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Old 23-10-2016, 17:43
tiacat
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She is 15.5 and over the last couple of months has really slowed down, to be expected as she is getting older and she's never been the most energetic of cats anyway.

Around 2-3 weeks ago though she got very insular, hiding away in dark places, not coming for cuddles, more importantly not eating and then not drinking. It hit a low point last weekend when she looked so gaunt and awful and wasnt eating or drinking. Quite laboured breathing

Took her in on Monday and they did blood tests, took her back Tuesday for the results and she has kidney failure and the vet said she had a severe heart murmur which indicated heart failure. She then went in on a drip until Friday morning with antibiotics and fortekor which is for kidneys and can lower blood pressure.

The plan was for me to take her back on Tuesday this week to check bloods again and if the kidneys conintued to improve or at least stay ok (her levels went down after the drip which showed a good improvement), then the vet would start to look at the heart treatments.

But all day yesterday and today , she is hardly eating, her back leg has odaema and is swollen, she is hardly moving. She is drinking a little but its only a little.

Lots of discussion here that maybe it was time for her today and so we rang the emergency vet and went down their with me balling my eyes out to put her to sleep. The emergency vet is not someone we know (different practice) and was suggesting this and that and then when I finally said about putting her down he seemed surprised that I was thinking this. He has heard today that she now has fluid on the lung but said that she isnt that bad, she isnt dehydrated but he doesnt want to give anything for the heart as my own vets have all the records and really she would need more bloods to check that anything they now give her wont interfere with her kidney medication. So he said to take her home, keep giving her water etc.

My appointment on Tuesday isnt until the evening and its not with the vet that saw her last week as shes not working next week.

Im in such a quandry about what to do. Half of me just hopes she dies in her sleep so she's at home in comfort. I cant face making the choice which is why I happily took her home today. OH thinks we should have put her down but I wonder if thats because he just wants it over with because he cant cope with stuff like this (not that I can). He says shes not likely to get better so why wait until she's really suffering.
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Old 23-10-2016, 18:05
The_Moth
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It can be a really difficult decision. I have faced it myself although in my case it was probably a bit more clear cut and I do not envy you.

Do you think your cat is suffering anything more than mild discomfort and that it will not improve? This or that the treatment would be too uncomfortable for such an old cat would be my yardstick.
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Old 23-10-2016, 18:12
tiacat
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It can be a really difficult decision. I have faced it myself although in my case it was probably a bit more clear cut and I do not envy you.

Do you think your cat is suffering anything more than mild discomfort and that it will not improve? This or that the treatment would be too uncomfortable for such an old cat would be my yardstick.
I think you're right, I would gauge at the moment that she is in discomfort, rather than absolute suffering, but its clear (I think, unless there are heart meds that can work) she wont improve. Im not sure I would say the treatment would be uncomfortable, it would be tablet medication I think. Plus the renal diet she's on.
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Old 23-10-2016, 23:15
yoko ono
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She is 15.5 and over the last couple of months has really slowed down, to be expected as she is getting older and she's never been the most energetic of cats anyway.

Around 2-3 weeks ago though she got very insular, hiding away in dark places, not coming for cuddles, more importantly not eating and then not drinking. It hit a low point last weekend when she looked so gaunt and awful and wasnt eating or drinking. Quite laboured breathing

Took her in on Monday and they did blood tests, took her back Tuesday for the results and she has kidney failure and the vet said she had a severe heart murmur which indicated heart failure. She then went in on a drip until Friday morning with antibiotics and fortekor which is for kidneys and can lower blood pressure.

The plan was for me to take her back on Tuesday this week to check bloods again and if the kidneys conintued to improve or at least stay ok (her levels went down after the drip which showed a good improvement), then the vet would start to look at the heart treatments.

But all day yesterday and today , she is hardly eating, her back leg has odaema and is swollen, she is hardly moving. She is drinking a little but its only a little.

Lots of discussion here that maybe it was time for her today and so we rang the emergency vet and went down their with me balling my eyes out to put her to sleep. The emergency vet is not someone we know (different practice) and was suggesting this and that and then when I finally said about putting her down he seemed surprised that I was thinking this. He has heard today that she now has fluid on the lung but said that she isnt that bad, she isnt dehydrated but he doesnt want to give anything for the heart as my own vets have all the records and really she would need more bloods to check that anything they now give her wont interfere with her kidney medication. So he said to take her home, keep giving her water etc.

