Tracey, I feel badly for you, and worse for poor Casey. This is always a tough question. I feel that there is one big advantage to being a cat or dog in a loving household (as opposed to being a human or an animal in the wild)...that someone who cares for you can put a gentle end to your life when you can no longer eat, move freely, or perform your bodily functions normally and with dignity.

I know that CRF is tricky...I went thru it with my late cat Max for over 2 years he was 15...much younger than your cat when I decided to have him put down. We went through a lot of ups and downs...I don't have to list the various problems for you. What finally did it was the increasingly severe constipation and the inappetance that came with it. Taking him to the vet for enemas (laxitives no longer did the job) was just too painful (for me and for him)and so was the force feeding.

Its always a hard decision to make. Good luck.

L

Quality of life issues are always hardest. Ask yourself if your cat appears to be engaging in life at all or is it just suffering from one minute, one hour, one day to the next. Is the cat aware of your presence? Eating? Drinking? Moving around? Or is it just suffering through one bout of something after another? I try and put myself into their place...Is the cat your raised even still in there? How much of that wonderful personality do you see today??? The bottom line is that it is always something only you will know, and I think you are starting to know because people who suspect ask...kind of like the crazy thing...Crazy people dont worry that they are crazy...Sorry to hear you are going through this, I hope that you can be at peace with whatever you choose for your pet, My best

Tracey, I feel so bad for you and for Casey. Believe me, it never gets easier to make these decisions no matter how old you get or how many pets you have had. It sounds as though things are pretty dire. She wouldn't just be urinating where she lays if she could do otherwise. My best advice is to look at her. Really look at her. Look in her eyes and see what you see there. I think you'll be able to tell if she wants release. You've certainly given her an extrordinary long life. It's hard to make that choice to release them, but at least you can end her suffering, if that what you feel it is.

I have usually opted to make the decision when I felt my animals were 'ready', rather than wait for nature to take it's course. I can't stand to see them suffer when they don't have to. It's part of loving them.

I always say this, but when the time comes, if you could get the vet to come to your house it will be much better for Casey.... and you too. You can call your vet and ask if they make housecalls for this or if they don't feel free to ask if they know of another vet that might. You can also contact a large animal vet if there are any in your area. They are used to making house calls and if you explain the circumstances and offer your vets name, they will usually comply.

You and Casey are in my thoughts. It's so very hard.

You've received plenty of excellent advice and I can't add a thing except to say, do not feel badly when the time comes. You remember that you are doing what is best for Casey and when we have to let them go, that is the true show our love for them. You remember that you and your baby had many wonderful years together and you were a wonderful guardian. To have a pet live to 21 is amazing and a testament to the person you are. So please find comfort in that. God bless you.

Oh Tracey, I am so sorry that seems to be where you are right now. How is Casey today? My thoughts and prayers go out to both of you.

Having just lost my Gus in January, I based the decision on if he had any quality of life. He was still watching the birds, lying in the sun, enjoying being petted, etc. Then, very quickly, he lost interest in all those things. We had been giving him sub-q fluids under the advice of the vet and that was keeping him hydrated and going. I realized that morning that I was prolonging a bad situation by giving him fluids and needed to stop. I couldn't stop though because that would have been cruel- so we knew it was time. We thought he would panic when we put him in the carrier, so we did a test. He did not care what you did with him, so we knew it was time.

Sometimes animals will pass quietly at home, but if you have any question that they are suffering, then that makes the decision less difficult. I had hoped that Gus would go on his own at home, but there came a point when I knew that wasn't going to be in the cards. They are right when they say "you just know."

I had a bad experience with a vet when my mom's dog passed away years ago. The first question I asked my vet when I walked in the door was if they sedated beforehand- and I was going to insist on it if it wasn't their usual practice. Some vets do, some vets don't. My vet seemed shocked by the notion that some would not, but I think this is a question worth asking if you get to that point. I don't mean to make you sadder by going into detail like this, but you said you had not been through that before. Gus was sedated first and went so calmly and peacefully that I had no regrets. It was terribly sad, but not hard. If you get to the point of having to take her in, I'd urge you to ask your vet to sedate beforehand- it makes things so much more peaceful IMO.

I'm so sorry you are going through this with Casey. She's been a part of your life for so long. My prayers are with you.

((((HUGS))))

Thank you, everyone. Animal lovers are the best!

There's another beautiful kitty at Rainbow Bridge today.

You're right....you know when it's time. I probably should've taken her last night, but she still responded, and having seen her this way before (albeit before getting this old and such), I thought if there was the outside chance she was in recovery from her episode, I wanted her to have it. But this morning, I knew.

I was supposed to drive hubby to the airport this morning, but told him I didn't want to make her wait any longer. He drove himself and I took her to the animal ER. I think it was easier, just me and her. I can deal with my own grief, but I wouldn't have been able to with his (his mom's dying too), so I guess it worked out as it should. I held her, cuddled in my arms, as the vet gave the injection, and they gave me a few minutes afterwards too. It was a peaceful room--sofa, low light, waterfall and soothing music in the background. I guess being an ER, they're more than prepared for this type of thing. If it'd been any other morning than Sunday, I could've made arrangements with my own vet clinic to have someone come to the house, but it just didn't work that way. I did call the ER and ask if they knew a vet on call who would make a housecall, but there's none in our area. Oh well....it is what it is.

Now she doesn't have to make the looong move with us. Casey will always have a piece of my heart and always be my baby. She'll be the standard against which all future pets are measured.

Now to have to answer family and friend's question "how are you doing?" I hate crying in front of people, but I can't imagine even mentioning her name without crying for awhile.

Anyway, thanks SO much for all your support these last few months. I'll check back from time to time because I got used to following everyone's stories with their pets, etc. (even if I don't post much). I'll let you know when I get a new kitty to love, too. We'll get settled in our new location first, maybe take a trip or two since we haven't in about 4-5 yrs (since Casey got older and more "needy"). Gotta first find some wondeful neighbors I can trust to care for my pet when we're away....we have the best here where we are--I was sure going to miss them.

Later,
Tracey

(((HUGS)))

(((HUGS))) I'm so sorry that your beautiful kitty has passed. It sounds like you had a wonderfully supportive experience, despite it not being with your usual vet. I hope that brings you some peace.

Take care and we are here if you need us.

Tracey, I am sorry for your loss.