Dealing with an old, sick cat. Treat or let die?

orig_long red · March 2010

Now I know the title of this thread has you thinking that I'm a cold, heartless bastard. Hold on a minute, this is untrue. My 15-year-old cat has had nasty diarrhea for a few weeks now. He's lost a lot of weight and has been pissing and pooping everywhere except his litter box. All of this and yet he still has a voracious appetite.

If there is some kind of treatment I can give him that will allow him to live comfortably in his waning years, I would definitely be open to it. However, if the only option is expensive visits to the vet (I am literally broke), then do I just make that tough decision to have him put down?

It's sad and it sucks. He's been my furry companion for 15 years now ... he was there when I lost my virginity and he's comforted me during bad acid trips ... he's moved with me through four different towns and he's seen numerous women come and go. He's been my counsel, my partner in crime and my friend.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Purchase animals when we know damn well that it is going to end horribly one day?

g under p · March 2010

long red wrote:

Now I know the title of this thread has you thinking that I'm a cold, heartless bastard. Hold on a minute, this is untrue. My 15-year-old cat has had nasty diarrhea for a few weeks now. He's lost a lot of weight and has been pissing and pooping everywhere except his litter box. All of this and yet he still has a voracious appetite.

If there is some kind of treatment I can give him that will allow him to live comfortably in his waning years, I would definitely be open to it. However, if the only option is expensive visits to the vet (I am literally broke), then do I just make that tough decision to have him put down?

It's sad and it sucks. He's been my furry companion for 15 years now ... he was there when I lost my virginity and he's comforted me during bad acid trips ... he's moved with me through four different towns and he's seen numerous women come and go. He's been my counsel, my partner in crime and my friend.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Purchase animals when we know damn well that it is going to end horribly one day?

Focus and cherish those treasured memories you still have and try not to stress on this end of life situation...it's coming for ALL of us.

Peace

CAVSTARR313 · March 2010

if you choose to end your cat's suffering, take it in yourself.. don't let someone else do it cause you just can't bare the thought.. If "Of Mice And Men" has taught us anything

Enkidu · March 2010

It's really hard. We have an old sick dog and he's pooping everywhere. But he still seems happy. The vet talked about some super expensive procedures to prolong his life and we said no, not that we don't love him - but he's old and sick, he's not going to miraculously turn into a healthy puppy again.

The vet told us he wasn't in pain. So we're just cleaning up the poop and rubbing his head and telling him how much we love him. Hopefully he'll let you know when he's ready. Our last dog sort of signaled that he was ready to go. And as sad as it was, it was okay.

I hope our pets know how much we love and appreciate them. I can't imagine life without them.

Good luck to you.

orig_long red · March 2010

Cavstarr313 wrote:

if you choose to end your cat's suffering, take it in yourself.. don't let someone else do it cause you just can't bare the thought.. If "Of Mice And Men" has taught us anything

oh no, i'd never let anyone else take him in to be put down. if it comes to that, i'm with him all the way.

CAVSTARR313 · March 2010

good stuff.. What ever you choose will be the right decision

youngster · March 2010

I speak from experience when I say this, but in your cat's shape it would be best to put it down. 15 years is a long time for a cat to live and vet bills are VERY expensive. It is a very hard decision and you should think it over before jumping to conclusions. My dad spend over $2,000 on his 13 year old cat in vet bills and treatments. After a month of in and out of the vet's office and countless bills, the cat dropped dead one afternoon. Very sad but my dad said that if he knew the outcome before he would have ended the cats suffering a lot earlier. Think it over and do what's best for the cat.

mysticweed · March 2010

I believe you will know when/if it is time.

When your pet's quality of life has diminished to the point where treatment will only prolong a suffering animal's suffering (imo) it is time to let them go. Do not feel as if you are selfish, or cheap, or mean. Take the approach that you have given an animal 15 years of good life, and it sounds as if some other fortunate animal(s) might have you as their protector and provider. I KNOW how you feel, my friend. It is a very difficult decision, but the fact that it IS so difficult for you to make allows me to believe that you will do what is best for your fur-baby.
I wish you peace and comfort.

