What would you do??

kayboxer · #1 10-03-2009, 08:29 AM

I have a cat that is at least 16 or 17 (lost count). She has been healthy her whole life. I got her from my ex-boss when she was about 8 weeks old. She has never been a super friendly cat. When she was young you could only pet her or touch her when she felt like it, we called her "The B****" of the house. She has mellowed as she has gotten older though. She is a long haired Calico, so of course I deal wth the hairballs she leaves on the carpet as presents for me, and the poop that she sometimes will drag around in her fur if she doesn't get it cleaned off. Of course I take care of her, brushing, etc. Well, the last two days she has been vomiting and this morning she is just laying in a corner. She isn't moving around. I can tell there is something wrong with her. I do want to take her to the vet, but here is the thing, she is old and I don't want to spend tons of money on her. I don't mind the normal checkup costs, etc. but for a 17 yr old cat I just really don't want to spend big bucks on tests, etc. I would do it in a heartbeat for one of my boxers, but this cat is one I've never totally bonded with, not that it means she doesn't deserve care. I've taken her for shots, grooming, etc. But this time I'm concerned it might be something serious. Would you spend a lot of money on tests if they can't find out what is wrong by doing basic things, or would you just have her put down? I don't know what to think. I'm going to take her in and see what they say first, then go from there. Right now we have other expenses (such as college) to save for and spending sever hundred on a 17 yr old cat just isn't make sense to me. Opinions please???

**gmacleod** · #2 10-03-2009, 12:35 PM

I would get the cat to the vet immediately. She is clearly not feeling too good, and not liking it much or figuring it doesn't have too many years left on the clock is no reason to let that go on. Once I actually KNEW what I was dealing with, then I'd make the decisions necessary based on the usual criteria (chances of success, discomfort for the animal, etc).

Right now it sounds as though you're rather letting her suffer on - because it "might" be serious, or "might" be expensive, and you'd really rather she wasn't around any more. Reality is that it might not be either of those things, but surely isn't exactly humane to not even get her immediate medical attention and find those things out.

sargboxerluv · #3 10-03-2009, 02:45 PM

I would take her in and have them do a regular checkup without the crazy expensive tests like xrays etc. Usually they can give a good guess at what it might be and let you know the outcomes for the suspected ailments. Then you can make your decision.

I personally would not put such an old animal through lots of treatments, but I also feel the same for people. To me it's a quality of life issue not just mere existence. So I would be more concerned with life after the treatments.

If your saying you can't afford treatment no matter how small, than at least have the cat humanely euthanized rather than let it suffer.

Even if you didn't bond, it doesn't make this kind of desicion easy, it's just not as heart wrenching. Best wishes.

Sugarcain · #4 10-03-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sargboxerluv

I would take her in and have them do a regular checkup without the crazy expensive tests like xrays etc. Usually they can give a good guess at what it might be and let you know the outcomes for the suspected ailments. Then you can make your decision.

I personally would not put such an old animal through lots of treatments, but I also feel the same for people. To me it's a quality of life issue not just mere existence. So I would be more concerned with life after the treatments.

If your saying you can't afford treatment no matter how small, than at least have the cat humanely euthanized rather than let it suffer.

Even if you didn't bond, it doesn't make this kind of desicion easy, it's just not as heart wrenching. Best wishes.

This is my opinion also. I have 4 cats right now and they range in age from 3 to 13. I never paid for any of my cats and they have never cost me much money for vet bills, however If I was in the same position as you, I would think that that I would take her to the vet and see what they say. It may be something simple, or it just may be that she is old. 17 is a pretty good age for a cat.

kayboxer · #5 10-04-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmacleod

I would get the cat to the vet immediately. She is clearly not feeling too good, and not liking it much or figuring it doesn't have too many years left on the clock is no reason to let that go on. Once I actually KNEW what I was dealing with, then I'd make the decisions necessary based on the usual criteria (chances of success, discomfort for the animal, etc).

Right now it sounds as though you're rather letting her suffer on - because it "might" be serious, or "might" be expensive, and you'd really rather she wasn't around any more. Reality is that it might not be either of those things, but surely isn't exactly humane to not even get her immediate medical attention and find those things out.

I would never just let her suffer. Whatever this is came on rather suddenly. First she was throwing up (which isn't unusual as she gets hairballs) so I didn't think much about it. I really noticed it Friday night that something wasn't right. I thought maybe she ate something or just had an upset tummy. Sat. am is when I knew for sure, and our vet is closed. I live in a small town with no ER vets and my son had an out of town football game so I thought I'd wait and see. She was still purring and wanting to be petted, so I told oldest to keep an eye on her and let me know if something changed. Well, I ended up having to take my youngest son to the ER because he got hit in the back in football. By the time I got home it was 7:00 pm. In the middle of the night she got on my son's bed and urinated. I am trying to get a hold of a vet and am waiting on a call. I will definately get her help, I can afford it, but just don't want to run expensive scans and etc. to have them tell me she is old and can't be helped, then handed a $500 dollar vet bill. I will have them do bloodwork, routine test and go from there. I didn't mean to make it sound as though I wasn't going to get her help at all, I was asking if you would do expensive tests if they couldn't figure it out or not, I just want to be prepared. I do care for her, I love animals, and I'm comforting her until I get her seen. Part of the downside of a small town, you just have to find a vet on call. She is not doing well, losing bladder control is not a good sign. I do not want her to suffer, I can't stand to see any living thing suffer, that's cruel and thoughtless.

kayboxer · #6 10-04-2009, 10:04 PM

We got a hold of a vet and took her in. He left church for us. She lost bladder control in his office. I told him to do bloodwork, which he did. He said she was in renal failure and possibly liver failure as well. He said he could do more tests but he was sure it would do no good, as she was like a 95 yr old human and she was just old. He said he didn't want to put her through more, so he suggested I send her to the bridge (he won't use the term "put her down"). You know, I had decided if he suggested running more tests I was going to do it, because I don't think I could have lived with myself if I hadn't had tried everything for her, but unfortunately it didn't go that way. Funny, when you think you are prepared, it all crumbles. I cried like a baby in his office. My husband and my oldest son went with me. I hate making that decision. I had to put our other ten year old cat down years ago, and I loved him so much. Sassy was just a young cat when we did that, so now I know they are together at the bridge. I held Sassy and kissed her little head and I think she knew because she stopped meowing and just put her head on my chest. Rest in peace Sassy and I'm sorry.

Caney Creek · #7 10-04-2009, 10:20 PM

I'm sorry to hear about Sassy

She is not suffering anymore. Rest in peace sweet girl.

RoxiesEcho · #8 10-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Rest in peace Sassy girl

As hard as it is, you did the right thing. It hasn't been too long since we lost our Bonzo at 18 and even though your head tells says you're making the right decision, your heart always wants to say what if. She's now at the bridge chasing mice like she was a kitten again.

Sugarcain · #9 10-05-2009, 11:51 AM

So sorry for you loss. I know what you are going through, and I feel for you. I sent my 16 yr old cat, Mischief, to the the bridge in March. It was hard, but like you, I did not want him to suffer anymore and had to do what was best for him.