kellie, so sorry to hear what your kitty and you are going through. Is the problem uncontrolled hyperthyroid? What does the vet say about her illness and how is it being treated? What did her bloodwork look like?

Hold her close. It's so very hard.

He thinks that her hyperthyroid is causing renal failure. He said she is 14, oriental breed, so it wouldn't be unexpected. Her labs weren't too bad 10 days ago (thyroid was normal with her special food) but was much worse today, although not to the point of no return (BUN was elevated, but Cr was Ok....but likely because she has no muscle mass anymore). She is (obviously) dehydrated and malnourished but he hopes once we fix that she'll perk back up. Her potassium was very low (2.4), which is why she is so very weak. We are supplementing that with her foods too. I asked what he would do if this was his cat, and he said he would give her chance.

This post was edited by kellienoelle on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 23:04

I wonder why she is wasting so much if her thyroid has been fairly stable with the food. No meds needed? Thyroid can be elusive, appearing normal when not.

I have never heard kidney failure in cats that have normal creatinine. My cat has been getting Tumil-K (potassium) supplements which have brought his levels back to normal. He gets almost 1200 mg a day but I don't believe he was as low as 2.4. His BUN is also slightly off but Creatinine has remained normal. Doctors say that's the one they go by. They say the potassium can be off in older kitties when they don't know why.

If there is a cat specialist in your area, you might try taking her there. Many vets are more familiar with dog issues.

But you are right. We drag these things on when they are old and failing and it is simply their time, and our gift to them is to let them go.

Take care.

I'm so sorry....very hard to watch, I know, and very hard decision to make.

I'm so terribly sorry. I would suggest its time to let her go. Cats are so very good at hiding their suffering, and even with a rally, she may feel better, but probably won't feel well. It was hard to let the Cas go, but I had to keep his best interests in mind vs our own. And I remember the relief we all felt once we put my terminal SIL into hospice care and got her off the "treatment treadmill" which doctors feel obligated to do with their patients, no matter the prognosis, always putting out that shred of hope. I have suffered hyperthyroidism, though never so extreme, and it's not pleasant. To be so wasted is awful. I'm very sorry...I know how hard these times are.

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))

Such a difficult situation.... I would give it a few days, and give her as much lap time, soft blankies, supreme comfort as you can in those days, treats, babyfood meat, etc. I had a similar situation many years ago, where what looked dire was fairly quickly resolved in a few days with the same kind of measures your vet is talking about. If she truly isn't going to get better, I think you'll know fairly quickly....

In the meantime, (((((((((hugs to you))))))))))

Another thing to remember, my vet told me, is that it's better to be a little early than too late.

So hard, mama cat.

Oh Kellie, I am so sorry. It is so very difficult. You feel as though you are tormenting the cat if you take all these steps, and yet you cannot bear to say goodbye. You remember all the good times, all the sweet moments, and can't stand closing the book on them. This is the bargain with fate that we make when we take on a new animal.

We are going through almost exactly the same thing as you right now. Our 9-year old black-and-white tuxedo kitty, the most purry and bonded cat we have ever had - and we have had many cats and dogs - has inflammatory bowel disease and is wasting away. He has had every imaginable test, including exploratory surgery, and we have spent a horrific amount of money on him, and tried just about every diet - and nothing has worked. He is eating like a horse, and still going around the house, coming for cuddles, watching his birds from the window. But in between all that he is in the litterbox maybe 10 times a day and what comes out is almost everything he's eaten. His life is not the happy kitty life it once was. He hisses at our other cat, and won't let her get close, and they were once bonded like twins; she mommied him, washed him thoroughly every day, they slept together - you know the story. Just this evening I said to DH that I can't take much more and he replied that neither could he, but then he immediately said: "But we are not putting him down yet."

I agree with Annie - cats hide a tremendous amount of pain. It's for survival, so as not to appear weak and vulnerable. By the time the cat shows pain it is really, really hurting. I am a firm believer that it's better to be too early than too late with goodbye, but never dreamed that I'd be in this situation!

I will keep you in my thoughts and wish you the strength to do whatever you decide. You can't imagine how much I sympathize.

