Anyone else (I'm sure there are many) have to deal with a dying cat?

Question

I appreciate that so many people have been responding to my questions.
The vet called today and his kidney numbers are high. 74. They clipped his nails yesterday. Without his nails he's struggling. He was already having problems with getting up on the couch. But I've had to put a step stool so he can jump up. Vet said old age. As I've said before I'm keeping an eye on him with his food, drink and litter box habits. I won't let him suffer. This is so hard, I'm afraid to leave the house and coming home to a dead cat. I usually spend today with my boyfriend but cancelled to keep an eye on Buddy. I'm asking for a "Buddy prayer". May his fifteen years as my loving cat, that he will go peacefully.
Thank you in advance
Tak

Answer 1

15 years isnt terribly old, but its old enough to have old age problems. i had an 18 year old siamese that i had to put down because of a thyroid condition and a 12 year old male that had diabetes. it was horrible to put both down, but they were so tired and beat,,,they are both buried outside and i talk to them often.
i'm saying a prayer for your buddy,,,but im also saying one for you. its so hard.

Answer 2

I will say prayers for you and Buddy.

I know what you are going through. I lost my Maybelle the end of July to kidney failure. I did a lot of reading and they are not in pain, but it does make them nauseated so they don't want to eat and they become very weak.

Maybelle was usually perky and would eat fairly well. The Saturday before she was a little slower. Then Sunday she became very weak and couldn't jump to where her food was (have to keep kitties food on table because of dog). I knew it was time. I held her all that day. I told her we had fought a good battle and I was ready to let her go to the rainbow bridge and we would see her doctor in the morning. Blessedly, she passed quietly and peacefully that night.

Enjoy today and each day you have with Buddy, cuddle him, stroke his fur, scratch his chin, talk to him, love him. You will know when to let go, too, and give Buddy permission to fly free.

I know you have a lot of memories from fifteen years together. Remember the happy times and the time before Buddy became ill. Those memories will help you smile in spite of the tears in your eyes.

Here is a poem that gives me comfort and I hope it will you, too.

Purrs and prayers for you and Buddy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

Answer 3

I had to put my 17 yrs old Spud to sleep 3 yrs ago. He had liver/kidney failure. I knew that the day was coming because he ha been acting weird for almost a month. I cried for 2 weeks before I made the decision. When the time came, I took him to the vets. Te vet spent plenty of time with me to make sure that I made the right decision. I brought him home to be buried. I cried again for 2 weeks!.
You will know when to make the choice. Just remember, the well being of your kitty should be what helps you make the decision.
Good Luck....

Answer 4

I am sorry your kitty is so ill.

Kidney failure is terminal. When my Otter-cat came down with this we made his last day as comfortable as possible. He had tuna and cuddles.

The next day we went to the vet and I petted and brushed him. He purred and purred and licked my hand, and then they loosed the tourniquet and he stopped purring.

I wish that when my time comes I am not alone either. Maybe you should consider this for your guy, someone familiar to comfort him as his spirit goes somewhere else.

Peace to you both.

Answer 5

When mine had a lot of trouble getting up on the bed, I took the bedspread and folded it down into a pad and circled a towel in the middle of it. He settled right in, knowing it was the 'bed' and that he could reach it now. See if you can bring the upper level down to floor level for yours.

We lost him to cancer, and did everything we could to make his last few days comfortable and let him know he was loved.