Years ago my Tuxedo cat (unimaginably called Tux) started showing signs that all was not well. On the recommendation of my regular vet I took him to a vet hospital, and after some tests I was told he had some condition which could only be treated with surgery, which not only would have been expensive but due to his advanced age might not even be effective.
I opted to forgo the surgery, He didn’t seem to be in pain, was still eating, and joined me in bed at night. One of my other cats who had previously been aloof started snuggling up to Tux, which I took as a good sign. I kept an eye on Tux, and some six months later he started losing weight and otherwise showing signs that it was time. I took him to the vet for the last time. The worst part of that was that for some reason the vet took an unusually long time to return with the necessary drugs, leaving me to sit there holding Tux and feeling bad.
I am so sorry you’re facing this agonizing decision. It is never easy. I am confident you will make the right decision for Merc. The pic you shared shows he was and still is a handsome cat, and his personality sounds like a delight as well. You will miss him like hell, but it really is the final kindness we can do for them. Cold comfort, but some comfort nonetheless.
I’ll be thinking of you and sending many supportive hugs. I know you will cherish whatever time is left to the two of you, however much or little that ends up being.
Thanks for the kind replies. Watching him now (or not seeing him in his usual haunts, so he’s sleeping in some hiding place), I’m thinking it may well be next week. If he doesn’t get up on the bed with me tonight, it will be tomorrow or Friday.
I’m so sorry. I’m right there too. My 19 yo Mouse is in end stage kidney failure, and I’ve spent so many days watching him, analyzing how he’s eating, how much he’s doing his usual Mouse things, trying to decide when the ick times are about to outweigh the good days. Tonight he was a lot less interested in food, and I can see now how tired he is. I think I need to say goodbye in the next day or so, whenever my vet can get him in
They just don’t live long enough, dammit. I have and have had SO many animals, and this part is never, ever, ever any easier.
I don’t hug, especially not strangers, but here at least is a sympathy shoulder bump. This effing sucks, no matter how much it’s the kindest thing we can offer them.
I hate to put it bluntly, but animals so often seem to crash at the worst time. This is a holiday weekend, and the regular vet may well be closed. You might want to consider that.
My sincere sympathies for the upcoming event. Like you, I’ve had to make that call far too often.
EddyTeddyFreddy, I hope Merc is still chugging along happily and will be for a good while yet.
Sadly, I let Mouse go yesterday. He didn’t want breakfast and he couldn’t keep water down. He wasn’t in distress, but he was just existing and not enjoying anymore. I miss him, but it is a relief not to have to worry about him all the time too. That’s the only small upside in all this sadness.
I’m so sorry. I think it’s very close for my Summer. She is still eating and drinking a bit. She sleeps almost all the time. She is not hiding, just staying on her spot on the couch, so I don’t think she is in any pain. If she makes it through the weekend, I may call the mobile vet to come out on Monday. Like you said about Mouse, she is just existing at this point.
Oh, @saje, @aurora_maire, I’m so sorry you’re going through such losses now. My Merc is still getting up on my bed at night, and so I can hold off for now, but I know how quickly they can go downhill when they can’t hide their illness any longer.
