Is it really time?

[KrissyB43]

My 18 year old cat was in sort of a hunched or crouched position two days ago and had diarrhea.  She has kidney disease and has gone from a healthy weight of 6 lbs (she was always a small cat) to 4.3 lbs over the last 3 years since she was diagnosed.  10 months ago I started her on fluid treatments 100 ml every 3 to 4 days.  Honestly, sometimes I let it go a couple extra days in between treatments because she seemed good, was grooming, eating, acting normal, etc.  Anyway, as soon as I saw her sitting weird and found the diarrhea I called the vet.  The vet examined her and suggested it might be time.  She also found an abdominal mass during the exam that wasn't there 3 months ago.  I didn't have the heart to put her down yet.  The night before she was fine and had even gotten up on the stove to investigate a recently used pan.  The vet said the mass was stationary and the location (near her liver?) made it seem like some kind of tumor.  They sent me home with pain meds and an anti-diarrheal.  Now she is not really eating, hasn't had a solid bowel movement and is drinking a lot of water.  The pain meds knocked her out the first time so I haven't given them to her again.  Her spirit is still there and is making the decision very difficult.  How can I be sure that putting her down would be the right thing?  

[KrissyB43]

I just wanted to follow up and say that I ended up having to help my kitty cross over the rainbow bridge about 3 weeks after the initial appointment.  I took her back to the vet after two weeks suspecting she had a uti (which she did) and they said her heart sounded better and she didn't seem to be in pain.  I was hopeful when I left that appointment.  The mass in her abdomen was still there but it was hard to tell what role it was playing.  A few days later she seemed to start slipping away.  I thought she would pass on her own but after a couple really bad days I decided it wasn't right to wait for that to happen.  It turned out she had fluid in her abdomen, likely from the tumor they felt at her initial appointment.  She had some good days after I took her home and I am glad I didn't put her down that day.  I don't think I would have been at peace with a rushed decision like that and I don't think she was ready yet.        

[Piparskeggr]

It is the hardest Act of Love we will do for them.  Just remember, when a wisp of breeze brushes your cheek, it is kitty saying thank you and letting you know she is okay.

[Dee1956]

UGH, not IV, under the skin fluids, sorry about that.
At first I was afraid he would bit me, after a while he just lay down as if he knew I was helping him

[Dee1956]

Krissy I am also sorry for your loss.
I know the feeling. I did  IV fluids for my cat for 6 months, then when he lay in a box in his own urine, could not move I knew it was time.
I think we all love our pets so very much, we want to keep them with us as long as we can, however we do not want them to suffer.

I have seen the Tyler Henry show on E, he is a clairvoyant, he always mentions pets (fur babies) are with their loved ones.

Take Care, Dee

[Jade59]

I am so very sorry for your loss, Krissy.  I'm glad you feel at peace with when your decision took place.  It is our final act of love for our pet, but that doesn't make it any easier.  We used a home service to help Jade over the Rainbow Bridge coming up on 2 years in Oct.  It was the most difficult decision we ever had to make for her.  Like with your dear kitty, though, it was the right decision at the right time.  Big HUG! ♥

[Piparskeggr]

Our Miss Teia is in early stage kidney failure.  We got the vet tech to give us a refresher course in subq, but she won;t hold still for us like she does at the vet's.

Figure Miss Teia will live her life, still is able to do the 5 things she likes, albeit slower and less frequently.

Please "listen" to kitty, she'll tell you.  18 years IS a really good run at life.  It says a lot about how you have cared for her over the years.

[AnnieBrooke]

My vet said to me once, "Think of the five things your pet likes to do the most.  When it gets to the point where he can't do three of them any more because of his failing health, his quality of life is not there."  I admit last time I had to put a pet to sleep, I waited until she could only do one of the things, but it's a good way to look at it.  What good was life if all that was left was to sit and hurt?

[CML2014]

I have to say that is a very good way of helping us look for what might be the right time to set our babies free.

Thank you for that comment, annie.
CML