13 yr old cat sick-when to let go

Hello everyone

I am new to this forum and hoped to get some help. In 2006 we put down our 19 yr old cat and 6 months later the dog died.

Now we have a 13 yr old cat who has not been eating lately. She is considered old at this age and I know most don't live much longer or as long.

We took her to the vet and they started rattling off all these test, ivs, hospital stays, specialists, etc, etc.

At what point do you decide to let go. We can not go bankrupt but it is so hard to make that decission because you always wonder did you do enough or maybe that one more thing might help.

On the other hand if you spend thousands only to be told sorry nothing we can do and you lose her anyway.

When do you make this very hard decission??????

Thanks for any help. :cry:

 

I can feel your pain - many years ago I lost my 16 year old cat to CRF in February, that May we had to have our dog put down, that August my 11 year old parakeet was murdered. I understand how you are feeling.
Does the vet have any idea what is wrong with your cat? Do you think it's simply depression over the loss of the other furkids?
Is she getting dehydrated? Perhaps your vet will show you how to give fluids until she starts to eat again. Bloodwork? Did it show anything?
So many questions....you know your cat better than the vet - what does your heart tell you?
Can you look at her and think she's ready to go?
Only you know for sure. 13 really isn't that old in cats who are well cared for. I had a cat with CRF and a bad heart and she nearly saw her 16th birthday (of course I was broke).
Try offering her some tempting foods - tuna juice, roasted chicken (they really like KFC), warm up wet food in the microwave to see if the smell tempts her.
If she simply refuses to eat and she's going downhill try a small amount of Caro corn syrup on her tongue. That bring the blood sugar levels up some giving enough so sometimes they'll eat. Or you could even start syringe feeding her to see if she perks up.
I would at least get a full blood panel done to rule out organ failure or perhaps an infection of some sort. But if it's time it's simply time...but only you could know that and she'll let you know.
Hugs to you

 

meant to mention there is a pill that stimulates a cat's appetite. It's cypro something....if the blood work shows nothing you could ask your vet about that. It's an antihistimine and does make cats sleepy but for some reason it also makes them hungry.

 

Mary offered some great advice. I just wanted to add that you can always go with a second opinion. When you find a vet or vet assistant that really cares, they will be very upfront with you and tell you if the tests will acutally help. Pumpkin died this year at 13. But she had inoperable cancer and no tests or food stimulants was going to help her. I tried all different dry cat foods, canned foods, people foods so she'll at least get something down. Towards the end, she refused all foods and drinks. She let us know when it was time to let go. Our vet basically said that to watch and see if she's in pain or unresponsive and to bring her in (pts) when it's time. Big hugs to you and your kitty.

 

Hello everyone.

Thanks for the great advice. I did take Sassy to another vet today. One we used for years. We made the mistake of going to one closer (Banfield) in Pet Smart. He is really great. We did have blood work done some elevated, some low but nothing to be concerned about. They think it is just a virus. They gave her a vitamin shot with b 12, antibiotic and some pills for her digestive area, possible pancreaitis. They said she is not dehydrated. It made me feel better but now to see if she gets better.

A lot of good ideas. They also said feed her chicken, baby food (beef, chicken, rice) until she starts eating normally.

We did blood panel, fecal, next is thyroid.

Thanks for all the help, will try some of these. You guys are great.

 

be sure to make sure there is no onion in the baby foods.
I've heard horrible stories about the Banfield vet franchise. I don't think I've heard anything at all positive about them.
Glad you decided to take him to your regulra vet

 

Hi and welcome to Auspet. Glad you took her to a vet you know and like. That's always important. I had a cat that I had for 20 years. So, even though 13 is getting up there, I'm sure she still has a few more years in her. - Let us know how she's doing.

 

Hello everyone,

Just an update, Sassy seems to be doing better. the vitamin shot really helped the most. It sure is hard to give her these pills after the trama she has been through. Last night she threw one of them back up, but the food and water are staying down, so I hope this is all we have to worry about right now.

thanks

 

Hi. Glad she is doing better. Yes, pilling cats is very hard. I'm not sure what pill she is getting, but can you have it in liquid form? If not, can you crush the pill and add it to her soft food?