New to the Group

Hi!

I am new to the group and have had cats for the past 26 years. I came to the site today because of going through a rough time right now because my oldest cat Indy who is 15 years old is refusing to eat. The vet is recommending that Indy needs to be allowed to go to the "Rainbow Bridge." I also have another cat Puf who is nearly 9 years old. She is a people cat and had depended on Indy to groom and take care of her. Their roles now are reversed. Puf is meowing at me to tell me to fix Indy but there isn't anything I can do. We have tried special food, hand feeding and Indy turns her head away. Indy still purrs so loud though that the vet couldn't hear her heartbeat on Saturday. It's heartbreaking to see Indy go through this. I don't want her to suffer but yet I don't want to do something too soon. I also don't know whether we should get a new cat friend for Puf. My husband & I are in our late 40's and our son is away at college. We also have two Labrador Retrievers, Ben & Jeri who are 5 & 4 years of age.

Welcome to the site!

I'll move this to Health & Nutrition where someone may be able to give you some help with poor Indy.

I can't help you with what to do about Indy, but I can offer my experience.

My 17 year old Siamese was loosing weight, drink tons of water, and missing his litter box. Even without all the other symptoms - his being 17 was cause for concern in itself. We were blessed with a 8 week old kitten to adopt who had just lost her barn mother to a coyote. Beau (Siamese) was not happy. nope. noway. nohow. Toward the end, she did perk him up a bit -saw him actually play for a full minute or two. Once we were sure Beau was coming close to his time, we adopted a third (not necessarily the best in all situations) but for us it was good, number two cat starting leaving number 1 cat alone except for the occasional "cuddle sneak" While the other two became friends. When Beau died, they did look for him, but being youg kittens were soon chasing and playing like kittens are supposed to do.

While it might not have done anything for the kittens, and give the old cranky lovebug something to actuall be cranky about. It did me loads of good. I cried for days (also one of my birds died two days after Beau) I wasn't the same for awhile... but it was nice to have memories of Beau with the two kittens, how the kittens would try to get him to play. I look at the fully grown kittens know, and I am glad that they got to know their big brother - even if it was for a short time. And for me it was a continuation. Knowing that the new cats knew the old one, and as long as I had that link and my memories - Beau will be fresh in my mind when I meet him at the Rainbow Bridge.

I am very sorry for what is happening with Indy. Your vet hasn't been able to find the cause of his lack of appetite? Kidney values are normal and liver values?

I know with my kitty with Chronic Renal Failure hydration helps his appetite, as does addressing the constipation crf kitties can have, and the stomach acid issues by using Pepcid AC. If your vet has not done a full panel to check kidney and liver function (liver function because if he's losing wt, and losing it rapidly, hepatic lipidosis is a real concern), I'd have this done asap, if it were me.

Patrick and I have days at a time where I have to assist feed, then he is self-serve for weeks We just take it one day at a time.

Fwiw, I would not get a new addition while you are still figuring out what is going on with Indy, that would take precedence for me at this moment, a new cat/kitten would require a lot of time and attention, and Indy may not be able to cope, imo.

Hi and Welcome to TCS!!!!

Originally Posted by Talon

I can't help you with what to do about Indy, but I can offer my experience.

While it might not have done anything for the kittens, and give the old cranky lovebug something to actuall be cranky about. It did me loads of good. I cried for days (also one of my birds died two days after Beau) I wasn't the same for awhile... but it was nice to have memories of Beau with the two kittens, how the kittens would try to get him to play. I look at the fully grown kittens know, and I am glad that they got to know their big brother - even if it was for a short time. And for me it was a continuation. Knowing that the new cats knew the old one, and as long as I had that link and my memories - Beau will be fresh in my mind when I meet him at the Rainbow Bridge.

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That is a lovely idea. True that it might not do much for the kittens it will give you fond memories of your older cat when the times does come and you decide to do something about his condition. Do what makes you most comfortable. Keep in mind the well being of your kitty.