What to do with an Old Cat

My mom has my cat from when I was a kid because of all her health issues. She will be 17 years old soon and seems to be having a lot of issues lately. She has a wierd growth on her face (i think from the scent glands) that needs popped every month or so, she gets urinary tract infections all the time if she sneaks anything besides her Science Diet, one of her kidneys failed a couple months ago, and now she's not so good with useing the litter box. Wiether she's being defiant or she can't hold her bladder we don't know. The talk of putting her down has come up, but we thinks it's mean to put her down just for a bladder problem. What would someone else do in this situation??

You need to talk to her vet .... and see what can be tried ...

My 18.75 ( yes I am now counting quarters ) yr old has had kidney troubles for about 4 yrs now .... diet and occational meds control it

Personally, I think it's a quality of life issue. I believe animals need to be put down when their suffering can't be controlled. Ask your vet if she's suffering, and if she is, if there is anything that can be done about it. It's definitely a case by case issue and you need to get your vet's advice.

Originally Posted by Jeza921

Personally, I think it's a quality of life issue. I believe animals need to be put down when their suffering can't be controlled. Ask your vet if she's suffering, and if she is, if there is anything that can be done about it. It's definitely a case by case issue and you need to get your vet's advice.

Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with this. We had a 20 year old cat that could not even walk anymore but I could never put her down. I went on a business trip out of the country and when I came back my wife informed me that she had put the cat down. I had given her secret hints before leaving that I wish this would happen because I didn't have what it took to do it.

Science diet is NOT a good brand of cat food, it may be why she's having all the problems she's having, try here for better foods- www.Naturapet.com

My 14-year old cat has kidney disease and is on special food from the vet, that along with the supplements I give her on my own has her doing great.

Supplements I give her are: Feline Transfer Factor (buy online)
Papaya & Cranbery Dietary Supplement-Petsmart

Before you even think about euthanizing this kitty, please read through this wonderful thread:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39513

It's the story of an older cat with kidney problems whose owner was going to put him down. Instead, the owner's daughter took the cat into her home, with the idea that she and her husband would make him as happy and comfortable as possible for his last few months.

But in their home, with loving care, the cat got better -- and what a character he turned out to be, too!

It may be that your cat doesn't have this kind of recovery in him... but it would be a terrible thing to euthanize him if he could be saved and given a happy life. Please read the thread! I believe it will really help you in thinking through what you should do for your kitty.

All good wishes...

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Before you even think about euthanizing this kitty, please read through this wonderful thread:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39513

...it would be a terrible thing to euthanize him if he could be saved and given a happy life. Please read the thread! I believe it will really help you in thinking through what you should do for your kitty.

All good wishes...

Click to expand...

CarolPetunia, thanks so much for posting this!

Good luck at the vets - there are things that can be done for recurrent UTI's - change of food, and supplements - my foster had Cystaid, which helped the lining of the bladder and it helped a lot. It could be she is struggling to get to the box in time, esp with kidney probs, and maybe having more litter trays round will help a lot