Sable and IBD Gussie

I am so sorry you are going through this (again). I have no words of wisdom, but wish you and your kitty peace during this very difficult time......

Kellie, I am SO sorry to hear that your beloved pet is ill. Your cat is very lucky to have you as her person. You obviously love and care for her greatly.

Our cat is 20 years old and lost weight recently, and is experiencing kidney issues. She has rallied on a new diet and still loves being held and chasing flies. I know we won't have her forever, and I will be heartbroken to lose her. We all will. She is a member of the family. Lots of people want dogs, but I find cats to be such special little endearing creatures.

Cats are intuitive, especially the intelligent oriental breeds. Take your cues from your kitty, and follow your intuition.

Speaking of orientals, I read that they are good for children with autism. Our son is on the autism spectrum, and will be devastated to lose our cat. I would love to get two Balinese someday, but that is too hard to think about right now.

I wish you the very bestin this difficult time.

sable, fwiw, my cat's strong food sensitivities disappeared when I switched to Wellness canned cat food (no grain, natural preservatives, higher quality ingredients).

Our pets have probiotics now too, which you probably already know.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Tue, Jul 16, 13 at 14:51

Oh my gosh, Kellie and Sable, I am so sorry.

My friend, a vet, says she does not tell people when it is time. For her own pets, she believes that when an animal can't do the basics on his/her own, it's time to say goodbye. Easier said than done for sure.

I was visiting with my former neighbor a few weeks ago, who was close to death and died 2 days later. She had no one except my mom to care for her/be her friend outside of the nursing home. It was great to be with her. She was getting hospice care at that point and they moved her to the "chrysalis" room. What gave me much peace was seeing how much her death was like a rebirth. It reminded me of my own birthing experiences with my children-- the anxiousness, the peace, the struggle . . .and then, the transformation into a new life. Coincidentally, she was a tremendous animal lover (fed all of the neighborhood animals, inc raccoons), and I know she was going to see her loving friends waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

what a sad situation: I do hope she reacts well to the treatment, please keep us posted.

I am so sorry. Our little 15-year-old kitty was also hyperthyroid, CKD, and IBD. He had been very stable for a few years and his thyroid was even on the low side then it swung way out of whack on the high side in that past month. He was also getting severely dehydrated and we attempted the fluids to keep him comfortable, but it seemed like he was getting dehydrated almost every other day. She thinks he did have some sort of intestinal cancer but we could not detect it. Cancer is one thing that causes such rapid weight loss.

He has been gone three months and we still miss him so much. I know this is hard. See how it goes until Sat. Sometimes the fluids really help some cats and we were willing to do that, but they didn't really do anything for him.

I am so sorry that you and kitty are at this point. My ex-husband and I went through this with his beloved Hymalayan. In my opinion, subcutaneous fluids are fine, but syringe feedings seems too much.

The vet my husband was using had a "save the animal at all cost" approach, and I felt it was time to let her go in peace. The vet and I argued about it. I despise that doctor to this day for what he put my husband through.

Sorry to hear about your kitty. It is hard (((HUG))) we had a kitty that stopped eating and drinking and tried the forcing thing without much change. We tried to let him go naturally but we waited too long. It was awful and scary watching him that last day I will never wait that long again I felt like I had tortured him. I never knew it could be so ugly it was very traumatic for our kids as well. Again so sorry you are going through this fur kids are part of the family.

I'm so sorry you and your kitty are going through this. We love our pets so much that all our plans of how we will handle the end of life process go out the window. Listen to your gut and your cat - I believe you'll know if extraordinary measures and the time they may grant you are worth it.

We are having her put down today. I looked at her today during her torture session and told my husband that if it was me, he better just call in hospice and start the morphine. I can't do that to a cat.

Today, it seems as if this poem was written just for you.... I'm so sorry you are going through this....

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this - - the last battle - - can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
Through happiness, laughter, sadness and tears.
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close "we two" these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

This post was edited by bestyears on Tue, Jul 16, 13 at 10:09

((((Kellie)))) So sorry for the loss of your beloved family member. Wishing you peace and comfort today in knowing you did the right thing for her.

