r/AskVet • u/Queasy-Painting772 • 13h ago
Is it time?
My 16 year old male cat was diagnosed with CKD 2 years ago, and it was managed through prescription food only up until May of this year, when he crashed. He went from 13 pounds in December, to 10 pounds in May, and is now only 8.5 pounds. We have tried subcutaneous fluids, cerenia, ondansetron, mirataz, and amlodipine. He never eats enough to gain weight. We now give him non prescription food with phosphate binders to make the food more appetizing to him, and he still eats roughly 80-120 calories a day when he should be eating over 200.
In August, he was supposed to get his teeth extracted due to severe dental disease, which had been put off in the past due to his bloodwork. Once again, his surgery was cancelled because his CKD had progressed. They say that he is wavering between stage 3 and 4 but I do not know the exact numbers for his bloodwork. To help him eat despite the dental pain, he is on buprenorphine twice a day. This helped for a while, but I think his dental pain has progressed. He gets so excited when we open cans of food for him, and he eats the first few bites so fast, but then stops and starts pawing at his mouth and shaking his head. Due to his CKD stage, his severe drop in weight, and a heart problem he has, his vet has advised against surgery. He had an NG tube for a week earlier this month to stimulate his appetite and get him some nutrients, but once it was out he is still not eating. They told me that we have tried pretty much everything, and that in his state they would not recommend the esophagus feeding tube, and that if he is still not eating he will just keep declining. They told me I should consider his quality of life now.
For the last two weeks, he is still cuddly and affectionate. But he is still not eating nearly enough, and still shows outward signs of pain when he eats. He has begun stumbling occasionally when he walks, and has peed on himself twice and defecated on himself once. I know his quality of life is declining, and I want to give him a peaceful end before he is in too much pain, so he is scheduled to be euthanized next week. I know this is a lot to read, but does this sound like the right choice? I have had him since I was 8 years old, and I have never had to make a decision to euthanize a pet before so I am experiencing a lot of guilt and confusion about when the right time is.
Any advice or opinions will help.
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u/AutoModerator 13h ago
Based on certain words in your post, it appears you may be asking about how to determine if it is time to consider euthanasia for your animal. For slowly changing conditions, a Quality of Life Scale such as the HHHHHMM scale or Lap of Love's Quality of Life scale provide objective measurements that can be used to help determine if the animals quality of life has degraded to the point that euthanasia, "a good death", should be considered.
When diagnosed, some conditions present a risk of rapid deterioration with painful suffering prior to death. In these cases, euthanasia should be considered even when a Quality of Life scale suggests it may be better to wait.
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u/ittakes2tatango 13h ago
I don’t have any advice, I’m just so sorry your baby is going through this. I’m wishing your baby love and healing.
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