My appointment on Tuesday isnt until the evening and its not with the vet that saw her last week as shes not working next week.

Im in such a quandry about what to do. Half of me just hopes she dies in her sleep so she's at home in comfort. I cant face making the choice which is why I happily took her home today. OH thinks we should have put her down but I wonder if thats because he just wants it over with because he cant cope with stuff like this (not that I can). He says shes not likely to get better so why wait until she's really suffering.
If she were in the wild she would take herself off and lay herself down somewhere secluded and drift off naturally. All this being kept alive artificially, temporarily, can do more harm than good. Sorry if I sound cold and heartless.
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Old 24-10-2016, 18:42
tiacat
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If she were in the wild she would take herself off and lay herself down somewhere secluded and drift off naturally. All this being kept alive artificially, temporarily, can do more harm than good. Sorry if I sound cold and heartless.
No, you're right. I'll talk to the vet tomorrow about it.
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Old 24-10-2016, 18:49
Peg ODwyer
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Let her go, as hard as it is, it is for the best, In the past we spent huge ( ridiculous) amounts of money to keep our cat alive, it benefited no one except the vets wallet. She ended up dieing a few months later, & in retrospect, it wuld have been kinder to let her go at the beginning of the diagnosis ( cancer) than let her suffer on. Another cat had renal disease, it is very common in older cats, he was to be given special food. The only problem, was, he would not eat it, & as we had other cats at the time, it was hard to keep him out of their bowls of food, he was starving. He died in his sleep, the vet did a tooth surgery, & that did him in ( I think the vet knew it would), If the cat is not in great pain or distress, keep it for a while, but if it is not eating or drinking, it surely is not feeling well. HUGS, I know it's hard.
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Old 26-10-2016, 15:13
wildpumpkin
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My previous cat had a partial lung collapse and fluid on the other. He hated being messed with anyway and getting any medication down even by the vets generally took at least three people to hold him as he would fight them even for his jabs.....so I knew I wouldn't put him through what lay ahead, just to keep him with me for a few more days.

So I'd say, let her go.

Thinking of you tiacat
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Old 26-10-2016, 19:45
mrsgrumpy49
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If she were in the wild she would take herself off and lay herself down somewhere secluded and drift off naturally. All this being kept alive artificially, temporarily, can do more harm than good. Sorry if I sound cold and heartless.
But it's not that easy is it? My collie, at 13 became very ill. An ultrasound showed a large part of her liver covered in nodules. The vets said maximum 3 months to live. Instead of putting her to sleep I cared for her and spoon fed her and a couple of months on she turned a corner. That was over 3 years ago. At 16 and a half she is just beginning to flag. I'm glad for both our sakes we hung in there.
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Old 26-10-2016, 19:59
tiacat
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Well typically, she seemed to look like she was making small improvements on Monday and Tuesday and Tuesday evening I took her back to the vet who said much the same as the emergency vet on the Sunday which is that shes not that bad. I had noticed that she had started eating more, more responsive.

So the plan is that I take her on on Friday for an ultrasound on her heart to see how bad the heart damage is before considering whether to commence with medication.

They're telling me that the meds for her kidneys made such an improvement when she was in on the drip that this is now management with the meds. But although she is eating more, (I would say about a pouch a day of the special renal diet), she is still spending all her time on the arm chair. She has her food and water perched on the chair with her as I worry about her moving around to get it. She is getting up to use her tray which Ive put in the living room (urgh), but would worry if I put it back in the utility that she might not have the energy to use it.

I dont really know what to think now. She does look much more responsive and she's eating more day by day. Her meow is getting stronger.

The problem with treating her heart is that it can affect the progress with the kidneys.

And over all, of course I would prefer for her to not get to a point where she is very very ill and suffering, gasping for breath or in a lot of pain before making a decision to put her down. The vet keeps saying that I will know when its time but the problem is I dont.
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Old 27-10-2016, 11:29
katt
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Well typically, she seemed to look like she was making small improvements on Monday and Tuesday and Tuesday evening I took her back to the vet who said much the same as the emergency vet on the Sunday which is that shes not that bad. I had noticed that she had started eating more, more responsive.

