what would you do?

[yorkster]

Sadly enough, I think he is suffering quite a bit.
For awhile he did spend a little time looking out the windows, but can't even do that anymore. Also his IBS is getting worse and his back-end is stiffer than before.

One of the reasons I am asking about this is because my last kitty that died (Kedi in 2002), I kept alive for too long and have always felt so guilty about it. I kept thinking he would get better, but in the end he was so bad.
People come over here and say "that poor cat. You should let him go".

[AmberLee]

{{{Yorkster}}}

I haven't seen you post in ages. It's good to hear from you, but ... for such a sad delemma...

What does your vet say about Guy's prognosis and suffering level? Is there medicine that will reduce his pain? If not, and if the vet holds out no hope, it might be time for him to go ahead to the Rainbow Bridge.

[yorkster]

HI Amberlee!

The last time I spoke to the vet, he felt that there were not any meds that could help with his pain because of the fact that he takes phenobarbitol (spelling?) for his epilepsy. There could be drug interactions with some type of pain killer. At least that's the way I understood it. I plan on calling for another apt. on Monday to ask again about it.

[Grace]

he seems like his back end is painful (walks funny).

Wonder if he has arthritis? If that is the cause of his discomfort, I would think there might be something the Vet could give him for relief - something that wouldn't interact with the Phenobarb.

[yorkster]

you mean like glucosemine?

[Grace]

you mean like glucosemine?

Exactly. Not sure if it is safe for cats though.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is a very difficult question to answer. I've had to only put one of my furkids to sleep before and I wanted to do it before he was too far gone. I always tell people that their furkid will let them know when it's time and I believe this. Hopefully your vet will help you decide what's best for Guy.

If he does have arthitis then maybe you could try giving him some cosequin. I've been giving this to both Sunny and Storm but for their bladder instead of arthritis because it's also supposed to form a protective lining around the bladder to help protect them from UTI's. Storm will be 10 in January and he's still very frisky and active so I know that this will help keep him active too. I order mine online.