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- Mar 12, 2014
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My cat is 15 going on 16 and it has been a tough year. Originally I had an appointment to put him down in winter 2020... but I failed to go. Then he got sick this summer and some medication seemed to make things better. But more and more I am having issues with him and I am having trouble deciding.
First, his quality of life doesn't seem great.
- he sleeps about 18 hours a day. I understand this is normal for older cats. But I have this feeling it is due to pain.
- when he isn't sleeping he cries for food. It is almost like a habit. The food seems to make his tummy feel better.
- his eyes are perpetually droopy. And sometimes they water.
- he does throw up more than usual and has hair balls.
- sometimes he has diahhrea.. and has gone outside his box a few times.
- he has terrible arthritis. Sometimes it seems like he pops a leg out, and i see him walking with like a popped out leg.
- he rarely moves around a lot, this year, pretty much being confined to the first floor.
- he doesn't really liked to be touched.
- he was always brutal going to the vet before but now he is so downright miserable I don't see anyway they could examine him without real issues for him.
My gut is saying that I am just living in denial and should man up and end this thing now.
My vet is also, imho, not supportive. She seems to have it in her head that we can get two or three more years out of him... but as it is now he has asthma meds, and I pretty much put *something* in his food every time I feed him. Supplement, medication etc. Everytime I call to make the appointment I find them not helpful. Always saying they will have to examine him to do it... when they know that will just make things worse... but I have found all vets this way now, like they have some new standard of care to do an exam to make sure he is a suitable candidate.
But mostly it is me not being able to man up and do it.
Also, in prior years I was able to make the decision and get it done quickly. Now, when I call, either they put roadblocks in the way or it takes 3 weeks to get an appointment and that usually makes it so I talk myself out of it.
Help? Just something I have to man up and do?
First, his quality of life doesn't seem great.
- he sleeps about 18 hours a day. I understand this is normal for older cats. But I have this feeling it is due to pain.
- when he isn't sleeping he cries for food. It is almost like a habit. The food seems to make his tummy feel better.
- his eyes are perpetually droopy. And sometimes they water.
- he does throw up more than usual and has hair balls.
- sometimes he has diahhrea.. and has gone outside his box a few times.
- he has terrible arthritis. Sometimes it seems like he pops a leg out, and i see him walking with like a popped out leg.
- he rarely moves around a lot, this year, pretty much being confined to the first floor.
- he doesn't really liked to be touched.
- he was always brutal going to the vet before but now he is so downright miserable I don't see anyway they could examine him without real issues for him.
My gut is saying that I am just living in denial and should man up and end this thing now.
My vet is also, imho, not supportive. She seems to have it in her head that we can get two or three more years out of him... but as it is now he has asthma meds, and I pretty much put *something* in his food every time I feed him. Supplement, medication etc. Everytime I call to make the appointment I find them not helpful. Always saying they will have to examine him to do it... when they know that will just make things worse... but I have found all vets this way now, like they have some new standard of care to do an exam to make sure he is a suitable candidate.
But mostly it is me not being able to man up and do it.
Also, in prior years I was able to make the decision and get it done quickly. Now, when I call, either they put roadblocks in the way or it takes 3 weeks to get an appointment and that usually makes it so I talk myself out of it.
Help? Just something I have to man up and do?