Blind overnight

Hello all!
Our boy Duke is approx. 10 years old (we took him in as a stray) and long story short, he woke up last week completely unable to see. We have taken him to a variety of specialists and at this point, all signs point to a tumor on the brain stem. My heart is just breaking.

So I need some advice in a couple areas:

1) Reccomendations for helping ease his anxiety. He has been pacing around, yowling and bumping into things the last couple nights, keeping us all awake. Herbal remedies perhaps? We have tried to keep him mostly confined to our bedroom to keep him from getting hurt.

2) Because of the neurological problems and facial paralysis, he is having trouble eating, he is drooling, can't keep his tongue in his mouth and the vet says he may begin to have seizures. I really wasn't prepared for this, I thought we had many more years together. So I guess the question is: when do you know its time? We're giving him a variety of meds, but I don't want him to suffer because I am selfish and won't let go. This has been very difficult for our whole family.

Any advice on handling this transition would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Polydactyl momma

My heart goes out to you   I'm so sorry this has happened to Duke   Ya know our kitties are like family to us and we love them so much that when something like this happens we are totally heartbroken and left wondering what would be the best for them.

You have to reach deep into your heart.  You will then know what to do   I think you already know what to do but it's so damn hard   It sucks that our little kitties can't just tell us what their feeling or what they want from us.  I would suggest spending some close time with Duke.  Give him lots of love!  He will feel ya )  and I don't know how spiritual you are but maybe deep prayer and that'll lead the way for you and Duke.  

Best wishes )

I am so sorry this is happening

So your Vet is pretty sure this is going to progress and there is nothing that can be done? 

For calming, I use Rescue Remedy for Pets, and find it works very well, but of course, that's just for short term things like if someone is in the house doing some work or something. 

As far as when to know it's time, the above poster pretty much said it .   Maybe this thread will be of some comfort to you:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/237066/when-the-moment-comes