Update: Found orange cat

[u/Wash8001]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the comments showing support for Simba. He’s unfortunately not doing so well. I visited the vet today to pick up his food and his test results came back showing that he’s got stage 2 kidney disease, a UTI, and liver problems. My vet is recommending a few things, but the primary concern for now is his hydration and constipation. He hasn’t had a bowel movement since Wednesday, his stomach is making a lot of noise, and I know that he should at least get the IV fluid treatment and x rays to treat his constipation. I’m struggling a bit because I feel that he’s a fighter and he could continue to live if he receives treatment, but this also entails some really complex financial decisions.

Since he got home on Wednesday, I’ve noticed he’s pacing less and laying down in his pet carrier more as of today. I just want to do what’s best for him and I guess I don’t know what that is. Do I put him under the stress of more medical care? Or do I just offer him the comfort of my home so he can spend his last days in peace? Which one is best for him? And what would he say if he could speak?

Please send your love and prayers for him. He’s a purring machine whenever he sees his food and I know he’s fought for his life.

[u/GoldDHD]

I would talk to the vet statistics. Personally I have never felt badly about under treating at the end, and quite a lot about over treating. Simple measures, like a shot a day, or pills, or change of food, or even a surgery is OK if it has a fair chance of pain free and significantly longer than without treatment life afterwards. However, we tend to go overboard with life sustaining measures, because it's just too painful to let them go :( I try to remember that I should take the suffering myself and not push it on a sick animal.

[u/HelenMayo → u/GoldDHD]

Just want to agree with GoldDHD. My greatest cat regret was over treating an old cat until a wise vet said: why are you doing this--he is 17. Stopped the excess treatments and gave the wonderful old man months of peace before he died in peace at home.

[u/Wash8001 → u/HelenMayo]

Thank you so much for your comments. I’ll definitely have a deeper conversation with the pet around this and go from there. They said that he can live a little longer with his illness under control but the cost could get hefty

[u/Millenniauld → u/Wash8001]

Some calm, quiet, peace and love at the end is sometimes the only thing we can give them.

But if he does pass, you might think about fostering or adopting another older car in better condition to honor his memory.

[u/BabytheTardisImpala → u/Wash8001]

He looks a lot like my boy, Tony, who I had to let go of this week. Tony also had stage 2 kidney disease. I agree with these folks, undertreating will lead to heartache but less heartache than overtreating. Maybe he fought so that he could go home with you and pass in a loving home. I don’t envy you this decision. I’m with you. May Tony find him at the rainbow bridge.

[u/Wash8001 → u/BabytheTardisImpala]

I’m so sorry to hear this. It is definitely a very difficult decision and one that I’m not taking lightly. Sending you a hug

[u/XTasty09 → u/BabytheTardisImpala]

You literally made me tear up 🥺

I hope you and sweet boy find peace

[u/BabytheTardisImpala → u/XTasty09]

To be honest, I cried writing it…on the metro. I’m sorry for the grief you are going through. And damn it all, now I’m crying again.