How to know when it's time?

My 12-year-old cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, stage 4, three days ago. They've offered us either euthanasia or fluids treatment, because of her high numbers, and we decided to go with fluids, hoping she'd get better. Her numbers did get better, but she looks about the same.
She's been spending nights at home and she is rejecting any kind of food for five days now, she just drinks a bit of water, she tries to go to pee out of where she sleeps, but doesn't make it usually, so I just change the bedding. She also gets these attacks where she breathes very heavily and fast with mouth wide open and drooling and has a bad breath. Otherwise she's napping all the time and likes when I pet her, but she doesn't really pur anymore.

Me and the rest of the family are in complete stress. I feel like I don't have the right to decide about her life, but it pains me so much seeing her like this. I've had her since I was 13, I grew up with her and can't believe this is happening, she was always a healthy cat.

Does anyone have any experience with this, could she get better, or should I let her go?

Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated.

Cattus said:

My 12-year-old cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, stage 4, three days ago. They've offered us either euthanasia or fluids treatment, because of her high numbers, and we decided to go with fluids, hoping she'd get better. Her numbers did get better, but she looks about the same.
She's been spending nights at home and she is rejecting any kind of food for five days now, she just drinks a bit of water, she tries to go to pee out of where she sleeps, but doesn't make it usually, so I just change the bedding. She also gets these attacks where she breathes very heavily and fast with mouth wide open and drooling and has a bad breath. Otherwise she's napping all the time and likes when I pet her, but she doesn't really pur anymore.

Me and the rest of the family are in complete stress. I feel like I don't have the right to decide about her life, but it pains me so much seeing her like this. I've had her since I was 13, I grew up with her and can't believe this is happening, she was always a healthy cat.

Does anyone have any experience with this, could she get better, or should I let her go?

Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated.

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Go join this FB group before you make any decisions and see what they recommend. Seriously the active members there are amazing and know SO much about CKD. There are many cats with stage 4 doing great. Best of luck.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/felinecrf/

We've spent a lot of money over the years on fluids & I think it was a waste of money. It may happen that your cat will pass away naturally. Sometimes I feel that when you see the cat winding down, as it were, but not in any terrible pain, it's best to let the cat die organically. Not easy to see a cat dying, but they usually find a place where they are comfortable & stay there until the end. My husband once force-fed a dying cat, but I would not allow that again.

My poor old Siamese, Rupert, died last year of renal failure. We had given him special food for kidney failure and he initially responded.  We continued until he stopped drinking and became dehydrated.  That was the point when I realised that the end was near and called our vet in to euthanise him. I have never regretted that decision.

With best wishes,

Geoffrey

On a more emotional note, here is a wonderful post by one of our members about 'when the moment comes'.  It has helped many of us come to terms with doing what's right for our beloved kitties.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/237066/when-the-moment-comes

My 13 year old cat died from CKD. He exhibited the same behavior at the end - only drinking water and he wouldn't touch food. I lost him a few months ago. Honestly, I think if I had it to do over again I might have had him euthanized. I happened to be home when he died and it was very difficult for me to watch. The only comfort to me was that he wasn't alone.

They say that you will just know, and for me that was true. My Angel had lymphoma, & he was still eating, & had life in him, so I wanted to give chemo a try, & the vet supported me on this, as at first, he only had one tumor in His tummy. It was working at first. It was Shrinking. But then, over time, it just started spreading. He wasn't able to eat as well because the nodes I. This throat were swelling. I in best hopes agreed to an esophagus tube, so I could feed him, & hopefully the chemo would continue to work, & he would get past that, & better. He never did. That was his last week. I could just see the life leaving him slowly, & his eyes were darker. I'd been telling him all the wonderful things I wanted to tell him that week, because I knew the time was near. That last night, I picked him up to come have some snuggle time with me, & when I heard his breathing in my ear, I just knew. He was getting air in, but seemed to have to push it out. In that moment I knew I couldn't let him suffer anymore. It was almost midnight, but I called my mom, & she would pick us up in the morning. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. He was my first, my one & only, but I knew it was time for that final gift of peace.
Because I did everything I could. I had no regrets. I do wish I hadn't put him though getting that E. Tube that last week, but syringe feeding was way to stressful on us both, & it was my last attempt to save him. Had I not done the chemo, I probably would t have had that last month or two with him.

I'm sorry you are going through this, but you will know is when it's time.
Hugs!!
Kelly