Deciding when to euthanize a furbaby...?

[Velocivixen]

I certainly cannot tell you what to do. I recently had to euthanize my beloved 17 year old cat. Bottom line is that deciding to euthanize your cat will be the final loving act that you can offer your pet. Your cat will no longer be sick.

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks for all of your kind words. It's reassuring to know that so many have been in the same predicament.

Today I woke up and she was on the bed (just when we think she's too incapacitated to get up there) and I haven't found a single pee puddle (perhaps the antibiotics have taken care of the mild bladder infection and maybe that really was the cause of her inappropriate whizzing). Some days she seems so weak, then days like today she seems good. When she's awake she's so alert, too. And she's just as demanding as ever for food.

Right now I think we'll wait to make any decisions until we get back from out west, assuming that she doesn't take a fast decline in the next week or so. My MIL will just have to deal with any messes she makes, as I don't think our vet provides boarding (it's a very small country practice). We've been leaving towels in areas where Lola tends to pee, anyhow (kitchen and bathroom) and make it clear to my MIL that it's no big deal to wash these daily.

[spokewench]

My Big Kitty was incontinent probably the last year of his life; he tried to get to the box, but would go where he slept and have accidents. I had many, many towels out and under the towels I put puppy piddle pads. This saved my furniture. Although, I had to clean up the floor a lot. We have wood floors. I had to banish the Big guy from the bedroom as it was carpet and I could not trust him on the bed. He lived a happy long life and finally when he quit eating, I knew it was time. He was a big cat and loved eating; so when he quit eating, that was it.

When I left for vacation in the last year, I had a very good friend who did not mind dealing with his issues stay at the house.

It is different for everyone. It is hard to tell when is the right time. Hang in there.

[molliewog]

I recently went through this last month with my beloved Persian. She was still eating, using her box, purring etc. but the look in her eye told me that she was no longer happy. She had severe arthritis in her hips. I found this blog post, and it helped me put things in perspective and make my decision. I couldn't stand to see her suffering, and for me, I'd rather put her down sooner than later. Now I know she is no longer in pain

Best of luck in the timing of your decision. It's apparent that you love your little meow. It's certainly one of the hardest things to do!

[zoom-zoom]

I found this blog post, and it helped me put things in perspective and make my decision.

That is so eloquent...what a great piece.

[lauraelmore1033]

We are in exactly the same situation with our 20 year old Mamma Kitty. She neverr was a big fan of using the litter box in the first place, but now the free range peeing is getting really bad. But...
She seems happier than she ever has been in her life! The other kitties seem to know that something is up with her, and they are extra lovey dovey with her and she seems to be enjoying that in spite of the fact that she had never been a cat-social kind of ca before. The weather has been nice, so we've been able to corral her in the front yard, and she's really enjoying that too, since she started out as a feral, outdoor kitty who didn't like having to stay inside.

a couple of times, on her bad days, I found myself thinking that it was time for the last trip to the vet, and she suddenly sat straight up from a dead sleep, made eye contact and began to purr like I've never heard before. Clearly she doesn't think it's time. I have to confess that I have moments of resenting the mess she's making of the house, but I sure couldn't look into those intelligent eyes, knowing that she wants to live, and have her put to death. It's a really tough choice. and it really sucks.

[Biciclista]

One of the issues with these kitties is that their kidneys are shutting down which makes them have to urinate more, and ah, gee whiz what a hassle when you are old and weak and sore, and yes, this is not quality of life. It's also one thing when it's you taking care of your kitties, but when it's someone else; you KNOW the time is coming, do you want her to decide to die while your m-i-law is taking care of her?
That JUST happened to me, Barbie died 2 days after my guests from Italy came. I had to reassure them that they did NOT cause her death, that she had been failing..
Cats are fortunate.. we don't have to make them suffer. Good luck.

[zoom-zoom]

One of the issues with these kitties is that their kidneys are shutting down which makes them have to urinate more...

Lola just had bloodwork done on Monday--kidneys are still good, which surprised me. My childhood cats both died around age 16, but both had failed kidneys.

[indysteel]

One of the issues with these kitties is that their kidneys are shutting down which makes them have to urinate more, and ah, gee whiz what a hassle when you are old and weak and sore, and yes, this is not quality of life. It's also one thing when it's you taking care of your kitties, but when it's someone else; you KNOW the time is coming, do you want her to decide to die while your m-i-law is taking care of her?
That JUST happened to me, Barbie died 2 days after my guests from Italy came. I had to reassure them that they did NOT cause her death, that she had been failing..
Cats are fortunate.. we don't have to make them suffer. Good luck.

Mimi,

I'm having a hard time remembering if you posted about Barbie at the time. Sadly, we've lost so many pets on TE of late that I can't recall, and my search didn't reveal a thread about it.

In any event, I'm so sorry. You've had so much on your plate; I hope you get a big break soon. A really big break.

[Owlie]

I have no experience in this area, but ((zoom-zoom)).