My heart is absolutely broken, and I need to let it out somewhere. This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

Pookey collapsed a couple of weeks ago and then the saga of vet appointments started, in the end after ultrasonography last Monday he was diagnosed with pyelonephritis (a kidney infection) and fatty degeneration of the liver since he already wasn't eating properly since his collapse. Kidney lymphoma was another concern raised during his investigations.

We started antibiotic treatment, and he also had two full days of tube feeding and IV fluids towards the end of last week. Unfortunately, there was no improvement in his overall condition or appetite. Last Friday, additional test results came back, revealing a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, which is particularly nasty and difficult to treat.

Together with our vet, we decided not to pursue further tube feeding and instead give him a peaceful weekend at home, as recovery was already very unlikely. We agreed that if there was no improvement, it would be time to consider letting him go peacefully. Unfortunately, he barely ate anything over the weekend, and yesterday I made the decision that it was time for him to cross the rainbow bridge.

What makes this so incredibly difficult is that, in many ways, he still seems like himself. He comes to me, sleeps in his favourite places, and even grooms himself. But there are so many underlying issues, and I don't want him to suffer or for his other organs to start failing.

My heart is breaking into a million pieces, but I just want him to be at peace. Thank you Pookey for 15 years of companionship, you are and always will be my baby. Pictures are one from a few days ago and when I first brought him home 15 years ago.

We just got back from the vet where I was tearing up all day. My little buddy is gonna make it to another Christmas. Found out he was in good health for his age! His lungs sounded good and his heart sounded good. His teeth were great and he mostly just needs more fluids.

Vet did say we need to be grooming him as his poor looks have everything to do with his arthritis and inability to clean himself. We got a grooming glove for his dander and some baby wipes for his occasionally poopy butt. She said his nausea was related to him eating too fast so we got him a feeding mat! I’m ecstatic! Thank you all so much for your advice and support it was really helpful!!

Kinda just posting here to vent and maybe get some advice from everyone. Yesterday I had to take my big boy, Brimley, to my university’s ER Vet as he began having some wheezing and weird reverse sneezing episodes, and seemed to be struggling to breathe. The past 36 or so hours have been a lot for me. He was kept overnight, and received a CT scan this morning to see what was going on. They found a mass in his larynx, and called to request consent to do surgery while he was still under anesthesia due to it already having been hard to intubate him.

During surgery, they were able to remove a small portion of the mass, but not as much as they wanted to. They placed a stent as a form of palliative care, and from what they’ve told me over the phone he is doing much better (no longer in an oxygen box, is up and exploring, was purring nonstop when they did a physical exam). We still need to wait a few days for the full pathology report, but the cytology report is showing squamous cell carcinoma. They told me radiation is an option, but with the location and his age I’m not sure if it would be the best choice for him.

As long as he stays stable tonight, I’ll be allowed to bring him home tomorrow and will be talking more with the vet about options. I’m so heartbroken about this, I’ve had him since he was around 9 and he’s been my best friend even with how much he loves to cause trouble. He was there for some of the hardest parts of my life. I don’t know what I’m going to do without him trying to eat plastic or tearing up any piece of paper he can get his hands on. My friend is graciously paying for his stay and surgery, and I’m definitely going to owe her money until the end of time haha. If anyone reads this far thank you for reading, and any words of support or encouragement or advice would be appreciated 💜

Time flies, but the pain is very real. I don't think I'm doing a very good job of managing the grief. I try to come here and console others and I do believe it's helpful. But sadly this loss still cuts like a knife. I think of her every day and I miss her so. I hope you are watching over me Carly. I need all the help I can get. Hopefully I will be good enough to join you one day. 💔❤️🌈

She was a bit drugged on Gabapentin because she is spicyyyy, she only had her nails clipped and the costume was on for about 30sec because she wriggled out of it. Hope this will bring you a smile

I thought this time I'd include a photo of my sweet man. About two weeks ago we got the verdict and due to money and fears of anesthesia my sweet Leo is now on pallative care. He has just started his final round of clindamycin as his toe blew up again along with 1 soak every 1-2 days of his foot in very watered down betadine.

Recently however just before restarting this dose, I noticed he's been retreating into corners, slower and more tired before taking the medicine again, while I want to believe its the unfortunate weather, I think I'm slowly facing the reality that I may have to put him down. I knew this would be the potential end but it feels closer than I expected and even further out of reach due to my finances. I really just wanted a place to give an update about my sweet man and I hope you all love the photo of him, I'm terrible with cameras but realised I don't have many photos of him in general.

Original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/seniorkitties/comments/1wungpv/my_sweet_boy_leo_17_needs_dental_work_and_a/

Today marks the 7th year with this majestic orange floof. Bonus second picture from Oct 26, 2019, the day I brought him home 🧡

This is my 14 year old sweetheart Kaylie. She means everything to me. She is also overweight and deals with an inordinate amount of perpetual anxiety that has lead her to eat more. She is overweight at 15.5 lbs. The vet recommends putting her on some senior food, but she doesn't even look at foods other than Friskies: Seafood Sensations. It's just what she eats. Can anyone recommend a good dry Senior cat food that is like the Friskies flavor for her? Especially for someone on a fixed income? (SSI)

Pics of the creature below ⬇️

My cat, Mayo, is a rescue so I don't know how old she is but I've had her 13 years so she's at least 14! We are planning to move from NZ to Australia, but I don't know how to do this safely because for this route there are no in-cabin options, only cargo hold.

