How to know when it is time for euthanasia.

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JoUp

JoUp

Member Since 2016
This is so hard to write. My wonderful Rueben has declined severely in health. He has trouble walking in that he is wobbly, has lost a lot of weight, no longer grooms himself, and sometimes howls for no reason that I can understand. He eats well, but he has very loose stools and sometimes doesn't make it to the litter box. He no longer covers his elimination. He often can't jump up on "his" chair, and seems to sleep almost all of the time. Last time at the vet's, the "A1-C" showed a great amount variability, though I give him the same amount and type of food. I worry that he is suffering, but of course he cannot tell me. On the plus side, he's still very affectionate, sleeping near me wherever I am. I dread another trip to the veterinary office, because I think I might be advised to say goodnight to him one last time. How does one decide?
 
I'm going thru all of these things with my Goofus, also wondering if I'm at the point where I'm keeping him alive for him, or for me.....

So hard to know. I guess we'll just have to pray about it....
 
Is his diabetes regulated? Are you home testing? Giving vitamin b12 for the neuropathy and IBS? What were his numbers today?
 
Mogmom and Goofus said:
I'm going thru all of these things with my Goofus, also wondering if I'm at the point where I'm keeping him alive for him, or for me.....

So hard to know. I guess we'll just have to pray about it....
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Yes, prayer is so helpful. It is a very hard question we ask ourselves, about who we are keeping our kitties alive for. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I wish I knew the answer to this big question.
 
JanetNJ said:
Is his diabetes regulated? Are you home testing? Giving vitamin b12 for the neuropathy and IBS? What were his numbers today?
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It was, but has become very irregular now. I don't do home testing. Haven't tried giving him b12. I wonder if it comes in liquid form? I need to check back with the vet, maybe there is more
that can be done for him.
 
JoUp said:
Yes, prayer is so helpful. It is a very hard question we ask ourselves, about who we are keeping our kitties alive for. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I wish I knew the answer to this big question.
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For me as long as the cat is clearly fighting, I'm going to fight with him. Cats are good at just dealing with stuff as it comes. But... When the spark is gone and they give me a clear sign, then I know.
 
JoUp said:
It was, but has become very irregular now. I don't do home testing. Haven't tried giving him b12. I wonder if it comes in liquid form? I need to check back with the vet, maybe there is more
that can be done for him.
Click to expand...
Ok then my suggestions of you are willing to give it the old college try...
1. Go on amazon and order zobaline... Just crush it and add it to food.
2. Go to Walmart and get a relion confirm meter, test strips, and 28 gauge lancets. Also pick up cosmetic rounds and neosporin.


When you get those bg numbers down and start b12 therapy it will take weeks to months to reverse the neuropathy, but it is possible.

Testing at home isn't difficult unless your cat is semi feral.

We can help with dosing and setting up a spreadsheet.
 
I'm sorry you may be facing this decision. To say it's heartbreaking doesn't even come close to explaining how we are feeling when it gets to that time. I've gone through it many times and each time it is equally hard. I think we all have our own way of knowing when they are ready since we know our cats better than anyone else.
 
JoUp said:
This is so hard to write. My wonderful Rueben has declined severely in health. He has trouble walking in that he is wobbly, has lost a lot of weight, no longer grooms himself, and sometimes howls for no reason that I can understand. He eats well, but he has very loose stools and sometimes doesn't make it to the litter box. He no longer covers his elimination. He often can't jump up on "his" chair, and seems to sleep almost all of the time. Last time at the vet's, the "A1-C" showed a great amount variability, though I give him the same amount and type of food. I worry that he is suffering, but of course he cannot tell me. On the plus side, he's still very affectionate, sleeping near me wherever I am. I dread another trip to the veterinary office, because I think I might be advised to say goodnight to him one last time. How does one decide?
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Not sure how old Rueben is, but this sounds a lot like Jones before he was DX with all his issues. I gave him 3 months as a promise to my DS. If there was no improvement with doing all that the vet said, then we would have to make a decision. It took about 6 weeks to see a turn around.

I am not sure if this is your situation or if you have done a few rounds and think maybe it is time.

Your heart will tell you what is right and he will let you know.

Huge hug and wishes for the insight you need.:bighug:
 
Along with home testing and b12 (both very important), have the vet test for hyperthyroid (T4, and if that is inconclusive, T3). Some of the signs you are seeing are also signs of thyroid problems - these are workable.
 
If his diabetes is not regulated, that can cause lots of symptoms. I highly recommend home testing. That is the only way to know if a dose is needed.

Leo used to have bad neuropathy before diabetes regulation. He could hardly walk. We got him regulated, and it took time, but his back legs recovered to almost 100%.
 
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