My 12 year old cat is on her way out. Lumbo-sacral disease.

[Beausoir]

She has had arthritis in her shoulders for a year. Mild kidney failure but we are managing that.

All of the sudden, a week ago, she started dragging her rear legs. We thought it was a stroke.

X-rays show severe degenerative arthritis in her spine, cause swelling and nerve damage.

She's been on Mobic/meloxicam for a couple of days and shows very limited improvement.

The weird thing is, she does not appear to be in alot of pain. She drags her body up three flights of stairs, several times a day, to be with me.

But, the doc says tomorrow we will start her on prednisone and give her 72 hours to show some significant improvement. If she doesn't respond, we will have to begin "The Discussion".

I have recently had to put my beloved Dalmatian down due to a rare salivary gland cancer.
I can hardly bear to think about losing this wonderful, beautiful, quirky cat who has been my great friend for 12 years.

When I looked into her eyes tonight, she was questioning me about what was happening. She hasn't given in yet, but she is beginning to question what is happening. I can read her eyes. She wants to be better, but I don't think she will be.

Cats are great. Dogs are great. But it hurts so badly when they have to leave us.

[InternalDialogue]

1. Beausoir, I was there last year right about this time.

It is so tough, but your cat is your friend and trusts you. When my 13-year-old cat started down that road, I was devastated, but I knew he'd been a great friend. When it was time, I told him I was sorry and I wished I could fix everything. But since I couldn't, well, that's where the trust comes in.

I hope there's a cat miracle in store for your girl.

:hug:

[KT2000]

2. OH - that is so hard

we love them so much - they get right into our hearts.
They say that people who take in animals are special because we know they will not live as long as we will and we still do it. But still - it is not easy.
My thoughts are with you.

[flamingyouth]

3. I'm so sorry to hear this.

My parents are going through a very similar thing and are devastated too. :(

[REP]

4. I Had a Cat With Similar Symptoms

Pete had primary degenerative encephalomyelopathy, which is usually occcurs in dogs, but is starting to show up in large-breed cats. Pete was a Maine Coon. It started with tail paralysis, then weakness that progressed to ataxia in his hindlegs, and eventually is paralyzed his digestive tract. Big doses of prednisone did help with the ataxia and hind leg paralysis for a few months, and he was never in any pain - about the only good thing about the disease was that it was painless. Pete also had non-regnerative anemia, and when he was no longer to eliminate on his own and his RBC count was practically non-existant, we stopped fighting and he was euthanized. He did live - quite happily! - for a few months after the initial paralysis and diagnosis.

As long as your cat can eat, drink and eliminate and is not in pain and is enjoying being cat (being with you, eating, etc), don't be afraid to give her as much prednisone as you can get in her if it gives her more mobility. I hope you do have more time with her, and wish you both the best.

[Beausoir]

6. Oh, thank you! I am hoping the pred will help! She is climbing the stairs, eating

drinking and seems to be comfy.

It's just so hard to watch her struggle to walk.

My vet is top-notch. I really trust him. He does not seemed panicked about this.

I am hoping we can get her legs to work again.

You gave me some hope. Thanks for that. Really.

[REP]

11. It's Hard Not To Worry ... But Try To Worry A Little Less

I know exactly what you mean about how hard it is to watch your beloved friend struggle to walk. It's heartbreaking - but remember this: if she's walking, even with difficulty, it's a good sign for a lot of reasons (she's not in terrible pain; her spirits are good; she still has her strength; she CAN walk). That she's eating and drinking are more encouraging signs. And of course, that your vet isn't freaked out is good!

Take some Excedrin for your headache and hug your kitty. You both are in my thoughts.

[Beausoir]

13. Duly noted. You have helped...both of us. Thanks. n/t

[deadparrot]

5. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

May she go peacefully.

[Beausoir]

8. Yes, when her time comes, I promise she will go with peace and dignity.

Thank you.

[SeattleGirl]

7. That's so sad, Beausoir. But I want to share something that

may give you a little hope. My dog has a spine condition that acts up every 6 months or so. She can't stand to be petted on her back, can't walk up the stairs, can't jump up on the couch. The vet gives her prednisone, and within a day, she shows significant improvement. After the 72 hour regimen of the medication, she's back to her normal self. I know your cat has a different condition than my dog, but I wanted to let you know that prednisone CAN help. Best to you and your kitty. :hug:

[Beausoir]

9. Yes! My vet said her condition will wax and wane. I hope it is the same as with your pup!

Thank you.

