I think my kitty is dying

18 years is a good long life. I'm sure you gave her a happy one.

Having been through 3 cats who lived long long lives, I can share with you that she'll probably have a few more ups and downs. I don't mean like she'll be her old self, but will perk up a bit, drink some water, maybe eat.

Just being nearby is a comfort to her.

I'm sorry it's come to this time. It's never easy.

oh...you might want to put a board at an incline up against the litter box, in case she has problems getting into it.

A little ramp.

Yes - good idea - she seems to be peeing right outside it as she is having difficulty to get into it.

Last night I just had her on my lap, petting her. She used to be such a loud purrer that you just had to put your hand on her and you could hear her in the next room. Last night I couldn't hear her even on my lap. I did feel a very slight vibration so I assumed she was purring.

Sorry to hear this....be thinking of you both. It's hard.

What kind of drainage is it? Clear, green, yellow? What about from her nose? Any drainage there? It could be conjunctivitis. It is treatable. If she has drainage from her nose also, it could be an upper respiratory infection. If a cat does not eat or drink water for two days their kidneys will start to shut down. Is she urinating at all? You might want to put a touch of karo syrup with some water in a syringe and get it into her if you can. 18 years is a good long life for a cat and I am sure she has had a great life with you. No matter what happens, I wish you the best.

Re the pee outside of it, yeah, that's what Lulu did. As soon as we put the ramp up, she climbed right it.

On the purring...yeah...I've found toward the end their purr gets really loud.
If I've ascertained they aren't in any pain, I think maybe they're like high or something...you know, euphoric. I think this is part of the dying process, IMO.

Just from her eyes - it seems she may be going blind - kind of a black stuff.

I'm sorry, Linkat.

I have never encountered black stuff drainage linkat so I wouldn't have any idea what that might be. Has she taken any liquid in yet? Right now, that is the most important thing you can do for her.....try to keep her hydrated and comfortable. I am so sorry.

Re the eye drainage.
You made me think about when Jezzer died.

She had been getting smaller and smaller, no interest in eating, just sleeping alot.
I would watch her sometimes to see if she was still breathing.

On a Sunday afternoon, she looked like she was dozing, her eyes half open. I put my hand on her head, and she didn't move. She had some gunk in the corner of her eye, and I moved my thumb down and wiped it away, gently of course.
Looking back, she must have been more asleep than awake, because moving my thumb across her face made her start, like I woke her up. Just a tiny head movement. However, (and I felt bad about this for awhile, until I realized it was inevitable) that little startle started a heart attack.
I watched her breathe really shallow, and her pupils dialated. I felt horrible, thinking I'd done something to her.
I got my husband and told him she was dying. We were both afraid of her, well, not dying...being in pain....So we were going to drive her a couple of blocks down to the vet to put her asleep.

We barely got down the block when she died in his arms. If she was going to die anywhere, that was the perfect place, as she was his baby girl.

I am so sorry chai2. I have a passion for cats. I always have. I remember my first one when I was a kid. A beautiful black and white angora named Puff. It's so hard when they die but I think you are right about her dying in his arms...probably exactly where she wanted to be. It brings back memories for me when I lost my favorite cat. Bittersweet.

Not sure - I am at work - hubby is at home and said he would try to give her some.

That is what I am concerned whether she is in any pain or not. She will meow really loud once in a while so I'm worried about that - one reason we wanted to bring her to the vet. If she is comfortable then she can just rest out her time with us.

I am sorry to hear this news Link.

Keep the dear thing comfortable and in good company. Hopefully she understands that she isn't alone and still is loved very much.

I'm really sorry to hear about thi, Linkat. I just gave mine a little extra attention - just in case.

Thanks all. I just got off the phone with my husband. He said she really isn't moving much at all. We have kept her in the soft sided pet carrier with the fluffy bedding underneath to keep her comfty. She hasn't moved out, but is breathing.

He called the vet and they will see her end of day today. Not sure what her fellow kitty will do without her. He has been with her since I acquired him.

You have my sympathy and best wishes! May her journey have peace and the least suffering possible. For many of us, our dear pets are like family to us - only less vocal (most of the time).

You might be surprised as to how the kitty may rally. I had my 2 cats (Bonkers and Meshuganeh ...Sugar for short) for 19 yrs and 17.5 yrs. They both passed on within 2 months of one another.

With one of my elderly cats, I pushed IV fluids into her as her kidneys were failing. She seemed at peace with no suffering until the last week. When I saw her basically giving up and not drinking or eating at all, I asked the Vet to put her down as it was more human for her. This is all very indivdual to the condition of the cat's illness and age.

I'm so sorry to read about this.

That's kind of how I feel. I don't want to see her suffer. She doesn't appear to be in pain, but when she wails out, I'm not sure if it is because she is in pain or wants a bit of attention.

My little girl is most affected. I had to lie in bed with her last night as she was crying. This morning before going to school she goes to the kitty gives her a gentle pat and kiss and says she loves her.

My older daughter is also sad, but is the type not to say anything or show it as much. When ready and after pondering things, she will talk with me. But is not in her nature vocal or up front about it.