We're On Death Watch

Gogo · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject: We're On Death Watch

Well, I'm new to Auspet. I noticed this site when I was looking for info about our cat not feeling well.

Shadow is over 18 years old. She was doing well until last Sunday. She is barely eating, very weak even though still drinking and walking (wobbly). We know even if we could fix "it" that it would only postpone the inevitible. Sooooooo we are on a death watch. We wished we could find a vet that could come to the house to put her to sleep. We are new in our area we don't want to take her to a stranger for her last few minutes. We pray she will go in her sleep. Please pray she does too. Just about the time we think we'll take her she perts up and we think this will pass. Wishful thinking I'm sure.

She was quite the cat in her day. We call her our "Butterfly Catcher." She would catch them in her mouth bring into the house and release them as gifts to us. She never hurt them. She knows the real term "catch and release." We will miss her and her special ways but we know its time to rest from taking care of us. Thanks for praying Gogo

Cassie · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:22 pm Post subject:

Ok, so I guess I'll be the bad guy and be the first to say take her to a vet and see if it's not something that can be treated or have her put down if necessary. You may be new to your town, but that is no excuse to not provide proper medical observation and treatment.

Is there a reason you can't take her to her old vet? and if not...

18 is quite old for a cat and I would rather take my baby to an unfamilar vet than just sit back and watch her wan away in suffering. If you or a loved one needs medical attention, no matter the age, would you deny it simply because they're old or your unfamiliar with dr's in the area?

Common, that thought process is rediculous if you really care.

I hope all works out well and please don't take my post offensively. It's simply my opinion on the subject.

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3627

I am sorry to hear about Shadow. I was recently in a similar situation my cat Midas. I really wanted it to be at home, because I wanted him to be in his ahppy place at home, but that wasnt an option. I would do it that way again because he was starving himself, and I couldnt let him go on. I do pray she passes peacefully at your home but if she is not eating for any length of time, please think of her and find a vet to help her.

Gogo · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:55 am Post subject:

Cassie I DO take your response offensively. You imply that a cat that is 18 years old got that old by luck. NOT SO!

Honeybears. Thanks for your kind response. Since I first posted. My neighbor who loves Shadow has a vet that will do house calls. We moved here a year ago and saw her vet just before we moved. All was good except OLD age. We have decided that if she quits eating intirely that we will call Dr. Biery in to see her and if need to put her to sleep.

Thanks again honeybear.

Gogo

miami florida · New member Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

Emotions play havoc with level responses.
As you see by my posting number one, I am in a similar predicament-
with complications.

It is best to apologize where no harm was intended by the person
aiding you by giving personal attention to your...
living epitaph for your fine cat.

I have no answers other than it being best to be circumspect, is all.

thank you,

miami

halaroo · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:28 pm Post subject:

I'm really sorry for you and your beloved Shadow. Keep us posted on her progress. I, too, had great difficultly taking my cat to the vet at the end, but ended up doing it as there was no other choice. Thankfully I have since found one that does house calls, so whenever I'm in your position (hopefully I'll have another 18 years!), I will definitely be calling him in. Take care.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4254

I'm so sorry to hear about Shadow. We had euthanized our first cat Pooky because he stopped eating his regular food and would eat only cold cuts and drink water. We brought him to the vet and found out Pooky had end stage renal failure. It was one of the hardest decisions we had to make to put him to sleep. We didn't want him to suffer anymore. He was only 1 1/2 years old. If we had to do it over again, we would have a vet come to our home to do the deed. My husband's first cat Kitty died on his own after a week of not eating while we were in school. We wished we were with him when he passed on. He was 14 years old. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Maraya · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

a dozen yellow roses and a big bear hug...for you and Shadow. I know EXACTLY how you feel.

Gogo · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your care and concern. Shadow seems to be doing a rally. She has eaten more and drinks plenty. Her strength seems better and wants a lot of love, which of course she gets. We are so happy to know that the small town vet here will come to the home to put her to sleep if necessary. If she keeps rallying we will be pleasantly surprised. Maybe the sound of driving her in the car told her to give us an "in your face" if you think I'm doing that. We won't let her suffer but if she's giving it all she's got so will we. She doesn't seem in pain when we touch her, just real tired. The choice is always "not too soon and not too late." It's always give them to chance. It's amazing to me how animals know what is good for them.

Your photos are cute of your fur babies. It's amazing to see the old photos and see the changes. Thanks again. Gogo

lucidity03 · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:17 pm Post subject:

I hope things keep going better.

Deciding on what to do is such a personal choice and there's no right or wrong answer on when it's time. I remember growing up that it was heart-wrenching on deciding when it was time to let our cats go. When we did decide, we knew it was time.

I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

luna · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:48 pm Post subject:

i have to say i agree with cassie when she says that you should take your cat to the vets. i have a nine yr. old cat that if we hadn't taken it to the vet he would have died (urinary tract infection),i think you should give your cat the same chance for a longer life like we gave buster, granted it was the same vet he had had since we got him, but isn't a vet trip easier in the long run than just giving up and resigning your self and your cat to death? even if there is nothing you can do for you cat at least you would know what it has so that if another cat you have ever gets it then you know what its chances are and what will happen. also your cat could also have a curable disease. isn't it better to know that you tried to save your cats life than wondering later, if your cat dies, if you could have done something to help? i know not knowing if there was something i could have done would just about kill me.

i dont think cassie ment that your cat was lucky to live that long. i think she just ment that since your have an older cat it could need more attention from a vet then a younger one. older humans go to the doctors more... wouldn't it make sence that and older cat could need to go to the vets more? older cats and humans get more deseases thats just a fact.
sorry if i seem mean but thats the way it seems to me.

Gogo · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:39 am Post subject: Shadow is Now Gone

Our small town vet came to our home tonight to put Shadow peacefully to sleep. After her rally, she reverted to not eating or losing what she ate then began to drink less. She wasn't frightened at all as if to say, "I'm ready." She was over eighteen years and just plain tired out. The doctor said she was just old, tired and the organs just want to stop working. He said, "it was time." Needless to say we are very sad. She a good, easy life until the last two weeks. Our other cat lived to sixteen even with five years of meds for hypothyroidism. We still can get teary even about him and that was 1999. This will be the same. We need to remember her special ways that warmed our heart and celebrate the loving butterfly catcher.

Thanks for your support.

Gogo

halaroo · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:33 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry for your loss. It's great that the vet was able to come to your home so Shadow could die where she was most comfortable.

Mary_NH · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

hugs to you and a peaceful crossing for your kitty.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4254

*HUGS* I'm very sorry for your loss. You have one heck of a vet there. Shadow will be fondly remembered.

Gogo · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject:

Yes, vene he is one heck of a vet. When they came into the house their demeanor was better than the vet we had 562 miles aways and had for years. He was extremely gentle and very soft spoken which I think helped Shadow. They were excellent and he said just the right things and carefully took her. We are having her cremated as we did our other cat. This way when we move we take them with us and until we purchase another home.

Thanks for all of your support.

Gogo and Shadow[/img]