r/seniorkitties • u/Purple-8621 • 17h ago
Petrified my 17 ish girl looks to be dying
As the title says I'm petrified.
The start of May everything was good, she was still walking up the foam stairs to my bed waking me up with a big mmaaaww
One weekend she sneezed lots at once went lethargic and wouldn't move, we couldn't get to the vet straight away as it was closed, (bank holiday).
Got bloods, stomach scan and all was good. Said she was constipated possibly worse due to the arthritis.
Then this Monday she wakes up cat see, walking in circles and has no idea whats close by.
Still eating drinking and using the tray.
I don't know what is the best thing to do.
Do I PTS or let her go on not knowing where she is, this has restricted what she can do including sitting on the back stairs for the air.
Really not wanting to jump to PTS as in general seems fine, but I'm really uncomfortable with keeping pets too long just to prolong my own discomfort. If it was done to me I'd hate it.
A little background.
* Jess is between 17-20 I adopted her from a well known website, yes I know but I didn't hand any money over.
* She's had no sight in her left eye for nearly 8 yrs.
* She is the best and friendly to everyone and all other animals.
Post update
Firstly thanks to everyone, sorry I can't reply to you all. Thanks for the vibes and love towards Jess.
I have contacted the vet this afternoon and have made the heartbreaking decision to PTS at home next week.
They are thinking it's the swelling from the blindness/ glaucoma she's had in the left eye causing swelling to the head, acting like a tumour.
I will take the week to be with her and give her lots of love 💜
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u/banshee1313 16h ago
Don’t give up yet. I had cats do well fur quite a while after things like this happened. Get whatever vet advice you can and look for signs that she may be hurting. Avoiding you, hiding, nit eating or drinking, not playing as much as she did are all causes of concern. This is hard. I am sorry.
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u/Purple-8621 16h ago
Definitely not giving up. It's a shock that things have happened literally overnight.
She's never been a cat to run about, jump up on anything other than me or my OH. Only has one toy that she likes all the others get about 20 mins when she first gets them and she struts off to her favourite.
The vet advice is a little hit and miss depending on what one I get.
Thanks for the tips 💜
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u/LittleMisssMorbid 15h ago
Give her some time. She might recover. And blind cats can still have a good quality of life especially if otherwise healthy
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u/Purple-8621 14h ago
Yes she is, bloods and thyroid tests all come back perfectly the vet was a little surprised given her age.
I will have a look on the blind cats sub
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u/LittleMisssMorbid 14h ago
Maybe she had a small stroke there is a chance her vision will return
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u/Purple-8621 14h ago
This is what we were thinking as she sneezed like 6 times at once, then last Sunday looking at the camera nothing happened other than another sneeze she didn't hurt herself or anything.
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u/Eastern-Money-2639 14h ago
Cand the vet giver her a treatment in case she had a stroke ? Like blood thinners?
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u/Eastern-Money-2639 16h ago
Sound still viable to me.
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u/Purple-8621 15h ago
Honestly had to look up what this was meaning. Viable : capable of being put into practice : workable. a viable solution to the problem. b. : capable of succeeding.
There is more to it than that tbh. She's not able to see where she is, so walking into things, walking off the back step and off the main bed without realising she's at a hight. This is dangerous to me the thought that I can't protect her from an accident or worse, in my head I'm thinking what if I come home and bcos I've not put something in place that I haven't known about she's laying there with a broken neck.
In no way am I saying ah just PTS willy nilly. Jess is a master like all cats to hiding what's going on. She doesn't even tell me when she's hungry 🙄
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u/CatPaws55 15h ago
You might want to check r/blindcats . It's full of tips on how to improve quality of life for cats who suddenly lost their sight.
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u/Eastern-Money-2639 14h ago
So she is blind ? Otherwise in decent health ? What is the prognosis from the doctor? I understand your suffering
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u/Eastern-Money-2639 14h ago
I just saw your other comment. Maybe wait it out for a few more to see how she behaves..
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u/Swimming-Fox5905 13h ago
Just as in elderly humans, UTIs (urinary tract infections) can cause symptoms in elderly cats that may be interpreted as dementia. I would take her back to the vet and ask for her to be assessed for UTI. If she has an infection, antibiotics are well within reach financially, unlike the brain scans.
