Advice/opinions on 16 year old cat¿?

Question

I have a female cat, Sasha. She's declawed in the front, fixed, slightly overweight, has never had any major health problems, just ear infections. She was an outdoor/indoor cat for most of her life. Now she's an indoor cat 'cause she's now living with me in my apartment. She's about 16 & a half yrs.old, lately she's been drinking a TON of water, her bowel movements smell god awful toxic, & she peed on my bed twice in the last week, and once on the couch, which she never did before. She eats & sleeps fine, not too active but she walks around the apartment and is still able to jump on and off the bed, etc. Her eyes are pretty cloudy, she seems to have trouble seeing things that aren't right in front of her. I'd like to take her to the vet, she hasn't been in a while, but I really don't have the money for it. But how do I know if it's best to put her down? Or do I just try to keep her comfortable until she dies here? She doesn't seem to be in any pain. I don't know, any thoughts¿

Answer 1

The drinking a ton of water and peeing indiscriminately are signs of possible kidney failure, which is very common in old cats. Since she seems healthy in other ways, she may be in the early stages which is treatable with subcutaneous fluids that you administer - this is not expensive and once you learn how, not difficult to do. The fact that she is not losing weight indicates to me she still doing pretty well and may have some time yet. The cloudiness in her eyes may be a bit of cataracts, but she's an inside kitty so even if she doesn't see very well, she could still do fine for awhile yet.

Go to the vet, get a blood test for her kidney function and a geriatric health exam. Even if her kidneys are struggling a bit, she could still live for awhile longer and it is not painful. If she is very advanced (and it doesn't yet sound like it is), they will recommend that it is time to let her go.

Answer 2

Hi there!

I am a feline only vet tech. Your kitty would be considered geriatric. Just because she's old doesn't mean she will have to be put down. Its time to take her to the vet. There are some very common conditions in older cats that are serious but very treatable. If you don't do everything you can for her, you will regret it later. At least get the full story before you make that serious a decision. I know finances always come into play, but you will regret it if you make a decision like this only on money. You would be surprised how many vets are willing to work out payment plans when they see you are serious about taking care of your cat.

No vet I know went into veterinary medicine for the money, they did it because they are compassionate people who love and truly care about animals.

Diabetes seems probable from what you described and would also affect her eyesight.

Have your vet due a full blood panel. (CBC/VS/T4) This will rule out or diagnose diabetes, renal disease and hyperthyroid (unlikely if she hasn't lost weight) which are the most common problems in cats of your cats age. It will also test for problems with all of her major organs.

I hope this helps. I feel confident your vet will be able to tell you whats going on and help you make a decision you can live with.

Answer 3

You can't know whether it's time to put her to sleep or not until you know what is wrong with her. Please take her to the vet - cats are masters at hiding pain and discomfort so please don't assume she isn't feeling pain. It isn't just about pain anyway, there are more factors to whether an animal has a decent quality of life.

I would not advise just waiting for her to die, since none of the many natural deaths I've witnessed have been pleasant in any way. Euthanasia on the other hand is a very pleasant way to go.

Take her to the vet, consult fees aren't too expensive and they can give you an idea of the problem and help you decide.

I think your cat is diabetic - drinking a lot is a classic sign and it's common in older cats, especially overweight ones. Cataracts (the cloudy eyes) also classically go hand in hand with diabetes. Diabetes is an uncomfortable condition for any animal or person, so do take action.

Chalice

Answer 4

it could be as simple as a urinary tract infection most humans(,especially women) have or will have at least one uti eventually the same is true of cats. .the cure is simple antibiotics.more seriously,it could be a kidney problem ordiabetes.my 18 year old catdrinks alot of water,too,and i brought her in to the vets-and guess what/NOTHING is wrong with her!her heart,kidney function and blood panels were all normal!!!is she really all that sick,or did u just prefer her when she went outdoors for part of the day,and now that she's stuck in an apartment with u,u are tired of the close proximity and the mess of having to clean a litter box,when before she probably "went' otside instead of in the litter box?in other words,sounds like u might be tired of her and hoping for a reason to put her down.only a vet can tell u if she has an illness,and how to treat it,or if she can/should be put down.call local animal rescue agencies and ask if u can get low-cost vet visit with their help,or call local vets to see about payment plans.after 16 years,she does deserve care if she is ill,and treatment if possible,or death if she is terminally ill.without a vet,how would u kno?

Answer 5

Hello there, well, given her age it sounds as though you need to take her to the vet because it sounds as though her kidneys need to be looked at, this is a common problem with cats as advanced in years as yours (congratulations by the way you have done a good job of keeping her to a ripe old age) may I suggest that you contact a cat charity to evaluate her condition! Before thinking of putting her down just because the is of advancing age does not mean that she is ready to be put down, some cats live well into their 20s, try to get an op pinion before going to an expensive vet, I think they should be shot most of the time they seem to see animals as money on four legs.

I wish you well and good luck for the future

Answer 6

Sounds like she is an old friend and I am sure that you want the best for her. 16 is not really that old for a cat - their life expectancy is as long as 30. Just like when we get on a bit we may get a bit smellier and incontinent but the drinking thing may suggest an underlying health problem. But maybe she is a litle strange about the move...

Take her to the vet. The vet will also be able to say if she is likely to be in any pain. Good luck, Lala

Answer 7

Your feeling that something isn't right, is a very important one. I'm glad that you will be taking her to the vet, as that's where she will get the care that she needs. the thing about cats (and many other pets) is that they often do not give big signs when they are in pain. so those little nagging feelings we get that something just isn't right, are extremely important. The fact that you notice her appetite is not what it was, and she is not quite as energetic - those _are_ symptoms. Your vet will find it valuable information. Peeing outside the litterbox is another symptom, and it's a bit more dramatic; again, the vet needs to know about it. Your cat's condition may be as simple as a urinary tract infection combined with getting a bit up there in age. Or it might be something more serious. I do hope you still have plenty more time with your Puss Puss.

Answer 8

16 is indeed a ripe old age for a cat.

take her to the vet and have her checked for cataracts and diabetes - and other age related health problems - but the drinking water all the time sounds like a symptom of diabetes.

Also, she may have some kind of internal infection (stinky bm's) and maybe kidney problems - because she pees at inopportune times/places.

If she's treated properly, she could give you a few more years of joy. But at least take her to a vet for a checkup.

Answer 9

Call a vet in your area and explain that you want to bring your cat in but your broke. They will probably work out a payment option for you. If the vet tells you that your cat is in pain and she wont get any better than you should probably put her down so she wont suffer. If she isn’t in pain but she’s just getting old then keep her with you as long as you can. When the time comes though, don’t let her suffer just because you don’t want to let her go. Hope this helped.

Answer 10

Drinking a ton of water is a sign of a lot of things, could be kidney failure, or diabetes. Fowl smelling bowel movements could be a bacteria infection or just as simple as needing different food, and the peeing coinsides with a possible kidney failure. But it would be best to take her to a vet. We have a cat that is 21 years old, so if you got her healthy, she doesn't have to be on her way out. But if you decide not to take her to a vet, and she seems happy I would not put her down till she appears to be in pain. I had a cat die of kidney failure, and I know he was happy to be with me, even though he wasn't feeling his best, and as soon as he showed he was in pain, I put him down. I know I woudln't want to be put out of my misery until I was completely unlivable miserable. Until then I want to be around my loved ones as long as possible. Hope this helps.