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#1
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How to tell when it's time?
This is a bit difficult to write.
My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. It really started around Christmas of 2002, when she had a big stroke. I got her breathing again with mouth to mouth, and she spent the night in an oxygen box at the pet emergency hospital. She's had a few smaller strokes since then, and each time she seems to get less steady on her feet and less interested in anything other than couch, food, and box. She seems to have had another minor stroke a few days ago, and she's having trouble getting up on the couch. She walks very slowly, and stops often, perhaps to rest. When she had the water drinking problem that I posted about, the vet (who is very fond of her) said that he was now comfortable with doing the final thing, that she'd gone downhill enough. Well of course with the new water she got much better, so that was the end of that thought for the moment. She's been really old for a few years now, so I've had a lot of time to think about this. My position has been and still is that the decision will be based on her quality of life, and also a quality end. So, what brings me to asking this question here is this: I think that she may now be in pain. It's obviously hard to walk, and she's mostly stopped vocalizing. She's always been a very vocal cat, conversational even. Her back legs just don't work very well now, and she even has trouble getting up from a laying down position, and has trouble keeping her balance while on her feet. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa |
#2
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"Lisa Horton" wrote in message ... This is a bit difficult to write. My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. ... I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa Lisa, I'm sorry I can't help you make your decision, but my heart goes out to you. It is such a difficult thing to guess when the time is right. Annie |
#3
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"Lisa Horton" wrote in message ... This is a bit difficult to write. My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. ... I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa Lisa, I'm sorry I can't help you make your decision, but my heart goes out to you. It is such a difficult thing to guess when the time is right. Annie |
#4
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On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 11:22:57 -0700, Lisa Horton
wrote: This is a bit difficult to write. My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. It really started around Christmas of 2002, when she had a big stroke. I got her breathing again with mouth to mouth, and she spent the night in an oxygen box at the pet emergency hospital. She's had a few smaller strokes since then, and each time she seems to get less steady on her feet and less interested in anything other than couch, food, and box. She seems to have had another minor stroke a few days ago, and she's having trouble getting up on the couch. She walks very slowly, and stops often, perhaps to rest. When she had the water drinking problem that I posted about, the vet (who is very fond of her) said that he was now comfortable with doing the final thing, that she'd gone downhill enough. Well of course with the new water she got much better, so that was the end of that thought for the moment. She's been really old for a few years now, so I've had a lot of time to think about this. My position has been and still is that the decision will be based on her quality of life, and also a quality end. So, what brings me to asking this question here is this: I think that she may now be in pain. It's obviously hard to walk, and she's mostly stopped vocalizing. She's always been a very vocal cat, conversational even. Her back legs just don't work very well now, and she even has trouble getting up from a laying down position, and has trouble keeping her balance while on her feet. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa Lisa, As someone who has been there, I can tell you that no one can tell you when it's time. You will know yourself when it's time and your cat will tell you in her own way when it is time. When my Norman had cancer, we had to make the decision about when it was time. I don't think we ever doubted our timing. We never wanted him suffer too much and he kind of told us when it was time. I don't really want to advise you one way or the other, except for listen to your heart and your kitty and make the best decision you can. In the end, know that she loves you as much as you to love her. My prayers are with you, Rob |
#5
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On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 11:22:57 -0700, Lisa Horton
wrote: This is a bit difficult to write. My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. It really started around Christmas of 2002, when she had a big stroke. I got her breathing again with mouth to mouth, and she spent the night in an oxygen box at the pet emergency hospital. She's had a few smaller strokes since then, and each time she seems to get less steady on her feet and less interested in anything other than couch, food, and box. She seems to have had another minor stroke a few days ago, and she's having trouble getting up on the couch. She walks very slowly, and stops often, perhaps to rest. When she had the water drinking problem that I posted about, the vet (who is very fond of her) said that he was now comfortable with doing the final thing, that she'd gone downhill enough. Well of course with the new water she got much better, so that was the end of that thought for the moment. She's been really old for a few years now, so I've had a lot of time to think about this. My position has been and still is that the decision will be based on her quality of life, and also a quality end. So, what brings me to asking this question here is this: I think that she may now be in pain. It's obviously hard to walk, and she's mostly stopped vocalizing. She's always been a very vocal cat, conversational even. Her back legs just don't work very well now, and she even has trouble getting up from a laying down position, and has trouble keeping her balance while on her feet. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa Lisa, As someone who has been there, I can tell you that no one can tell you when it's time. You will know yourself when it's time and your cat will tell you in her own way when it is time. When my Norman had cancer, we had to make the decision about when it was time. I don't think we ever doubted our timing. We never wanted him suffer too much and he kind of told us when it was time. I don't really want to advise you one way or the other, except for listen to your heart and your kitty and make the best decision you can. In the end, know that she loves you as much as you to love her. My prayers are with you, Rob |
#6
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Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated.
