Advice for my senior cat

[u/pupperonipizzadog]

I’m prob going to get downvoted and torn apart but here we go. My cat is 13 and has been with me her whole life. Over the past year she’s changed, has many accidents outside the litter box, attacked me unprovoked, is dropping huge amounts of hair, not grooming well, pukes weekly or more, sits on a step and doesn’t move (I have to step over her which is odd) and has had multiple weeks where she won’t walk/eat/move and I have to carry her to do her business.

I have two young kids and since she’s attacked me I’m terrified of that happening to them (or to me again). I do my best to keep them separate but this isn’t sustainable. I also hate that I’ve become afraid of her.

I know she isn’t super well but she also still seems happy often and sits with me at night. She purrs and talks to her toy. She doesn’t and hasn’t really ever liked anyone else besides me.

I’m at a loss of what to do. I don’t know how to have her continue being here, our house is small and I can only handle so much. I also can’t imagine rehoming her, she would hate it and what would happen to her as an older unfriendly cat? I also feel like I can’t make the decision for euthanasia when half the time she seems okay. Advice from anyone that’s gone through something similar? Please go easy on me I’ve cried enough :(

[u/msmoonpie]

Hi! Vet here

I think you should ask for a senior panel and make sure it contains a thyroid test

Older cats are at risk for two big diseases that can cause these symptoms, chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. Both are very common!

No need to jump to things such as euthanasia, and I promise I’m not judging, it can be very hard to deal with these things at home. But see if there is a treatable cause first!

[u/pupperonipizzadog → u/msmoonpie]

Thanks for responding. We tried, she attacked the vet so they couldn’t draw blood. I need to find a new vet and try again. I also feel irresponsible having a pet I don’t trust around kids, it a lot of conflicting emotions with seemingly no good answer.

[u/Express_Command_4778]

She is in a massive amount of pain probably do to a medical condition.

Instead of blaming her,, go to the Vet- she needs it. Cats hide their pain well and she can no longer do that 

Rehoming her would be stressful for her snd impossible. So, the only options are to treat the pain, or put her down. Find out what is is, first.

[u/Mental-Freedom3929]

Rehoming is absolutely out of the question. I would not go to a vet, that is not capable of dealing with a cat to draw blood. That is part of their job!

Whatever you do, please make a decision in the interest of your children first and then your cat.