YourDirtisMyfood · March 2010

If the cat's happy, let him live. After a #3 at Taco Bell, who doesn't get diarreah?

pandora · March 2010

why? to your last statement
because it is always better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all
this most especially true when saying goodbye to your best pet friend
and just follow your heart you'll know what's right for you and your friend

titchinello · March 2010

a few years ago, one of our cats was losing weight, not eating, etc, and we could tell something wasn't right, so we took her to the vet, can't remember what she was dignosed with but it wasn't good, the vet said we could take her home, and care for her, but she'd be in suffering, as there was nothing that could be done for her, so we choose the hard decision, and let the vet put her down there and then, it was a tough descion. one that still breaks my heart when i think about it, but it was for the best, don't know if that helps you any, but just wanted to let you know, it tought, not easy, but you gotta think of the poor cat, its given you 15 great years, let it go, before it gets too far.

love and peace to you.

RoughMix · March 2010

It's a tough call Long Red,but you have to think of the suffering your pal may be going through.
I put my dog down a year ago and know in my heart it was the right thing to do.
Same deal,making a mess all over, couldn't hold anything in.
You have to let your pet pass on with dignity.
Once you make the decision,do not waver.
You will cry and you will never forget, but you will at least know it was the right thing to do.
Also, I waited a little while but could not live without a dog.
Now, just over a year later, I have two. :shock:
Life indeed moves on.
All the best.
,

covered in bliss · March 2010

You should definitely take him in to see what's wrong! You should have done it a while ago if he's been dealing with squirts for weeks. Cats will pee and poo everywhere when they're not feeling good... he's trying to show you that he's not feeling good! His hunger is a good sign.

Maybe it's nothing big and with an antibiotic, your kitty could live 4,5, 6 more years!

Please take him in and find out what's wrong -then- make a decision (if you even have to make that decision)

My BFF takes in sickly cats every now and then. Gives them IV's at home and stuff because their kidneys are bad. Very minimal time and money and these cats live quite a few years more than they would have.

shortstack · March 2010

hunger is not always a good sign.

i would only take him in if he seems like he's in pain.

sorry.

covered in bliss · March 2010

shortstack wrote:

hunger is not always a good sign.

i would only take him in if he seems like he's in pain.

sorry.

I'm not a vet but it really seems like hunger with the shits is much better than shits and not eating?

My mom had 2 cats (they were technically my brother's cats) and one of them kept using the bed in the basement for a litter box. Instead of taking them to the vet to make sure there wasn't a health issue, she had BOTH of them put down. They weren't even old.

That's really irresponsible.

mookeywrench · March 2010

ask yourself this: Would you be keeping the cat alive for the cat's benefit and emotional well being or for your emotional well-being at the cat's expense?

Fifthelement · April 2010

titchinello wrote:

a few years ago, one of our cats was losing weight, not eating, etc, and we could tell something wasn't right, so we took her to the vet, can't remember what she was dignosed with but it wasn't good, the vet said we could take her home, and care for her, but she'd be in suffering, as there was nothing that could be done for her, so we choose the hard decision, and let the vet put her down there and then, it was a tough descion. one that still breaks my heart when i think about it, but it was for the best, don't know if that helps you any, but just wanted to let you know, it tought, not easy, but you gotta think of the poor cat, its given you 15 great years, let it go, before it gets too far.

love and peace to you.

This is good advice.

To the OP, we had a similar issue with our cat Stella. She had many of the same symptoms that you have described. It turns out she suffered from hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Each cat responds to his or her hyperthyroidism a little differently, causing observed abnormalities to vary from cat to cat. Among the most common owner observations are the following:

* Weight loss
* Increase in appetite
* Patchy hair loss or failure to groom (some cats have been observed to pull their hair out)
* Increase in water intake
* Increase in urine output
* Increase in activity level (some cats are persistently restless or nervous)

Some hyperthyroid cats have a change in behavior and when this happens, they tend to become irritable, mean, or easily upset. Vomiting and diarrhea are a little less common. Some hyperthyroid cats have unusually bulky stools and others have unusually large amounts of stool. Relatively uncommon but well-documented problems caused by hyperthyroidism include panting (open mouth breathing), difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, listlessness, and seeking cool places.

