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Post by foster on Nov 19, 2019 12:06:59 GMT
Don’t cats take themselves off to die in peace... Think you're confusing cats with elephants mate. Easy mistake to make though.
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Post by somersetstokie on Nov 19, 2019 12:14:25 GMT
When cats are nearing the end of their life, it is often regretably the owners that are at fault and delay decisions, whilst potentially prolonguing the animals suffering. Sadly you must usually accept the inevitable, but is is often as well to get a proper opinion from a Vet if in doubt and you can afford it.
I had one brilliant cat once who was highly intelligent and could do things like open a closed door. She protracted a kidney disease and was terminally ill. I sat with her all night for about 14 hours, but in the morning I had to go to work. (I had no choice as I was the keyholder, and as I lived around 20 miles away from work, it was unreasonable for anyone to be asked to collect them). My cat, Samantha, (named after Elizabeth Montgomery's character in Bewitched) died about 10 minutes after I left. I still regret not being there for her when she died.
My experience is that is better to be in control of the situation if you can, rather than let things drag on uncomfortably. If you have to make a decision, just be strong, and if the end has to come remember your pet as he/she was when they were happy and healthy, rather than an ill, frail or unfortunate failing body.
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Post by somersetstokie on Nov 19, 2019 12:18:28 GMT
Old Clem said : "Well if you ever have an inclination to get a little furry friend that you can love and look after, go for it mate. You soon realise that that furry little friend controls you.
A cat can look at a king.
I don't know quite how they manage to do it, but they do. Even amongst a household of dogs (big dogs I might add) - the dogs respect the cat.
Cats are really quite remarkable in this respect. It has been said that Dogs have Masters. Cats have Servants.
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Post by auntiegeorge on Nov 19, 2019 12:39:33 GMT
Whatever you do Clem, don't act upon the advice of anyone here. Give your cat the full respect it deserves and act upon the advice of a professional vet. That's all I can say.
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Post by serpico on Nov 19, 2019 13:16:31 GMT
Back in the day you’d just pop it in a kwik save bag and fling it in the canal, you can’t get away with it these days though, bloody do gooders ... just kidding, I hope your cat gets better.
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Post by stokief on Nov 19, 2019 15:40:32 GMT
It's true that cats seem to tell us when their time has come. Depending on their illness/situation some do indeed take themselves away to pass. Our previous cat, a beautiful black moggie who had been the runt of the litter grew into being a sleek,lithe 'boss-cat' with real' cattitude'. She had a big personality to match and was adept at many things such as opening and closing doors, she could even say 'tuna', well, minus the 'T' when a can was opened..I kid you not and chatted all the time plus loved watching a bit of football on the TV and knew how to make a fool of a dog if she so wished She did have various ailments in her life but plodded on without fuss until, as many have said, developed kidney issues.At seventeen her time had come and we'd been having those difficult conversations (never in front of the cat, they understand everything ) We had decided that the hard decision would need to be made for her own comfort. The night before, she started to act quite strangley. She started to re-visit places in the house that she used to frequent as a much younger cat. We have a living flame gas fire in one room that she loved to lie in front of and even though it wasn't really the weather for it, we lit it as she wanted to lie there. She sat on our knees and made a big fuss of us. Heartbreaking too though as she seemed to be trying to fit all of these things in like a hurried re-run of some of her favourite things from life. She'd barely been able to eat but that night we'd given her some freshly cooked fish which she wolfed down like the 'old days'. She must've known. The next day, our vet who we knew well kindly came to our house and I put a duvet down on the floor. We were with her whilst she passed. I was so grateful that we'd been able to stay with her. At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you furry pal however heart wrenching. I think that you'll know Clem, but your pal will probably give you the nod also. They're super intelligent you see so know we need a bit of help being mere humans!
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Post by danceswithclams on Nov 19, 2019 15:40:44 GMT
Don’t cats take themselves off to die in peace... Think you're confusing cats with elephants mate. Easy mistake to make though. My cat that is almost the size of a baby elephant. The fat fucker. I'm convinced that a small to medium sized toddler could ride on his back, no bother. (I'm going to test this out later then start hiring him out for kids parties and shit like that)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 19:06:42 GMT
I just don't know how she is hanging on. i thought that she would have died days ago. It's a question if she has eaten 20g of food in seven days.
