Advice please?

Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks, toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather. Does
she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she watch
the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
environment?

You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs. Has
she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
practical info:
http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm


Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks, toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her
increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes
down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they
wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

"Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message
...
If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather.
Does
she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she
watch
the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
environment?

She doesn't much move to enjoy sunbaths. She avoids the other cats, as she
always has other animals. She hates other pets, unfortunately Gizmo and
Betsy were far better off here, and Katie has adapted well to them existing.
As for the general environment, she certainly isn't taking as much notice as
she used to. She likes to sleep. I'm not saying she doesn't derive some
enjoyment from the environment, but it concerns me that she is progressively
"shutting down", and I genuinely don't believe life can be as fun for her as
it was.

You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs.
Has
she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
practical info:
http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm


She has been to the vet about 8 months when some signs of the problems were
showing, it was suggested by the vet that treatment for kidney problems
might not be the best way to go.

Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

Thanks for your comments and I'm just taking a look at the link you gave me


--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks,
toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from
her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her
increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes
down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they
wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no
desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm
wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the
most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end
is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to
the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

Well, I think this will help you make your decision, as the vet should be
able to give you a reasonable idea of just how much discomfort she is in, if
any.


I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

I think that's very admirable. I know it's a difficult situation;
regardless of whether someone we love is nearly gone, or just getting older,
we can't help but remember them how they were and feel a little sad that
things have changed so much. But I think you won't be able to make an
informed choice for your kitty until you get some input from the vet,
especially if she's not very obvious about her pain. I hope the vet is able
to treat any of her health problems after all, and that she can have a bit
more time with you in comfort, but in any case, please keep us informed.

All the Best,
Ann

"bewtifulfreak" wrote in message
...
"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to
the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

Well, I think this will help you make your decision, as the vet should be
able to give you a reasonable idea of just how much discomfort she is in,
if
any.


I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing
her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very
conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

I think that's very admirable. I know it's a difficult situation;
regardless of whether someone we love is nearly gone, or just getting
older,
we can't help but remember them how they were and feel a little sad that
things have changed so much. But I think you won't be able to make an
informed choice for your kitty until you get some input from the vet,
especially if she's not very obvious about her pain. I hope the vet is
able
to treat any of her health problems after all, and that she can have a bit
more time with you in comfort, but in any case, please keep us informed.

All the Best,
Ann




Thanks for your input. I'm gonna try and get her an appointment next week,
it seems the sooner the better

"bewtifulfreak" wrote in message
...
"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to
the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

Well, I think this will help you make your decision, as the vet should be
able to give you a reasonable idea of just how much discomfort she is in,
if
any.


I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing
her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very
conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

I think that's very admirable. I know it's a difficult situation;
regardless of whether someone we love is nearly gone, or just getting
older,
we can't help but remember them how they were and feel a little sad that
things have changed so much. But I think you won't be able to make an
informed choice for your kitty until you get some input from the vet,
especially if she's not very obvious about her pain. I hope the vet is
able
to treat any of her health problems after all, and that she can have a bit
more time with you in comfort, but in any case, please keep us informed.

All the Best,
Ann




Thanks for your input. I'm gonna try and get her an appointment next week,
it seems the sooner the better

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to
the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

Well, I think this will help you make your decision, as the vet should be
able to give you a reasonable idea of just how much discomfort she is in, if
any.


I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

I think that's very admirable. I know it's a difficult situation;
regardless of whether someone we love is nearly gone, or just getting older,
we can't help but remember them how they were and feel a little sad that
things have changed so much. But I think you won't be able to make an
informed choice for your kitty until you get some input from the vet,
especially if she's not very obvious about her pain. I hope the vet is able
to treat any of her health problems after all, and that she can have a bit
more time with you in comfort, but in any case, please keep us informed.

All the Best,
Ann

"Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message
...
If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather.
Does
she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she
watch
the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
environment?

She doesn't much move to enjoy sunbaths. She avoids the other cats, as she
always has other animals. She hates other pets, unfortunately Gizmo and
Betsy were far better off here, and Katie has adapted well to them existing.
As for the general environment, she certainly isn't taking as much notice as
she used to. She likes to sleep. I'm not saying she doesn't derive some
enjoyment from the environment, but it concerns me that she is progressively
"shutting down", and I genuinely don't believe life can be as fun for her as
it was.

You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs.
Has
she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
practical info:
http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm


She has been to the vet about 8 months when some signs of the problems were
showing, it was suggested by the vet that treatment for kidney problems
might not be the best way to go.

Regardless of the choice I make about her life, I do plan to take her to the
vets fairly soon, to once again get her checked over.

I love her to bits, and the thought of going up stairs and not seeing her
there is difficult. However my family had a habit of prolonging animals
suffering in order to gain more time with the pet, and I am very conscious
of not allowing my need to be with an animal overrid an animals best
interest. Hense I'm looking for advice

Thanks for your comments and I'm just taking a look at the link you gave me


--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks,
toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from
her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her
increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes
down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they
wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no
desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm
wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the
most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end
is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

If she's not actually ill & showing signs of distress, I personally can't
imagine euthanizing her at this point - or in a month's time, rather. Does
she enjoy sunbaths, still? Doe she purr when she's petted? Does she watch
the other cats - at least to some degree, & in general take notice of her
environment?

You mention her lower back (arthritis, maybe?) & possible kidney probs. Has
she been to the vet for a check-up? Has the vet prescribed treatment for
either condition to help her to feel better? If her BUN & creatinine are
elevated - indicating renal failure, here's a great site w/ lots of
practical info:
http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm


Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks, toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her
increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes
down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they
wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..
Sorry to cross post but I have a bit of a dilema.

My cat is now 15 and a half, and although she still eats, drinks, toilets,
and sleeps, she does little else. I know she has some discomfort from her
lower back, and probably kidney problems. Other than that and her
increased
laziness she seems quite happy, purrs when I go to see her, still comes
down
stairs when she wants more food (I have 3 cats, and they decided they
wanted
to divide themselves so Katie got the upstairs, and Gizmo and betsy the
downstairs), she doesn't come and see me in bed any more and has no desire
to go outside (even though she used to go out days at a time).

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.



I agree the cat doesn't seem to be suffering, so there's no reason to put
her down at this point.

If you mean the cat doesn't jump on your bed while you're in it anymore, you
can construct ramps to the bed and other favorite spots to help her get
where she wants. At her age, she probably has arthritis that limits
jumping. You vet may be able to prescribe medication to help her here.

Bill