Update on Gus

GeorgiaXplant said:
Hard question, Deb. Are you keeping him alive because you need him or because you don't believe he's "sick enough" or in pain? Cat's are stoics, and I've said before that they are. The one single thing you mentioned was that he cries when he tries to drink. When the pain gets bad enough that a cat actually indicates pain, it's time to let him go. If he were a 5-year-old cat, I'd advise a visit to the vet. He's not. He's and old, old kitty that's suffering. Please love him enough to euthanize him.
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debodun said:
The latter.
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Have you sought the opinion of a vet since he's started crying out? That's the person to answer GeorgiaXplant's question.

You should by all means not trust your 'heart' alone on this. Emotions blind us, and to let an animal suffer close to the natural end of its life with no hope of recovery isn't a kindness to it. If you cannot bring yourself to euthanize Gus, at least take him to the vet and get the strongest feline painkillers available. Your roller coaster is emotional; his is severe physical pain.

So sorry you both are going through this.
 

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Deb, at the risk of really ticking you off...he is NOT having good days; he's just not "complaining" on the days you think are "good" because cats don't complain. Your first serious hint that he's sick should have been when he started crying when trying to drink his water. Please have mercy on him. Please.
 
Deb, please listen to Annie, Georgia, Radish and moi on this...we've been there with our animals. Surely you don't want to feel guilty for not doing what you could to relieve his pain and suffering, now do you?
 
Deb. I'm going to be honest. You are lovingly providing everything outside of medical intervention to keep Gus comfortable, but his pictures look like a starved rescue animal in need of a good home. His body fat is low because he's emaciated which is most likely due to his pain. Usually food intake decreases before decreased fluids and he's in pain now even with fluids.

Again, if you can't bring yourself to euthanize him, get him to the vet asap for the strongest painkillers available.
 
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Deb, you never responded to my questions in my above post:

SeaBreeze said:
t sounds to me like he's in pain and suffering. When was the last time you took him in to see the doctor? Is he getting medication to relieve any pain he may be having, and what special foods are you giving him to make him more comfortable? Is he still isolated in your house, or are you letting him stay near your for affection and security?
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I still say that he needs to be seen by a doctor now, it's cruel to let him suffer with no treatment for his pain. If you go to the vet with him now, and the doctor decides he needs medical treatment, then you should follow his advice. If the doctor recommends humane euthanasia in his office, then that would be the kindest thing you can do for Gus.

If you care at all about the cat, please help him or let the doctor put him down....anything in between is just abusive.

The final decision is of course up to you, and it will be guided by your heart, hopefully you'll do the right thing. If you're still petting or touching him at all, please give him a hug and kiss for me.
 
debodun said:
I just went down and took 2 photos of Gus laying right on the radiator. He doesn't even want to be on the pillow or fleece.

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Poor thing, desperate for warmth and is on a hard surface like that. Have you held him against your chest and stomach to share some of your body heat with him? It looks to me like his back is arched, a cat would normally have his stomach make contact with the surface they were lying on. Seems he's having pain in his stomach/intestines/organs.

I don't know Deb, if that was my cat, it would break my heart and I would do anything and everything to help and comfort him. I hope you do the right thing for Gus and bring him some relief as soon as possible, you can start at home.
 
Pray you get him to the vet for pain relief as soon as the doors open tomorrow if there's no emergency clinic open today.

Gotta unsubscribe now. The thought of his pain is too distressing to keep getting thread notifications. Again, so sorry you both are going through this.
 
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debodun said:
He drinks quite a lot and I can tell from how the litter box looks that it is going through, although the last few days he hasn't been eating very much.
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Deb, lost a cat to just what you are describing. I was out of town for work, got back to the office (she was an office cat), lifted her up and was shocked - she was light as a feather. Its time to go to the vet and its time for your kitty to go home to "The Rainbow Bridge" on the other side. Please do the best thing.
 
A lot of guilt tripping going on here, IMO. However, she did put the problem out there to be judged. Deb seems to be a good person, she and Gus shared love for 19 years. I have had cats this age, have very dramatic stories of their demise. Deb will do as she will and I, for one, support her decisions.
 
It is just I feel if I had Gus euthanized, I may be cheating him out of any good days he may have left.
I was talking about Gus to a few ladies before church today and one said she knew a woman that had a cat 23 years old!
I only had one other cat that made it to 19, a few made it to 18 and most I've had live to between 12 and 15. One exception was on that was 2, but he was hit by a car, so did not have a natural end.
 
One thing to remember, and this is certainly Not a put-down of Gus, and that is:
Gus Is A Cat.

It is arrogance, perhaps that is the wrong word, it feels wrong, to ascribe human emotions to a cat. Not only is that Not an insult, it is probably a compliment. Deb, you are not cheating him out of good days. Nor is he wishing to be euthanized. That's all nonsense talk. He's a Cat, and accepts what is, accepts his current situation and deals the best he can, meaning he makes himself as comfortable as he can.

Just a guess, but maybe you are hoping you won't have to intervene, that he might pass on his own. Looking at his picture, I just see an old cat who can't groom very well anymore.
 
Pepper said:
A lot of guilt tripping going on here, IMO. However, she did put the problem out there to be judged. Deb seems to be a good person, she and Gus shared love for 19 years. I have had cats this age, have very dramatic stories of their demise. Deb will do as she will and I, for one, support her decisions.
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Call it guilt tripping if you like, but many of the replies are just out of concern for the cat. Last mention of a visit to the vet was in May, and Deb has not said otherwise. In August she said he was crouching by his water bowl and not drinking or crying while drinking. Now it's already November and there's no mention of treatment or medication for this cat.

IMO, if it takes a little guilt to push Deb into action to relieve Gus of his misery through drugs or euthanasia, then that's great. If Gus could know, he'd be thankful too.

Deb will do as she will, that's her right. I will support her decision if it's medical treatment or euthanasia, but in no way, in good conscience, will I support anyone who allows an animal to suffer until death with no intervention. That's my opinion and feelings on the matter, it's very frustrating to hear of an animal suffering for months with no action taken on their behalf. A lot of us here, including myself are animal lovers and we truly care.
debodun said:
It is just I feel if I had Gus euthanized, I may be cheating him out of any good days he may have left.
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You don't have to euthanize Deb, but at least get him to the doctor for some medications that will help him through the daily pain.
 
debodun said:
I went through this with Gus's twin brother, Adam 3 years ago. When I took him to the vet to ask whether he should be euthanized, she said "I can't tell you that. You're the one who has to decide."
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The Vet doesn't want to be blamed if you regret it later. Anger is an easier emotion to deal with than grief.
 


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