just trying to give you something to think about.

It's hard to lose a close part of your family. But, sometimes, you haev to love something enough to let it go.
 
Allison -

I feel for you! The same thing happened to my 13 year old kitty (Eppy) last summer. He quit eating and drinking and then walking. I took him to the vet and they were going to try and rehydrate him through a cathider (sp?). He passed away before I even made it home. I should have never left him and hate myself to this day. However I am glad I didn't have to make "the decision".

I won't get into details, but through my experience I learned that once a cat stops eating/drinking, kidney failure and/or disease takes hold fairly quickly. Take comfort in knowing that you have given your baby a great life. This is a terrible decision to have to make.

You will be in my thoughts. Tears are running down my face as I write this because I know exactly what you are going through. Give that baby lots of love and smoochies!!
 
Sigh, I just posted a whole long thing and lost it....

The short version is, I went through exactly the same thing with my kitty, Daisy, who lived to be 18. Not eating and drnking, and that age and with those conditions, means it's time for them to go.

I wasn't allowed to hold her at the vet's during the injection, but had my hand on her petting her. I wrapped her in a blanket, stayed with her a few moments, then had her cremated. Be with her when it's time. It's hard, but yuo'll regret it if you don't.

And I'm afraid it really is time. My vet said, we all hope they'll go quietly in their sleep, but Daisy would have to endure too much pain getting to that point. You both had 17 years, but now it's time. I'm so sorry :(
 
Allison,

I went through a very similar situation in October with my dear kitty, Frank. I think euthanasia is a very personal decision. I went through forced feedings and to be honestly, dear Frank continued to decline despite my best efforts. I put him down after realizing that he no longer recognized me and was losing his dignity due to incontinence. He was no longer able to eat, drink or go potty on his own.

I received very kind advice on this forum and what it all boiled down to was Frank's quality of life. I knew when the time had come.

Good luck to you whatever decision you make. I know that it is a very difficult decision and you will make the right one.
 
Allison -

From my own experiences and from what many others tell me, you'll know when it's time to put her down. If she's in no apparent discomfort, I would do the same thing as you are. I'm not anti-euthanasia either, but I don't believe in rushing when there is time. If she starts to look as if she's in pain or starts to fail in other ways, then you may have to rethink your decision - so watch her closely and just love on her. Bless you and her. You're in my prayers.
 
I have just been in this situation. In fact, I put my kitty to sleep on Dec 23. Hardest decision of my entire life. She was 17 1/2 and just started having real troubles.

She had kidney failure for a number of months but we seemed to manage that. My boyfriend wanted me to euthanize her immediately, but I couldnt in my right mind kill a cat that I knew was still doing pretty good and not sufferig. Having discomfort maybe, but not suffering. However, in the last couple weeks things started going wrong. On the 23rd I knew it was time. She wasnt eating nor drinking just walking around meowing so pitifully - all night and all day long.

I wasnt going to have her go through the ordeal with another vet visit. She was just there two days prior. No more poking and proding. No more needles, fluids and injections...I wasnt going to torture my cat for the selfish hope of having her by my side for a few more days. It was time and I knew I had to end her suffering.

Its sounds like your cat is suffering. She has complety shut down and only her poor little heart is hanging on. I know it is hard but its time to give your cat the release she needs. Its so hard believe me I know, I had a total and complete mental breakdown when I was putting my cat to sleep, but think past your hurt and pain, and focus on what is best for your kitty.
 
May I go? - Susan Jackson

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and enless lonely nights?

Ive lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take the step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didnt want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.

I want to go. I really do.
Its difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.

Thank you for loving me.
You know I love you, too.
Thats why Its hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.
 
I know it's hard to let go, but I wouldn't force feed a terminal cat (which is different from a cat who temporarily isn't eating on her/his own). The body is shutting down in preparation for the end, and forcing food in might actually make it more unpleasant for your kitty. (My family actually went through this with my father, who died of cancer, and he decided that when the time came and he couldn't eat on his own, there would be no attempt to force feed him.)

