Old dog dilemma

[4F]

I think by asking you really know deep down what you have to do. It is not a pleasant experience but in the long term you have to think of the quaility of life of your beloved pet.

 

[I like Skol]

I really feel for you Accy Cyclist. I'm in a similar position with my cat, she's at least 19 and probably 20 or maybe even 21 and she has really aged this year, so much so that I worry about the approaching winter. She lets us down in the house now despite having a litter tray and I watch her slowly walking about, being careful on steps and things and I can see she is struggling. The hard part is she doesn't appear to be in any pain and spends most of her time sleeping on a comfy blanket so I guess she is happy and comfortable?
I know I might soon have to make a similar decision to the one you are facing and have thought about it for a year or two but it doesn't make it any easier to contemplate.

 

[fossyant]

Our elder two cats are 15, one is still behaving like a youngster (although she has always been the poorly one - no teeth now) and the other is just growing old. She's short haired, and her hind quarters have been getting matted/luggy. She tends to spend most of the day sleeping in her basket. She is eating well, still goes out, but only when she wants. The matted fur we think is down to her curling up to sleep too much, and not grooming, so we've spent considerable time this week slowly pulling the matted bits out and brushing her. It can also be an indication of poor health, but so far she's perfectly happy. Again, we are preparing ourselves and just keeping an eye on her.

 

[I like Skol]

She's short haired, and her hind quarters have been getting matted/luggy. She tends to spend most of the day sleeping in her basket. She is eating well, still goes out, but only when she wants. The matted fur we think is down to her curling up to sleep too much, and not grooming, so we've spent considerable time this week slowly pulling the matted bits out and brushing her. It can also be an indication of poor health, but so far she's perfectly happy.

Same here, gentle brushing and some tugging and the smaller tufts pull out but we did have to cut a few clumps from the chest area earlier in the year. She has developed a fair sized mass on each hip in the last couple of months which will take some shifting but will look odd if I had the courage to cut off.....

 

[Accy cyclist]

Thanks for all your kind words and advice. I think that i'm delaying the inevitable but so far she seems quite comfy, and in fact quite lively as she's been wandering round for the last hour or so. I didn't bother going to work today as i vowed that i'd never put work before loved ones again as i decided to work the day my dad died, even though i knew he was ill but not close to death. A day's pay comes nowhere near not being there for a loved one so i stayed at home to keep an eye on her. I'll do the same tomorrow if needs be and take it from there, and wait to see how she fares.