Owners of really old animals, let's talk

[spinbaby]

How do you make, you know, THAT decision? How do you decide that your pet is too old and miserable to go on?

We're wrestling with that decision now with our 18-year-old cat. He's basically healthy and has a good appetite, but his problems are piling up--he's totally deaf, mostly blind, has trouble walking with arthritis, and, of most concern, seems to be going senile, although it's hard to tell how much of that is his impaired senses.

[stuntcat]

1. It's just hard

Hard decision. Is there any chance he could hurt himself? And is taking care of him getting difficult?

We made 'the decision' about an 18-year-old before. We were giving him shots twice a day for diabetes and it was worrying us and him. And he was starting to have a tough time with the litter box. He probably would have lived to 19 though, and not in any misery- just sleeping all day and eating with the rest of the cats. It was also hard because I inherited Jake from my Dad, and my Dad loved him so much.

I'm pretty sure Jake didn't have any pain with the shots that day. They give them a series of shots and tell you what they are, "this one is to relax him and make him sleep", "this one is to slow his heart" (something like that)

Jake had a long full happy life. I'll always feel a little weird about it all, like I gave up or something, but I know it was really alright.

Do you have a vet who can visit you at home, or do you have to worry him with a trip to the vet the way we did? :( Jake wasn't too scared of trips to the vet but I've had cats who'd be so horrified by that part, that would be part of the decision.

[spinbaby]

3. I don't think he could hurt himself

Taking care of him is difficult, but we're handling it. When we're not home, he's confined to a bathroom with food, water, and litter, because of the litter-box issues. Even when we're home, we have to keep a close eye on him for when he gets that looking-for-the litter-box look. Then we rush him to the box which he mostly manages not to go next to. He can't seem to find his way around anymore in a house he's lived in his entire adult life.

[Maine-ah]

2. talk to your vet. each animal is different.

We lost 2 within 1 day of eachother this year. If the animal is not in pain, and not pooping/peeing on the floors, generally they're ok, imho.

Our 13 yo choco lab ended up with a degenerative nerve disorder, though she was far from senile, kept losing herself on the kitchen floor. By the end of it, she just couldn't even get up and was in her own puddle one morning. We had struggled with the decision for a month. I wish we hadn't waited so long. He last month could have been better for her. The next day, the 13 yo cat had a heart attack.

It's a tough decision. But if you yourself wouldn't want to live like that, why put the animal through it?

Good luck.

[livetohike]

4. If it is just old age and not a life threatening disease, I would just

let nature take its course. I lost all of my pets to terminal illnesses and tried to do all I could until making the decision to let them go. The last one was Ranger (a dog) who lived to be 16 and only fell ill suddenly, when he fell down while trying to relieve himself, I knew it was time. I had to give him an IV twice a day.....it was hard to let him go because I was in denial that he was so sick. He went on a 10 mile day hike with us a couple of days before he got sick (kidney failure).

Anyway, I hope this helps. Also, my sister's beagle mix lived to be 22 and he died from old age. He was senile, but would still curl up with them and he had a good appetite to the end.

[trof]

5. If you talk to vet, say this:

I've never asked the vet 'What should I do?'
I ask, 'If it was YOUR pet, what would you do?'

[spinbaby]

17. I will do that

I'm taking one of my other babies in today.

[NMDemDist2]

6. we have an old girl (dog) and she's hanging in there

she's 17, blind and mostly deaf but in good health otherwise. her pack mates help her out a lot.

we have an acre in the back and when she gets lost the other two go get her and bring her into the house.

I usually decide to let them go when they are so incontinent or the medical treatments are so invasive it's starting to impact their comfort

it's a hard decision for sure

:hug:

[Wcross]

7. Unless they are in pain I will always give them another day.

As long as they are not hurting I see no reason to help them leave. Let nature take its course.

[mzteris]

8. The vet was nudging me

for nearly two years. His take was if there's no quality of the life, then what's the point. And, yeah, the dog was blind, deaf, could hardly eat, slept like 22 hours a day, and would get lost in the backyard when he went "out".

We found him huddled in the far corner of a wooded lot covered in snow in the dead of night one year. That was fun.

Then we had two incidents of neighbor kids leaving the gate open and him wandering off. He was gone for an entire day and night one time, and a day the next time. Both times we were lucky that people in the neighborhood took him in and found us.

After the 2nd incident I figured I'd rather know how he was going to "go" than him getting lost, hit by a car, or dying alone in the woods somewhere.

It was still very hard, though.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. My decisions to let them go were based on how the animan felt.

