Anonymous wrote:You're keeping him alive for your own selfish reasons. It's past time to do the kind thing.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He might be in pain if he doesn't want petted. When my dog got cancer, he didn't want to be touched any more. It was a sign for me.
OP here. He doesn't really enjoy the cuddles. I'm sure he's in pain - he has arthritis and walks like an old man. He also has to masses in his chest wall, but we aren't going to biopsy or put him through treatment. So it's possible he has cancer, too. He's not happy, but he's enduring. I love him dearly but would be relieved if one morning he just didn't wake up. For his own sake.
We'll probably hold off - but the next time he's in crisis, we probably won't wait to see if he'll rally back. Especially now that I can clearly see that his quality of life has declined - it was harder even a few months ago when he was more like his old self.
OP, re-read the bolded that you wrote. Let him go before he hits another crisis--it's bad enough. I'm sorry.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He might be in pain if he doesn't want petted. When my dog got cancer, he didn't want to be touched any more. It was a sign for me.
OP here. He doesn't really enjoy the cuddles. I'm sure he's in pain - he has arthritis and walks like an old man. He also has to masses in his chest wall, but we aren't going to biopsy or put him through treatment. So it's possible he has cancer, too. He's not happy, but he's enduring. I love him dearly but would be relieved if one morning he just didn't wake up. For his own sake.
We'll probably hold off - but the next time he's in crisis, we probably won't wait to see if he'll rally back. Especially now that I can clearly see that his quality of life has declined - it was harder even a few months ago when he was more like his old self.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He might be in pain if he doesn't want petted. When my dog got cancer, he didn't want to be touched any more. It was a sign for me.
OP here. He doesn't really enjoy the cuddles. I'm sure he's in pain - he has arthritis and walks like an old man. He also has to masses in his chest wall, but we aren't going to biopsy or put him through treatment. So it's possible he has cancer, too. He's not happy, but he's enduring. I love him dearly but would be relieved if one morning he just didn't wake up. For his own sake.
We'll probably hold off - but the next time he's in crisis, we probably won't wait to see if he'll rally back. Especially now that I can clearly see that his quality of life has declined - it was harder even a few months ago when he was more like his old self.
Anonymous wrote:He might be in pain if he doesn't want petted. When my dog got cancer, he didn't want to be touched any more. It was a sign for me.
Anonymous wrote:I've posted here about my 16 year old cat with multiple health issues. Back in June he had what appeared to be a stroke and I was ready to put him down - we really thought it was the end (and cried our eyes out). Amazingly, he rallied and while not back to "normal" exactly, he seemed to have some quality of life. The vet has been amazed at the way in which he bounces back - she calls him "the comeback kid".
At this point, however, he just doesn't seem particularly happy. He still gets around, can do stairs, purrs when I feed and pet him - but he doesn't come to me for cuddles or companionship anymore - just food. If I do pet him, he might purr softly but will only tolerate it for a minute or two. There really isn't any more curiosity or exploration, and he's not following me around like he used to, unless he wants food (he still has a big appetite). So, his personality isn't the same, but I think that happens to a lot of cats as they get older and crankier.
He's eating plenty but losing weight - is basically fur and bones. He's unable to groom himself much due to arthritis, so I brush him regularly. He has so many health issues that were really just doing palliative care.
But again, he still eats and can get around. And he just keeps on...living. And living. I imagine he can go on this way for a while, but I can see he's just kind of existing. DH really thinks we should put him down, but I can't bring myself to do it when he keeps waking up to a new day on his own.
WWYD?
Anonymous wrote:Just to add, this is his baseline now. If he becomes acutely bounces back again, this is as good as it we'll get. Thank you for any feedback.