Cat - deaf and possible liver failure

[Cloudy1]

Hello, hope someone can give a bit of advice

My mums cat is totally deaf and is starting to go blind.

She has also wet herself on a couple of occaisions (months apart) and at the same time her back legs keep going and 'fitting'

The vet said she may have to be put down, if WE consider her standard of life to be poor.

She doesn't clean herself anymore and sleeps constantly and is always crying for attention. She seems to keep forgetting that she has just come back in the house and cries to go back out again. She just wants to curl up in the corner and sleep.

My question is - can cats get dementia or is it just general old age (she's 25) and also I'm worried about her getting ran over or hurt because she cant hear cars.

She doesnt seem to be in pain and I don't want to put her down but how do you tell if a cats had enough?

[ruthann58]

hi yes cats do go senile what a terrific age she is i think you will know when the time is right to let her go also your vet will advise you . if you feel she still has a quality of life and is not in pain then i would let her carry on ,ruth.

[bensmum]

There is never an easy answer to this. What you have to consider is the cat's quality of life and if you are keeping her alive for her sake or for yours.
Yes they can get dementia and at her age it is likely that her organs will start to fail. She is a very old cat by anyone's standards and it is not unusual for them to sleep most of the time at that age.
If she is eating and still has some quality of life then she could go on but if she shows signs of distress it may be kinder to let her go.

[wildwood]

The vet has already given you the hint but you're not taken it. I've never known a vet who will insist on putting someone's animal down unless it is a stray so don't wait for them to direct you.
From what you described, the poor thing is not feeling very well at all and as has been stated above, it is the animal's welfare that is paramount, not your feelings.

You've obviously looked after this cat very well and it has had a good life - better than many other cats could ever hope for.

[paddywak]

Che, my first GSD was nearly !5yrs, which is pretty old when I lost him and I always remember the vet saying that anybody who loves their pet knows when to let them go and he was right, so just keep loving and spoiling her while you can. You won't want to do it but you will know in your heart when it's time to let her go

[wolf63]

I got my last cat put to sleep after he had suffered a couple of fits. He was blind and a bit senile too. The first vet that I saw (who was very young) told me that there was no reason to have him put to sleep as he was happy enough.

But after a few days of worrying about George fitting or falling when I was out of the house or of him getting confused and upset if he got lost in the house I went back to vets. I spoke to one of the partners and he was of the opinion that he wasn't going to get better (but worse) and that worrying about him was making me ill. He said that euthanasia was the best thing.

I have no doubt that it was the right decision. If your vet has brought up the subject of having the cat put to sleep then he probably thinks that is the best thing to do.

Best wishes - to reach 25 years is great. Must be one well loved cat.

:-)

[kita1]

I totally agree with Wolf.

Thing is she is not going to get any better, she can only get worse.

I certainly would not let her go out on her own - if she was hit by a car (or a dog got her) she will have a terrible, painful death and you would never forgive yourself.

If she doesn't clean herself anymore that is one sign that she has had enough.

You say she just wants to curl up in a corner and sleep - let her.

It sometimes helps to know what happens when an animal is 'put down'. It is a simple injection and they literally go to sleep. The vet can come to your house if you wish (they will charge for this though mine is around 60 pounds for a house call), or you can take your cat to the surgery. You can stay if you want to and the cat can go to sleep in your arms. It is a very peaceful end - the dogs I have had put to sleep were gone virtually before the injection was finished - the end was very close for them anyway.

Sadly it is something we all have to face as pet owners - all of us on here have been there and we know what you are going through - I know it has been some of the hardest times in my life when I have had to make the final decision - but I have never regretted doing it.

You know in your heart when the time is right - only you can make the decision.

Take care.

[Dee Sa]

tell her you love her and let her go, she is loosing her dignity, stay with her till the end, keep stroking her and she goes to sleep tell her you love her,and thank her for living with you and being your pet and all the happiness she has given you, dont leave until the vet says she has gone, then go home and have a good cry and tell yourself she wont suffer anymore.
Dee

[LoftyLottie]

Wonderful advice from Dee Sa. All that I would add is that I would spend the extra (if possible) and ask the vet to visit at home so that puss is totally relaxed and in familiar surroundings. It will make Mum and you feel better too.

You will know when the time is right, but from what you say it seems she is ready to go.

Best wishes x

[gelda]

I aggree Lottie, most animals hate going to the vets and to put any animal through that in the last moments of it's life is a bit cruel.

[Kleiber]

Bless you, Cloudy - I know how you and your Mum must be feeling. Your lass is a very good age for a cat, but what the others have said is right. If she's suffering, then do the kindest thing and let her go. We buried our little Monty (he was only two and a half) on Sunday, and I'm heartbroken. If he'd lived to a ripe old age, I could've taken it better. We buried him in our back garden, with a little statue of a cat and her kitten on his grave, with some pretty plants too. It will always be our memorial to him. When your wee lass's time comes, do something like that for her - it helps, honest. Love, K xx

[Cloudy1]

Thank you all so much for the answers.

Think I know what to do.....

x