If they are in constant pain (and I don't mean just twinges), or if life is no longer good for them, the kindest thing to do is let them go. If it's just that things are more difficult because of their age then I would make every effort to make them safe and comfortable. You have to decide if you are doing them a kindness or prolonging pain and discomfort by your decision.

[huskerlaw]

10. I've been there...

It's a horrible decision. But honestly, between the vet and myself, we just KNEW.

I actually imagined a scale. Enjoyment of life on one side, pain & suffering on the other. Once the scale tipped to the pain & suffering side, it was time. Of course, I mean the type of suffering that isn't going to get better with treatment.

The cat (with the help of the vet) will let you know when the scales tip. Cats are good at masking pain, but their behavior changes. I didn't think I'd know, but...you just do. One day the cat will obviously no longer be enjoying his life.

At that point it becomes a struggle between doing what you know to be right for the cat and your selfish (though quite understandable and normal) need to keep him here. In the end, you'll love him enough to let go of your needs and help him.

Honestly, it's amazing how naturally it flows. Clearly it isn't easy, but the decision does become obvious.

Best wishes to you and your baby. :hug:

[China_cat]

11. Make a list of the things the cat does and loves

Things like grooming, playing with toys, eating, whatever...with the 3 favorites on top. As the cat stops doing them (or is unable to do them) cross them off. When all the good things are gone so is the quality of life and then your decision makes itself very clear.

I've got 2 18 year old cats...one of who is diabetic. But then there was Cotton...who lived to be 23, so 18 no longer seems quite so old.

[Tracer]

12. My 18 year-old cat made the decision for us.

She was frail, deaf and half-blind -- but ate, got herself around and used the litter box.

Then 5 months ago, she walked into the kitchen and fell down and couldn't get up.

We waited one more day just to see if it was just a passing thing, but it wasn't. Took her to the Vet and she went to sleep peacefully.

Dang. It's a hard, hard thing to do.

[dembotoz]

13. we had 2 cats put down the last several years

ruffles was over 18. I still miss him. All his systems were just shutting down. Pretty much no choice.
Precious was around 16 and more recent. diabetic that we could not control, no bladder control.
In pain. Growing sores...
Think we might have waited to long on both of them.
They do not offer nursing home or hospice care for pets.
They are a family member. Your try to do what is best for them.

[DainBramaged]

14. I have my Buddha that I have to make that decision on soon

I sit here fighting back the tears. He's 13, OLD for such a big dog. Sleeps 20+ hours a day. Arthritis in his front shoulders makes it hard to get around. But he is completely aware, wide eyed when awake, and barks when he hear strange noises.


He has been my best friend for over a decade. But I know his time is coming very soon.




Corey on the other hand, who is 4 months OLDER, is bouncing around like it's party all the time.

[xchrom]

15. i don't mind messes -- i've had to clean up after people.

pain is another thing.

if i can't relieve there pain then -- that's something i need to talk to the vet about.

[Shell Beau]

16. It is a very hard decision to make.

Are they suffering?
Are you keeping them alive for your own reasons?
What is their quality of life?

I hope I don't have to make that decision with my oldest. I pray that she just goes in her sleep when she is ready.

Good luck! :hug:

[displacedtexan]

18. My 18-year old cat worries me every day.

We stopped her thyroid meds because she hid under furniture for days
in order to avoid more doses. She stopped eating almost completely,
and the vet said she'd probably waste away if we insisted on
medicating her.

Now, she seems OK, but who knows what the lack of meds will do.

I just know that "the dreaded day" is coming soon. We've agreed that, at the first major
sign of distress, we'll have her put down. No more waiting until
the bitter end (like we did with a dog 2 years ago).
We'd rather have the happy memories, knowing that we didn't prolong her suffering.

[WolverineDG]

19. I had to make that decision 2 years ago

One of my cats got cancer. I never would have known had I not taken her in for her shots. After that, she deteriorated, even on the chemo. She was 15 at the time, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. A friend of mine who had experience at making The Decision told me that once she stopped looking for me, or eating, or went under the bed & didn't come out, then that was the time. Sure enough, one Friday, she went under the bed & didn't come out. I brought her out to eat & to sleep with me on Saturday. She stayed a while, but then went back under the bed. My "nursemaid" kitty, the one who cuddles up with whoever is sick & purrs stayed with her. Monday morning, I made the call. Even knowing that it was the end anyway didn't make that decision any easier. I still miss her, but I wouldn't want any animal to suffer just because I had problems letting him or her go.

:hug: for you & your baby.

dg