This cat has been sick only once with a bout of bronchitis when she was about 6 years old. The only signs of the stroke is that she does not have complete balance. The vet gave her a steriod injection and said to keep her quiet for a few days, but I would like to know if anyone else has come upon this and what you did to support her/him? I am going to be devestated if this cat does not recover. She has been my baby for17 years.
2007-01-03 19:52:03 · 8 answers · asked by Paula B 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Oh I understand how she is your baby. I lost one when he was 19, another when he was 16, and now we have one that's 12 and one that's 3 and a half.
It's really hard to care for an aging cat that has this kind of a health problem. Ask your vet what would be best for her, give her any medications he tells you to (and don't skimp on them, no matter how much your little one hates taking them), and just feed her and love her as much as you can. Most people would tell you to just put her down, but I know how hard that is. I was 18 when my mama had to put down our 16 year old because of a broken hip. He was an outdoor cat, hated being indoors, and would have to have had a cast for six months. Just do the best you can for her. Keep a very good eye on her, as you said, she is your baby.
2007-01-03 20:07:58 · answer #1 · answered by AñaBella 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going through the same thing with my cat. She is 12 yrs old and I'm pretty sure she's had a stroke also. This isn't the first time she's been this way though. About a year ago she started losing her balance and stumbling and walking like she was drunk. She didn't seem to be in any pain and I just tried to take extra care and within several weeks, she seemed to get alot better. She didnt stumble and just acted like herself again. The only thing I noticed is that she doesn't seem to be able to hear anymore.
Then, a few days ago she has started acting like she did before. It is very heartbreaking to watch her try to jump on the bed or the couch and not be able to do it. Also watching her walk and stumble. I'm not sure if I should leave her be or put her to sleep. I'm calling my vet in the morning. I've had her a long time too and just couldn't bear the thought of putting her down. She is such a sweet cat and I've had her since my oldest son was a baby. I know my kids would be devastated as well. Its a tough decision. Good luck!
2007-01-07 04:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by Stayce 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope your kitty recovers from her stroke well enough to have a continued quality of life with you. How wonderful that you've had each other for 17 years, and that you care enough to get her complete medical care. Some people here will say to have her euthanized right off, without actually seeing/knowing the cat, but you're right to give her a few weeks to first see how she recovers from the stroke before you make any permanent decisions.
As others have said, the vet will help you make that call. But since you're wondering, partly to deal with this upset I suspect, here are some things to keep in mind. To me, the #1 question is, IS SHE IN PAIN? (Chronic pain, I mean--not just recovery-from-this-incident pain). Chronic pain would steer you toward euthanation. In contrast, balance problems are annoying, but a) they may pass, and b) do they upset her? Notice if she becomes interactive with you again. If you find she keeps to herself all the time, or hides under the bed, then the outlook isn't so good. But a kitty who wants company is a generally happy kitty, and a happy kitty doesn't need putting down.
One last piece of advice--if the vet suggests some kind of operation, then definitely consider euthanasia instead. Once they are into their teens, cats just don't recover as well from a surgery as we would usually like. Otherwise, best wishes!
2007-01-03 23:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat that lived to be 23, the Vet told me it was because I loved so much. When she no longer had quality of life, and was in pain, I made he decision to put her down, not because I didn't want to deal with her old age, but because I thought it was cruel to make her suffer. We buried her in the back yard with a grave marker we made. That was 7 years ago. Just a year ago I lost a 17 year old cat. One never knows when their beloved cat will pass, but it is wise to have a plan, so when it happens (and I hope it is not for a long time), you will have some of the details taken care of. May Saci have many more years to give you love and you love her.
2016-05-23 01:54:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I expect that her care will be a little more intense now... becuase she can't balance very well, you'll need to keep her completely indoors and help her up and down off sofas and chairs and beds. You might have to carry her to and from her litter box when she can't seem to make it there quick enough and you may have to clean her up more often now.... but if you are willing to look after a faithful companion that has become an invalid in her old age, then i say, do it.
2007-01-04 01:40:25 · answer #5 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby of 13 years, whom I bottle raised from 5 days old, had a stroke shortly before her 14th birthday. Weighing her quality of life after her stroke, I decided to have her put to sleep and love her enough to let her go. It will be very unusual, more like miraculous, for your kitty to recover completely, given that stroke is a brain injury and your kitty is advanced in her years. My baby had trouble balancing too, and she had trouble getting in and out of her litter box without stumbling, she often wet herself because of diminished nerves, she couldn't jump on the bed and book shelves like she wanted to, her quality of life plummeted, and since I couldn't stand to watch her lose her dignity and not understand what was happening to her, I let her go. I held her in my arms when my Vet gave her the injection, and Miss Muffet passed away, safe in her Mama's arms, knowing she was loved and then went to that peaceful place that kitties go. I knew I was doing the right thing by her after all the years of love and joy she brought into my life, but several years later, her passing is still devastating to me. There is no getting over it, but I have gotten passed it knowing in my heart that in my own way, I was allowed to do a small part of God's work, being Missy Moo's Angel of Mercy. Consider her quality of life, be selfless in your love for her, and if need be, love her enough to let her go.
2007-01-03 20:33:13 · answer #6 · answered by ihave5katz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
obviously you love her and the best way to support her health is to ask the vet. the vet should know the proper care for her. and always no matter what.....show her love......at that age that's the only thing they're looking for.
2007-01-03 19:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat that old, my parents wouldnt put it out of its misery. Do it a favor and get it put down.
2007-01-03 19:55:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