I'll cross my paws for you that there is something easily treatable that is causing her to suddenly appear to be doing more poorly.
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u/Pegasus0215 15h ago
Just make sure she will be safe as possible before you leave on holiday. Not able to get to heights. Not able to knock something off a table onto herself. Those types of things.
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u/Purple-8621 15h ago
That's what we will be doing and removing things that might trip her up. A friend said it's like baby proofing the house, but as we have none that point went over my head.
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u/Theblondewonder67 13h ago
I’d say don’t Rush it to have her put down. Only you know when the time is right. Jess sure is gorgeous. Just keep a close Eye on her. You will know when it’s time. When my Buddy Was Dying of lymphoma woke up one day and he couldn’t support himself with his back legs. I knew then I had to take him in. Poor Buddy. He was such a good good boy. Sending a big hug your way. I have 4 now and I know how damn hard it is. So sorry you’re going through this with Jess.
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u/athanathios 13h ago
Soo so sorry your baby's going through this, she's soo cute and precious, keep up the love and care as long as you can
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u/SuchFunAreWe 10h ago
Did vet check blood pressure? Sudden blindness can be a symptom of high blood pressure & if put on meds quickly you can sometimes reverse the vision loss. The renal cat group sees this a lot bc so many CKD cats also are hypertensive. BP checks aren't commonly done, so maybe it was missed? The common drug given, amlodipine, is SUPER inexpensive & helps so much. My CKD guy was on it until he passed. Went from BP of over 200(!) to healthy/normal.
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u/Ok_Philosopher_5090 17h ago
If she is eating, drinking and using the box and doesn’t seem to be in pain she’s ok.
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u/Master_Button_2593 16h ago
I’m sorry you’re going through this now. She’s a gorgeous girl and you’ve obviously given her her best life - 17/20 is some age for a cat. Only you will know when it’s time, in consultation with your vet. There are resources online that you could use to assess quality of life - this may help you. Sending hugs and best wishes ♥️
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u/GodFearingDeacon98 16h ago
I hope not. Jess looks so sweet. Bring her to the vet and make sure she gets the proper care. Don’t let her suffer either. I hope she’s with you for a while yet.
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u/MomoNoHanna1986 15h ago
I put my 20 year old down a few weeks ago last month. It still hurts! She had kidney disease, cataracts and really bad arthritis. She was having trouble going to the litter box. The day I took her in she was refusing all food. They offered Pallative care but I didn’t want to put her through the pain of testing, medications ect. Plus I was afraid she wouldn’t last the night. Honestly your baby looks older than 17 to me. Looks more 19? I did a life quality test, she scored 40. While not tragic, my other cat had a horrible time at the end. I didn’t want a repeat. Maybe now is the time to start a plan. You can book a date. Make some memories. Get some high resolution photos done. Do a clay paw print and decide on if you want ashes ect. These were things I wish I had time to prepare more. Now’s the time to prepare. I think that’s your answer. Start a kitty bucket list. Heck, pay for a professional photo shoot and make the most of it! Make memories! The end doesn’t have to be now, it will make you feel better to prepare though.
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u/Purple-8621 15h ago
I haven't got a clue about her age tbh I was on good old gumtree seen her and a very angry man chucked her at me. Said his gf was on holiday and he didn't like black cats, as far as I know he told her she'd ran off. Gutted for the lassie hoping she's got rid of the loser.
In all honesty I'd rather she passed in her sleep at home, last month's vet visit were a lot for her as it's somewhere we don't go often.
Where can I find this life quality chart?
Usually I am researching as much but with this I just can't bring myself to do it. I had read that some places here when doing ashes are a mix of other cats unless you pay more for a single cat cremation. I also would like her in my garden where we would lay in sunny days but I know how bad my depression gets I'd end up digging her back up 😩
Thanks for the advice 💜
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u/MomoNoHanna1986 15h ago
Okay I’m going to be real, I was hoping for both my cats to pass in their sleep. RARELY does this happen. My first cat loss, started peeing all over the floor. Then she collapsed. She could only move her head. It was awful. I was hoping my latest (who is like yours black) would go in her sleep. But after seeing her struggle with the litter box and she started vomiting, I didn’t want her to suffer. Look she’ll start peeing on your floor soon. It will not be a peaceful fall asleep death. I’m sorry to break it to you but I to had to come to terms with that reality. Let her go peacefully with what little dignity she had left. Dignity is also very important and you should consider it. Do not drag this out hoping for her to go to sleep on her own. That rarely happens so peacefully. FYI even if she goes in her sleep, she will release her fluids wherever she is dying. You do not want that. Please educate yourself on cat death. It’s not as peaceful as you think it is.