She doesn't have any major health issues except for non-painful nerve damage in her back legs caused by a botulism infection a few years ago, it doesn't hurt her but she is very wobbly and unbalanced. She loves people but is also very nervous, hates transport and freaks out when unfamiliar things are happening.

So how do I transport her safely, securely and non-stressfully?

I had to say goodbye to my best friend today. Nike has been my baby for 16 years. She was found behind a dollar general in my small Eastern Kentucky town in 2010. She was malnourished and had severe ringworm, but survived. Shes been with me from middle school, through high school, college, from Kentucky to Michigan and now she’s gone. She will always be the best cat that I’ve ever had. Rest in peace my Nike forever 16.

Mr. Binx is my long term foster from a shelter I volunteer for! I actually posted him months ago after mistaking him for 11... he was actually a youthful 10 lol

When he gets food he takes a few bites then wanders off for a bit, and has more bites later, assuming the dogs dont get to it first (we cant find a spot where they can't get it). However, when we eat something, hes on us like a heat seeking missile. He kept trying to get up my arm to get at my donut, and evidently he loves French fries. He wasn't always this persistent when it came to our food. I wonder what changed

She was a very sweet girl, I’ve had her my entire life. I’m gonna miss her a lot. I don’t think I’ll be the same tbh.

I have a wonderful and boisterous cat named Oliver. I’ve had him since I could barely talk, before I even started school. He’s legally old enough to drink alcohol. When we switched vets a few years ago he was 15 and the vet told us if bringing him in would stress him out to just let him live the next few years in peace.

He has seen many other pets come and go. His close companion passed away last year and I really thought it would be the catalyst for him. It wasn’t and I’m grateful but now I’ve scheduled him for the vet. He’s going Monday and we are all under the assumption he is going to be put down. He’s eating and drinking fine but he’s not holding onto weight. He’s got dementia for sure and can no longer put his claws away due to arthritis. He’s struggling to clean himself etc and he’s pooped and made a mess a few times now. I know logically it’s the best thing for him. I’ve put others down before and I’ve had cats pass at home.

This is just really hard for me for some reason. I can’t wrap my head around it and some part of me keeps whispering to cancel and that he will be fine. The appointment is on Monday (tomorrow) and I’m really struggling with the reality of it. It just doesn’t seem real that I’m actually going to take him and come home with his empty carrier. Does anyone have any advice? Anyone think I’m making the wrong decision here? I just care for him so much and want what’s best for him but I love him and he is still a very happy and loving cat. He isn’t sick he’s just incredibly old.

I don’t know I’m having a hard time with all this. Especially considering the cat distribution system sent me a random kitten on Friday. His sibling cats will be going to vet as well in the next few days. I am just wondering how I get through this? I guess I just want reassured I’m doing the right thing and that I’m not breaking my own heart here. He was the first cat I rescued and he started it all basically. He’s been a core part of my life for so long I just can’t conceptualize him no longer being around. Like I knew making the appointment he was going to die but now I just can’t accept it for some reason.

Idk someone offer anything I’m really just throwing paint at a wall here.

Hi everyone,
My partner cat is 16 years old. About two weeks ago, he had a blood clot (saddle thrombus) that affected his back legs. Things looked really bad at first, but somehow he managed to recover. He started walking again, eating, and acting more like himself. They were so happy and hopeful.
Unfortunately, this weekend he suddenly stopped eating. They took him to the emergency vet, and his blood tests showed very high kidney values. He was given IV fluids, and the vet also sent fluids home so they could continue his treatment.
Yesterday, he started eating a little more, which gave them some hope. They also had to help him urinate. But since yesterday, he hasn't peed again.
His condition keeps going up and down. One moment he seems a little better, and the next he's really weak. He ate a bit last night, but he spends almost all his time sleeping and barely responds to anything.
The hardest part is that my partner is currently working abroad and can't fly home to see him or say goodbye. Ideally, he os hoping his cat can make it another 8 weeks until he comes back, but no one know know how realistic that is.
The vet hasn't suggested putting him to sleep, so they are holding on to some hope.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with an older cat?
Is there still a chance for his kidneys to recover with fluids?
What could it mean that he hasn't urinated since yesterday?
Can cats recover from something like this, even temporarily?
What should we realistically expect at this stage?
I know nobody can predict exactly what will happen, but I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences, especially if you've been through something similar.
Thank you so much

My 13 year old baby boy is usually always hungry, and the last couple of days he has been turning his nose up at just about anything except squeeze treats. He will eventually eat some of his canned food, but nowhere near like he was before.

We went to the vet Friday and did bloodwork, everything seemed fine. They gave us appetite stimulants in pill form which of course, for a cat who isn't wanting to eat, is hard to get him to take those too. I am going to pick up some more royal canin recovery food today from the vet, he seemed more interested in that than anything else I've tried the last few days. I'm gonna blow my paycheck on different types of canned food if we don't figure something out! lol

I just scheduled an ultrasound for Tuesday and I'm so anxious about what is going on!

Anyway...not really sure what I'm looking for by posting, just need to get my anxiety out somewhere.

also, please enjoy this photo of him basking in a rainbow