So the plan is that I take her on on Friday for an ultrasound on her heart to see how bad the heart damage is before considering whether to commence with medication.

They're telling me that the meds for her kidneys made such an improvement when she was in on the drip that this is now management with the meds. But although she is eating more, (I would say about a pouch a day of the special renal diet), she is still spending all her time on the arm chair. She has her food and water perched on the chair with her as I worry about her moving around to get it. She is getting up to use her tray which Ive put in the living room (urgh), but would worry if I put it back in the utility that she might not have the energy to use it.

I dont really know what to think now. She does look much more responsive and she's eating more day by day. Her meow is getting stronger.

The problem with treating her heart is that it can affect the progress with the kidneys.

And over all, of course I would prefer for her to not get to a point where she is very very ill and suffering, gasping for breath or in a lot of pain before making a decision to put her down. The vet keeps saying that I will know when its time but the problem is I dont.
you will trust me, my cat was 16½ when I had to let her go and I knew - the vets were very lovely and suggested all the things they were willing to try to make her better but when I looked down at her, lying on her cushion, struggling to breath, I knew - her eyes were saying "let me go mum" absolutely broke me heart and I am getting a lump in my throat just typing this and I 100% didnt want to let her go, but I knew it was for the best and that she had had enough

its very hard and its very painful but you will know - thinking of you and sending love
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Old 27-10-2016, 11:50
SapphicGrrl
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It's all about quality of life (including future life) - my 16-year old cat got ill then perked up again, & this kept happening. We were confused & didn't know what to do. Then he had a scan & we discovered that he had a nasal tumour that was eating into the bone - it was horrible. He kept acting OK but he clearly wasn't, so we had to make that terrible decision. I think you need to ask the vet - what CAN be done, & if anything, how beneficial will it be for the cat? (Bearing in mind that the cat may not be behaving as you might expect in the circumstances?) Whatever you decide, this will tug at your heartstrings, there's no denying it...

(Ignore people who go on about 'a waste of money' - we got this - it's your cat, your money & your decision. You do what feels right.)
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Old 27-10-2016, 19:45
tiacat
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I dont care about the money, thats what credit cards are for!

She's having the ultrasound tomorrow, they have to shave her but they dont put her under so theres no risk.

Then the plan is that from that, she will tell me how bad the heart is.

But, I dont know how much quality of life just sitting on a chair all day and all night is to be honest.
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Old 27-10-2016, 19:45
blueblade
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What makes it so damn painful is that they don't want to leave you, and you don't want them to go. They fight like hell to stay alive.

It broke my heart when I made the decision to let Amber go.

If only they had a longer lifespan.
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Old 28-10-2016, 08:13
theid
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When the kidneys fail everything they put in their mouth tastes disgusting, which is why they stop eating. They cannot survive without the kidneys functioning as their whole system becomes poisoned. "Flushing" the kidneys with a drip will make them feel better, but only for a very short time. Call the vet to the house to put her to sleep and bury her in the garden. You've done her proud to get her this far and I'm sure she's had a lovely life but it really is time to say goodbye.
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Old 28-10-2016, 22:23
Fred Splunge
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I wouldn't dream of suggesting what to do Tiacat, but I can only echo other people's posts when they say "you'll know when it's time". It's a horrible decision to make, and I can honestly say your situation has reminded me of past times and made me shed tears this evening. What has helped me when that time has come is the belief that when they do make that journey, it's one to a place where there's no pain, they're full of the joys of spring, with all the mice/birds they want, and all their previous 'brothers and sisters' are there to show them how it all works.
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Old 29-10-2016, 16:46
tiacat
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She died last night. She came home from her heart scan with some new medication for her heart. She was quite lively, had eaten well at the vets, went into the garden for a bit, came over for cuddles, felt as if she had put on a bit of weight

Then I gave her, her new meds at 8.30 and then all of a sudden an hour later, she collapsed, howling, then ran over to her litter tray, all wobbly, was gasping for breath, pads had gone bright red, mouth wide open, I quickly looked up the meds and it said that if there was any sign of not breathing or allergic reaction seek emergency treatment, so we phoned the vet and just as I got off the phone, she died.

