My cat is 22yrs old and his health has declined. Recently he has been drooling from his mouth and has gone off his food. I took him to the vets last week and they suspect he has a tumour in his mouth. The vet prescribed a course of steroids to reduce the tumour but they don't seem to work.

He is now opening his mouth wide and pawing at it. He does this about every 10 mins. The only time he doesn't do it is when he's asleep.

I've got an appointment at the vets Tuesday morning and it saddens me that I will have to say goodbye to such a loyal and loving companion.

Having had to have my dear friend Amber put to sleep in October 2012, after several months of declining health, I know exactly what you are going through. But at least you know he has had a very long and happy life with you.

If you do have to lose him, may I recommend that you get a new cat pretty soon. This is in no way disrespecting the memory of your old one, but it will help to take your mind off things, and will also ease the burden of unwanted cats by giving one a forever home.

I had to have my cat put to sleep a few weeks back, very hard to do, but sometimes for the best. 22 is a good age,

OP, it's a very difficult time as i know. Doing what is best for puss is priority. My wee cat died at the weekend and she was about 12 before that we had a 20 year old cat who died of cancer. Take care

its always a tough decision but I was glad that when my cat fluffy was put to sleep I was able to hold her and she drifted off within a second.

I lost both my cats { they were brother and sister } to cancer - they were 14 when they died.

I just could not replace them right away - I waited a year and then a friend of a friend had moved and they could not keep their young cats any more so I was given them and they are such energetic cats they keep me well busy.

I keep the previous owner up to date as to how they are getting on and send her pictures so she knows they are all right.

So how did the vets go on Tuesday, were they able to help him to stay with you or did you have to let him go? Sorry to ask and if it's the latter will understand if you are not up to responding yet.

It would be a shame if the vet couldn't do something (positive) for him.

My 24 year old passed away in September 13, (asleep in the sunshine / her favorite spot) by which time she was totally blind, yet this didn't seem to bother her (in / out the cat flap all day).

So long as they have QOL I believe it's worth staying the course (money permitting).

I find that vets are often over-keen to "do the right thing".

Interesting. In my experience vets are often keen to push meds/treatment to elderly animals which have simply reached the end of their lives.

It's heartbreaking to lose a much loved pet but there comes a point when you have to consider if it's worth putting them through treatments and the stress of repeated vet visits that will only prolong the inevitable for a short time.

Thinking of you OP. My old cat had to be PTS in December after suffering a stroke. He was 20.

I think some of them deliberately try and spin out what they know full well is ultimately futile treatment, so as to make more money. Sorry to be cynical, but my experiences have shown this to be the case. Although they will always argue that they are ruling out various illnesses.

Feel for you. Take care.

Agreed.

22 is an exceptional age. We have one that old but she is still feisty and bashes any interlopers on her territory but if she declines, we will do the kind thing.

For your cat to reach that age, I know you have looked after it very well, and you will do the "kind thing" no matter how painful to you personally. Do not think for one minute you are being cruel to do the "kind thing". Far from it - it is a brave and caring person who does the "kind thing".