Lisa Lisa, while it is a very personal decision, I prefer to opt for a little too soon rather than a little too late. I had my 18 year old kitty euthanized in March, and he was not the first. I don't think he was in pain but I do think he was uncomfortable and had lost interest in eating and was beginning to hide. He had been vocal, too, and had quit meowing altogether. He didn't purr when we brushed or petted him anymore although he seemed to enjoy it a little...not like before, though. He was wobbly when he walked. I didn't want to make him suffer more and I was sure he wasn't going to get any better. It was still very hard to decide when, though. I wish you and your kitty the best and you have obviously been an exemplary cat mom to have her live so long and happily. I'm sure you will do what is best for her. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) |
#7
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Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated.
Lisa Lisa, while it is a very personal decision, I prefer to opt for a little too soon rather than a little too late. I had my 18 year old kitty euthanized in March, and he was not the first. I don't think he was in pain but I do think he was uncomfortable and had lost interest in eating and was beginning to hide. He had been vocal, too, and had quit meowing altogether. He didn't purr when we brushed or petted him anymore although he seemed to enjoy it a little...not like before, though. He was wobbly when he walked. I didn't want to make him suffer more and I was sure he wasn't going to get any better. It was still very hard to decide when, though. I wish you and your kitty the best and you have obviously been an exemplary cat mom to have her live so long and happily. I'm sure you will do what is best for her. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) |
#8
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Thank you to everyone who offered help, both here and in email. I now feel like I'm equipped to make a good decision, and I have. Lisa |
#9
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Thank you to everyone who offered help, both here and in email. I now feel like I'm equipped to make a good decision, and I have. Lisa |
#10
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Lisa Horton wrote in message ...
This is a bit difficult to write. My cat is near the end. She's coming up on 22 years old, and has been going downhill for the last several months. It really started around Christmas of 2002, when she had a big stroke. I got her breathing again with mouth to mouth, and she spent the night in an oxygen box at the pet emergency hospital. She's had a few smaller strokes since then, and each time she seems to get less steady on her feet and less interested in anything other than couch, food, and box. She seems to have had another minor stroke a few days ago, and she's having trouble getting up on the couch. She walks very slowly, and stops often, perhaps to rest. When she had the water drinking problem that I posted about, the vet (who is very fond of her) said that he was now comfortable with doing the final thing, that she'd gone downhill enough. Well of course with the new water she got much better, so that was the end of that thought for the moment. She's been really old for a few years now, so I've had a lot of time to think about this. My position has been and still is that the decision will be based on her quality of life, and also a quality end. So, what brings me to asking this question here is this: I think that she may now be in pain. It's obviously hard to walk, and she's mostly stopped vocalizing. She's always been a very vocal cat, conversational even. Her back legs just don't work very well now, and she even has trouble getting up from a laying down position, and has trouble keeping her balance while on her feet. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to end her life prematurely. Your thoughts, suggestions, and advice will be appreciated. Lisa lisa, i iknow how you feel. i had to put my dog to sleep two years ago. she had severe arthritis, could no longer walk or sit without being in agony. in the end, the medications and needles didnt work and my family made the decision. we didnt want her to be in pain any longer and we all knew, deep down that it was cruel to keep her going - just for us. its a very difficult thing to go through, but with time and now that i look back. it was the right thing to do. i now candy is now at rainbow bridge. listen to what your heart says, i think you already know the answer. sally. |
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