[zonkers]

10. I'm rooting for you and your kitty. I know nothing about that illness but

I am real big on 2nd opinions and seeing what others have done to manage their pet's pain during long illnesses. I am sure you have done plenty of research on this. And I'm not trying to give you false hope but I was told to put my dog to sleep two years ago by a vet. I got a 2nd opinion, tried an experimental thereapy and my 14 year old doggie is chugging along. Bottom line, if the animal seems comfortable, has capacity for enjoyment, is eating, sleeping and crapping well enough and has more good days than bad ones.... I'd hold off on giving him the big sleep. You'll know when its time. And when it is time, you can sometimes arrange for the injection to happen at your house or at the beach or wherever...instead of at the vet. Just an idea.

[Beausoir]

12. Thanks. She is not in pain, but her lifestyle has changed.

She has always been a big couch 'tater. But she seems to be so in need of me and my husband lately. Perfectly understandable and we love lavishing attention on her.

She is definitely sleeping, eating, drinking and hauling her substantial ass down to the litter box.

I just want to keep her forever. I will investigate, when her time comes, the idea of having the vet visit us. I know he would do it. He is a wonderful man. But, jeeze, I can't bear the thought of it.

[zonkers]

15. If I was a cat, I'd want you to be my owner.

[Beausoir]

16. Well, you would end up a fat couch potato. As is the case with all my pets.

And you would have to love kids, because I have lots of little ones.

Thanks for your very kind words.

I love this place.

[u4ic]

14. I'm sorry, Beausoir

As I've never had a cat, I can't relate to her specific condition...but having had beloved companions pass in my life...I can definitely relate.

I hope your beautiful friend has an easy journey. :hug:

And here are some hugs for you, in such a difficult time :grouphug:

[Connonym]

17. I'm sorry

This is the most heartbreaking part of having pets. I'm crying just thinking about it. I'm really very sorry.

[ironflange]

18. Poor puss, good luck to you

I went through something similar a couple of years ago. My kitty was 11, but her kidneys went and so that was it. We had a good run though, she had problems and some figured she wouldn't make it out of kittenhood, so we were very lucky to have her for that long. She was a good cat, the purring started the moment you entered the room, and her snoring was unbelieveable.

[Beausoir]

19. Wow. I am totally stealing that cat Gif you have.

So cool.

But I have never heard of a snoring cat! Tee-hee.

[ironflange]

22. Somebody else here uses that cat

As for the snoring, one of my current cats snores, too, but hers is quite soft. Charlotte's you could hera in the next room through a closed door. It was very funny, I wish I had recorded it.

"Walkin' cat" is a household joke. Please don't ask for an explanation.

[Dangerously Amused]

20. "She drags her body up three flights of stairs

...several times a day, to be with me. "


:cry:


Oh bless her sweet and determined little heart, and bless yours too. I know it is so difficult to watch their decline, but sometimes I think it is better in a way because it reminds you of how precious your remaining time is.

Please update us as to how she is doing. Seriously, because now I have the image of her dragging herself up the stairs in my mind and I will not be able to stop thinking about her and wondering how she is.

All my best wishes that the strength of her love assisted by the prednisone will be enough to keep her contentedly her at your side for a very long time to come.


:hug:

[Beausoir]

21. I try and carry her down because the vet says she needs to keep moving.

But I always wake up with her by my side in the morning. I don't even hear her struggling to get up on our bed. (We bought her those cat steps a year ago)

I will absolutely keep you informed about what she is doing. I LOVE the fact the DU seems to really love cats.

[UrbScotty]

23. You know what, Beausoir?

Pets only disappoint us once - when they leave us.

:hug:

[Beausoir]

24. Ain't that the truth!

I have a girlfriend who loves cats. She lives alone and is lonely, but after putting 3 cats to sleep, she refuses to have another cat because she can't go through it again.

I tried to tell her that 10 or 12 years of love is a great return on 6 months of heartbreaking decision making, but she just can't do it again.

I regret that she is missing out on the love of a pet....but I know exactly what she is referring to.

[UrbScotty]

35. Well, if she says that's too much, then I respect that.

...which I assume you do too.

[Beausoir]

36. Yes. I recently adopted a stray and my girlfriend was very interested in her...

but I decided to keep her for myself. I think eventually, she will get another cat, but for right now, she can't face the heartbreak. Plus, she has very little money and pets are expensive!

[begin_within]

25. Here's my advice on this, if you want to read it...

First of all, you're a great pet owner. She's lucky to have you for her person.

