Dying 25 year old cat

Hi,

I am dealing with a 25 year old cat who is obviously dying. She can't move much, refuses food and water, and I am keeping vigil by her side and just trying to figure out what to do.

I don't think she is in pain, but how would I know? She is an indoor cat and freaks out if she even sees the carrier box, let alone taking her in the car, so going to the vet seems like it would be cruel at this point. She is nothing but skin and bones and I am just completely at a loss.

What should I be doing for her?

Is there any way the vet can come visit you?  Some cities now have "mobile veterinarians" who can come to you. If her time is here, it can be in the comfort of her home with the ones that love her.  I know this is a very painful time for you.  Hang in there, and God bless.  We are all here for you

So sorry to hear about your cat. As Mazie mentioned, there are many vets who make home visits. What city do you live in?

Thank you kindly for your replies. I am just outside of Philadelphia. I will see if I can find a visiting vet, thank you for the suggestion.

I am a solitary guy, not a lot of love in my life so this is hitting me pretty hard. Just looking to commiserate at this point with people who understand, I guess.

Perfectly understandable.  Please keep us posted in your luck with finding a mobile vet.  In a city of that size I would be surprised if you cannot find one.  Regardless, keep us posted, we all have a vested interest in cats at this website.  Keep us posted, we care. 

I'm sad about my cat as well. There are euthanasia services that will come to your apartment or house and sedate and then euthanize her. Also WOW that is an old cat. She is very lucky to have had your company for so long and be taken care of right now. 

Thank you for the reply.

Yes she is old, and up to a week ago she was hale and hearty.

I found her when I was in the Army, we cleaned out a storage container and found the litter, the momcat split and didn't come back and the kittens were maybe a day old. There were five, we each took one but I was the only one who consulted with a vet. The other four were fed whole milk and died quickly. I got some formula from a vet and got up every two hours for 6 weeks to feed her with a dropper.

I have scars on my feet because I move in my sleep and man she loved to play. Seriously sharp claws. She liked to hang out on the windowsill before I got screens and managed to catch four birds, still amazed by that. I put a screen in after she caught a bat and had to do the rabies protocol.

The best moment of every day was coming home, she was so happy to see me and she slept on my chest every night and never cared about anything, she just wanted to be with me.

Life and the world are wonderful, but cruel, too; fleeting things all and entropy always wins. The why is not worth asking, yet I silently contemplate it, I can't help myself.

I am sorry for the self indulgent post, but as I said I am mostly alone and need somewhere, anywhere to unburden myself and share my grief.

Gosh I'm so sorry about your dear kitty declining and all the pain you are going through!  You certainly came to the right place because so many of us have lost our kitties so we do understand.  Wow, 25 years old!  You certainly have done everything right for her.  

I lost my Gracie last July and the vet estimated she was about 14.  But whether you get 1 week or 30 years, it'll never be long enough.  No one is ever ready to say goodbye.  

You could put her on something really comfortable or in a place where she loves the best and put a heating pad on low, if you think she needs it, and just be with her.  Talking to her and petting her.  I'm so sorry!  Hugs to you.  Keep posting all you want to and let us know.

Aww I'm really sad to hear about this. But it sounds like you've given her a long and happy life. Most cats don't get that. You definitely made a difference for her.

I hope you can work something out with a vet visit. It's so much easier to see them out of pain.

I am sorry for your loss. Now I fully understand.

I am now in the reality zone. The thousand mile stare for her that I recognize from seeing people in the same state during war; it haunts me.

She is standing in attack position, she has no hearing for quite some time, and I am fairly certain her eyes have failed her too. That thousand mile stare just freaks me out because I have seen it before in people and know wlhat it means.

Thank you so much for replying. I feel your pain; I know it, I am living it.

I got in my car, i needed some peace, I drove to an empty place and screamed until my voice was gone and then beat the living **** out of a speed bag at battalion hq.

Again ,I'm so sorry for being so weak, but I have no where else to go

What can I do to help her?

Please

Please don't be sorry, we all feel for our fellow members when grief and sadness comes, as well as the joy when we celebrate the tribulations of life with our cats.  As the old saying goes, "This too shall pass".  As I said before, we are here for you, don't feel bad for reaching out, we are a family here at The Cat Site.  As time goes on, you will better understand what I am saying.  Now is your turn, and one day, when the feeling moves you, you yourself will comfort and be there for another.  Again, welcome to The Cat Site.  As you read through the many, many threads, there is a lot of joy happening right now in the Cat Site community, and as you allow yourself to read the many threads, you will share in the fun, laughs and good times we all have and have had with our cats.  So glad you joined the Site, you are now  one of our valued members. 

She is beautiful!!! and, you are doing everything in the world to help that sweet girl, by just being her daddy.  You love her and you know, SHE LOVES YOU

Please please please

What do I do

I have to say, she does look like she is not feeling well.  Have you been able to locate a mobile vet in your area?

I don't know where you live, but can you call a mobile vet to help ease her out of here?  At least you won't be alone with the vet there for whatever length of time he or she is there.  I know how horrible this is and I'm so sorry!  Been there!  Can you put her on a a blanket with a heating pad on low?  Will she stay on it?  

Poor kitty!  : ,,,, (

Is there any friend who also loves cats who can come be with you?

Ginny's got a very good point, no reason for you to be so alone and by yourself in a time like this.  Again, the mobile vet, any luck?

Found these Philadelphia-area mobile vets:

Allpets Housecall

6712 Lincoln Dr · (215) 843-1780

Mobile Veterinary Medical Service

1728 W Cheltenham Ave · (267) 252-3980

Mobile Vet Two Bridges

136 S 15th St · (800) 481-0109

The bottom one closes at 8pm according to the Google search result. Please give them a call if they are near you.

TCs members can't advise what you can do at home to help your cat unfortunately. All we can do is recommend a vet for treatment / euthanasia so your cat doesn't suffer.