My poor kitty....

I think you are doing absolutely everything in the world. Your love for her is saintly and has been so for all these years. My cat that is 2 years old has stopped sleeping here because he hates the fact that we got another kitten 4 months ago. He comes to eat every day anfmd night but won't stay here so must be staying somewhere else. Never been affectionate at all. When I saw him morning eating food and looking so beautiful and healthy I thought why am I suffering in the light of your poor little kitty. He's healthy and doesn't want to integrate with the other kitty so has gone away. He's lucky. I feel sad but I read your post while he was eating and then leaving so I nor he has anything to worry about. Genie knows your the best...absolute best. Take care..

Sarah,

You are doing everything you can. She is an older kitty and it does sound like dementia to me, but then again she could be depressed from severe pain. Continue to work with your vets to figure this out. Really all you can do is continue to care for her as tenderly as you do and watch her for further signs of going downhill. Don't give up. Sending positive thoughts your way.  

If she is in pain a heating pad would help under her. The lowest setting with a couple towels on top, It looks like you just being there down there around her helps. I think that alone is doing your kitty a world of good!!!!

I agree with everyone. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You love her, worry about her and you're doing everything you can. Nobody could ask for more. It's obvious she loves you and she knows how much you care. Some things are beyond your control, but it seems to me that you're doing everything you cán control. 

And yes, warmth helps with her pain. I know this, because my mom has arthritis and she uses those heated pads and electric blankets and such. It won't completely make it go away, but it helps. 

I really appreciate everyones kind words and advice, so thankyou.

I took her to the vets last night who was really thorough. He examined her all over and checked her eyes. Poor little fluffcat has no muscle left in her hind legs and hips and her teeth aren't great. He could give her a strong painkiller but it'll make her dopey and sleepy so I said no to that as I don't want her to be a zombie! His immediate thought is that its stress, possibly caused by something that has happened or due to the pain. He has prescribed Zylkene for her, so I am waiting for that to arrive. I am to try that for her for 2 weeks and see if she improves. If not the next step is to check her blood pressure as it could be high due to her heart disease, which could be making her anxious. To do that involves taking her into the hospital for a few hours to get a proper reading so he wants to see how the Zylkene works first. He said it could be something wrong with her brain, but that's a longshot, and to find that out would mean extensive tests which would stress her out further. He was quite honest about not doing lots of tests. He and I both feel that they could be a lengthy and stressful process for both of us, and if they found something, for example a brain tumour, what could they really do anyway? I'm glad he's not a money grabbing kind of vet. Thinking about it though I think its worth having her x rayed to see how bad the arthritis is and ask if there could be injections she could have for the pain.    

She was really affectionate last night when we got home, and even followed me upstairs, which is hard for her to do now. This morning I found her crouching in the kitchen corner half stuck behind something, sitting in her own urine. So under the tap she went! I have everything crossed that it is stress and that it can be controlled.  

Oh, and I also have a heated pad on its way.

If your cat is in pain I would get her the pain medicine. A medication like tramadol won't make her a zombie and I think something stronger should be tried if the doctor recommends it she may be a zombie the first couple doses but she will get used to it. I've had cats on buprenex an opioid, that were fine no zombie reaction and that's a strong med. There may be many that disagree with me but if your kitty is in pain give her the pain medication first and see if she's really a zombie. The supplements I don't think will ease her pain right now. Muscle wasting in humans I know is often caused by a spinal injury and it is painful did your vet take X-rays of her spine?

Hi, no, she hasn't been x rayed yet, but I definitely feel she should be. She is on Meloxicom (Metacam) at the moment plus the supplements. I will mention Tramadol to the vets, but I don't know if they prescribe it here in the UK.

Oh ok I'm sorry I thought your kitty was not on any pain medication. The metacam can't be used long term and the tramadol can be a replacement. It is what my arthritic kitty is on. Ultram is another name for it. I hope she gets some relief soon or you can get some answers. All of us are here and a lot have us have been there .....

I'm waiting for a call back from the vet today. Last night she was just crouched in corners with her head towards the wall. She settled on the heat pad quite nicely for a while but got a bit too warm. I was in bed and could hear her downstairs, trying to squeeze herself into tight spaces and corners, so I carried her upstairs and she settled by my bed. And then, as is usual these days, when I woke up she was stuck behind something and had urinated. I know I need to try the calming supplement but if it takes a week or 2 to work then I just can't see her like this. So I'll ask him about a stronger pain medication and go from there.

I really hope everything will be better for your girl. <3

So Genie has finished her course of stronger painkiller - Vetgesic, which is Beprenex I believe. Its hard to tell if its helped her arthritis pain as it knocks her out for a couple of hours afterwards. Which is a bit of a break from being on edge all the time with her pacing around, and good to see her properly asleep and calm. I've actually been away on a work trip so my boyfriend stayed with her for a few days to look after her (lovely man!). She kept him awake for hours the first night by getting stuck again in the most random of places (behind a shoe rack that she'd squeezed her way through), and generally just being restless. He noticed that she seems to be walking in circles a lot, always to the right. We are both having to really point out her food too, as she misses it completely and walks through it. Its almost like she can't smell it anymore. Shes the same when I give her treats. The Zylkene arrived on Saturday, so I'll see if she feels better once its in her system.

I go from not feeling hopeful at all and in tears, to feeling a bit more hopeful, to thinking its pain that's making her anxious and restless, to thinking shes had a stroke or has dementia. One step at a time I guess, but its an emotional rollercoaster!  

Oh yes that is a serious sudden downturn.I hope I have someone as

compassionate as you when I get bad with aging/health.

I went back to the vets earlier with Genie, this time a different one, who was so compassionate. It's really bad news. She spent a long time examining her eyes and studying how she's walking. Her pupils are unreactive, she's holding her head to the right and is walking in circles to the right too. In just over a week she's gone from 3.8kg to 3.1kg, even though she is still eating. She feels with all of that, and her other symptoms, that something is going wrong with her brain. A mass, tumour, lesion, abscess or infection. She could have mri's, spinal fluid taken, possible brain surgery or chemo, or other medication. Or see how she progresses (which will be worse) or I could do the kindest thing and have her put to sleep. She's so unhappy I just don't think I can put her through any of that, just to be potentially told she can't be helped. She has arthritis, heart disease and has to have teeth removed as well as all of the rest of her symptoms. So I think I've made my decision to let her go peacefully in my arms. The thought of it cuts like a knife but I have to think of her. One part of me says do it as soon as possible before she gets worse, the other wants to spend at least the weekend with her. I'll speak to the vet in the morning to decide. I don't want her to get worse and be more unhappy, but I need time with her to love her and say goodbye.

I'd like to thank all of you for your kind words and support. You are a wonderful community and a great comfort. Xxx

I'm so sorry. My mamacat had a stroke and I decided to do the same when she was having similar symptoms. It's a hard decision but it is the right one.

Aww I'm so sorry as well, and understand your turmoil...I pray you will receive a deep peace for your decision.

Sending you and Genie lots of

We do understand what a time this is for you.

I'm so sorry it's come to this.     It's so hard to watch them suffer and decline.  

Oh no. Such terrible news.. I am so sad for you right now. But if it means anything, I believe you are making the right decision. If nothing else, then at least you can stop her suffering. It's the same kindness all of us would want.

It's such a hard decision. If we had the choice we would keep them with us forever, but you love her and are responsible for her and in such situations you will not be selfish.. You are her hero, never forget that.

I feel for you and I will grieve with you. Poor Genie.

Thankyou everyone xxxxxx