Now that you've explained your cat's condition more fully I understand why
your vet said what she did. If there is no more to be done and the kitty
isn't feeling very well then the time has arrived IMO. It's tough when they
get to this point in their lives but the best we can do for them then is to
love them until the end and make it as peaceful as possible.

W



wrote in message
oups.com...
I regret that in my shock on the day I posted my comment about old
Jaspy,that I ommited to mention that I had already taken Jasper to see
the vet a couple of weeks ago.I woul"never" have my faithful companion
put to sleep just because of the inconvenience of incontinence...!!
I had in fact taken old Jaspy to the vets two weeks prior to that visit
because I was concerned that he was loosing wieght,even though I was
feeding him seperately,& also that he seemed to be drinking more than
he normally did.On that visit to our vet,she told me that it was
possible that he could be suffering from one of two things..possibly
kidney problems or maybe diabetes.She took a full account of bloods and
also a urine sample too.A few days later she called me to say that he
had a problem called Decompensated renal failure,& that if there was
any further detrioration,that I was to call her & take him back to see
her again.
On the day that I took him back,I expected her to say that we might be
able to consider dialisys,or even possibly a transplant(in my
ignorance),but she explained that it was not possible because his
condition was so advanced.She explained that some vets would consider
it,but in her opinion it would be false economy because I would be
prolonging his pain & suffering,& that given his advanced age & her
long association with him,that it was her medical opinion that it would
be the kindest thing that I could do for him.I am sorry that I did not
make this clear on my first posting,but I assumed that no one would
even consider doing such a terrible thing;I know that I certainly
wouldn't!So My apologies for not making that clear to you.
I took him back the other day because In my opinion his condition had
got worse,& it was just a shock to hear that there was nothing else
that could be considered to make him a little bit more comfortable & to
keep him with us a little bit longer,but she explained that when a cat
gets to the stage of decompensated renal failure that there is no other
option open to him.I also felt terribly guilty that I didn't know that
his condition had got so far advanced without my knowing so as he is
with me all day most days...but she told me that this is very often the
case,& that it wasn't neglectful,merely unfortunate in this case.
As I explained in that posting,I was advised to take him home with pain
killers& told to think about it for a couple of day's,then make an
appointment to take him back,when we could say our final good bye's to
him,& allow her to let him go peacefully with no more pain.
It is one of the most painful things I have ever had to go through in
my life,I assure you!
Jasper is booked in to see the vet tomorrow mid day,when I will have to
let him go.I regret that I did not make this clear to you-But I know
that I am doing the right thing.I have no wish to wait until he is in
agony then dies a slow painful death too.
I hope that I have explained myself adequately,& that you all think of
old Jaspy as he pass's on to pussy heaven.The only thing that keeps me
going is the memories we share & the knowledge that I am doing what is
best for Jasper,not myself....
paws2 via CatKB.com wrote:

wrote:
I had to go and collect the medication for ringworm to treat the other
cats,so asked If I could also bring Jasper to her for a quick look at
him whilst I was there because for the first time in his life,he has
recently started pooping on the floor as well as wetting himself too
where he sleeps.
I was somewhat shocked when she asked me if I had considered euthanasia
yet,because It hadn't crossed my mind at all!
It has been happening for the last 2weeks or so.I noticed one day as he
was sat on my lap having cuddles,& suddenly I felt a hot wet sensation
on my lap too,but since then he has also started pooping where he wants
to(or needs to?)I put it down to an accident the first time,but when he
started pooping too,I knew the time had come to take him to be seen by
the vet.Jasper has been a very faithful family member for around
14years when he moved in with us because his owners abandond him,& has
never been a spot of trouble at all.I did mention to the vet that we
have a case of ringworm,wondering if that might be the cause...but she
tells me that it has no bearing on it at all-that it is age related and
that he could have a kidney problem that was not economicaly viable
sepecially considering your age;it will only get worse.

Hi,

I am not as quick as your vet to dismiss Jasper's recent "inappropriate"
elimination issues as age related and apparently not worthy of looking
into
to the point of suggesting euthanasia! I do not understand her assumption
(no
evidence I have read in your posts and no blood tests) that he may have
kidney problems which are not "economically viable" to treat, etc.

From your initial post about your new Birman, there was nothing to
indicate
any problem with Jasper. You have recently brought in a new cat, you have
a
case of ringworm which has understandably stressed you considerably
already
prior to diagnosis, you isolated two cats, and you cleaned your home from
top
to bottom. Cats are exquisitely sensitive to even minute changes and
there
have been considerable ones in Jasper's territory. In addition, he is an
elderly cat whose needs may be changing. You are in the uk, so I wonder
whether Jasper up to now eliminated outside, whether there are any and/or
sufficient litter boxes in your home, whether they are easily accessible
to
him, etc.

At the very least physical issues must be ruled out via comprehensive
blood
tests (geriatric blood panel). It doesn't matter how old Jasper is, if
his
quality of life is good, and nothing you wrote leads me to believe that
it is
not, you owe it to him to find out why his elimination habits have
changed.
It may be physical and treatable or behavioral and dealt with depending
on
what the underlying issue is.

It is appalling that a veterinarian would suggest considering killing
this
cat based on the above alone. Does she assume (and is she right?) that
you
are overextended in more ways than one with the many cats, kids, and
disabled
partner? I hope that is not a factor here.

Please do right by Jasper. I would not accept a vet who dismisses old
cats
simply because they are old.

I am shocked

You should be

& don't know what to think to be honest.I don't want him to suffer or go
through any pain

What evidence is there that he is doing either of those things?

that he doesn't need to,but putting him to sleep was
the last thing I was expecting her to say.I must do what is right for
him,so feed back would be good and I will accept her opinion if others
agree it would be best.It is a bit like planning your friends death
though & makes me feel awful;a bit like a betrayal of trust.

With the info you provided it would be a betrayal and unjustified.

Thanks
peoples...

--
Message posted via CatKB.com
http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...ealth/200611/1