Eating issue with 17 year old cat

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

Cassie was fine until recently, although she has been looking quite bony for a while but I figured it was just old age. She was eating well, in fact asking for food all the time. Then suddenly she started to go to the toilet in the house, but a litter tray has instantly sorted that out. I think she just didn't want to go outside anymore.

But recently she has started not eating well, she drinks lots but is very picky. I have bought all sorts of things to try and although she is eating some, she is leaving other stuff and I'm just ending up throwing it away. It's so frustrating, and really worrying and I'm on the verge of cancelling my holiday which is in 5 weeks. Nobody can give her the time she needs if I'm not here. I also groom her daily as she isn't brilliant at keeping herself tidy these days.

My plan is to have 3 set meal times a day and try that, and I am also picking up some Hills a/d tomorrow from my vet. Whilst there I am going to book her in for bloods on Tuesday. I'm just worried this is the beginning of the end. Any opinions/advice very welcome as I have spent the morning sobbing in the bath Embarassed

Mary_NH · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:25 pm Post subject:

my only advice would be what you are doing - a full blood panel. At her age chances are her organs are starting to shut down and sadly with cats they don't let us know until they are seriously ill. They are masters at hiding illnesses.

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

Hi there and thanks for your reply.

I've decided to let Cassie go, as I really think at her age it's not fair to put her through treatment that probably won't work at this stage. She's too fragile, and I don't want to see her go downhill anymore. Time to be unselfish but it's so hard, I've just spent the evening sobbing down the phone to my catty friend Sad

Just have the vets to sort out now and hope that they can do a home visit tomorrow ....

HDrydr · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject:

Ginny I am sorry to hear about what you need to do. Just remember that you gave Cassie a wonderful life!! And what you are doing is your gift to her as her gift to you was all the love and affection she gave to you. It doesn't make it any easier I know. The loss of a beloved fur baby/family member is hard. I miss my Patches of 15 years that I gave that same gift to last month. They give us soo much just remember her and all the memories.
Hugs to you and your family!!! She will be missed but never forgotten!!!
Sad

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4381

Ginny, big hugs. It's very hard to watch our little furbabies suffer. You are doing what's best for Cassie. Thinking of you.

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

Thankyou. Today is such a hard day. I'm trying to make Cassies last day as nice as it can be for her, she has just eaten some fresh fish and is having a cuddle on my lap. I know I have to let her go, but we've been through so much together and she's always been there for me, I'm going to miss her like crazy. It's going to feel empty.
Vets coming out at 6.30 but I am going in for a quick chat about it at 4.30 but I decided to not take Cassie with me. I don't see the point in stressing her out in her last hours. She's had a long and healthy life, and I keep trying to reassure myself that I must let her go before she starts to really suffer. How I wish she could talk!

I have stuff to do, but I'm not getting up and leaving this house until she moves!!!

Mary_NH · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

big huge comforting bear hugs to you....you ARE giving her the ultimate gift. Letting her go before her suffering might become too much.
It's a hard place to be but sadly we pet people all have to face it

HDrydr · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

I understand where your coming from Ginny letting her go before she suffers any is the best thing you can do for her. I think I waited a day maybe two too long...... But I wasn't ready to say goodbye.... but in the end she let me know that it was ok and she purred the whole time. Cassie gave alot to you and visa versa...

Big hugs I know this is very hard my thoughts are with you!!!

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

I waited too long with one of my other cats a few years ago and vowed never to do the same again. I still feel guilty though, especially as Cassie ate really well today for the first time in days. My house feels so empty now, and I'm surrounded by boys now ... the only female in the house! Crying or Very sad

It was relatively peaceful, although the sedative caused a little sickness. I was able to have Cassie on my lap when she died, and I carried her to my vets car afterwards. I did all I could. Heartbreaking though.

I always say "no more pets" but they just seem to find me!

HDrydr · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:57 pm Post subject:

I'm the same way Ginny Patches and I were the only girls in this house so I'm right there with you surrounded by boys!!!! LOL
Hang in there and know that you've got all of us...... I'm glad that it was as peaceful as it could be.... I am glad that you were there for her and she had a nice cozy place to lay at home with you!! What a wonderful way to start the next leg of her journey!!!
Big hugs!!!

sunset05 · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject:

I'm so sorry Ginny. Hugs! It sounds like you did all you could for her. Please do not feel guilty. You did the right thing.

When our Smokey was old and sick we struggled when to let him go, too. After we finally let him go, I had a strong feeling of peace come over me telling me it was okay and Smokey was at peace now.

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

Thanks all. It's just so difficult, and I went through the dilemma at 4am this morning with a cup of tea in bed! Should I have gone with the bloods, should I have tried treatment, was it too soon, was it too late ... all the usual guilty feelings I've had before every time I've had a pet put to sleep.

It is easier afterwards, as there are no more decisions to be made. I miss Cassie so much though, where she's slept for the last few months is so empty. She had a bed, with a little stool that she needed to get to it, and where that bed was is now just a huge space. We've kept her bed and my son has put his toy cat in it, and the stool is next to them Smile

I can't remember my life much before Cassie, she was my first cat when I left my parents, and has been through so much with me and has always been there for me. What a sweet girl she's been, so pretty and lovely. I'm sure I'm biased but she really was in the group of the best cats in the world Smile

She's reunited with her best friend Mabel now, who she took under her wing and mothered for many years. They used to sleep in 'bunk' style, you could sometimes see 2 bodies and 1 head! I'm sure Mabel was waiting for Cassie, and probably said "what took you so long"?!

Mary_NH · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject:

oh huge hugs to you Ginny. Tami was my first outside-the-parents-home cat. I still remember the day I lost her - I did wait too long with her and I still kick myself for that. I put her through so much.
You had the courage to let Cassie go before she got to that point.
Big hugs

Ginny · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 200

Thanks Mary. I'm feeling a little better about it now. My vet told me if I left her I could come home one day to find her collapsed, she could have had a bigger seizure or anything. I know I did right but it is just so hard to accept that I'll never see her again. As each day passes the pain will ease ...

Thanks to everyone for your kind words

HDrydr · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:34 am Post subject:

anytime Ginny anytime. You are right with time your heart will mend. Always in your heart and memories is where she will be.