Anyway, enough is enough, we're taking her to be put to sleep tomorrow afternoon.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 19:08:11 GMT
The other question would be, that if I am convinced that she is happy and contented, should I let her die here at home, or go to the vet and have her put down? If and when it comes to it have the vet put her to sleep at home rather than heading to the vets and waiting in a queue and all that. I hope she has perked up this morning matey. Mmm, we didn't consider that option. We have booked the last appointment of the day, so hopefully things will go ok.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 19:16:01 GMT
I just don't know how she is hanging on. i thought that she would have died days ago. It's a question if she has eaten 20g of food in seven days. Anyway, enough is enough, we're taking her to be put to sleep tomorrow afternoon. Really sorry to hear that Clem, but I think that you're doing the right thing for your cat. After such a long period without any food or sufficient amount to drink her system must be shutting down and it would be just a matter of time before the inevitable happened. That raises the questions of how long would that be and would she be suffering in the meantime. From the sounds of it she has been very well looked after and had a really good and contented life with you, and you are taking good care of her right to the end. It really won't be easy but sometimes it has to be done for the good of the animal. All the best mate !
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Post by FbrgVaStkFan on Nov 19, 2019 20:04:09 GMT
Hey Old Clem, share a pic if you're up for it. Here was "Tincan" in her better years. She was what I guess they call a dilute tortoise-shell. Never got to be more than around 8 lbs. weight.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 21:52:58 GMT
Thank you for all of the replies. As you know we took Mimi on her one way trip to the vets this evening. She is still with us back here at home. I will explain what has happened as quickly as I can. First thing is that when we book another one way ticket, I have asked my wife to book an early morning appointment, rather than last appointment of the day - I understand why she did what she did - she didn't want to walk through a waiting room full of people (and animals) in floods of tears. On the other hand, today has been a bad day. I can almost start to feel how condemned men feel in their last few hours. I must have looked at my watch a thousand times today. You look at her and think that she just doesn't know that she has only got (say) six more hours of life. It really is hard. Anyway. He spent quite a long while examining her. Remember that he has x-rayed her, and knows all about her condition. He couldn't find any obvious reason for what is happening, he suggested that a likely culprit would be a blood disorder - maybe leukemia, but a blood test would really be pointless at this stage. He stated that to see your pet "wasting away" is heartbreaking, but quality of life is the main factor. He said that if he thought that Mimi was in any pain at all, he would say it. In fact he said that he would do everything in his power to stop us leaving his surgery with a cat in that state. I had told him that apart from not eating, she was exactly as normal. She can gallop up the stairs, charge back down them, jump up and off furniture - goes out into the garden licking the grass for water (cats in Coventry really do not like STWA water!) So now it really is "make our minds up time". I had decided that the time was now. My wife, having spent all day with Mimi on her lap, stroking her, suddenly was unsure. I really like this vet. He isn't employed by a big chain of vets, like Medivet and all of the others that are snapping up veterinary practices as the vets retire. This is his practice - he owns it. He is a very experienced vet. He suggested that until the three of us all agree about "the right time", that time hasn't arrived. So. She has had another large steroid injection. She is back eating already. I might add - just for any cynical people (and that would usually include myself) - it was a lengthy consultation, and we were charged £15 for the steroid. She has another couple of weeks I would think. BUT it is a couple of weeks that she seems to enjoy. I will have a go at posting a couple of photos.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 22:33:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 22:38:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 22:43:02 GMT
wow, not exactly easy to post pics on here is it? But then again it is a football chat forum, I'm not complaining.
Well I managed to post a pic of Mimi (the one on the right) with her big brother Spike, when they were kittens. Spike obviously is the male - he really is giving his "I'm mean man, back off" face. Mimi is just hiding behind him. Spike did on many occasions protect her.
