Should I get her 'put down'

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 21:45

My cat is now blind, and about 17 years old. She eats quite well and drinks

a lot of water. She has high blood pressure and giving her tablets for it which

have brought it down to near normal, but Vet says she has a blood clot behind

eye, and it shows no sign of going. I don't know if I am being cruel to keep her

alive but she does not seem to be in pain and just sleeps, and eats. Vet says

sight is not that important to cats, (but she isn't one) and it is sad to see her

bumping into things as she makes her way to her food and water.

Aluinn


Joined: 12/04/2011
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 21:48

if she's still eating and enjoying it, then she's good to go for a while yet. make sure that nothing is moved around in the area between where she sleeps and where she eats, and she'll dodder along for a while yet. She'll let you know when she's had enough.

Roomy


Joined: 20/02/2011
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 21:51

If her life is miserable and she is in pain, yes, if not and you can cope with her disabilities no way.I kept a dog with a tumour for about 3 year she passed away peacefully with a little help at age 16.That was about 9 years ago, only now am I thinking about another best mate.







Post edited for offensive expletive , do you have to use such colourful language

Simbas

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 21:58

Hi phylray,

We had a cat, who eventually went blind after about 18 years.

She managed to move about the house without any problems,

as long as the furniture wasn't moved too much.

She eventually died in her sleep at 18 yrs and 5 months.

She had no other medical problems.

As Aluinn says,

"She'll let you know when she's had enough"

Enjoy her company while you can.

Good luck.

Navek

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 21:58

no , she is making the effort to keep you happy , return the favour

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:02

She does not seem to be in pain, and I can cope but when I go (to Cyprus etc.) I have to rely on 2 sons

to feed her, and change cat litter (she is Persian indoor cat) and don't like to put her in cattery now as it's

too stressful. She doesn't often hit the litter either ( is nearly reaching the toilet!) I think I would prefer

to let her live out her natural, but it is difficult at times. Thanks for your advice 2 & 3

westender


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 328

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:04

My cat is 18 and a half and has also gone blind. She eats well, has a walk round the garden several times a day and enjoys lots of cuddles. I feel she will let us know when it's time to say goodbye & while she is not in pain & has a reasonable quality of life I intend to let her & us enjoy what time she has left.

jenfarrall


Joined: 21/09/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:06

We have a 11yrs old West Highland terrier,she's insulin dependent diabetic,been totally blind for 5 years but -------------------------- she is happy and content,loves dozing in the sun,knows her way around her "patch" and enjoys life.When the time comes and she isn't living,simply existing,I would consider it selfish to keep her alive simply to satisfy our needs.

I think you'll know in your heart when your cat has had enough,then and only then would it be cruel to keep her alive.

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:35

sometimes don't you want them to go peacefully in their sleep so the decision is taken out of your hands, but they never seem to want to go that way. My cat had a tumour up his nose there was nothign they could do he was quiet happy and didnt bother him apart from sneezing fits occassionly, then one day he ran away he never usual went far my near neighbour told me where he was I was only ever the only one that could pick him up not vicious just a scaredy cat - went and got him but it was his time we had to let him go its very sad - take every day at a time but you will know when its time

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:47

oh i cant even comment !! such a difficult choice....as long as she seems happy...day by day ...i hope its not a choice in the end? :(

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:50

I guess so. I have never liked the thought of getting her 'put down'. Brought her back with me from

abroad and before had her stolen from me, and then lost, so I decided when I got her back she was

with me for keeps - til death...etc.

Roomy


Joined: 20/02/2011
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:51

You'll know what to do when the time comes, untill then enjoy the old girl.

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 04:03

I would be advised by the Vet - one would think a blood clot behind the eye would cause pressure against the eyeball, which could be painful - but the only person with experience of various conditions and whether they would cause pain, would be the Vet

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 12:07

Yes she will let you know when she is ready, but until then, at least you have this time to give her all the love and affection, and you will never have the awful... if only syndrome, because now, everytime she wants or needs something she will get it. Unfortunately, however prepared, it will still be heartbreaking.

boerboel


Joined: 02/05/2009
Posts: 290

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 13:15

My daughter lost her 16 year old cat yesterday after he had heart failure 6 months ago. The vet advised her to have him 'put down' at the time as he would not get better but with medication and lots of tlc she has given and received lots of love in his remaining days. So I would and I know my daughter would say no no no to having your cat put down despite the heartbreak to come.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 13:20

Such a difficult choice Phyl. I tend to agree and let her pick her time and her way. I could never play God with my dogs unless there was no other choice. xxxxx

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 18:06

Roomy do we really need the f word on the forum?

Bad enough when I hear it used as every other spoken word by some people; not a necessary expletive to use on the forum, IMHO, and no I don't choose to read your threads but you choose to use bad language in someone else's thread.



Come on mods am I the only one who think it's an offensive expletive?

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 18:15

you dont put ablind person down no pain let tibbles live

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 18:34

Msg 3 edited for reason given

Simbas

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 18:36

Panchocat , missed that one , sorry , sorted

Simbas

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 19:01

She doesn't seem to be in pain, and vet has not advised anything like "putting her down" so far.

She had put on weight last time I took her, and she said her sight might partially return now that her

B.P is under control. I think I can only let her live out her natural so long as she isn't suffering.

It's a different case if an animal is obviously in pain/distress and incurably ill. I just hate the thought

of having her finished off. My last cat died naturally - son found her lying on my bed stretched out

just after I had to leave for work abroad. The vet did ask me to consider then the quality of life but

then that cat was suffering from kidney failure and could not eat properly.

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 19:17

Stick with her for now, but watch the eye situation because it can get worse and will cause her pain.

Good luck.

0maintenance


Joined: 22/09/2010
Posts: 2179

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 19:22

Message 1



My friend had the same dilema after spending 500tl on his cat with the vet,but her back legs had stopped working,he thought it such a pity to see her like that and asked the vet to put her to sleep,the vet said give her a bit longer,the poor thing could not even get in her littler box let alone clean herself.



Its so sad to see them like this after so many normal years,i think your cat has had a good innings,maybe you would be doing the kindest thing in putting her to sleep.

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
14/06/2011 17:54

Thanks Simbas