Is it that time?

[vraiblonde]

Claudia is 17 (or 18, depending on who you ask). She won't hardly eat anymore and is getting even thinner, and those of you who've met her know that's pretty damned thin.

She's not sick or in pain, but she has kitty dementia. Not messing outside the litterbox or anything like that - she just sleeps all day. Then she wakes up and cries for food that's sitting right in front of her face. I point her toward the food, she nibbles, forgets that she's hungry and walks away. I tried her on scrambled eggs and milk, but she just nibbles a bit and meh.

She does still have enough in her to #####slap the dog when he gets too crazy.

I just took her to the vet last month for her annual checkup/shots, and the vet was shocked to see her again. Said she's looking good for such an old scrawny cat.

Like I said, she's not sick or in pain, but she's wasting away - slowly starving herself. Should I have her put down or keep her around until she croaks on her own? I want to do the right thing by her - she's been a good cat - and I'm torn as to what exactly the right thing is.

[DoWhat (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Claudia is 17 (or 18, depending on who you ask). She won't hardly eat anymore and is getting even thinner, and those of you who've met her know that's pretty damned thin.

She's not sick or in pain, but she has kitty dementia. Not messing outside the litterbox or anything like that - she just sleeps all day. Then she wakes up and cries for food that's sitting right in front of her face. I point her toward the food, she nibbles, forgets that she's hungry and walks away. I tried her on scrambled eggs and milk, but she just nibbles a bit and meh.

She does still have enough in her to #####slap the dog when he gets too crazy.

I just took her to the vet last month for her annual checkup/shots, and the vet was shocked to see her again. Said she's looking good for such an old scrawny cat.

Like I said, she's not sick or in pain, but she's wasting away - slowly starving herself. Should I have her put down or keep her around until she croaks on her own? I want to do the right thing by her - she's been a good cat - and I'm torn as to what exactly the right thing is.

Tough decision.

[jazz lady (Premo)]

Cats are notorious for hiding pain and sickness very well. Dementia in animals is horrific as I went through it with my dog and wouldn't wish going through that on any animal or pet owner.

It's a hard decision but I personally think the most humane thing to do is to put to her sleep with dignity and not let her suffer.

[Lilypad]

Vrai, hang on to your old gal.
Feed her some organic poached chicken, she'll stop the yeooowing. She sounds pretty hardy to me, just not to pleasant to look at huh?
The oldest living cat lived for 38 yrs.! Claudia is half way there.

[Bird Dog (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Claudia is 17 (or 18, depending on who you ask). She won't hardly eat anymore and is getting even thinner, and those of you who've met her know that's pretty damned thin.

She's not sick or in pain, but she has kitty dementia.


Like I said, she's not sick or in pain, but she's wasting away - slowly starving herself. Should I have her put down or keep her around until she croaks on her own? I want to do the right thing by her - she's been a good cat - and I'm torn as to what exactly the right thing is.

Let her go quietly into that goodnight. She is very comfortable right where she is. No need for trauma with a vet trip for you or her.

JMHO

Sorry about your buddy.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Claudia is 17 (or 18, depending on who you ask). She won't hardly eat anymore and is getting even thinner, and those of you who've met her know that's pretty damned thin.

She's not sick or in pain, but she has kitty dementia. Not messing outside the litterbox or anything like that - she just sleeps all day. Then she wakes up and cries for food that's sitting right in front of her face. I point her toward the food, she nibbles, forgets that she's hungry and walks away. I tried her on scrambled eggs and milk, but she just nibbles a bit and meh.

She does still have enough in her to #####slap the dog when he gets too crazy.

I just took her to the vet last month for her annual checkup/shots, and the vet was shocked to see her again. Said she's looking good for such an old scrawny cat.

Like I said, she's not sick or in pain, but she's wasting away - slowly starving herself. Should I have her put down or keep her around until she croaks on her own? I want to do the right thing by her - she's been a good cat - and I'm torn as to what exactly the right thing is.

You remember my Jack. Her kidney's were failing and I didn't know it. You will make the right decision when the time comes...

[Bann (Premo)]

[Loper (Premo)]

it is always a tough decision to make for an animal that can't tell us what is exactly going on.

I would say, from my limited knowledge of the cat, that if you are not willing to find out exactly what is wrong ($$$$) because of her age. The right thing to do is put her down. Animals do not always express pain or discomfort in the way we as humans expect. They can be in pain and we never know it. Just like people, they learn to live with pain as a part of life and don't necessarily give off what we, as people, see as pain. She could have several internal things happening. If she is starving from the inside....

Ultimately, it is your choice, because you know the cat.

[ginwoman]

my first thought is, how did you feel about Terri Shavo? (SP?)
might be a weird comparison but thats what came to my mind. I dread the day that I might need to make this decision for one of my babies.

Sorry about your kitty.

[jetmonkey]