My little cat hasn't been very well for a couple of weeks on and off, she is 19. As soon as she picks up a bit, she then goes down hill again Been to the vets twice now, he has given her painkillers and antibiotics in case there's an infection but has advised against starting blood tests and such as he says that even if they pick up on things like kidney failure or other things, the drugs they use would probably finish her off at her age. In human years she is over 100. She is eating very little,not enough to sustain her and has lost so much weight, sleeps in odd places but still wants a cuddle and purrs as soon as she sees me.
She is older than YD and part of the furniture and it's hard thinking of her not being here but don't expect her to last another week, you can't cure old age
Why do we have pet's when we know their time with us is short?
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
So sorry to hear you are at that stage with your beloved cat. It's a mystery to me why we put ourselves through the heartache of losing our pets, but despite the pain of losing them the joy they bring to your home is somehow worth it. Our pets have never been 'just a dog' or 'just a cat', they've always been one of our family members - I know some people remain more objective about them than that, but we have deeply mourned our lost furry friends.
All I can say is that somehow they have a way of telling you when it's the right time to make that awful decision to let them go - it doesn't make it any easier but it's happened with all of ours. In the meantime, lots of affection & spoiling her is in order.
They're like the perfect family member when you think about it. No mood swings, don't judge you, always pleased to see you, don't argue with you. Will listen to your troubles and all they want in return is cuddles, food and walks
Here's a strange thing. OH and I went up to the store this morning trying to find something to tempt her into eating, I had already cooked her some fish and while it was still warm she was very interested although she only seemed to eat a couple of mouth fulls then gave up OH suggested we buy some "dreamies" I've never bought this sort of thing before as I know they are full of something addictive but when we held them under her nose she got up and followed us to her dish where she seemed to be tucking in. We both lay on the floor so we could get a better view and she was crunching them a bit then they were falling out of her mouth again, then she'd have another go, same thing. It looked to us as if she is having trouble chewing. Also gave her some fish in sauce, she licked the sauce up but had trouble chewing up the fish.
So the interest in food is still there, I think she has a mouth problem.
Back to the vets tomorrow morning.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
It sounds like she has issues with sore gums or teeth. She is an amazing age, and sounds like her interest in food hasn't waned, just her ability to eat it. Here's hoping they can make it more comfy for her to eat or maybe you will habe to resort to liquidizing everything. At least then she gets all the flavour just an easier texture to deal with. It's always hard to let go of them but at least we can give them dignity to go before they suffer which is more than we can do for ourselves. Keeping everything crossed xxx
B, it's horrible when our pets get old. You could be describing our daughters cat, she is about the same age and having the same problems. The vet gave her a course of antibiotics and a steroid injection and said that it's probably her teeth. She already has special food for kidney problems. The vet is seeing her on a weekly basis, but I think that it's just a matter of time. I hope that you have a little longer with your little puss cat. They are an integral part of the family and leave such a large hole when they eventually leave us. We don't have any pets now, our last little puss cat broke our hearts.
Trisha xx
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C. S. Lewis
So sorry to hear that your little girl is not too well, she certainly is a good age, loved and cherished, and that is what you do best, so lets hope that she gains some strength for a little while longer, and can enjoy her food again, along with cuddles and purring with pleasure xx.
Third time at the same vets in two weeks, and seen 3 different vets. She has been on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories since Friday but has hardly eaten anything apart from sauce off the food, so lost more weight and very frail. Today's vet seemed more thorough and said that although her back teeth aren't great, he's seen cats with worse teeth that are still eating, he is suspecting arthritis in her jaw which would explain her inability to chew. He went and got some special sloppy cat food and put it down in front of her and she tucked in! OH and I stood there with our mouths open in disbelief! I'd even been trying her with cream but I guess that didn't have the same wonderful smell as the stuff he gave her So that's the good news, she has eaten a little more this evening and we have a little stock of it we brought home.
The bad news is that (as this vet was more thorough) he could feel a "substantial mass" right beside one of her kidneys, it could be a tumor or calcification or a huge stone but further tests are needed and she would have to have a general anesthetic or heavy sedation to explore what it is, considering how old she is and how weak she is at the moment, he wants to hang fire and hope she puts a little weight back on before a decision is made.
With this news we know her days are numbered but maybe not as soon as we thought. Even though she's quite poorly, she still managed to growl and hiss at every dog that came in the surgery two of them were beautiful doe eyed whippets.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
I well remember taking one of my cats for his last visit to the vet. No-one had ever out-patted him, he always loved physical affection. But this time after 10 minutes, he retreated to the back of the carrier.
I knew I was doing the right thing at that point.
Also, as he settled down following the injection, I could see by how comfortable he looked, that it was quite some time since he had last been properly comfy.
I probably should have taken him in earlier...........
19 is a really good age - our family cat lived for nearly 19 years and we all still miss her. It's so hard to say goodbye but you've given her a really lovely life and she's given so much back... One of the family xx
Thank you BB and 6herry. I am thinking of calling time on this as despite the medicine and the special food the vet gave her, she is probably eating only about a tablespoon of food a day and only because I am prompting her. She has got up a few times and sat in the sun in the garden for ten minutes or so, before going back to the corner of the dining room(her new preferred spot) and sleeping again. After so little food, I am amazed she has even managed to find the energy to do that.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
B, I'm so sorry. She sounds as though she is tired, bless her. Perhaps she just might go on the long sleep on her own. I am choked just writing this. It doesn't sound as though she is in pain, she is doing what frail ladies do and sitting in the sun for a few minutes before going back to her chosen place. I wish that I could come and give you all a hug. Xxx Bloomin pets break your heart.
Trisha
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C. S. Lewis
Thank you BB and 6herry. I am thinking of calling time on this as despite the medicine and the special food the vet gave her, she is probably eating only about a tablespoon of food a day and only because I am prompting her. She has got up a few times and sat in the sun in the garden for ten minutes or so, before going back to the corner of the dining room(her new preferred spot) and sleeping again. After so little food, I am amazed she has even managed to find the energy to do that.