Because of her age, she was eighteen, we discussed quality of life for her and for us. She had been sick on and off for the last few years. The option to treat not only the hyperthyroidism, but also the underlying issue that caused it, didn't seem realistic when she would only have possibly a couple years left in her. The day that we actually decided that we would have her euthanised was hard for us. Ironically, she seemed to have sensed it because she was her normal, affectionate old-self all that day. At 10:15 that same night, she walked into the living-room, looked at me, meowed once and then went onto cardiac arrest. She died within minutes and in my arms. It will be three years on April 15th and not a day goes by when I don't think about her.

Best of luck with your decision. I know it's not one made lightly. Hugs to you and your baby.

TravisTheSky · April 2010

First, take him in to a vet for a diagnosis!

When you have some understanding of what the illness is, you can think about what to do next: What is the prognosis, what are the options for treatment, how much will the future bills be, etc.

Perhaps it is a simple problem that can be easily CURED! You are asking us whether you should expensively treat him for a long-term condition, or let him suffer with no intervention. You have no idea yet if those are the only two options.... Unless you have made up your mind to refuse to do anything else for him.

And I'm not talking out my ass: Four months ago, I spent $105 treating two of my mice who have mycoplasma. I took the money out of my food budget, and made do with less for myself. This week, they have suddenly relapsed. Tiny, fragile Lola is not likely to survive past mid-April unless I buy her some medicine. I have just enough money to cover the rent- so I will pay that first. But I have decided NOT to pay my internet bill (which is my only bill all month) so that I can try to save her life. I am responsible.

Thoughts_Arrive · April 2010

I went through this exact same situation this time last year.
The end of this month (29th) will be the first year anniversary since we had our cat put to sleep :(
I was there in the vets room when he was put down, probably the most toughest moment in my life, was very tough to handle.
He was in such a bad way it was only right to put him out of his pain.
You will know what to do when the time comes, until then cherish every moment and stay strong.

redrock · April 2010

long red wrote:

Now I know the title of this thread has you thinking that I'm a cold, heartless bastard. Hold on a minute, this is untrue. My 15-year-old cat has had nasty diarrhea for a few weeks now. He's lost a lot of weight and has been pissing and pooping everywhere except his litter box. All of this and yet he still has a voracious appetite. ?

You ARE cold and heartless. Your cat has had diarrhea for WEEKS, yet you haven't done anything? Of course he is losing weight. Diarrhea could be cause by something as petty as worms or just an intestinal irritation (have you changed his food? Is he an outdoor cat that may be muching on mice and birds?).

House cats can live to 20+ years... thinking of 'letting your cat die' because you can't be bothered is vile. Also, cats are clean by nature. So not only does he have a physical problem, you are also making him anxious and upset if he sees he poops everywhere. If this diarrhea is due to worms/bacterial infection,etc. this cat is licking himself clean, re-injesting the nastiness.

Sorry for the strong words, but if you can't afford a vet, you shouldn't have a pet. Moreso if you see it ill for WEEKS and do nothing. I am shocked. He may have 'nothing', he may have something. Let the vet decide.

redrock · April 2010

youngster wrote:

I speak from experience when I say this, but in your cat's shape it would be best to put it down. 15 years is a long time for a cat to live and vet bills are VERY expensive. It is a very hard decision and you should think it over before jumping to conclusions. My dad spend over $2,000 on his 13 year old cat in vet bills and treatments. After a month of in and out of the vet's office and countless bills, the cat dropped dead one afternoon. Very sad but my dad said that if he knew the outcome before he would have ended the cats suffering a lot earlier. Think it over and do what's best for the cat.

Maybe when you're 80 and you take a turn and need serious long term medical help, your kids will decide that the gamble on the cost of helping with those bills and the potential years you have left is not worth it so they will ask the docs to end your suffering.

Dealing with an old, sick cat. Treat or let die?

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