Is it about that time?

[kate42]

We have an almost 17 year old cat...Abby, my longest adult relationship. She has become very thin, begs for water out of the sink and vomits a lot. This morning, some of her vomit was bloody.

Is it her time to pass?

[lonegirl]

When was the last time she was in for a check-up and a senior blood panel? what you describe sounds like either kidney, diabetes, thyroid issue or possible a tumour....I truly would recommend getting her in for a full physical and bloodwork. Some common senior diseases are very treatable and can add more quality time to a cat's life.

[babygirlie]

Only God knows. Feed her a high quality high calorie cat food. Throwing up is a good sign of a bad batch of cat food also. You can let her just "go" or you can do the whole dr work up. I'm not for putting grandma down nor my cats sorry

[kate42]

We made an appointment with the vet for Saturday and will take it from there. She's back to her old self now...she's currently taking down a moth.

Is anyone willing to discuss the ethical and humane way to view the possible end of a pet's life? If she has an illness, I don't want to put her down but I also don't want to keep her alive if her quality of life is poor. Is it cruel to just let her go naturally instead of keeping her alive with medication?

I just don't know. I hate this.

[lonegirl]

As a vet tech euthanasia is a regular part of my routine at work. That said I let my own pets pass naturally. I went to an amazing weekend seminar on hospice care in pets. Check out his site http://www.pawspice.com/ I would never discourage someone who has made the difficult decision to euthanise but you can be assured that I encourage people to look into pawspice care. With my old girl who passed away 6 years ago I had pain meds on hand and tended to her needs. She was with hubb and I at the end. We sat and pet her and gave he r little tastes of whipped cream. I know she knew she was loved. She peacefully passed. She had had liver failure at 16

[ouo434]

to me it sounds alot like thyroid and it could be treated easily if it is try and get pills and then at a pet store pick up pill pockets the animals love them and the pill is hidden then you dont have to worry about if you are medicating your body accidently with the goop made to put on their ears. and as for euthanasia my view is i would rather use it then to know that my animal is in pain and waiting to pass naturally only because i know if i were in pain and had the choice i would rather be put out of my pain then have to wait in pain for my body to stop functioning. i know its hard today my mil had to put down her 21 year old cat who has had a thyroid condition for a few years but the meds just stopped working and she couldnt bare to see her in pain like she was.