Community Chat

[Silver Lining]

I want to do the best thing for my dear girl, Sugar. I adopted her from a shelter where I've done some volunteering. The intake papers said she was six, but ages are sometimes misrepresented by people surrendering a pet. She was probably older than six at that time. She's at least fourteen now. She had been spayed and declawed at a young age and was probably a housecat of the previous owner(s) and definitely for 7-8 years with me. Sugar has had only very minor health issues in all this time, but she has been struggling for the last year. The three vets that have examined/treated her and all tests have found nothing wrong. She has normal thyroid function, no discernible growths, tumors, kidney, liver, or other organ failure.

We spent a long time with the vet last week for tests and discussing next steps. She was always a small cat, but is down to five and a half pounds now. My vets have many years of experience and the new partner recently completed vet school and an internship, so Sugar has had the benefit of their years of practice and the most recent technology. We talked again on Thursday and they said they will support me in whatever decision I make. She now has an eye infection for which she is being treated. She's having some difficulty eating and is obviously failing. It is possible but I do not want to prolong her life with tubes and other invasive steps when there is no quality of life and no hope for recovery. My prayer is that she pass away at home with no fear or pain. She seems determined to use up what is remaining of her nine lives, but she appers to be somewhat uncomfortable. I don't want her to suffer, but I do not want to take her to her death. Your thoughts would be most appreciated.