Suffering with kidney failure

[cas]

My cat has feline renal failure she is 18 if we chose to let her die naturally will she suffer? Or should we put her down due to quality of life?

[becks]

I would ask the vet, they will be able to tell you. I wouldn't have thought renal failure would be very pleasant tho. Eighteen is very old for a kitty, maybe it's time to let her go. I'm sad for you though, it's horrible, hope you're ok x

[andy hughes]

Eighteen is a fantastic age for a pet, and it's so sad that you are going to loose her. As becks says, you have to weigh up your desire to keep her with you, against her quality of life, and come to your decision based on your love for her. Thinking of you, I know you'll do what is best for her.

[cas]

Thanks becks! I am going to talk to the vet tomorrow, if we do decide to let her go we are going to preserve her. Any opinions on that? Thanks for your concern.

[cas]

Thanks andy, you don't know how much it means to get some support she is a beautiful long-haired gray cat. Thanks again

[ES_Sandyman]

Renal failure is extremely painful. The toxins build up in the body and cause a wide variety of different effects. I would urge you to spare your beloved pet this particular horror.

[andy hughes]

Hi cas. Support welcome any time, especially during this difficult period on your life. As to your question of preserving her, I assume you mean taking her to a taxidermist? Not something i have any experience of, but if it helps you to remember her, and all the good times you had, then I say go for it.

[PurplePixie]

I'm going thro the same thing at the moment with my very much loved Persian blue cat called Casey. He was in the Vets on a drip for a couple of days & he perked up & has come home to be spoilt rotten until he starts to go downhill again & I will have to make that awful decision to let him go. This evening I think he's looking like he might have had enough. As a nurse I saw a lot of suffering in human patients that I couldn't do anything about, and I'm always grateful when one of my animals reaches the end of its life that I can make it easier for them...even if it's tough for us... Thinking of you too x

[cas]

Hi andy support taken as far as preserving her there is a place in co that does freeze drying the pet instead of the taxidermy people and it generally takes 4-6 weeks to do the process. Look under pet presevation. Thanks cas

[cas]

Purple Pixie I am sorry that you have to go through it too. Sounds like we are in the same boat? I know exactly how you feel every day I cry because it will hurt like heck but in the long run it will be better for them. I know I will miss my 5:00 am alarm clock she never failed us she is better than any alarm clock ever built. My thoughts and prayers are with you too. Good luck!! x

[becks]

Hi cas, like Andy i don't know much about the preservation side of things but also like andy if it's something tht you want to do and will enjoy then go for it. Personally i wouldn;t like it only cos i'd like to remember the cat i had that used to jump around and chase her tail and make me laugh. A while after my cat was put down about seven years ago we got a new kitty which i think is a compliment to lucy (the orginial cat who was 17). i remember how sad i was about losing lucy, and how i didn't feel i could be friends with another cat, or put myself through getting attached to one again. However i love my cat and wouldn't be without her. Whatever makes it easier for you is what i'd suggest, thinking of you x

[honkytonkman]

Your poor cat, and poor you too :( I know exactly how you feel. My cat had kidney failure. To be blunt, the toxins build up in the blood and can lead to a kind of senile dementia as the toxins attack the brain. My cat started to pace about in an uncertain, bewildered way and used to make a pitiful howling sound in the middle of the night, She then started to forget to use the litter tray and coudn't groom herself anymore The option the vet gave was for them to take her in and attach her to an drip for a couple of days to flush the system through and she'd live on medication for her remaining life, which he predicted wouldn't be long. I knew this would be terrible for her as she was very timid and scared of her own shadow so staying at the surgery would have been traumatic for her. I had to make the hardest decision of my life but as she had no quality of life at all and was extremely distressed I asked the vet put her to sleep. It broke my heart but I couldn't face her suffering anymore. Still miss her and always will, so my thoughts are with you xx

[cas]

Thank you honkytonkman,you have hit the nail on the head as far as using the litter box she doesn't she use the bathroom rugs if she can and her voiceis pitiful now nothing like it use to be. It seems like before she does anything she stares off onto space like she is thinking about it then she goes and does it. You do know exactly how I feel as well as everyone else on this page. I want to thank you all for the wonderful support. I am so glad I found this website!! I think most of us have that common bond xxx to all. cas