Or cat, Lucinda 11 years old, is losing weight and not very active. We took her to the vet. She has scar tissue in her lungs. Okay. Now in a little over two weeks we are moving cross country. I’m concerned she won’t make it. I don’t want her to die on the road. But the decision to put her to sleep is too much:(
Does the vet think she could tolerate a tranquilizer? Might that help? IANAV, so I would not know. Best of luck in the move, I hope Lucy stays well.
Can you ship your stuff and your car, and take Lucinda to the new home on an airplane? It might cost a bit more, but also might save her life.
Another vote for tranqing her. Talk to the vet. A half-dose might work best for her.
Granted, flying would be quicker, but cabin atmosphere contains less oxygen than normal, sea-level air. Since she has lung issues, flying may cause distress.
The overnight stops will be no picnic, either. Make your reservations at places which allow pets, and also research locations near your route of travel for emergency vets.
I know it’s hard, but the kindest decision might be to just say goodbye now.
I’d cry the whole way.
~VOW
The problem is she rallies. Just sitting on my lap.
I truly hope she makes the journey with you. I will say a prayer for her continued health, and that you find a workable solution. Keep us posted.
I suggest talking to the vet about the safest way to do it. I’ve driven back and forth across the country with my cats a few times now. Other than being highly put out by the irregularity of it all, they were fine. They mostly slept in the sun, or sat behind my shoulder and told me off.
Discuss it with the vet. 11 is not all that old. Few cats like moving, but most of them will adapt to even drastic changes in environment; depending on the personality of the cat it may take hours or weeks or anywhere inbetween.
I presume the vet. tested her for thyroid issues and diabetes? If not, have that done ASAP. Some liver and kidney issues are also treatable. I’m confused as to why old scar tissue in lungs would cause weight loss – did the vet. say what they thought had caused the scarring, and did they think it’s still an active issue? If so, ask about the prognosis.
If you decide to use a tranquilizer, try the dose at home in advance. Reactions vary. Years ago my mother and I flew her two cats from Florida to NY (in the cabin). We tried the recommended tranquilizer on them in advance. Cat #1 went to sleep; which he might have done anyway, so it was hard to tell whether the tranquilizer did anything. Cat #2 staggered around the house, unable to walk properly, and appearing to be entirely awake and quite disturbed by the inability of her muscles to respond as desired. We did not tranquilize her on the plane, as it was clearly for her increasing upset rather than decreasing it.
Don’t leave her alone in the car enroute, or not for longer than it takes to put gas into the tank. Make sure you have a good escape-proof carrier, and don’t let her out of the carrier except inside a secure space. (Bring a cat pan you can put on the floor of the closed car, and enough of her familiar litter for changes; as well as familiar food.) If she’s very used to a harness and leash and doesn’t try to get out of them, you might be able to take her out on the leash, but make sure harness is well fastened and you have a good grip; and I wouldn’t do even that with a cat not used to harness and leash, some of them are incredible escape artists especially if they panic.
ETA: A cat loose inside a car is a serious hazard. You really do not want a cat between your foot and the brake if you have to brake suddenly. If at all possible, put the carrier where she can see at least one of her humans.
Best wishes with your big decisions.
Our latest dog went downhill fast, and where we thought we’d have a month or two in which to make a hard decision, it turned out a week later that putting him down was the only humane decision.
This cat was born in Qatar moved to Italy the survived the trip to Australia, then the states. She is a world traveler and not stressed at all. But this …
In addition to another vet consultation and assuming the vet gives the go ahead, what about some trial runs? Maybe start with a 15 minute drive, then 30 and so on. I suspect that by the time you work up to an hour and a half, she will have made the adjustment. She may take the disruption onboard more readily than you fear if traveling becomes part of her “every day.”
Like Sunny Daze, I’ve made cross country moves with cats and my experience is similar to hers. Panic is a short-lived condition. Mostly they prefer to complain, but even that gets old for them after awhile. (It will get old for you much sooner.)
I hope all goes well for you all and wish you success in the move – especially for Lucinda.
Oh! if she wasn’t stressed by all of that, she probably won’t be by this, either.
Again, if vet. hasn’t done full round of blood tests including but not limited to thyroid and diabetes, get that done ASAP; and in any case try to get the diagnosis clarified.
Does she have pulmonary fibrosis?
Is she going by car or plane?
We too are traveling with two cats in about a week, about the same distance but by air. All the current opinion is to NOT tranq the cat/s for the journey. And 2000 miles by car would be a LONG time to keep your kitty doped up.
I think if I were in your shoes I’d try and take her since she is familiar with travel, assuming your vet thinks that her breathing issues are not at a critical state.
-Definitely check with your vet about meds to take with you that could help if she does get stressed.
-I might do a test run in the car again a few days before you go - though I’m assuming she handled the vet run just fine?
-I would research emergency vets along your route and have an ‘oh shit’ plan in place.
-For her travel crate give her her favorite bed/towel/blanket to lie on, or unwashed clothes from her favorite person in the house. Familiar smells are really calming to cats.
Good luck, this sort of stuff sucks beyond all suckage 
(Says the crazy catlady with 11 of the furry heartbreakers)