Elderly cat ill

[BS13]

This is my first post. I have GAD and depression. I have 2 cats, one is 14 and the other 17. The 17 year old has had weakness in her hind legs since Saturday evening. Taking her to the vet tonight. She also hyperthyroid and not doing the best with that also recently. I would very much appreciate any coping tips. I've never had to deal with an end of life pet situation and I'm so sad and anxious about tonight's vet visit. Please help!

[RiderontheStorm]

My remaining 2 cats are Geriatric too. One is 15 and pulls himself up rather than jumping much. He is eating and drinking and has good cat box habits so I am not worried much until that changes. I had to put to sleep my little black 9 year old female long hair as she was continually having bowel constipation problems that cost a lot of money each time at the Vet. I comfort myself that she has a great life with me for 9 years. I rescued her from the pound. We all age and can't do what we use to!

[BS13]

Thanks so much. I'm not looking forward to tonight.

[BS13]

Still at the vet. Could be stroke, heart, thyroid, this really sucks.

[Senator_McCat]

I lost one of my cats last year and I'm convinced that it greatly contributed to my anxiety disorder which surfaced about eight months later. To be fair, I had a ton of stressful and upsetting things happen last year so my cat dying was not the only thing, but I remember having my first bouts of unexplained, extreme anxiety as soon as he died.

My advice is this: (1) make sure to spend significant amounts of time grieving. Even if you think you feel better, continue allowing yourself to grieve. In my case I spent a few days home after his death but likely did not grieve sufficiently. (2) allow yourself the ability to feel guilty if you ever feel this way but recognize that you were a good cat parent. In my case, I had to separate my cats to keep the ill one from being stressed out and possibly hurt by the other one (they never got along). This became extremely stressful as I had to rotate cats so they both got time having free reign of the apartment. I found myself resenting the ill cat sometimes for this. When he died I felt excrustiatingly bad for this. (3) make sure to keep other stressors at a minimum. In my case I had a TON of crap happen almost immediately after he died and like a train these stressors kept barreling in. (4) if you find the death is too much--seek therapy/temporary meds such as Ativan immediately and don't wait for mood alterations to set in.

[BS13]

Well the doc initially thinks it's arthritis. We're awaiting lab results. I'm trying to stay positive and be grateful for the good things in my life. Still sucks. Thanks for the replies

[Uncle_bob]

Wished we treated people in their last years as gently as we treat animals.

[gogogirl in reply to Uncle_bob]

I hear you. Sometimes people think that people who have terminal or age related illnesses are just being "brave" . Sometimes people tend to not think about the pain and loss of dignity that others suffer.

[Hidden]

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened”. - Anatole France

When the time comes to let him/her go, you will know. And it’s your love that will set him/her free.

[gogogirl]

I have been through this several times in my life but with dogs. Animals are so wonderful and kind and funny that we hope they will live furever. With that being said, I hope that the vet finds ways for your special friend to have a better quality of life. Our animals seems to know when to give the message that are ready for the next step. Please let me know how your appointment goes.

[Hidden]

I agree, although a state like Oregon gives the human right to die if you have a terminal illness and are suffering.

[gogogirl in reply to Hidden]

I think that is really humane.

[gogogirl]

How is your cat doing? I brought my doggie to the vet today, and thought she had a possible tick. It turned out she didn't , but has a slight skin rash which is to be treated. She is our "boss."