Kellie - I am so sorry for your loss. May your beautiful kitty's memory live on forever in your heart. Your grief is an effect of the joy your pet brought you all these years. (((hugs)))

I am so, so sorry....(((HUG)))

I'm so so so sorry!

(((HUG)))

bestyears that is a beautiful poem putting it in a save pile.

sending along heartfelt hugs and deepest sympathy -- we grieve with you

(((((kellie))))) I am so very very sorry about the loss of such a dear sweet soul

and also hugs to sable too!

Well, it's done. But in typical Diva fashion, she took control and passed away in the car on the way to being put down. I'll smile about that one day, I mentioned she was a little spitfire, didn't I? But for now, I feel incredibly guilty for not doing what I knew was the right thing earlier.

graywings - I won't lie, I am a little bit pissed at the vet right now. Probably to deflect being pissed at myself for listening.
bestyears - thank you for the poem....I'll file that away for the next time i need a little reminder.....

So sorry for you but she rests in peace and memories of your precious love, till you meet again! No doubt she will be watching over her mama cat.

Look for signs. I swear they send them.

I can so empathize having had pets all my long life. Please take comfort where you can and try not to feel guilty for doing what you thought best at the time. We really must not second guess in such situations as it doesn't improve the situation and only causes us needless guilt.

I lost my beautiful 14 year old Siamese last year and buried her in my garden. It's reassuring that she no longer suffers altho at the time I felt so helpless as there was no other good decision. I will never forget her "Queen of the Universe" attitude.

I have only quickly scanned responses here but agree that it's better to be too early than too late with this difficult decision. I haven't always done that and know I have allowed unnecessary suffering at times for my beloved pets. It's not easy to decide when is the best time but I will try to do better for the 3 pets I still have. It won't be easy because I plan not to adopt any more pets when these have left this life.

I am just seeing this thread. I am sorry for your loss. I am sure your kitty is in a better place and is purring in the sun. c

I learned a long time ago to not let the vet influence my decisions regarding my beloved pets.

You're right, the smiles will come again when remember your spitfire. My condolences.

Kellie - I'm so sorry for your loss. I know it would be a relief to me to know that she was ready and pass on her own. I have such a hard time with deciding that myself.

Kellie - Please don't feel guilty about the way that Diva left you. You know that you did what you thought was best, and that you were entirely moved by your love for her. She had a wonderful life, the best that any cat could want, and now she is together with Cameron again at the Rainbow Bridge.

My very deepest condolences,

Sable

I'm sorry she is gone, but like you said, she went on her own terms.

Kellie, I am so sorry for the loss of your, Diva.

Marcia

Kellie, sending hugs your way...so sorry you lost your wee one.

Thank you for all the kind words. I know that many of you have been through it before and are always so generous with your stories and thoughts.

My husband and I are doing OK, it's hard to lose two beloved pets in a month, but we are happy for the time that we had together. And know they together again, curled up so it looked like one cat with two heads and tails like they used to be. Diva loved Cameron and vice versa.

We had a smile about the personalities of the cats and how they each passed. Cameron was a sweetie, super laid back. She didn't let us know she was sick and waited until we were happily settled into our new house to quietly pass away at no inconvenience to us. While Diva was more of a ...well....diva. So of course she wants to make sure that she is in charge until the end. I loved both of those girls. I'll miss them. I am hugging my puppies extra tight tonight.

Kellie, you did the right thing in every single area. Your initial post really touched me because I have an elderly father in bad health that I thought should have died 14 years ago. Over that period, several surgeries ( in ICU) has made me realize the incredible innate perseverance of life. He is still with me at home -with dementia and failing limbs- but I believe he will die one day of his own accord and not because of something I do.

Your precious, beautiful cat died because it was her time. And she went when she was supposed to go.
Grieve, but be at peace.

Bumblebeez, you're so correct. I love your last line.

awww, Kellie. What a big hole you have in your life and your heart right now. Both of your cats were loved and respected for the individuals they were, right up to the end. You are a good cat-mom.

Please add my condolences. It is never easy losing such an important member of the family.
Feel comfort in knowing that your cat had the best life possible with you and your family.

Hugs to you, kellie.