The other photo, is just them .....
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Post by bigjohnritchie on Nov 20, 2019 22:55:35 GMT
Hopefully she'll slip away peacefully in her sleep as you say. If not perhaps take her to the vet tomorrow ? It needs to be what's best for your pet doesn't it ? All the best. As long as she is sleeping peacefully I will leave her as she is. Getting her in a box, going out into the cold weather, driving to the Vet - sitting in a waiting room with dogs barking - that stresses a cat ... at the moment I will leave things as they are. You are most correct - it is what is best for Mimi. Thank you mate, I do appreciate what you have suggested.
Clem, I think that you have hit a nerve with some of us with this thread....I feel that we need a regular update on mimi's wellbeing.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 23:36:59 GMT
As long as she is sleeping peacefully I will leave her as she is. Getting her in a box, going out into the cold weather, driving to the Vet - sitting in a waiting room with dogs barking - that stresses a cat ... at the moment I will leave things as they are. You are most correct - it is what is best for Mimi. Thank you mate, I do appreciate what you have suggested.
Clem, I think that you have hit a nerve with some of us with this thread....I feel that we need a regular update on mimi's wellbeing. I will keep you updated.
It is crazy really, but just imagine, when you are dying, if someone said "I will give you two more weeks of life - a good life, one that you could enjoy. Two more weeks to spend with with your family and best friends". How much would you pay to be able to do that?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 23:39:08 GMT
I'm really pleased to hear today's update Clem and so pleased that Mimi, bless her, is still with you at home.
Lovely photos by the way !
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 23:58:23 GMT
I'm really pleased to hear today's update Clem and so pleased that Mimi, bless her, is still with you at home. Lovely photos by the way ! Thanks Dee.
My wife is absolutely obsessed with taking photos. The whole idea of digital photography must have been designed just for her!
There was a charity around here that asked for pictures of pets to be submitted, for a calendar - you know the sort of thing, to raise money. Obviously no money or prize goes to the winner, just a warm glow seeing your pet on the calendar. We submitted two photos - both were included on the calendar.
We had that one that you see on here as kittens in the barn (it is far better full size). Also one of Spike - the first time that he went out into the garden, with snow on the ground, and he is looking at the sky as snow is falling and must be thinking "wtf is this?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 0:05:59 GMT
I'm really pleased to hear today's update Clem and so pleased that Mimi, bless her, is still with you at home. Lovely photos by the way ! Thanks Dee. My wife is absolutely obsessed with taking photos. The whole idea of digital photography must have been designed just for her! There was a charity around here that asked for pictures of pets to be submitted, for a calendar - you know the sort of thing, to raise money. Obviously no money or prize goes to the winner, just a warm glow seeing your pet on the calendar. We submitted two photos - both were included on the calendar. We had that one that you see on here as kittens in the barn (it is far better full size). Also one of Spike - the first time that he went out into the garden, with snow on the ground, and he is looking at the sky as snow is falling and must be thinking "wtf is this?"
All cats are lovely as kittens aren't they. Our cat is 6 now and is just the same, even now, when it snows. She just has a look of absolute horror and incredulity when we open the door and she stops instantly just as she's about to go outside. She usually does a double take at the snow, then looks at us, looks back at the snow, and then reverses back into the kitchen and sits a safe distance away from the door as if to say "if you think I'm going out in that you've got another think coming" !
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 0:58:14 GMT
Kittens are adorable, and people love them. The trouble is that they become cats - fully fledged fighting animals, and then the love seems to stop.
I said right at the start of this thread that I am really a "dog man", but over the years I have come to understand cats - well as far as we can understand them. Did I say "understand" them? It seems that I have fallen in love with one at least.
When she goes should I have a dog? There is no way at all that I am going to walk a dog and pick it's shit up. Other than that, I would love to have another dog.
Well without a cat, we could have a Budgie? Maybe teach it to talk?
I have a feeling that another cat maybe the answer. I do suffer from very mild asthma - I am a martyr to my asthma.
