My cat suddenly got really sick. She is 16 years old and I love her like part of the family. I took her to the vet and they are going to keep her for a couple of days and see if they can get her back to healthy. They told me that her kidneys are shutting down and she is very dehydrated and has ulcers in her mouth. She has a chance of surviving and the kidney damage can be reversed. Would you go through all of this at a chance that she will survive or would you have just had her put to sleep.? Keep in mind that she is my baby and they said there is a chance that she can pull through.
Answers:
In times like this, you have to do whats best for your cat.
What will her quality of life be? You don't want to put her through painful surgery if it will only give her a few extra (painful) weeks. If they can help her, then I would personally do everything I can afford to do. If they can't make her better, then let them make her comfortable. Sometimes euthanasia is the kindest thing, when the animal is suffering.
I'm sure it's hard. I've watched two dogs die in my life, and I have a kitten now. I love them all and I always will. Talk to your vet. Maybe get a second opinion. Then do what you think is best for her. She's counting on you!
Good luck! You're a good mother-cat, and I'm sure that no matter what happens, she will always know that.
Nothing far!!..
Not very far, my cats already dead.
If the vet says there's a chance of the cat surviving, then that means the chance is probably pretty good (they'll usually let you know, if the chance of survival is little to none).
I would give it a few days, and if she doesn't seem to be responding positively to treatment, then I'd consider euthanization, but only if she doesn't get better.
My cat is my child, and I wouldn't let age, determine the route I'd take to keep her healthy.
If you love her that much go as far as you can to get her well again.
Please give her the chance they say she has. You can always change your mind later if you decide she's suffering.
well if i had enough money to save my cat i would if it came down to it. but in my case, i got a newborn that matters more. i love cats to death but if i knew i couldnt i would end the suffering puttin in to sleep. my cat is my baby too but i have a real baby of my own. id do the best i can
I love my cat, and I can't picture a day without him, but at the same time if he was suffering I would have him put down. The cat is very old to and doesn't have much more to go so sometimes the worst thing to do is the best thing to do.
See what happens. But if she is ill it is love to put her to sleep.
I think this is a very personal decision that only you can make. The question is how is her quality of life? If she is usually up and about and active then she has some time left. On the other hand, if she is usually lying around, and seems to have difficulty walking or getting in and out of the litter box, then she is probably ready to go. Remember cats purr both when they are content and when they are in pain or dying. I understand you love your cat and I know this is very hard on you. Just do what is best for her.
The same thing happened to my cat. He was 18 years old, and we loved him just as much as you love your cat. But you have to think about whats best for your cat. Spending lots of money to save your cat isnt good for you. And putting your cat through even more suffering isnt good for it either. The best way is too let it die slowly and peacfully, painless. You should have your cat put to sleep. Your cat lived a long life, and probably loves you very much. If you stayed by its side and pet it while it died, it would feel secure and loved. I know I am going on about how the cat feels, and I may sound silly, but some people see their cats as a member of the family. I hope you keep my opinions in mind. Best of luck.
I would try to make it ... but at the same time i wouldn't want her/him in any pain.
I hate to say this, but often it has to come down to economics. I adore my 16-year-old cat, but I can't afford dialysis or major surgery, so if it came to that, I may have to make a painful decision. I know you could say "well, you can't afford a pet, then," but I've had her for 13 years and she was a rescue, so I think having to make that choice would be better for her than never having taken her in. If you can afford it and if her prognosis is good, then go for it! best of luck!!
Well you need to factor in that she is already 16 years old and suffering. Putting her to sleep would be the most humane.
That is a personal decision you will have to make. Do you want her to suffer or pass in peace? That is something you and only you can answer.
I have been there with a few of my cats. With Dinah, we tried to keep her alive, spent thousands of dollars, had to re-hydrate her subcutaneously with a large hollow needle, pill the poor thing 3x a day, and she died anyway and suffered horribly on her last night from the cancer that was eating away at her. NEVER AGAIN. When the vet informed us our other cat, who we both loved very dearly, had cancer, we had her put to sleep right away. As painful as that was for my wife and I, it was not painful for our cat. I have seen pets suffer when trying to keep them alive for just a little while longer. I thank god there is euthanasia available for cats. It is only humans that are forced to suffer a terminal illness because of our parochial and antiquated laws in this regard.
