My cat is dying.

In my personal life I've experienced losing many, many beloved pets...and as a veterinarian I've experienced an owner's heartbreak many, many more times.
Not too long ago I developed a mystery illness that resulted in acute liver failure and I know how sick your kitty is.
Please find it in your heart to care for yourself...but also to relieve him of his suffering when the time comes. It's a luxury we humans don't have.

How are you and Murphy today ?

(((((((((Raspberry)))))))))

Sending big hugs Raspberry

Given the deep feelings you have for your cat, I'm sure it has enjoyed something so many pets never do - love. A life being loved is a life well lived.

I'm so sorry about your fur-baby. I've been through this with several of my cats and it hurts almost worse than when a human dies. I remember one much-beloved kitty that I had to have put down due to renal failure, and when I brought her home from the vet's I sat on the sofa with her body in my arms, sobbing like a baby for hours. That was almost 20 years ago and I've never forgotten how her loss made me feel.

Hoping Murphy remains comfortable and passes easily to the Rainbow Bridge. I'll be thinking of you both.

How are you and he doing today?

We're okay. He ate some more of the prescription cat food and drank some water and so far hasn't thrown any of it up, so that's good. He's also being his normal social self. Past few days he's just been hiding away under the bed and has wanted to be alone, so I think he might be feeling a little better today.

Glad he is feeling a little better.

Good news

He puked up the little amount of food we managed to get in him today. And then he was puking up bile.

I feel so bad. He doesn't want to be around me right now. He just wants to be alone. He hides under the bed. I know it's probably because he's feeling so sick right now, but I'm used to him following me around everywhere, and right now more than anything I want to pet and hug him. I want to be by him.

I just don't want him to die all alone.

Cats tend to want to be alone when they know they are going to die. My grandmother’s cats were all outdoor cats and when they knew it was time they left home and just never came back. It’s so painful though! I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this.

Like Wildflower said they do tend to want to be alone at the end. With my Noah he did lay in bed with me and while he didn't want petted much he would purr a bit if I touched him and he knew I was there and loved him. If he'll let you be beside him a bit it might help you feel a little more connected during this time. I also had a big talk with both of mine that I loved them so much and knew they loved me and thanked them for being part of my life for so long and told them to tell me when it was time to let go and if they needed me to make that final call I would. Both of them did and both times it was really clear that it was time. I hope you don't have to say good-bye that way but I do think they will let you know if the time comes.

I recently lost my kitty who was 17 but I had for 15 years of that because she was a rescue and I got her when she was around 2. When she passed away I bawled for days on end. She was my baby.

Now I've adopted another kitty who, it turns out, has a serious heart condition, but that's another story.

What has helped me:

1) Keeping a journal for and to my kitty. It's also a scrapbook with pictures and the condolence cards from the hospital where she passed away and my regular vet, etc. I write to her almost every day telling her how I'm doing with my mourning and saying how much I love and miss her.

2) I adopted another cat. This has helped my mourning the other beloved kitty considerably. I got him only a little over a week ago, and already adore him and I think he's very happy here. I have not at all forgotten my other kitty and still write to her regularly, but another cat in my life has helped so much.

Also, re hiding, I do think they can hide when they are dying, but vets have also told me that they hide when they're uncomfortable/in pain (not necessarily dying). In the wild, showing pain/disability could cost you your life, so they often don't show it and hide to be safe. If it were me, I'd sit or lie on the floor by the bed and keep her company for periods of time. She may not want to be pet right now, but may well like the safe company of her mama.

I didn't read the whole thread so I'm not sure if you're already doing this, but I'd consider regularly giving her strong (narcotic) pain medication. I'm sure your vet would be happy to give it to you. The only downside is that because it's a controlled substance, they only give you a few days' worth at a time and you have to keep going back for it.

When she does pass, I would ask the cremation company for a lock of her fur, if they do this. Where I live they offered it and it has been painful to look at, but also comforting to feel her with me.

Best of luck. I know how incredibly painful this is.

Oh raspberry, I am so sorry that Murphy is not doing well. I have lost many of my precious cats over the years and my oldest one, who is 18, has cancer so it's a day-by-day thing.

Losing a pet is sheer hell, I won't lie. I have found, though, that death can be a bit like birth...it is a blessing to have been best friends with a cat and have the privilege of being there as it transitions from this world. Love, love, love...there is always that.

I wish you and Murphy the greatest peace.