This is true - yesterday I spent an eventful hour at the doctors - do I have asthma or COPD? When it was suggested that I avoid feline creatures, I replied that I owned one. (Well at least for now, I thought).
Well if they can't blame tobacco - let em loose on blaming the cat!
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Post by musik on Nov 21, 2019 16:20:30 GMT
She has had another large steroid injection. She is back eating already. 👍
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 18:45:50 GMT
Quick update: She has been much better today, painfully thin, but seems content. She has eaten about 3/4 of a 100g pouch of Whiskas cat food. Nowhere near enough to be a normal amount, but is massively more than she has been eating. She tends to just lick the gravy off the meat, and eat a small amount of the meat - but anything is better than nothing at the mo. We are going to try putting some soup on the meat (once she has licked the juice off) Oxtail, or Chicken, and see what happens. We will check the ingredients first, maybe too salty?
I have a feeling that I might find myself making homemade chicken soup tomorrow - no salt,additives or preservatives .....
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 19:22:42 GMT
Quick update: She has been much better today, painfully thin, but seems content. She has eaten about 3/4 of a 100g pouch of Whiskas cat food. Nowhere near enough to be a normal amount, but is massively more than she has been eating. She tends to just lick the gravy off the meat, and eat a small amount of the meat - but anything is better than nothing at the mo. We are going to try putting some soup on the meat (once she has licked the juice off) Oxtail, or Chicken, and see what happens. We will check the ingredients first, maybe too salty? I have a feeling that I might find myself making homemade chicken soup tomorrow - no salt,additives or preservatives .....
That's good to hear Clem ! At least she is eating something no matter how little. Our cat is the same with certain cat foods - she really likes the Gourmet stuff (it's the most expensive ) and always eats it all but she is very picky with Sheba - she'll eat some recipes but some she just licks the gravy off and refuses to eat the meat no matter what we add to it to make it more appetising. Good luck chef !
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Post by stokief on Nov 21, 2019 20:38:12 GMT
Clem you can buy pouches of Purina Gourmet soup..obv. mainly liquid. I did feed this to our puss in the latter days as getting fluids in was important and also some nutrition. She seemed to enjoy them as much was possible. Good luck with whatever you try. Keep us posted.
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Post by thequietman on Nov 21, 2019 22:42:33 GMT
All the best with Mimi, Clem. Like you, I'm really a dog man and have been for years.
But I was a cat man in the distant past. Hobbes (a stray) adopted me and was my first cat. And when my sister's cat abandoned her new-born litter, I hand-reared them. What an amazing experience that was, feeding them with a pipette and watching them thrive and grow. All 6 survived and eventually adopted different friends of ours.
That's the thing with cats. You own a dog but cats are much more independent. They might adopt you, but you won't own them.
Sounds like you've got a great vet. As much as we all want to offer advice and support, he's the one best placed to tell you when it's time. Here's hoping it's a good way down the road yet.
As for another pet when she does go, my best advice would be to wait a little while, although not too long. From my experiences, give yourself time to grieve - she's a member of your family after all. But all the memories will turn to happy ones and then it'll be right to add another family member.
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Post by zerps on Nov 22, 2019 12:59:19 GMT
Do you own an rpg?
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Post by somersetstokie on Nov 22, 2019 13:58:05 GMT
Rocket propelled Grenade? !!
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Post by zerps on Nov 22, 2019 14:01:05 GMT
Rocket propelled Grenade? !! Going cheap it’s Black Friday
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Post by Mason_Stokie on Nov 22, 2019 15:37:08 GMT
We had to have our cat put down a few years ago. She was 10 and had suffered with kidney problems for a couple of years but it had been treated with medication. One day we came home from work and normally she'd be there to meet and greet us but on this occasion she couldn't move without being in obvious pain. We took her to the vets and after examining her he said she'd had almost complete kidney failure and there was nothing he could do. We stroked her as he gave her the fatal injection and she was audibly purring as she lost consciousness. It sounds soppy but it was a really emotional and upsetting experience for us that took us quite a while to get over. Exactly same happened to me just over 10 years ago. Heartbreaking.
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