I've been heartbroken and crying about this on and off all weekend now. I'm beginning to think that my childhood cat (who lives with my parents) is at a point where he should be put to sleep.
Stripes was diagnosed with CRF about a year ago. I go home every week to give him his fluids, but I can't help but notice that his condition has deteriorated so much lately.
Besides losing a lot of weight, over the past year, he grooms himself less and less. (Our vet said he also has arthritis, which is contributing to his not wanting to groom.) I think he completely stopped sometime in the past 2 months, so now I've also been cleaning him with damp towels and baby wipes.
Despite all his health problems, he's always retained some of his "Stripes"-ness, and would always follow me around whenever I was at home, and would jump on my lap at the first opportunity.
This past week, when I went for my weekly visit, he refused to sit in my lap. I know it's silly but I just started crying so hard when that happened. He hasn't wanted to sit in my lap or anyone's lap for a couple of months now, and it has always been his favorite thing to do. He also used the litter box and got poop all over himself, which he tried to clean off, but couldn't because I guess it hurts too much for him to stretch that way.
I don't know, I'm just so heartbroken. I realize I'm doing all his basic functions for him.. the IV fluids, his grooming, wiping his butt (sorry, it's gross but someone's gotta do it), and he has even lost interest in his favorite activities. I can't help but think his quality of life is not good right now.
I'm beginning to think it's time to put him to sleep. But I don't know if that would be the right thing. He is more than 17 years old, but I still wonder if it would be "too soon." Maybe he's not suffering as much as I think he is. I just don't know what to do. I can't stand the thought of never seeing him again (crying right now just thinking about it) but I also am so sad at his condition right now..
When did you know it was time?
Stripes was diagnosed with CRF about a year ago. I go home every week to give him his fluids, but I can't help but notice that his condition has deteriorated so much lately.
Besides losing a lot of weight, over the past year, he grooms himself less and less. (Our vet said he also has arthritis, which is contributing to his not wanting to groom.) I think he completely stopped sometime in the past 2 months, so now I've also been cleaning him with damp towels and baby wipes.
Despite all his health problems, he's always retained some of his "Stripes"-ness, and would always follow me around whenever I was at home, and would jump on my lap at the first opportunity.
This past week, when I went for my weekly visit, he refused to sit in my lap. I know it's silly but I just started crying so hard when that happened. He hasn't wanted to sit in my lap or anyone's lap for a couple of months now, and it has always been his favorite thing to do. He also used the litter box and got poop all over himself, which he tried to clean off, but couldn't because I guess it hurts too much for him to stretch that way.
I don't know, I'm just so heartbroken. I realize I'm doing all his basic functions for him.. the IV fluids, his grooming, wiping his butt (sorry, it's gross but someone's gotta do it), and he has even lost interest in his favorite activities. I can't help but think his quality of life is not good right now.
I'm beginning to think it's time to put him to sleep. But I don't know if that would be the right thing. He is more than 17 years old, but I still wonder if it would be "too soon." Maybe he's not suffering as much as I think he is. I just don't know what to do. I can't stand the thought of never seeing him again (crying right now just thinking about it) but I also am so sad at his condition right now..
When did you know it was time?