Our old cat

[Anonymous]

We have a 19 Year old cat. For the past 19 years, she has not consistently peed in the litter box. As you can imagine, this has caused great stress, significant marital tensions, unsanitary conditions for my kids, and our basement is ruined and will have to be totally redone after she dies. We have been to a variety of different vets, and have done all sorts of things, none of them work.

Last year, she got extremely constipated and we spent $3000 in vet and hospital bills getting her cleaned out. The vet gave us medicine that didn’t work and she immediately started getting backed up again. As a last ditch effort I gave her miralax and it worked. So we’ve been giving her that for the past year. And until last week it worked but now she’s backed up again and is suffering.

We’re done. We’re not putting thousands of more dollars into this at this point. We’ve done more than the average person I feel and frankly don’t have the money.

Weve gone to citypaws and Friendship in the past, and they are only going to offer the route of clearing her out. Last time we went through this I got the guilt trip for not taking her to the cardiologist for a murmur.

Is there a vet out there that will be understanding of our situation? I’m willing to try an enema or other inexpensive measures but if that doesn’t work we want to end her suffering.

[Anonymous]

I think 19 years is enough, and it is fine to say your goodbyes at this point. Suffering with a chronic health issue is a fine rationale.

[Anonymous]

If you want euthanasia, try your local humane society.
Adore my cats but agree that euthanasia would not be unreasonable at this point.

[Anonymous]

It's time to put her down
- when you are ready
- - - get ready

[Anonymous]

Vet here. If you bring a 19 year old cat into me to euthanize I will not argue with you.

[Anonymous]

It seems like it's her time.

Best wishes, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vet here. If you bring a 19-year-old cat into me to euthanize I will not argue with you.

OP here - are you in DC and if so what location?

Thanks all. We had an acquaintance who ended up having to surrender his cat to the humane society because he had the same issue and no vet would euthanize. It was horrible.

[Anonymous]

Call Lap of Love or Dr. Perl. They will come to your home.

[Anonymous]

It's time. You have done right by this cat. Let her rest now and be comfortable.

[Anonymous]

We used a place called Lap of Love to come and euthanize our 16 year old cat at home in September. It cost $475 and was well worth the money. She had congestive heart failure and hadn't eaten in almost a week. It was calm and peaceful and we were all able to say goodbye. I would definitely use them again.

https://www.lapoflove.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vet here. If you bring a 19 year old cat into me to euthanize I will not argue with you.

Agree. This is a long and happy life for a cat.

[Anonymous]

I have a younger cat than you (12) who has ruined my house and cost us over 7k to help her. The vet said she'd euthanize her if I asked once I told her it was affecting my relationship with DH. I don't blame you for wanting this route, hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vet here. If you bring a 19-year-old cat into me to euthanize I will not argue with you.

OP here - are you in DC and if so what location?

Thanks all. We had an acquaintance who ended up having to surrender his cat to the humane society because he had the same issue and no vet would euthanize. It was horrible.

Not in DC. I am in NoVA. But Lap Of Love is a great service. Call them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a younger cat than you (12) who has ruined my house and cost us over 7k to help her. The vet said she'd euthanize her if I asked once I told her it was affecting my relationship with DH. I don't blame you for wanting this route, hugs to you.

My vet had been the same way starting when my cat was 12. He was with us four my years but euthanasia was always an option and my vet was understanding. They also never pushed medical procedures; the fact that you were guilted about the cardiologist for a 19 year old cat! That’s just terrible and fortunately wasn’t my experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Those of you with these cats who won’t use their litter box — do you think you’ll ever get another cat or are you thinking never again?

We went through hell with my cat who passed away 1.5 years ago; I have always loved cats and my kids beg every day for one. But then reading threads like this bring me right back and I don’t know that I’ll ever take the risk again.