Need advice with my dying cat

Hi
My name is Alex and my cat is Milo .
I have had him for 10 years now and I have a special bond with him since he is a very affectionate cat he follows me everywhere and always need to fall asleep in my arms. in 2009 he was diagnosed with chronic renal insufficiency and was put on medication since . He really made it hard on me and my wife to take care of him since he stopped eating in 09 and our vet suggested force feeding using a syringe till he gets healthy. We'll he took a liking to the force feeding thingy and decided this is how he's gonna be fed from here on out. I kid you not for 5 years that's how it was happening and he would actually look forward to it by getting in the position to be fed.!!! Any how milo got sick last week and we took him to the vet and his kidney values were so high that he had to be put on I v fluids for 3 days . We'll after ultra sounds and 35 hundred dollars later , he is in the last Stage of renal failure . His cre levels are at 1000 plus. A nasogastric tube has been placed to be able to feed him liquids and Medes. I visited the vet again and basically he's not getting better and my vet suggested putting him to sleep as soon as am ready. I have been feeding him through the tube for 5 days and it's really time consuming but I am ok with that . I don't see any signs of pain but then again I don't know . He is well hydrated according to my vet but he is weak , sleeps all day (eyes open )and just walks to the litter and back. He still purrs and tries to greet me when I come home but he's not getting better. My vet told me that he could be like that for a while . I really can't get my self to make the decision to end his life and I don't think I'll ever be able to because he still tries to act normal and still wants me to pet him . I was wondering if anyone can guide me through this or suggest any treatment I can offer him at home .

I hope am not being selfish here about this situation am in but I really love my cat so much .
Thank you

Please remember that cat's are very good at hiding pain, so you thinking or not seeing any signs that he may not be in any pain may be wrong.

It's such a hard thing to do, putting a cat out of it's misery. So much to weigh up.  Although I cannot tell you what to do but I will say that you should see this from your own cat's view. If he's not doing anything all day other than lay there, what quality of life is that? I know you love him, but that love must also mean that you put your cat's needs above your own, no matter how hard that is or no matter how much you will miss them.

Huge hugs.

It's is truly one of the most difficult decisions a pet owner has to make and it's hard. Fleabags Mom is right when she said that cats are really good at hiding pain. Nobody can make that choice for you....you have to decide when it's time. And sometimes the best way to love him is to let him go. Talk to your vet and then take it from there. 

We had to put my childhood cat down a year ago. It was the hardest decision because she was all in there, but we could tell she wasn't living life like she wanted to. She wasn't jumping around like normal and barely ate. She would sleep all the time, but she did respond to our cuddling. I still break up over it now, but I think it was the best decision for her sake.

We have all been through it, but it never gets any easier. I would say that from what you have told us that it is almost time to let him go, but only you and he will know when the time is exactly right. I can usually tell from a cat's eyes when they have had enough - I can't explain it, you just see a certain expression. My heart goes out to you, we are all here to support you and to read whatever you want to write about your feelings.

My cat die one year ago with liver failure, she had quit eating and I didn't know at that time cats can't go more then three days without eating, because of liver failure.  I couldn't put Kitty to sleep either. She was 20 yrs old and had no  illness up to that time.   I took her home to die, and started to force feeling, I also had the vet give me pain meds for her, to keep her comfortable. Best of luck with your cat. It hard to see them so sick.

Thank you all for your feedback . It is really appreciated and God bless you. Well its time for me to find some courage and make the call . I just wish milo wasnt so afraid of going to the vet . Yesturday he wanted to come back home after our vet visit. Anyway i need to do what needs to be done and thank you all again . It really helps to know there are other people that know what we are going through.

Is there any way the vet can come to your home and do it there?

It's never an easy decision, but it's the most loving decision that you can make, especially when your cat's quality of life has diminished.  It doesn't make the decision any easier to make or decrease the pain and sorrow you feel, but the best thing you can do for your kitty is to put his needs above what you want.  If I had it my way, my beloved Callie bug wouldn't have passed away in Dec, 2010 from chronic renal failure, but she was suffering and her quality of life had diminished to the point of really having no moment free of pain, so we made the decision to put her to sleep.

Jennyranson said it. I've had to put two cats to sleep. It was so hard to make that decision, but I could see in their eyes that they were ready. I put the first one off for a few more days because I wasn't ready to let go. You don't have to decide this minute. I think you'll know when the time is right. That's so strange about your cat enjoying the syringe feeding. Most cats hate it! We're here to support you no matter what your decision is.

Thank you all for the support . I wanted the vet to come and do the procedure at home but for some reason they said that they wont be able to offer him a sedative prior to the injection and thats why i have to return some time this week. I am going to call again tomorrow and ask about the sedative eventhough i could have done it yesturday while i was there but i was very let down by the results of his blood test . I was optimestic that his kidney values might drop due to an infection but a week later nothing changed so i wasnt in the mood to talk about the details of putting him to sleep . He ran back to his cage and that told me he wanted to get out of there.

You might ask if they know of a vet who'll do an in-home euthanization as well.

I finally made the decision today and milo was put to sleep at home . It was a hard decision but he wasn't feeling good at all . The vet came over and gave him a sedative then about 10 mins later she gave him the shot . She pronounced him dead and we said thank you and she took off. As I was preparing him for burial I noticed his chest going up and down and I realized he was still breathing slowly , so I Freaked out and called the vet which came back 15 mins later and gave him another shot till he stopped breathing. Milo suffered for almost 12 days from being tested at the vet and hospital I v , nasogastric tube and tons of meds and then the final days he was in a world of pain at home . This experience will be hard to get over and I am just so tired for I have been caring for him a lot in the last week and It took a toll on me because I lost about 7 pounds and everybody keeps telling me that I look sick . Rest in peace buddy and am sorry I couldn't do more I will always love you and remember all the good times we shared . Farewell and I miss you already .

I'm so sorry. I know nothing anyone says can comfort you, but it sounds to me like Milo had the very best care and love right up to the end, which is all any of us can do. Lots of love and hugs for you in this incredibly difficult time. 

Sending you hugs at this difficult time, just know that Milo is now playing over the Rainbow Bridge, pain free and waiting for the day you will join him. xxxx

You've done probably one of the hardest things in the world.  Please please look after yourself over the next few weeks and months and know that you gave Milo the best home and loved him unconditionally. He was a blessed cat to have found you.

Big hugs to you.

Thank you all for your kind wishes . It is very hard indeed and i guess it sunk in really today for there was no one to greet me when i got home . It will take time before i can get over his loss since he was my first . Again thank you for your support and God bless you . Alex

I'm so sorry to read about your loss.  May your memories comfort you as you grieve.  I'm going to ask a moderator to close this thread.  Please post a tribute to your baby in the Crossing the Bridge forum if you'd like.

We are so very sorry for your loss. We will close this thread now, but please post about Milo in the Crossing the Bridge forum.

Sending you many hugs at this sad time.