We took her down to the vet and he said it was likely a heart attack.

Im really confused about this though, the scan revealed she had a slightly enlarged heart, fluid on the lung but that with the meds she could probably live another 6 months to a year.

I think the meds gave her an allergic reaction and caused her death.

Im devastated of course but Im also trying to feel reassured that she died in her own home and it was very quick.
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Old 29-10-2016, 17:03
TelevisionUser
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She died last night. She came home from her heart scan with some new medication for her heart. She was quite lively, had eaten well at the vets, went into the garden for a bit, came over for cuddles, felt as if she had put on a bit of weight

Then I gave her, her new meds at 8.30 and then all of a sudden an hour later, she collapsed, howling, then ran over to her litter tray, all wobbly, was gasping for breath, pads had gone bright red, mouth wide open, I quickly looked up the meds and it said that if there was any sign of not breathing or allergic reaction seek emergency treatment, so we phoned the vet and just as I got off the phone, she died.

We took her down to the vet and he said it was likely a heart attack.

Im really confused about this though, the scan revealed she had a slightly enlarged heart, fluid on the lung but that with the meds she could probably live another 6 months to a year.

I think the meds gave her an allergic reaction and caused her death.

Im devastated of course but Im also trying to feel reassured that she died in her own home and it was very quick.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

Having been there (so I know what it's like), my advice is not to bottle up any grief and to remember all the good times.

You have my good wishes at this time.
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Old 29-10-2016, 17:21
tiacat
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Thank you and to everyone else for their advice.

I couldnt stop crying last night and in the night, today Ive barely cried, which I think is odd. But then Ive slept most of today and am very flat. I have a splitting headache.
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Old 29-10-2016, 22:35
Fred Splunge
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Hi Tiacat. Sorry for your loss. Just try and take some comfort that she isn't suffering any more, she's doing all those kitteny things that we all yearn for them to do once againl. She'll be comparing notes and playing along with all that have gone before her.
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Old 29-10-2016, 23:04
wildpumpkin
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Your beautiful puss knew she was so loved. I know it's so hard at the moment, but soon you'll be able to smile at the lovely times you had together and know that all her pain has gone.

RIP little one
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Old 29-10-2016, 23:25
Peg ODwyer
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Oh I am so sorry for your loss, but it was good that she went at home, & quickly too. HUGS!!
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Old 30-10-2016, 00:45
daisy_johns
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So sorry for your loss
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Old 30-10-2016, 10:40
Shrike
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Sorry for your loss, Tiacat. Not the best end, but then again it was quick and at it wasn't somewhere unfamiliar after a long series of tests and procedures.
Hopefully you'll soon be able to look back over her life and remember the good times and a much loved cat.
RIP Puss.
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Old 31-10-2016, 12:43
katt
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Im so sorry

its horrible and there are no words that will comfort you at the moment - I lost my baby very, very quickly too - within 24 hours she went form being ok too me having to make the heart breaking decision to put her to sleep - the vets diagnosed asthma, she had had a lung x-ray and I had even been shown them, the vet said they were ok, she had had steroids and he sent me home with her - she deteriorated that evening, I went back to the vets (at 2.30am!) and she was put onto oxygen for about an hour, they sent me home again and I was back at the vets at 7.30am the next morning with one very, very poorly cat

just remember the good times you had with her, she had a very long, happy life with you and she was loved right up until the very last minute

you did everything you possibly could for her

it will be hard for you atm - believe me - I know, my house felt "wrong" without Olive in it and I still look for her now (I lost her 16th April)

I do have another cat now and whilst she wont ever be Olive she is helping to mend my broken heart (yes, its still broken) she is a rescue baby and despite swearing blind I wouldnt get another cat............
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Old 31-10-2016, 22:48
Keviness
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So sorry for your loss Tiacat, we had our dog of 20 years put to sleep on Friday and it's so heartbreaking.

Think of all the good times, don't be ashamed to cry and think of the wonderful life you gave her.
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