This must be a very difficult time for you. I love all my pets dearly and I dread the day that I am faced with a decision like this. I think you need to ask the vet what the humane thing to do is here. I mean your cat has a chance of surviving but what will its quality of life be? It is 16 years old. I would say to decide it like that. Will she be able to do what she would normally or is she going to continue to have further problems and suffer? It is a hard decision but just listen to your heart and I am sure you will make the right decision.
I've been through the exact same thing. It's very hard. When it came to my cat getting ulcers in his mouth I knew it was time to put him to sleep. I strongly feel that any measures taken to save an animal that miserable only prolongs the pain for both of you. It's not likely the kidney damage will be reversed, it sounds harsh but to not put her to sleep would be cruel and selfish. She's tired of being in pain, she knows that you love her. She loves you so much she hanging on for you. Try to find the strength to let her know that she can let go and rest now.
In the end, It's your decision. I can tell you that I feel the same way about my animals as you probably do. So let me tell you a story about me rabbit. I know, a rabbit? Anyway, I had my rabbit for about 4 years when He got real sick. He was very special to me. He was litter trained, and lived in the house with a dot and cat. (not in a cage)(the cat and him where girlfriend and boyfriend) The top of his head peeled up (like rotten carpet). I took him to the vet, and they told me he had an abcest from because of his teeth(they were growing in crooked, and I had to keep them cut. I di that myself) any way, they told me he had a less than 10% chance of survival. The surgery was going to cost over $500.00 and the outcome did not look so good. I made the choice to do it. In my mind, if there was any chance, then I couldn't give up on him, and wasn't willing to say he died because I didn't have the money. I had the surgery done, and then he was able to come home. He did great in surgery, but it was not over. I had a rabbit with a shaved head, and a tube that went through his face. I had to nurse him back to health, but I did. I would never had taken it back. He made a full recover and lived a long and happy life. He has passed on now because of old age, but i still miss him. I would hate for you to bear the burden of not thinking you did everything you could for your cat. On anthoer side, if your cat is suffering, and there is no hope of a perment recovery, don't keep her around to keep you happy. Do the best for her. Pray, and I will pray for you. The right decision is in your heart, just listen! Good luck
It depends - I would go as far as I could possibly afford. My limit would probably be a grand. If it cost more then that I would have to put her down.
What I would consider important is her quality of life. Why are her kidneys shutting down and how likely is it to happen again? Did you mean that the kidney damage CAN be reversed, or CANNOT? I'm sorry to say but usually kidney disease in elderly cats is degenerative, meaning it doesn't get better although relief can sometimes be provided and a prolonguing of life. If it cannot be reversed I would urge you to help your cat pass out of her suffering. If it can it depends (IMO) on the future prognosis for your cat's health.
Will she need to spend a lot of time in the vet's office now and in the future to be rehydrated, etc? If so, is there a risk of her dying there while you're not around?
Is she in pain, feeling sick most of the time?
Euthanasia can be a gift for an animal that will be prevented further suffering.
If the chance of survival is large and she is not expected to continue to have kidney problems, keep her with you a while longer. Remember that at 16 she is quite an elderly cat. Some cats live to be older, but most live around 15 years.
Only you can answer that question on whether you should go through treatment or put her to sleep.
I would have a frank discussion with my vet regarding her treatment and the prognosis. If it is that her quality of life wouldn't be what it should be, then it may be time to think about the other alternative - trust me, I know what a hard decision that is to make, having done it many times over the last 30 years. It's never taken lightly.
How far would I go? My cancer cat had chemo for a year and a half and went into remission for 4 years. But I did the chemo after having a dicussion with my vet and taking his opinion into account, I decided it would be worth it. And it was. You may find the same thing in your situation.
Prayers to you.
Kidney failure is usually not reversible, but cats can live a few good years with proper diet and care. Depending on the stage of the kidney damage, she may eventually need to receive subcutaneous fluids. Mu friends cats are going through this right now.
My first question to my vet is: if you can get her back to health, how will her quality of life be? A good vet will tell you honestly.
