CPK Pet Thread

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My very old and geriatric cat turned 17 today. In about 8-9 weeks if he makes it, he will be with me for 17 years! For those who happen to know me a bit more privately, you may remember me mentioning that he's had health issues for 2+ years but obviously nothing too critical or else he would not have still been here by now! About 2 years ago when he was 15, he was diagnosed with stage 2 and supposedly rapidly accelerating kidney failure which is quite common with older cats. He was doing badly back when, I remember the vet telling me to give him one more week and if he declines further, the vet would support my decision to say bye to Truffles, but he's still here 2 years later, he had more lives left! I am sure that he was the runt of the litter because even at the "heights of his prowess" he was barely 9 lb. soaking wet! Not a bad feat for a runt cat.

In any case, Truffles is now very old and barely all there; I am quite certain that he is quite senile. When I look back and use my own life's reference points, 17 years is quite a looong life span for an animal which happens to be a household pet. My kids are well into their grown up adult stages. A few dogs have come and gone during the time that Truffles has been with us. FFS, I am almost 60 YO myself, darn it!

Case in point, he still vomits every few days (mostly his stomach bile, quite common with failing kidneys) once in a while he accidentally has minor accidents, but still not often enough to consider end of life for him. I used to give him subcutaneous fluids but I have now put him under at home hospice watch. Those SubQ needles are gnarly and they do seem to hurt him plus I have stopped spending stupid $ at the vet's because I just want Truffles to live out the rest of his life, however long is left in his tank, in a loving, warm, comfortable and clean environment. I will consider saying permanent goodbye if he stops eating for 3 days in a row or just soils himself in place or if if arthritis gets so bad that he becomes totally immobilized. For a previously fastidious self groomer, he is currently a total mess and is matting up all over as he has forgotten what the heck grooming is! I don't even have the heart to detangle his matted lumps as his skin has lost elasticity and it clearly hurts him. There are other short term remedies but I just said to myself, fudge it, let him just be...

These potential end of life considerations when a pet is not in a critical stage but just gradually failing, suck major balls.

ETA: I also let him eat all the stuff that he likes to eat but are deemed to be bad for him. He loves junk cat food!
 
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Casinostocks said:
My very old and geriatric cat turned 17 today. In about 8-9 weeks if he makes it, he will be with me for 17 years! For those who happen to know me a bit more privately, you may remember me mentioning that he's had health issues for 2+ years but obviously nothing too critical or else he would not have still been here by now! About 2 years ago when he was 15, he was diagnosed with stage 2 and supposedly rapidly accelerating kidney failure which is quite common with older cats. He was doing badly back when, I remember the vt telling me to give him one more week and if he declines further, the vet would support my decision to say bye to Truffles, but he's still here 2 years later, he had more lives left! I am sure that he was the runt of the litter because even at the "heights of his prowess" he was barely 9 lb. soaking wet! Not a bad feat for a runt cat.

In any case, Truffles is now very old and barely all there; I am quite certain that he is quite senile. When I look back and use my own life's reference points, 17 years is quite a looong life span for an animal which happens to be a household pet. My kids are well into their grown up adult stages. A few dogs have come and gone during the time that Truffles has been with us. FFS, I am almost 60 YO myself, darn it!

Case in point, he still vomits every few days (mostly his stomach bile, quite common with failing kidneys) once in a while he accidentally has minor accidents, but still not often enough to consider end of life for him. I used to give him subcutaneous fluids but I have now put him under at home hospice watch. Those SubQ needles are gnarly and they do seem to hurt him plus I have stopped spending stupid $ at the vet's because I just want Truffles to live out the rest of his life, however long is left in his tank, in a loving, warm, comfortable and clean environment. I will consider saying permanent goodbye if he stops eating for 3 days in a row or just soils himself in place or if if arthritis gets so bad that he becomes totally immobilized. For a previously fastidious self groomer, he is currently a total mess and is matting up all over as he has forgotten what the heck grooming is! I don't even have the heart to detangle his matted lumps as his skin has lost elasticity and it clearly hurts him. There are other short term remedies but I just said to myself, fudge it, let him just be...

These potential end of life considerations when a pet is not in a critical stage but just gradually failing, suck major balls.
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I say it all the time, it's crazy how a pet becomes family, a lot of moments in life.. They're right there

I'm sure Truffles has had a great life and I hope he has more time with you, but I also appreciate you not letting him suffer if things get too bad

Cheers Truffles !
 
Casinostocks said:
My very old and geriatric cat turned 17 today. In about 8-9 weeks if he makes it, he will be with me for 17 years! For those who happen to know me a bit more privately, you may remember me mentioning that he's had health issues for 2+ years but obviously nothing too critical or else he would not have still been here by now! About 2 years ago when he was 15, he was diagnosed with stage 2 and supposedly rapidly accelerating kidney failure which is quite common with older cats. He was doing badly back when, I remember the vt telling me to give him one more week and if he declines further, the vet would support my decision to say bye to Truffles, but he's still here 2 years later, he had more lives left! I am sure that he was the runt of the litter because even at the "heights of his prowess" he was barely 9 lb. soaking wet! Not a bad feat for a runt cat.

In any case, Truffles is now very old and barely all there; I am quite certain that he is quite senile. When I look back and use my own life's reference points, 17 years is quite a looong life span for an animal which happens to be a household pet. My kids are well into their grown up adult stages. A few dogs have come and gone during the time that Truffles has been with us. FFS, I am almost 60 YO myself, darn it!

Case in point, he still vomits every few days (mostly his stomach bile, quite common with failing kidneys) once in a while he accidentally has minor accidents, but still not often enough to consider end of life for him. I used to give him subcutaneous fluids but I have now put him under at home hospice watch. Those SubQ needles are gnarly and they do seem to hurt him plus I have stopped spending stupid $ at the vet's because I just want Truffles to live out the rest of his life, however long is left in his tank, in a loving, warm, comfortable and clean environment. I will consider saying permanent goodbye if he stops eating for 3 days in a row or just soils himself in place or if if arthritis gets so bad that he becomes totally immobilized. For a previously fastidious self groomer, he is currently a total mess and is matting up all over as he has forgotten what the heck grooming is! I don't even have the heart to detangle his matted lumps as his skin has lost elasticity and it clearly hurts him. There are other short term remedies but I just said to myself, fudge it, let him just be...

These potential end of life considerations when a pet is not in a critical stage but just gradually failing, suck major balls.
Click to expand...

Yes, those considerations suck major league balls my friend. Extra work and even more tender loving care is what we owe to them, as they surely loved us back, just as much, unconditionally all those years. They aren’t just a pet, they are part of our family, each one having its own amazing character and charm.

You are doing the right thing, nearly exactly as I have done too. When the time does come, you will know in your heart that it’s the right time and decision to make, before any real suffering begins.

We owe it to them, from the instant they come into our lives and become part of our family.

Prayers for both Truffles and you 🙏
 
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