Cat Forums - George pollaton - Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject: George
my mum phoned yesterday to say that my (their cat) george who is about 18 years old is really poorly. they took him to the vets the other day because he is barely eating, has lost loads of weight, can hardly walk and keeps being sick. the vet said it is his kidneys that are beginning to fail, but not to worry because he can keep him going by giving him antibiotics and changing his diet to the royal canin renal failure food. this is all well and good, but i felt like he was pulling on my mums heartstrings, whilst lining his pockets with cash. i said to mum, that if he is really suffering then she has to make that descision, and maybe go to a second vet for another opinion. I really don't mind any amount of cash being spent on an animal if it is going to improve its quality of life, but if it is just prolonging his pain then i think it is selfish and unfair. what do you lot reckon. it is so difficult to know for the best, cos i don't know the vets that mum uses and i don't know how ill he is cos i can't see him, but he looked fairly frail last time i was over back in march and if he is just slowly deteriorating then....oh this is very upsetting. need some thoughts on this one people, annestaff - Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:13 pm Post subject:
I think if his liver is starting to fail its the beginning of the end I'm afraid I know it must be so hard for your mum but 18 is a grand old age and she can rest assured that he reached this age because of her love and care.
I do feel that alot of vets do keep your pets living on for one reason only, and thats money. Its a sad fact of life that money does make the world go round and unfortunatly too many vets now a days milk money from people giving them false hope.
In my opinion I don't feel a change in diet will make alot of differnce in a cat of this age, but hey I'm no vet so who knows
Good luck George, and best wishes to your mum Michelle xxx
nemo - Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject:
Ohhh it's so upsetting when you see your beloved pet in such a sate.
I do think though that the best action would be to just let George go. He has had a very long and happy life and really it's the final kindness that anyone can give to their pet not to let them suffer when they can't be cured.
They give us so much.
I know what it's like because I had to have my dog Brendan put to sleep and it broke my heart but it would have broken it more to see him suffer.
My love to George and hugs to someone who has to make an important decision.
Mo
catmad - Tue Oct 04, 2005 6:36 am Post subject:
Michelle I'm with Anne and Nemo on this one...18 is a ripe old age already and I don't think it's humane to keep a cat alive with drugs at such an advanced age - it sounds as if his little body is tired and needs to be put to rest now. But oh so tempting to go with the vet's advice when you've had your beloved furry friend around for so long! Just thinking about having to make that decision when the time comes for my two gives me a lump in my throat. Bless little George and your mum.
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Nosey - Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:43 am Post subject:
Poor George......wish there was something i could say but everyone has said it so well. My heart goes out to your mum, she's had him for so long and making that final decision is such a hard one to do. It does sound like the time has come to say goodbye to George.
Nosey
pollaton - Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:
i'm glad that everyone is in agreement with me, sometimes you think you are being heartless, cos surely the 'vet knows best'. i wish i was there to give him one last hug before he goes, but i can't get to see him. i just keep telling mum to give him extra cuddles. pollaton - Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:01 pm Post subject:
i just spoke to my mum to see how the old boy is doing and she said he is sat sleeping on her knee. fairly comfortable, but still not eating.
I know it must be so hard for your mum but 18 is a grand old age and she can rest assured that he reached this age because of her love and care.