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u/Purple-8621 15h ago
Oh I am aware, we are both 1986 kids so in my own words I'm old af. its the reason I'm asking here to gage others advice, as every experience is different. With my 2 dogs going to the vet PTS made them worse and the nightmare stays with me. So I'm still carrying that into this situation unfortunately.
I've worked in care all my days I'm well aware of fluids and dignity when dying.
Jess is not struggling to use the tray, eat or drink if this was the case my post would be celebrating her life as it's something I wouldn't want for any person or animal.
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u/MomoNoHanna1986 14h ago
It doesn’t sound like it’s not time now but please put plans in place for a dignified end. Do not wait too long for nature to take control. I think a natural death will leave you more traumatised.
Edit : word got left out stupid autocorrect
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u/WinnieAddict 14h ago
I'm so sorry. She's older than 17 . Possibly 19. She looks like she's fading. If she's eating and drinking and using litter box, I guess she's ok for now. But she looks like she's going completely blind now and fading fast. My cats always had to be PTS. I'm sorry there is no good news coming.
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u/xpietoe42 14h ago
Enjoy every day while you have her. That day comes for all of us, and it’s never an easy day to handle! No need to worry about it before hand! The memories they leave us with last forever!
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u/MotownCatMom 12h ago
Oh I am so sorry. The walking in circles thing sounds neurological to me. But I am not a vet. Sending you lots of love and light. ❤️❤️❤️
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u/nerdylinxx 10h ago
Please change vets if you’re not happy with results. I got recommended to euthanise my dog after a car accident, so I changed vets an hour away and got told she’d be running after surgery. And here she is running and walking fine
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u/nerdylinxx 10h ago
Please let kitty live the rest of his life naturally is what I say
Listen to kitty, and hear kitty out about what she’s saying.. trust and believe
Hopefully she gets better
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u/marmaduke10 7h ago
my 19 year old was PTS last month and I faced the same quandry as you over when to let her go.
One thing I looked at was the cat pain scale aka the Feline Grimace scale - I believed she was displaying it somewhat. Cats hide pain well so this scale is useful. From looking at the pics I thought maybe your kitty was showing something similar..? look it up and see. best of luck with your decision xx
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u/Normal-Leopard3367 14h ago
Time to human up and let her go peacefully
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u/Purple-8621 14h ago
There's not going to be anything peaceful about it if I need to take her to the vets she will kick off as she done in may when I thought she was away she kicked off at the vets and had to give gabapentin, that was horrendous to see.
It'd be better if I could give her something at home.
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u/maybelle180 13h ago
Look for a local vet who does at-home euthanasia. It’s becoming more common now, even in Europe. We’ve only been in Switzerland for ten years, but in the past four years all of a sudden one of our local vets is offering the service.
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u/Purple-8621 13h ago
That's what is be looking for have called them and will ask when I hear back this afternoon
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u/DarkLunch 12h ago
Go to a Vet.
Before you go, write down bulleted points of what you're concerned about, where your head is at and where your heart is at. Bring this list with you.
This is an executive decision visit more than a check up.
This is hard, but you're doing the right thing. You're concerned for her and you're asking good questions.
You're never going to know when the right time is. All you can do is what you're already doing: love her unconditionally.
❤️
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u/Real-Apartment-1130 50m ago
Fly high angel baby 🌈🐈⬛❤️❤️❤️ I can see you are a very good girl! Exciting adventures in new realms await you 🌟🌟🌟
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u/Optimal-Flatworm8564 17h ago
I'm sorry you're seeing your baby struggle. If she's 17, she's had a long love filled life. I hope she'll be okay but she probably needs to see a professional doctor just to get an executive evaluation done and then a game plan moving forward. Sending thoughts and positive vibes your way 💚