Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My cat has been diagnosed with an inoperable tumor. Putting her to sleep was recommended. I have brought her home because she hates the vet and I did not want her to "go out" there. She is happy here and is resting comfortably. I have spoken with a home vet to take care of it here at the house.

At this point, she has not eaten in a couple of days and is losing weight. She is interested in iced water only. She still urinates. She will get up and follow me to another room, but lays down where ever I stop. She purrs when I pet her.

What should I do to keep her comfortable?
How long can she go without eating?
When do I know the time to "do it" has arrived?

Thanks.

Hi,

I always say that there is nothing harder than a loss or knowing that you are facing one. A couple of weeks ago I had to make this difficult decision for one of my own babies so I know what you are going through.

Usually, a terminal kitty will stop eating when the time comes. With Timothy, he was still eating but his appetite was poor. Sometimes I had to bring his food to him near the end. He continued to drink water normally, even on his last day. He was fairly active, too active in a way. He did a lot of pacing his last day and my impression was that he had become very uncomfortable.

Timothy had several health problems: intestinal lymphoma, kidney disease, chronic anemia, and some swelling (or a tumor) in his brain. I watched him very carefully every day for signs that he was ready to leave me. Over his last couple of weeks he seemed very tired and his eyes became dull. Even though he seemed fairly content, there was something different about him.

This is how I knew Timothy's time had come. I was reading some poems to him and I found one about letting go of frail, old, sick cats. Timothy reached out to me and touched my arm a couple of times. Then he kneaded my arm twice, and soon after was licking me. He looked deep into my eyes and asked me to help him. I called the vet and the next day was his last.

I believe it is time when an animal no longer has any quality of life, when they no longer are enjoying anything. Loss of appetite is a red flag. Most of my cats have totally stopped eating at the end. They were very tired, weak, and ready to make their journey. I gave them the gift of euthanasia so that they would pass peacefully.

I'm so sorry you are going through all this. I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Thank you so much for your kind words. It is hard to think about "doing it" when she moves around, interacts and purrs, but she is definitely not the kitty she was even a week ago.

I love her so very much. Bringing her home from the vet was the right choice (as apposed to having them do it there). She hated being there and let EVERYONE know it.

She is relaxed and resting on my bed. When it looks like she wants to go with me in the house, I pick her up, put her on the floor and she follows me from room to room.

The vet is coming on Thursday if nothing happens before then. I wanted to wait until my daughter was back home from her dad's. She wanted to be here when it happens. My other daughter is away at college and is upset to think about coming home and she is not here.

It hurts so bad. How dare they be so great and get so close to us This girl has seen me through my divorce and is with me every weekend. When I cried, she was there with me, not leaving my side. Yep, she's moody, but she's my "pit-bull kitty". She even had the big 250 lb. moving men shaking in there shoes refusing to go near the sideboard she was sitting upon.

That's my girl. And that's how I want to remember her.

Hi,

It hurts so bad because we love our precious babies so much. The love we share with them is totally unconditional and like no other. They are there for us through difficult times and never judge us. For all they give they ask for very little in return. The love is pure, and perfect.

Unfortunately, the time always comes when we have to let them go. How wonderful it would be if we could have our babies here with us for our entire lives, and that they would remain healthy. But animals age fast and their bodies wear out faster. So we have to say goodbye.

Euthanasia is a decision that is both difficult and easy. We know it's the right thing to do for the animal, but it is oh, so, difficult for us.

I believe that life goes on and in a sense our babies never totally leave us. A few days after Timothy's passing, I had a dream about him in which he jumped on the bed. He was young and healthy again and I remember clearly what it felt like to pet him. Somehow, in the dream I knew that this was a visitation and I welcomed Timothy back. He let me know that he is ok. I also believe that I will see him again when it is my time to leave this world, along with my other precious Angels.

This week I am starting a memory book for all my babies that have left me. It will be a nice way to honor them. Perhaps, in time, you will be able to do something similar, or maybe even write a story or a poem for your baby.

I will be thinking of all of you on Thursday and will be sending healing GLOW your way.

Regards,
PHKitkat

I have already written her a letter of goodbye. I plan on reading it to her and burying her with it along with some other carefully selected items.

I see things around the house and think of her and some of her crazy antics. The hardest will be the wood stove. She so worshipped it when fired up. We used to laugh about how we could tell how hot the stove was, not be feel, but her proximity to it.

Thanks so much for your time and encouragement. I have not felt heartache like this in years. I've been told that once it is done, the healing begins. Getting there is hell.