Vets can fix a lot of problems and put animals through a lot of treatments to cure their immediate ailments, but what really counts is whether the cat is suffering and uncomfortable during and after treatment. If the treatments are short moments (like medicating, or giving fluids) and can be tolerated while the majority of kitty's time is spent happy and comfy, I would definitely go for the treatment.
Did they say what caused the kidney disease? Some kidney diseases can be fatal but with even thoughs, a cat can live comfortably for years. You may have to give something that's called sub-Q fluids at home which can be intimidating but isn't as bad or as hard as it may seem. Please read about nutrtion as vets prescribe this bad dry food alot of times. There are new studies showing that it may not be protein that causes this byt the quality of protein being fed.
Best of luck and don't make hasty decisions
i am a huge animal lover but sweetie she is 16. Thats pretty old for a cat. She isnt going to live forever and 9 chances out of 10 she is suffering from all her ailments and in pain. Put her to sleep. Even if they can revive her and maker her better, for how long? She obviously means alot to you and i know how guilty it can make you feel but by doing this you are being unselfish by letting her go and putting an end to her pain. Be there to pet her and comfort her when they put her down. Thats really all you can do.
Good Luck.
I don't think her age should have a bearing on whether or not to save your cat. My 12 year old boxer had to have her spleen removed around Christmas time (it cost $4000) but I did it to try to have her with me for a few more years. Your cat can live to be over 20 years (that's not unreasonable nowadays), so if age is a concern, keep that in mind.
If your vet thinks your cat has a chance and your cat is not suffering (quality of life is what's important here), then go for it.
I hope your cat makes a full recovery!! Sending healing thoughts...
I wish I could wave a magic wand over all of our pets who get old and sick and approach their final days. Don;t we all wish they could live for so much longer!!!
I'm sorry your cat is so sick. It's a well-known (well, I never knew it until last year) fact among vets that when a cat is in kidney failure that means its kidneys have been in the process of deteriorating for a long time without any outward signs (however, this is where yearly vet exams are so important-- they can do bloodwork to check the BUN and Creatine levels and other body functions in older cats so that poential major problems can be detected before they get worse)
So if your cat's kidneys are shutting down it's a sad but very good possibility that her days are getting shorter on this planet.
your vet can show you how to do Subcutaneous hydration of your kitty, which is what pet owners do for their kidney-impaired pets -- that will relieve her dyhydration -- it will Hydrate her, and will be VERY helpful for her kidneys and may keep her around for a longer time if you do this for her exactly as the vet asks you to do.
As for the ulcers-- what did the vet say about them? Can she still eat? She may need to be fed beef or chicken baby food to make it easy for her to eat.
If I were you-- I would keep her around for as long as she has a good quality of life-- can she pee? poop? eat? be hydrated? Then she will certainly be around for more time with you. Once her quality of life in those aspects REALLY starts to deterioate, then you will have to make The Decision -- it;s not easy, but in many cases, your kitty will let you know when it's time to go.
My beloved Princess kitty lived to be almost 14 -- she had terrible cancer--had 3 operations, but she bravely hung around, with my help, until the very very end-- and when it was time to take her to the Vet, for her final journey on this earth-- I knew beyond a doubt. It did not make it any easier, and my grief was profound, but I knew i had done all I could for her.
Bear in mind, also - that your kitty feels the same way about you as you do about her-- she loves you dearly and is so grateful for any extra quality time she can have with you.
Baby her, you may need to set up extra litter boxes and newspaper -- which is what I did with Princess -- you may have to SubQ her -- a good excuse to hold her and give her some extra cuddling -- and I think the love and the respect you both have for one another will carry both of you thru this difficult time.
oh yes I would deifinitly go to the ends of the earth and back to help my cat. I have already had a eight week old kitten die in my hands and I could not help him. The only way I could see having any animal put to sleep is if they were not getting any better despite all the medicial intervention. P.S. I hope that your baby feels better real soon
Yes i would try to give her a chance to pull thru
I'd go through with it, as long as she seems like she isn't suffering horribly. But, if she's hurting, you have to make the best decision for her, and let her go. It's really hard to be in that situation and make a choice that isn't painful. Best of luck to you and your kitty.
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