The arthritis in my 16 yrs old Maine Coon has progressed rapidly with regards to his rear hips. He's really stiff back there and as a result he doesn't do much anymore. He's basically confined himself to the first floor as it's very difficult for him to climb stairs (he stopped sleeping with us about two weeks ago) so we've moved a litter box to the 1st floor for him which he uses. He has also lost some weight probably due to inactivity from the arthritis and he's already thin being an elderly cat. He can however still get up on his own and he doesn't really struggle to do it. We have two younger Maine Coons (2.5 yrs old) and I think their presence has affected him both good and bad. They want to play with him, but their size and strength are a bit much for the old guy so I think he tries to ignore them (He doesn't avoid them).
In his present position we've been trying to determine his quality of life and considering euthanasia. When I see him he just looks like he's miserable. It's just that he still eats, drinks water, can still get up and use the litter box but it's just the damn arthritis. He's one tough old cat . I love the old guy to death so I hate to see him go (he's my first pet as an adult and I've had him my entire adult life) and yet I don't want to prolong his discomfort.
We had a similar situation with a Himmie almost 3 yrs ago, but he could no longer stand up and of course he couldn't use the litter box. Decision was much easier.
So, I've been thinking that we're going to try to see if the Vet can help with his arthritis and if they can't then we will euthanize, but I wanted to reach out to the community for any alternative suggestions. We always talk about quality of life with our pets and I've read he mantra of being 'a little early instead of really late". I just want to do what's best for him.
TIA
In his present position we've been trying to determine his quality of life and considering euthanasia. When I see him he just looks like he's miserable. It's just that he still eats, drinks water, can still get up and use the litter box but it's just the damn arthritis. He's one tough old cat . I love the old guy to death so I hate to see him go (he's my first pet as an adult and I've had him my entire adult life) and yet I don't want to prolong his discomfort.
We had a similar situation with a Himmie almost 3 yrs ago, but he could no longer stand up and of course he couldn't use the litter box. Decision was much easier.
So, I've been thinking that we're going to try to see if the Vet can help with his arthritis and if they can't then we will euthanize, but I wanted to reach out to the community for any alternative suggestions. We always talk about quality of life with our pets and I've read he mantra of being 'a little early instead of really late". I just want to do what's best for him.
TIA
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