At most, you might try some sub-Q fluids (less stressful, and they help flush the kidneys), and if kitty is going to get better (was the vet unsure?), she may get her appetite back, but it sounds like it's time to make peace with your kitty leaving.

It's possible she may go on her own (hold her, comfort her) if not force fed.
 
So sorry to hear of your kitty. My oldest cat is beginning to have problems too and I fear for his loss also. However, if it helps any ... my mother died 2 years ago of kidney failure and the doctors reassured us that it was one of the least difficult ways to pass ... the body just eventually shuts down with very little pain, passes into a kind of sleep and then expells their last breath. Peace.

Deb
 
Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and good wishes for us. I know it's true -- if this strong little kitty has decided not to eat or drink, and if she's too weak to walk, that gives us a lot of information. I don't want to decide for her too quickly, but if in a day or two she's still in this state, that probably tells me what I need to know. The vet wasn't certain, but she felt pretty sure that Ivy isn't likely to recover from this episode.

One thing I've realized is, it's going to be awful to lose her, whenever and however that happens. That makes it feel just a tiny bit easier to think about making the decision. Making the choice for her is hard, but I would like to believe that I'll recognize that it's time...even if that time is tomorrow.

The vet told me that her office provides in-home euthanasia, and that also gives me a lot of relief. Ivy really hates the vet's office! So if we have to go ahead, we can cuddle up on the bed and be in a place she knows and loves.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experiences -- and for your kind words. I truly appreciate them!
Allison
 
Allison - I'm so sorry to hear about your sick kitty. :-( I think the in-home euthanasia is a great option - especially if the visit to the vet's office would cause her more stress. Surround her with all her favorite things and hold her. Hugs to you and your sweet kitty.

Sue
 
Alison,

Did the vet say what was wrong with kitty? Is it her kidneys? My sister's 18 year old cat did the same thing. Pooky was a very robust, rotund light gray tabby with mint green eyes and in a matter of weeks he withered down to a scrawny shell of his former self. The thing that was really amazing to me was, he was still so bright eyed and didn't seem to be in pain at all. Vet said it was his kidneys shutting down. Eventually he wouldn't even drink. They euthanized him and it was pretty tough on my sis, but it was like Pooky knew it was time.

I don't envy you. I do think if she stops drinking it can be painful for her. The vet is the person you should lean on for this though. Remember, the decision to put her down is for HER, not you. I have multiple cats, and I just would be heart broken if I were faced with what you're dealing with, but I have had to put several down. I had to put down a mama cat and her three babies because they had leukemia. They were all precious to me (her name was Attica because she got in our attic and got stuck in the eaves and we had to rip an external vent on the outside eave so she could escape!) but I put them down because I knew that number one they could spread the illness, and number two, they were symptomatic so they were possibly feeling poorly - or hurting. I couldn't allow my own desire to keep them around cloud that fact. So, I put them down. It nearly ripped my heart out! Even my DH cried on that one.

Write me whenever - if you need to talk.

;(
 
Alison,
Just over 2 years ago, I lost my cat, Adrian, to kidney failure. He stopped eating and drinking, and in the beginning, I ignored or was not able to face what was happening to him. I got on some cat site and the lady was straight with me and encouraged me to take him in to see the Vet. Adrian was half-Siamese. Now, I have to new boys whom, by mistake, I call them by Adrian.
It's not an easy place to be in. Losing Adrian was one of the worst things that has ever happened to me.
Sending hugs your way to you and yours.
 
Oh, you're not alone. Our beloved kitty, Molly, is declining rapidly. She's still eating and drinking, but is clearly on her way out. I keep checking her basket to see if she is still breathing. I don't think she could survive the stress of a ride to the vet at this point. When she stops eating and drinking, we will ask our vet to come to our house to put her down, so she won't have her last moments in panic. Her brother, Charlie, will be so lost without her.
Dammit, why don't they live longer!
 
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