I think my cat is dying

Ack! I really need some advice.

I have two cats - one is 18 and the other is 17. The 18 year old is half bald, has mini-strokes, and is just a mess...and he is still SUPER affectionate and just keeps hanging on and seems to be fine a lot of the time. I've been expecting him to die since last summer and he just keeps hanging on. He's awesome

My 17 year old cat is gorgeous (and evil! ). I thought he would outlive the older one for sure. He lost a lot of hair on his head/back a couple of months ago and I took him to the vet and she did tests and his kidneys were failing. She said something like "we may still be having this conversation in a couple of years!". We put him on special food. She said she couldn't tell me how much kidney function he had left.

I've been noticing in the past few days that there are no BMs in the litter box. And my 17 year old cat is very obviously not feeling well...it's super obvious now, but it happened so gradually that I didn't notice until last night.

He's just in my closet, sleeping. I went in and petting him last night and he woke up and said "meow". One of his eyes looked watery. My H went into the closet this morning, and he said he woke up and went back to sleep. The second time my H went into the closet, he said the cat was walking slowly back to the spot he's laying in, so he moved a little. My H put some water in there in case he's thirsty.

I don't know whether to call the vet, or...??? I would feel horrible moving him if he's just sleeping and comfortable. He hates getting in the carrier, going to the vet, being poked at, etc. Maybe it's just his time. But I don't want to do the WRONG thing either.

I feel kind of awful. I've never had a pet die and I REALLY don't know the right thing to do.

Help?

I've lost several pets in my life. I may be able to offer some help here.

You've known this animal for 17 years. What is he communicating to you? (I think you know).

Sometimes the last thing we get to do for them is the best and rightest thing for them.

What is sleep right now could turn into suffering quite quickly.

At the bare minimum call your vet (they will want to see him, I'm sure) and get their opinion.

This is tough and I'm sorry.

(((((treehouse and elders)))))

(((Treehouse and pet cat))) - I agree with elliemay and I understand how you feel. You can call your vet and tell him/her what's going on and ask if you should bring him in or just let him go through this process if he doesn't seem in pain.

When I younger and living at home we had an 18 yr old cat. He was getting senile and roamed around a lot but he didn't seem to be suffering. One day we woke up and he had died a natural death.

It sounds like it's his time to go and I suspect the only thing the vet would do is euthanize him. If he's suffering then you should go that route but if he's not then he can go in his own time. Usually an animal will seclude themselves like this. I'm sorry this is happening and I think it wonderful he lived this long.

Thanks

I talked to the vet and she said I could bring him in and have him euthanized or just let him be. I don't want him to suffer at all, and right now, he seems very peaceful. I'm afraid the trip to the vet would bring the suffering. It's so hard to know the right thing to do.

It's only 10am and the vet is open all day, so I'm just going to see how the day goes.

I'm so sorry, treehouse. We just lost our 16 year old cat to kidney failure. She just hid herself away. I'm actually glad we didn't take her in to have her euthanized. I know it's the right thing to do when they're suffering, but she just stopped eating her special food and so on. I didn't sense that she was in a lot of pain.....We gave her a lot of TLC in the time before her passing.

But, that said, you have to live with yourself with your decision and whether you feel your cat is suffering.

If your cat doesn't seem to be in pain, then I think it's okay to let him be IMO. Euthanasia is for a suffering animal and I also think it's for the pet owner to a certain degree - meaning it's hard for us to witness our pet fading away. As long as you're okay with that, then it's fine to let him die naturally like he would in the wild. For my cat that I talked about.....he had a great life but he was just very old and it was his time to go. Hugs to you during this sad time.

He wasn't sleeping anymore, he was awake and it was just so sad. I'm not even sure he could use his back legs. I decided to end his suffering, and called the vet (who I had already talked to this morning). We all said goodbye, and my 10 year old and I took him to the vet (right across the street). He was too weak and floppy to get in the carrier, so we wrapped him in a big towel and my 10 y/o held him in the car.

The vet was awesome. So gentle, took so much time with me and especially with my son.

It was sad, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

Poor kitty

(((((treehouse)))))

................

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...



Sorry for being so emotional it is one of those days.

(((treehouse))) At least you know your kitty won't have to ever suffer. I can speak from personal experience that your special one will always hold a place in your heart. I wish animals like cats and dogs could live as long as people!! It was a good, long life for a kitty....

i dont want to hear this. triggering past memories. want to offer my grief.

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

I am sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you made the right choice.

Your cat was lucky to have you as its owner and carer and to die surrounded by those who loved it. My condolences.

Treehouse, please know that you did the right thing for your kitty. If he could talk, I'm sure he would have told you "thank you" for setting him free.

((tree and family))

Your kitty had a long, happy, loving life with you. I'm so sorry for your loss.