Liver failure and diabetes...Is it time to say goodbye?

My beautiful Sas was diagnosed with liver failure and diabetes when she was only 2 years old.  She is now 6 years old and I'm afraid her time has come.  She has had insulin injections every day since she her diagnosis and recently had been put on medication for her liver failure.  But lately it seems as if nothing is helping her anymore.  She doesn't seem to want her food and when she does try to eat she gets sick.  Suddenly, her weight has dropped and she's about 5 lbs right now.  She looks miserable and sick.  I have spent almost $3k trying to help her in the last few months but I'm wondering if all the added vet visits and medication is actually making her worse.  The vet always pushes new meds, "try this, try that" but I don't see a change and it breaks my heart to look at her like this.  I'm torn.  She's my baby girl, she means the world to me and I want to save her but all these meds are not helping.  When do I stop!?!  Please, any feedback on this will be wonderful.  I am just at a loss on what decision to make next...

I am so sorry you are going through this. It is the hardest thing we have to do, to make that last call, and the kindest decision any owner has to face. But only you can know the right time. If your girl is not getting any real quality of life, and if she is only going downhill, with no prospect of improvement, then perhaps it is time. I always say that the cat knows, and you will see it in her eyes when she has had enough, though some cats are very good at hiding pain and suffering. Most people I know would say that it is better to make the decision a little sooner rather than leave it too late, to avoid unecessary pain. That is harder at the time, though you will feel better afterwards knowing she is at peace. I wish you the best.

Thank you Jenny.  I feel like I need to let her go and but I have that "what if" in me.  What if I am wrong.  But when you mentioned that I will see it in her eyes I started crying because I'm sure I do see it.  The way she looks at me breaks my heart to the point that I want to look away.  I'm sure I am struggling to accept that this is it.  I can't imagine not having her around, not talking to her, or brushing her, or cuddling with her.  Gosh this is just so hard. 

Thank you again for your reply...it really does help.

I had to go through it with my Cinders last year. She was 16, has been suffering for some weeks with fluid retention and liver problems, and we tried various medications, to which she seemed to be responding a bit, in that she started eating again. Then I had to go away for a weekend, leaving her in the care of a good friend. On my return I was shocked to see a great difference in her; her head was held low and sad, she was not walking properly and her eyes were dull and yet pleading. I knew it was time. At the vet, I held her tight as the vet gave her the sedative, and she reached up and licked my nose, as if to say she loved and trusted me. I know it was right, and I probably left it a bit too long, but it took that break for me to really see it in her. And yet I was glad to be able to do that for her - right now I am devastated by the loss of my horse last week, who went from seeming fine to dead in 15 hours and we don't yet know why. It is good when we can actually play a positive role in relieving pain and suffering.

What has helped most in our few days after is the consult with the vet and a very realistic discussion and our own knowledge of our pet and the conditions she was in. You will always second guess yourself. And that speaks to how seriously we take making this decision. The fact that your vet is still trying different medications isn't bad. For each cat /human any animal a drug can react different in one species and individuals of the same.

I have always known. This is where you come in . You really do know your cat best.

I'm very sorry for your losses. It must be so heartbreaking. 

I've never had to go through this.  Never had to make a decision like this. 

I really appreciate the feedback from you JennyR and Kittens Mom.  Thank you.

I'm so sorry for all the pain and suffering that you're going through and have gone through all of this time. I know through my own personal pain and suffering of several losses I have to agree with the previous posts; no one knows your baby like you mama, and Mama always loves and does the right thing to help her babies, do what you feel is right, I'm so sorry so so sorry, but you don't want that baby to suffer any longer just to keep holding on. Lots of Love, Respect & deepest sympathy are with you and your family.My thoughts are with you.

JennyR said:

I had to go through it with my Cinders last year. She was 16, has been suffering for some weeks with fluid retention and liver problems, and we tried various medications, to which she seemed to be responding a bit, in that she started eating again. Then I had to go away for a weekend, leaving her in the care of a good friend. On my return I was shocked to see a great difference in her; her head was held low and sad, she was not walking properly and her eyes were dull and yet pleading. I knew it was time. At the vet, I held her tight as the vet gave her the sedative, and she reached up and licked my nose, as if to say she loved and trusted me. I know it was right, and I probably left it a bit too long, but it took that break for me to really see it in her. And yet I was glad to be able to do that for her - right now I am devastated by the loss of my horse last week, who went from seeming fine to dead in 15 hours and we don't yet know why. It is good when we can actually play a positive role in relieving pain and suffering.

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. I am so sorry for your horrible ordeal also.My HEART is so heavy tonight. Such a tragedy for so many here. I offer you LOVE,RESPECT & DEEPEST SYMPATHY for you and your family also. I need to take a cry break...