You've been through this with your Dalmation, so it's not the first time you have faced the really tough decisions. So you may already know most of what is in this reply. I have owned 8 cats in my life so far, and I have been through what you're going through 7 times. It's always hard. My suggestion is to spend as much time with her as you possibly can. Take lots of photographs and take video of you playing with her or just petting her. These will be valuable to you later on. The vets will never recommend to you to euthanize her, but they will give you the option and let you make the decision. They will also give you other options, for more extensive (and expensive) tests and more expensive treatments, which usually only prolong their live a short time and may cause side effects that increase their suffering. I think it's a waste of time and effort to do anything major or expensive, if it's only going to prolong their life a little bit. They always say, "you will know" when it's time to euthanize her. In my opinion, the time to do it is if the cat is suffering and there is no hope for her to regain her health. It sounds from your post that it's not that time again. But someday, you will probably have to make that decision. As soon as you decide that the cat is suffering and there is no hope of the cat getting out of suffering, you should make the decision to euthanize her immediately. The doctor can't and won't make the decision for you, but will be willing to give you all the information and prognosis that you need to make the decision yourself. It will be the hardest decision of your life, and it will feel wrong, even if you know it's the right thing to do. There's no way to make it not painful for you. If you do get to this point and make the decision, I would recommend that you stay in the room with the cat while they do it. It is quick and it's like the cat is simply knocked out, but they won't ever wake up. It won't be happy or pleasant or anything, it will still be emotionally painful. It's OK to cry in front of the vets, I have even seen them cry a little too. You have to just keep reminding yourself that what you are doing is best for the cat - that you are saving her from any further suffering. Sorry to be talking about all this, but knowing in advance what it will be like at that time might make it a little easier for you, if and when that time ever comes. Don't hesistate and put off the decision, even for an extra day, if the cat is suffering. Just keep reminding yourself to do what is best for the cat, not for you.
In the meantime, enjoy the time you have with her and spend as much time as possible petting her and loving her. These will become lasting, pleasant memories that you can fall back on when you miss her too much. Take pictures and video, and write down your memories of things she did that made you laugh or happy. And just do everything you can now to make her happy and content. She knows how much you love her and she loves you just as much.

[Beausoir]

26. Yes. I read that, with tears in my eyes.

I know her time is coming.

And you are so spot-on about the Vet not making the decision for us. He is a wonderful man. He cried when we had to put our beloved Dal down.

And I DO worry about disgracing myself in front of them when I hold my friend for the final hug.

I keep trying to convince myself that it is in her best interest, but she doesn't want to leave just yet.

I will try, for another week or two. But they never seem to tell you when they are ready to go.

And yeah, I can see in her eyes how much we love each other. The stupid cat. I adore her.

Thank you, for taking the time to respond.

[begin_within]

27. You're welcome. These two want to give you a hug...

[Beausoir]

28. OK. I'll take them both!

Cutest little things ever. LOL.

I just got a new kitten. Actually, she found her way to us, found her hiding under our dumpster, way out here in the woods of northern Minnesota on a cold and rainy night 3 weeks ago.

Half dead, 8 weeks old and starved. I took her to the animal shelter and they basically told me they would have to put her down because they are overwhelmed with cats and dogs.

So, I consulted my husband and we agreed to adopt her. Took her straight to the vet and she got a complete clean bill of health.

She was real sweet at first...but now, her turbo-kitten instincts have kicked in and she is naughty, naughty, naughty. It's pretty funny. I have a big squirt gun and I blast her from time to time, but basically, she's a doll.

My 2 year old Boxer dog adores her. They are partners in crime. They play all night and sleep together all day.

I have another old queen cat who is about 12 and she is completely at her wits end. What with her best friend being sick and a new kitten, she is royaly pissed-off. Mostly, she takes her anger out on our Boxer. Poor dog gets her assed kicked every time she turns around.

Thanks for the VERY wise words..and for the hugs and the great picture. You have helped.

[DainBramaged]

29. I have been there so many times I'm crying as I write this

All of my babies I've lost through the years and the pain and sorrow it brings. There have been dozens through the years. Some as young as 2 years, a couple 18 to 19 years. One I adopted lived a week.

I feel so bad for you having to go through it again. And I understand how much it costs to keep them with us for a little while longer.

But for every one of the darlings I've lost, a deserving one will come into my life to love me and ask for my love in return. I'm sure the same will happen for you.

All my best to you. I know you'll do what's right. And I know you'll be blessed for your love in the future.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[xchrom]

30. it's so hard isn't it?

our animal companions are complete little beings and we are totally responsible for them.

we love them, feed them, clean up after them -- we really can't get enough of them.

the love and comfort they give us touches us someplace so deep inside -- our animal companions make us better by the love and friendship they give us.

we have are always obligated to them -- the best kind of duty -- the duty of love.

[Guava Jelly]

31. I had to put a cat down a few years back

I cried like a baby But He went peaceful .

:hug:

[bluethruandthru]

32. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Your furbaby is very lucky to have you! Here's hoping that she has many more good years left. Hugs to you both! :hug:

[cwydro]

33. Oh Beausoir

I am so sorry for you and your sweet cat. I have a twelve year old quirky cat too and she is my best buddy. It brought tears to my eyes to read your post. I dread the day she has to go. Sending good thoughts your way...:hug:

[MissMillie]

34. She's going to miss you too

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

37. I'm so very sorry

I know how hard that is. :hug: