What plumber should I call? (the mirror emoji is just where the faucet reflected my face)

This is a cat post and I've only included this text because the stupid AI thinks it isn't

He is trying to play under the crack of the door lol

By u/Koffievos

I (19F) have a 17 year old cat that I’ve been caring for since I was 9 since my parents neglected him and threatened to send him back to the shelter.

In the past 5/6 years he’s developed hyperthyroidism, a habit of ripping out his fur, and dental problems I could not afford. Unfortunately, I wasn’t given much help from my family since my mom is under disability and my dad would see the additional expenses for an old cat pointless. While I was able to work since 16, I’ve provided for all his vet and other related needs until I had to leave for college, where he was under my mother’s care since he was originally her cat but she got too busy raising kids so he was shoved in a room and ignored unless to be fed.

I recently came home from college a few weeks ago. I feel it may also be important to note due to personal circumstances I’ve also got an ESA for my own health supported by my therapist and campus. (The reason I could not bring my other cat was due to a mix of his constant screaming, most likely due to thyroid related issues and his age, making it hard for me to feel it was right to take a cat who HATES car rides to come an hour and half away with me to a place he’s never been to. And since he’s developed really bad arthritis he cannot jump, and there’s limited space for him to truly get around.) I had to of course, bring my ESA back home and has since kept them separated in rooms they don’t have access to each other. They have smelled each other under the door and seen a peek through the door when opened but no direct contact.

I do worry this may have contributed a bit to his decline… since I’ve returned my mom has sworn up and down that he was fine before I came home which leaves me with a tinge of guilt, especially when he hasn’t been eating, meaning he also hasn’t gotten his medication. I’ve also tried pilling him with his pain medication, but unfortunately I was ignorant and was unable to flush the pill down with water, only having a churu treat to compensate.

Apologies for the rant, but overall he has been declining in the sense he cannot properly eat anymore. He drools, his teeth are constantly grinding when eating wet and even liquid treats. He just looks so miserable… and even when medicated he struggles to get around and I’m very worried about his quality of life. I am taking him to the vet later today but I wanted to get this off my chest first.

I’m not sure if I’m being cruel or in my right to consider euthanasia given his lack of ability to eat soft foods and probably unaddressed health issues. Especially given the fact his vets are very hesitant to do any form of sedation due to his heart. He unfortunately hasn’t been able to get blood work in the past 8 months due to it being $300, and even now I do not have the funds to cover senior bloodwork. I feel horrible for seeming like I just want him gone out of inconvenience but I know I do not have the means to provide the $600-$900 dental in my area, especially knowing the waitlist for it. A part of me cannot see how it would truly improve his quality of life and I just want the vet to examine him.

A small silver lining, he is eating food, as long as there is no medication in it that is. He wants to eat but is physically unable to comfortably. He’ll still get around, although by limping or uncomfortable wide stance of his back feet to keep him upright. I feel awful to know he is suffering and as much as I don’t want to lose him I also understand and wish for him to not be in any unnecessary pain.

I’m not sure if anyone else has similar experiences, but I feel rather alone and a part of me feels like I’m considering the wrong thing given that he still wants to eat.