Tuxedo is about 18 years old, and has lost a lot of weight in recent months and has spent most of his time sleeping just over the last couple of days. I scratched his back earlier today, and there was no fat under his skin.
I’m going to take him to the vet tomorrow, and I have a feeling that I won’t be bringing him home.
I’ve had him for 16 1/2 of those years, so this is going to be a big adjustment.
That will be tough.
Been there, done that.
Hang tough, will be thinking of you.
His “sister” Abigail, whom I adopted from a shelter and is definitely the alpha kitty, knows something’s going on. There are a couple of places where both of them like to curl up, and if she wanted a spot where he was, she would bump him with her nose and he would obediently get up and let her have it. She hasn’t been doing that.
Aww, I am sorry. Hope the vet-trip goes easy if not o.k.
If he’s not in apparent pain or distress, why not let him go on his own terms, rather than having him “put down”, for petes sake.
She probably knows what’s the best thing for her pet - give her some credit.
Hugs and scratches all around. Love the ones around you while they’re still around.
My 18-yr old cat has gotten very thin, but she still eats, she sleeps more, but still wants to climb into my lap. Still jumps up on the bed. I figure slowing down is what older creatures do.
StG
I’m so sorry, went through this recently myself. Please let us know what happens at the vet.
I’m sorry. We need to do right by our critters, even if it means we hurt.
That is a long lived cat, so you must be a good cat owner. I love pets but this is the hardest thing in the world to do. I’m sorry for you impending loss.
You will know when it is time, but see what the vet says first. Could be diabetes or thyroid problems, both of which can be treated.
Take care.
My 23-year-old (give or take a year, I adopted her as an adult) is pretty thin and deaf, but she still enjoys attention, gets around OK, and shows no real signs of distress. Her “time” is bound to come before too much longer, but not just yet.
See what the vet thinks. It may or may not be “time”. In either case, take care.
Cats that make it into their 20s get … well, they look really old what with the impaired grooming and weight loss, but they have the presence of something truly ancient and can take command of a room just by walking into it. Damndest thing. Like little hairy Yodas.
Hoping nearwildheaven’s vet will just say, “Yup, what you got there is an old cat.” Keep it warm, feed it from a can, try not to tread on it.
Why would you let an animal suffer needlessly? Extended dying sucks. We let people suffer horribly, but at least we can do better by our pets.
I hope your kitty has something treatable, nwh, and if not, I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is.
Yes, you are doing the right thing. Our vet told us rarely do animals go to sleep by themselves and not wake up. What they do is put them out of their misery. We have had to do it with 1 dog and 2 cats.
I took him to the vet shortly after noon; my regular vet wasn’t there but another one, who had seen him previously, did a cursory examination and confirmed what I had suspected: that he was in kidney failure, and probably liver failure too, and any treatment would be futile and that euthanasia was indeed the best option. She took me to a back room that was decorated like a 3-season porch and did what had to be done.
I made arrangements for the body to be cremated and the ashes returned to me.
I should add that he only weighed 5 1/2 pounds. :eek: He weighed 7 1/2 pounds when I took him in around the first of the year, because I was concerned that he was losing weight and slowing down; at that time, his blood work came back normal except for a slightly elevated serum creatinine, which in plain English meant that his kidney function was mildly compromised, something she was said was normal for a cat his age.
It was a hard decision and an easy decision at the same time. Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.
Momma knows her kitty. Sorry bud.
Having a pet put down is the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
I’m sorry your kitty has crossed the bridge. I’ll give my Atilla extra scritches tonight.
The vet my pets see has a candle on the desk in the lobby. A note beside it says that when the candle is lit a pet at the clinic is being helped across the bridge, and to think kindly of them.
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. I later attended a soup supper at my church, and after I came home, I finished watching the “Captain Underpants” movie which I got from Netflix. (True story.) I think Tuxedo would have wanted it that way.
Abigail knows something’s going on, and I can tell she misses him too.