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Dooies B.B - 01 Aug 2003 20:20 GMT

Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks, toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

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Cathy Friedmann - 01 Aug 2003 20:55 GMT

If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather. Does
she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she watch
the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
environment?

You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs. Has
she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
practical info:
http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

> Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

Reply to this Message

Dooies B.B - 01 Aug 2003 21:32 GMT

> If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
> imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather. Does
> she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she watch
> the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
> environment?

She doesn't much move to enjoy sunbaths. She avoids the other cats, as she
always has other animals. She hates other pets, unfortunately Gizmo and
Betsy were far better off here, and Katie has adapted well to them existing.
As for the general environment, she certainly isn't taking as much notice as
she used to. She likes to sleep. I'm not saying she doesn't derive some
enjoyment from the environment, but it concerns me that she is progressively
"shutting down", and I genuinely don't believe life can be as fun for her as
it was.

> You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs. Has
> she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
> either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
> elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
> practical info:
> http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm

She has been to the vet about 8 months when some signs of the problems were
showing, it was suggested by the vet that treatment for kidney problems
might not be the best way to go.

Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice :)

Thanks for your comments and I'm just taking a look at the link you gave me

> --
> "Staccato signals of constant information..."
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> >
> > Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

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bewtifulfreak - 01 Aug 2003 21:45 GMT

> Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to the
> vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

Well, I think this will help you make your decision, as the vet should be
able to give you a reasonable idea of just how much discomfort she is in, if
any.

> I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
> there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
> suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
> of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
> interest. Hense I'm looking for advice :)

I think that's very admirable. I know it's a difficult situation;
regardless of whether someone we love is nearly gone, or just getting older,
we can't help but remember them how they were and feel a little sad that
things have changed so much. But I think you won't be able to make an
informed choice for your kitty until you get some input from the vet,
especially if she's not very obvious about her pain. I hope the vet is able
to treat any of her health problems after all, and that she can have a bit
more time with you in comfort, but in any case, please keep us informed.

All the Best,
Ann

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Dooies B.B - 01 Aug 2003 22:13 GMT

> > Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to
> the
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> All the Best,
> Ann

Thanks for your input. I'm gonna try and get her an appointment next week,
it seems the sooner the better :)

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Bill - 01 Aug 2003 21:29 GMT

>"Dooies B.B" <Karen@sunkissed.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message

news:bgeeov$rp2$1@newsreaderm1.core.theplanet.net...

> Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

I agree the cat doesn't seem to be suffering, so there's no reason to put
her down at this point.

If you mean the cat doesn't jump on your bed while you're in it anymore, you
can construct ramps to the bed and other favorite spots to help her get
where she wants. At her age, she probably has arthritis that limits
jumping. You vet may be able to prescribe medication to help her here.

Bill

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Dooies B.B - 01 Aug 2003 22:07 GMT

> >"Dooies B.B" <Karen@sunkissed.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:bgeeov$rp2$1@newsreaderm1.core.theplanet.net...
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> Bill

She doesn't seem unable to jump when she wants to. She just simply seems not
to want to move. I've considered constructing ramps, but if she doesn't go
to the bedroom she can't go up the ramp.
She gets good days, and bad days, but the good seem to be getting less good
and the bad seem to be getting more frequent.

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Gail - 01 Aug 2003 23:03 GMT

She still has quality of life for a 15 year old. She does what most older
cats do. I would definitely not euthanize her.
Gail

> Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

Reply to this Message

Alison - 02 Aug 2003 01:02 GMT

> Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

Have you taken your cat to the vet for a check up and a blood panel
, if not why are you considering putting her to sleep ? You don't
have a dilema until you find out your cat has something your vet
can't treat .
Alison

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Bob Brenchley. - 03 Aug 2003 18:24 GMT

>Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

15 and a half is not really old for a cat these days and unless there
is some underlying problem then she should not have slowed down quite
as much as you indicate.

I think a trip to the vet is certainly in order and make sure the vet
checks her eyes. I had one cat down the road with this "withdrawn"
sort of problem ant it turned out to be vision related.

Good luck to her, hopefully there will be several more years ahead for
her.

Signature

Bob.

Cat's motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it
look like the dog did it.

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Blob Drenchley - 27 Aug 2003 18:00 GMT

>>Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>Good luck to her, hopefully there will be several more years ahead for
>her.

Abuse Report Filed

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Jaycee - 06 Aug 2003 14:46 GMT

If she "doesn't come to see you in bed anymore" perhaps you ought to bring
her to bed with you. My eighteen year-old got a little stiff for higher
jumps, but he sure continued to love those "under the cover cuddles" and
sleeping together we had shared since he was a kitten. The other advice
you've received regarding checking with another vet could be invaluable. No
one is attacking you - you did ask for "advice please". The best of luck to
you and your little ole lady. Jaycee

> Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

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