17 year old cat with multiple health/behavioral issues

by Beth
(Atlanta)

I have a female 17 year cat who has been diagnosed with arthritis in her back legs, a heart murmur, and liver disease. The vet is not sure if it it is hepatitis or cancer, she just knows that something is wrong with her liver (based on lab results) and it will only get progressively worse. She is thin, and eats constantly. She is getting around, although she sways when she walks and you can tell that her back legs are weak. I don't know how much pain she is in, the vet told me that cats are very good at "hiding" pain. I do give her an anti-inflammatory/pain killer prescription every 3 days. I don't know if this helps her or not. I see no difference in her behavior after she's taken it. She's also started having head tremors and sometimes her back legs shake uncontrollably, although she doesn't flip over or lose total control. This happens every several days.

The biggest problem we are having with her is that she is peeing all over our floors and now our carpet, too. We take her outside to go, but that is hit or miss. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn't. We can't leave her outside by herself because she just isn't as strong as she used to be, and there is a cat next door who is very aggressive towards other cats.

I am truly torn about what to do. My husband wants to put her to sleep SOON. His view is that she is going to cost us thousands of dollars to replace the floors & carpet and that she is not going to get better anyways, only progressively worse. I see his point, although I feel that I would be playing "God". She is still a very sweet and loving cat and she has not stopped eating or drinking, which some say is the point at which it's time to do something. This is causing both of us so much stress, both towards each other and towards her.


Please help! Any thoughts from other cat lovers would truly be appreciated!

Answer from Kate
Hi I really feel for you as this is never a easy decision to make. I have had to make it once and it tore be apart but I know that i did the right thing for her in the end.

My advice has always been that once a cats quality of life diminishes to the point that living is no longer enjoyable for them then it is time to help them cross over. In your case the fact that she is urinating around the home is a sign of distress. she is probably not feeling that well, can no longer do all the cat things she wants to any more like jump and climb etc and this is making her feel anxious. Cat urination is often caused by anxiety over something.

I agree with your husband but not for the reason of cost of carpets etc but by the sound of it your cats quality of life is no longer very good at all and is may be n some discomfort too.

The decision is yours but take a look into your cats eyes as I did and I found my answer there.

wish you all the best
Kate