About ten minutes ago I found him and picked him up. I was going to put him somewhere that I could see him. When I put him down he kind of fell to one side, then just lied down on the grass. I picked him up again and put him near his food and water. He didn't eat any food but he drunk heaps of water. He hasn't eaten all day.
His legs aren't strong anymore but they're always better than this. He can hardly walk :(
I'm crying right now cos i don't know how long I have left with him.
What do you think I should do about his legs?
Thanks heapss
2007-10-26 20:10:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
You definitely can help your cat by getting him to the vet. It could be kidney failure, but it could be something else -- and for all you know, it could be something that is curable. And I also want to disagree with some of the respondents, kidney failure can be treated, if that's what it is.
But if your cat is drinking lots of water, you need to see if he is peeing it out, and you need to monitor his bathroom efforts. To do this you will have to bring him inside and make him a litter pan. If his kidneys are failing, he may not be able to use the litter pan, so make a bed for him of rags you can wash, and put thick padding of newspaper under that. If he poops, save it in a baggie for the vet to check for occult blood and for worms.
Your cat may just have something and maybe it's treatable. I went to the NYC bigtime cat show at Madison Square Garden this year, and there was a lady there who told about her Maine Coon cat who had just died at age 26. But your cat really is exhibiting signs of kidney failure.
I am sending you a link so you can read about it:
pethealth.abeautifulurn.com/feline-kidney-disease.html
I hope it's nothing, that he is just sick. Do take him inside -- especially if he can't walk. He is in danger outside. And cherish your time with him. If it really is his time to leave you, fill him with love for the journey ahead.
Good luck, my dear.
2007-10-26 21:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by Mercy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry to hear about this. I can relate to the heartbreak that you are experiencing. I also had a cat that lived to be about 20 years old and she had the same problems: not eating, drinking lots of water, couldn't sit, stand, or walk without falling over, kept missing the box - even after being in it for a few minutes, and experiencing UTI to where she was having a blood discharge. You may want to get him to a vet and find out what is the problem. It sounds like he might be experiencing kidney failure - common to cats as they age, as well as poor blood circulation. Unfortunately, I had to make the most heart-breaking decision of putting her down. I wanted to hope against hope that she would recover, but she wouldn't take her medicine anymore and any food she did nibble on was quickly vomited. I couldn't stand to see her suffer anymore. As hard as it was, I knew when she looked at me from being cradled in my arms that she wanted me to let her go.
My prayers for you is to enjoy the time you do have and let him have the dignity, if the prognosis is not good, to go in peace, knowing that he has had a wonderful life with you. You will remember him for a long time, as I do remember my "little lady".
2007-10-26 20:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by djmirada_peridoteyes 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
O honey,I just started crying myself.Even if it sounds hard,I think you have to do make a decision right know.You have to put your cat to sleep.He seems to suffer very much right now.
Show him again your love by taking him to the vet.
You are doing him a great favor,believe.I have gone through that with my first cat I had for 16 years,so I know what I´m talking about right now.It´s hard but it is the best for HIM.
You will be in my thoughts today.
2007-10-26 20:49:42 · answer #3 · answered by tampagirl 2005 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sad as this hits so close to home. My wonderful Licorice also died at 18--she died of congestive heart failure. She died at home on the heating pad--I watched her so closely in her final days, and decided that as long as she was responsive to petting, I would not take her to the vet and have her put down. I just couldn't bear it, so let nature run it's course. It was the worst moment of my life when I woke up to find her dead--my husband had already gotten up, but left her for me as he knew that was what I needed. I cry now as I remember that feeling, and I cry for you also. Cats are so much more than an animal in your home, they are family and are misssed tremendously. I wailed when I went to her--and I still miss her after 10 years. Bless you--my thoughts are with you and your cat:(
2007-10-27 03:33:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably has kidney failure,many old cats get this,and there isn't much you can do.Make him a comfy bed and sit with him,offer him his favorite foods and wait for him to pass,or take him to the vet and have him put down.Whatever you do,don't leave him outside,because flies know when an animal is sick,and they will lay eggs on the cat.The eggs will turn into maggots,which isn't pretty.I'm sorry about your cat.
2007-10-26 20:17:21 · answer #5 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry that your cat is not feeling well. Yes, the time is drawing near when he will not be with you anymore. I know it is painful as it happened to me also, but try to prepare yourself . If you see that he cannot walk anymore, or is not urinating, deficating or eating, then you have to think about putting him to sleep, but only if he is suffering. If he sleeps alot, then leave him alone and he is not in any pain, then let nature take its course. It is so difficult to lose a pet believe me, but their life span is shorter and just think about the good times and years you had with him.
2007-10-27 10:19:47 · answer #6 · answered by cardgirl2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh that happened to my cat before she died :( im so sorry! my cat was eighteen when she died too. if i were u i would just put him close to u. i think the best thing to do is just let nature take its course... the only time i would consider going to the vet at a time like this is when they are in horrible pain. trust me u can really tell. hopefully if he does pass on, he will die peacefully. just be sure to give him tons of kisses and love. even though he probably cant understand u tell him how much u love him.
2007-10-26 20:28:47 · answer #7 · answered by rAwRnEsS x] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drinking excessively can be a sign of kidney problems, which aren't that rare in an older animal. He's probably weak and has low blood sugar. You can take him to a vet clinic and they can do a blood test to check his vital functions and give him an IV, which will probably make him feel better and could give him an extra boost of strength.
2007-10-26 20:26:47 · answer #8 · answered by roses_arent_all_red 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like his kidneys. But more concerned - you say he fell down on the grass. He's 18 and you still allow him to run around outside? The outside is very dangerous for cats - especially very young ones and very old ones.
Please get this cat to a vet immediately. It could be his kidneys or if you allow him to run loose outside he might have gotten into some sort of poison. Don't waste your time on the internet - get this cat to the vet!!!
2007-10-26 20:30:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's now got acute kidney failure and "uremia" has set in. (kidneys are backing up wastes thruout his system, toxic poisoning of sorts).
Please do the last act of kindness for kitty and consider putting him down, he is suffering.
Best to you and so sorry.
2007-10-26 20:45:12 · answer #10 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