21 year old cat very ill

by Carolyn T.
(Lancaster, Ohio)

Misty is my 21 yr. 4 mon. Turkish Angora baby. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroisim 2 years ago and has arthritis in her hips and is on medicine for both. She has been walking with stiff back legs for the past year due the arthritis, but 3 days ago as she got up from sleeping her back legs gave out on her and she kinda sat down on her side. Her legs seem a little stronger if I rub them & her hips or if I move her legs like they were walking and she can walk a little better for just a short while. After this happened she started hardly eating or drinking and I have been syringing food as best as possible to help suppliment what she was eating. Now she is pushing at my hands with her paws when I try to do that and weakly hisses at me, which she NEVER does. I know that she was diagnosed with a heart murmur last summer at her check up and her vet said that in hyperthyroid cats that this could cause a clot and that they sometimes broke loose and went to the big vein that feeds their legs. Her back paws are usually warm when I touch them and she will pull her leg away from me when I am exercising them. I really can't afford to take her to the vet with my husband disabled and not getting any money and my hours just recently cut to 30 hours from 40. I would definitely take her if I had to use the credit card if there was anything they could do, but my husband thinks that it is just that she is tired and just wants to go to Heaven peacefully! My heart is breaking because I am about to lose one of my best friends on this earth. I just am so torn, part of me wants to say to Hell with the cost and take her to the vet even knowing that it will put us in financial crisis, another part knows how much my sweetheart hates the vet and the stress, etc. of the tests and part of me feels that I should let her pass on peacefully. But the biggest part of my heart feels that I am just allowing her to die if I don't do something!!!! I am

HURTING so bad and feel that a part of me is dying with her! She doesn't seem to be in any pain and snuggles with me when I hold her! I don't know what to do!!!! Please help me!!


Reply
Hi
Dear Carolyn

I know your pain, i have been there too with my old cat so i can absolutely understand what you re going through. However i have been through it so i do know that my answer come to you with love for both you and your cat and I hope you accept my answer in that way.

Your cat is very old indeed for a cat and yes i will be honest with you, i do think that she is coming to the end of her life. the fact that she is hissing at you is because she is in distress. Cats react to fear and possible discomfort in this way. She loves you but she is feeling bad and she needs you to be strong for her.

I understand that your finances are tight (mine are too) and if i was in the same situation as you are know, I would do the one best and kindest thing a cat owner and lover such as yourself can do for their beloved friend at this time. I would let her slip away from this life the easiest and pain free way or all and that is to allow the vet to put her to sleep. Yes you will feel great pain in your heart at first, I did, but believe me when I tell you you will come to realize that you did the only thing you can for your best friend.

I have tears streaming down my face as I write this to you because i am remembering the last hours with my old cat and the decision i had to make. But if it is a choice between paying a small amount to help your cat and to relieve their pain of allowing them to suffer until they go then i know my answer.

I really don't believe that the vet could do any more for your cat, she is old and she has many things wrong with her and trying to prolong her life is not the kindest thing for her.

My heart is with you at this difficult time.

God bless
Kate

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