Hello, I have a beautiful 14 year old British short-haired colourpoint, he's my babe his name is Max (he was mad when he was a kitten!) I absolutely love the bones of him but several months ago hubby called me in the kitchen as Max had vomited and kind of collapsed over it, then the problems began-he just kept walking in circles all the time - he's been backwards and forwards to the vets so many times now we are on 1st name terms - vet says neurological problem without scan can't give 100% diagnoses but poss stroke.. anyhow the vet says if we can control the problem then not to give up on him-he is on steroids which are little wonder tablets (prednisolone) he stared on 1 a day now on 2-we went away at easter so I took him for an injection instead so the in laws wouldn't have to battle tablets down him that 1st one didn't last 2 weeks (vet told me should last about 3-4) - just been away again and injection didn't last the week - I came back to a very poorly cat again took several days to recover and if I am late giving him his tablets he goes all queer again like tonight - he has changed personality completely and walks with his head down and won't sit with us like he used to- he almost goes into a coma when the tablets don't seem to be working - I love him so much but do not want him to suffer, up to 2 weeks ago the vet was quite pleased with him, but he's not my Max at all. Anyone got similar problems with their cat? I know he's in no pain but I think he is very unhappy.
From Max's mum

I'm sorry dear. But your cat Max is getting old. It happens. You should expect the worst I'm afraid... If him being in pain gives you pain you should consider putting him to rest. I'm sorry.

Yes I know you are right, I think I just needed to share this with a kindred spirit, I think I will speak to my vet again and make a descion, I am clutching at straws really... thanks for your kind words

Your very welcome and good luck. God bless.

Is there another vet you could go to for a second opinion? They may not have any other advice, or they may have new treatment options.

I'd hate for you to lose your furbaby if there's some way to help him.

To be honest the vet I go to is very good I have changed vets recently - the other one would have euthanasia d him before now as he was so bad - I have come home this evening and he is is a little brighter - last night I was late home and late with his tablet he was terrible didn't know where he was!- I think I've got to up his tablet to 3 a day but I know that 's not a good sign to have to increase it-thanks for caring to reply - I'll keep you posted...

It sounds like neurological issues all right...

Is all is other motor functions working OK? Does he eat? Drink? Sleep?

Prednisone is very tough on the kidneys.. I'd hate to see an animal on it for a long period...

If medications can't control it, then probably the humane thing to do is to put him to sleep. Its hard, but you'll feel better he's not suffering anymore...

Good luck :(

Hello,
Thanks for your interest, Max has been on 'P'for a few weeks now - the vet say's that cat's tolerate steroids better than dog's or even humans, I am coming to the stage where I think that it may not be good for him much longer, I have had to increase his dose to three a day which I know isn't good for him so my husband and I are discussing atm what to do - he has been eating although that is slowing down gradually and he does sleep OK, but I think he acts giddy and has to really concentrate on jumping up on a chair or jumping down and he stands for ages constantly with his head down wondering what to do next, I know really what the answer is but I just look for a glimmer of hope...

Also he is not incontinent, but whether he drinks or not I never seem to see him, we do have a bird bath outside and both my cats tend to use that in the summer even though I always provide water for them...

Hi, Ryan I am very sorry for your situation with your beloved pet. Bottom line is, no one knows Max as well as you do. I have seen plenty of similar circumstances in my job, and have had to deal with that choice myself. To say the least, it is a very difficult thing to have to think through. But try to keep in mind, that sometimes the largest act of love that you can give these wonderful creatures that God has so confidentially placed in our hands is to let them go. Remember the bottom line? YOU KNOW YOUR CAT. Completely your decision. It sounds that you have gone the extra mile and Max has had a wonderful 14 years, no doubt you love him very much. I wish you, your hubby and Max the best of luck. God Bless You

OK, I haven't seen any diagnosis here but everyone's ready to put this cat to sleep without even knowing for sure what's wrong?

First, steroids are not the greatest stuff. I've seen too many cats become diabetic over one shot. (That's much more of a concern with cats than humans. Couldn't tell you about dogs.) Sometimes you got to do what you got to do, but they should be last resort. And increasing them I think is just a really bad idea - but don't just stop them suddenly. You'd want to wean back (or off).

Whether you think this vet is great or not, it's still a good idea to go get a second opinion, perhaps from a neurological specialist. Is there a reason you're not doing the scan?

One big question that I haven't seen any answer to is whether he's in any pain or miserable, or whether he's just acting goofy. Cats will hide pain, but that also doesn't automatically mean he's in pain and we just don't know it. Is there something in his behavior telling you that he's unhappy and having a bad quality of life? Keep in mind that cats don't care about certain things that humans do, and we tend to place our own perceptions of quality of life into our cats.

What we can also do is make some assumptions that if a certain thing causes pain to us, then it causes pain to a cat. (i.e. having teeth pulled - we're assuming this would be painful to the cat, right? It's logical) So the scan might tell you what happened or what's going on, so that even if you can't "treat" it, you maybe have a better idea of whether there's a reason to believe the cat is not having good quality of life.

And this is also assuming he's had all the basic blood work and such already done to rule out other issues?

Hi there , thanks for replying - unfortunately early hours of 25/06 I had an emergency call out at the vets as Max took a turn for the worst - I took him over to see the vet and made the hardest decision I've ever made and had him put to sleep, this was approx 2.30am 25/06 and at 5.30 am the same morning my husband got up and buried him, needless to say we are both heartbroken RIP Max I miss you my gorgeous boy xxxxx

It's always hard to lose a pet. They're as much a part of your family and heart as a child.

Cry. Mourn. Eventually, you'll be able to smile at the memories made in those 14 years.

Oh I'm so sorry! It really is the hardest decision you have to make. I've been on several "cat groups" and have had to watch people go through this over and over. It's sad.

Do what you need to do and don't be afraid to feel what you feel. I hope that you've got some good support from people who understand what he meant to you. Sounds like hubby is right there with you - that's good.

I can't help you hurt less, but I do wish you peace and strength in dealing with this difficult time.

So sorry, and I agree gorgous boy. Having had dealth with this myself, I know it is a very tough decision, but in all honesty a choice that is sometimes far better than the alternative. Max is peaceful now knowing that your love for him was greater than your need for him. Very unselfish, so cry, mourn and scream if you must but don't second guess yourself, ever.

Thanks for all your replies, I miss Max terribly and I have often thought that maybe I made a mistake, he definitely wasn't happy though, I am sure of that, it's very lonely here without him - I have this other little female 'mog' had her for a very long time, but we are not very attached as I never see her - I've never known her age but I think she is a couple of yrs older than Max (16)i feed her well and take her to the vets when nec. But I get nothing from her if you know what I mean, in fact I call her the lodger, because she is really, she's a gentle soul and will always have a home with me but she's never been my cat, just grateful for food and a warm place to stay when she's cold.So I haven't anything to come home to anymore, I think I will get another cat eventually, the house doesn't feel right without one as Max was so 'in your face'i'll keep you all posted... thanks anyhow.

Don't start questioning yourself. It's very common in these circumstances to start asking if you made a mistake. It's just a reaction of the grieving process. You may feel some guilt or some anger. That's all normal. But it's not really a good idea to start questioning yourself.

If you need some help, you might want to try here: Pet Loss Grief Support, The Rainbow Bridge Poem, Monday Candle Ceremony,

I hope some day you can get another cat, but don't rush yourself. Some day you'll run across some stray somewhere and just decide you want it, and then it's time. It took me over two years the last time I lost one and that was pretty long for me. But that was a really rough one.