elderly cat

[CiderMonkey]

My cat is about 22 years old. Although she often appears fine I wonder if she actually is. She hardly eats much anymore - we keep trying different foods but she's not interested. She can no longer clean herself, so her fur gets matted and dirty, we have to keep cutting out the matts. This also means she cannot clean after going to the toilet and often leaves a mess everywhere. Ok in the kitchen on the lino but not so on the carpet. She also often misses her litter tray completely She is sick about once a fortnight. She often meowls at nothing and appears in a trance. She can't hear or see properly any more.
She is extremely thin and it's obvious her back legs do not work how they once used to. I know I need to take her to the vet but is this the end for her? I am really sad but also think it might be the best thing.

[Tichfield]

Gosh! The cat's quality of life does not sound as if it is at all good.

But if she is not in pain then there is no reason to have to end her life.

See what the vet recommends is best for her.

[CiderMonkey]

that's what I was thinking. Apart from all of that she does seem ok! Especially cute when she's sleeping..

[LoftyLottie]

I think the kindest thing is to let her go. She has no quality of life any more. You do not know if she is in physical pain or not, and the meowing for no reason and trance symptoms are signs of dementia.

It's hard for you, but better for her.

Best wishes.

[puss_boots]

Aww what a shame, you must feel really sad for your cat. I have an elderly cat he's 18 and very wobbly when he walks. He does eat ok and although deaf his eyesight seems ok but like yours he doesn't wash himself like he should and his fur is very dishevelled ( I comb him most days) I know it is hard but I would take your cat to the vet. The vet will not put her to sleep if it is thought not necessary yet, on the other hand if she is suffering then it would be the kindest thing. Best of luck, please let us know how you go on.

[andy-hughes]

Sound advice already given - your vet will confirm if your old queen is suffering, and if so, you must love her enough to let her go.

Hopefully she will be able to live out her days with you, and be loved until the very end in her own home, but at a time like this, sometimes that decision has to be faced.

Mucxh strength to you when your vet's visit comes.

[gt43]

This sounds like it could be kidney failure. DON'T BE TOO ALARMED BY THIS, as although it is eventually terminal, the disease is often quite slow in its progress and there is a lot that can be done in many cases to prolong and improve quality of life.

There's an excellent website about CRF (chronic renal failure) in cats, and a very active discussion list which you can find at http://www.felinecrf.org/

This website has veterinary backing from some of the most eminent vets in the UK and abroad, and is run by some remarkable and immensely knowledgeable people, who will help you make the right decisions.

Good luck - you've done exceptionally well to keep your old lady this long, so you obviously care very much about her.

Carole

[CiderMonkey]

thanks to all and to gt43. She has been like this for some time. The vet before said there's nothing much they can do. She has had a couple of steroid injections that seem to perk her up for a few days but I can't afford these - and also the vet said this is not a permanent solution.
Vet suggested feeding her only senior food..but if she does not eat that I often have to just resort to trying to find something she will eat.

Thanks again for your answers.

[gt43]

OK, and it may be that at 22 your cat's illness has gone too far, but for anyone else reading this - please don't take this dismissive and outdated vet's view as gospel. Steroids and a "senior" diet (I presume he means one of the renal-supportive prescription diets) are NOT the only course of action available.

Finding an enlightened vet, and following the advice on the feline CRF website gave me another year of quality time (like, normal, GOOD quality of life) with my 16 year old cat who had been displaying similar symptoms. Many people are even luckier. The symptoms your cat is displaying are due to accumulation of toxins in her blood - and these can be reduced, making her feel better almost immediately.

Unfortunately there are a lot of vets in the UK who take this very old-fashioned view.