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| Molly stares for long periods of time... |
Our Molly (22 years old) is starting her decline these last 2 weeks. Up until just recently she was doing fine. She has been sleeping a lot, but has kept a good appetite and always used her litter box without fail... still purrs when you pet her, and although she has been losing weight, we didn't find this unusual for her age.
But now she has pretty much stopped eating... not completely... she will eat a little on occasion, but in general doesn't seem interested in food. She stares into space for long periods... and sometimes stops when she walking somewhere and just stands there... like she forgot where she was going. Yesterday I found her sleeping in her litter box? She'd never done that before. So I picked her up and put her on her blanket on the sofa.
And last night we decided to put her in the upstairs bathroom (we call it 'the convalescent room' because we only use it now when one of the cats needs to be contained). This way she could have her bed, food, water, and litter box all close at hand during the night.
She did fine. It was obvious that she had eaten her food and used her litter box during the night... and was glad to see me when I took her down this morning to be with the other cats.
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| row of cats on bed... Molly on far right |
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| Molly is again the one on the far right - cuddled up with Thibs who left us at 19 + a few years ago |
I don't think she is in any condition to be anesthetized and running blood and urine tests at her age seems like unnecessary torture. So... we are playing it 'day by day'. Right now she is sleeping comfortably on our bed. We could bring her to the Vet and see if there's anything they could give her to make these days more comfortable (a tranquilizer/pain meds?). But even stressing her to take her might push her over the edge...
So this is where we are this week... waiting and watching.
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| Molly sleeping with Tux |
Neither Chumley nor Annie lived to be elderly cats, so I haven't any experience with this, other than I know cats (and other animals) will hide their pain instinctively and that by the time we humans know they ARE in pain, it's far advanced. That's NOT to say she is, just that not seeming to be in pain doesn't mean much. My wish for her is a peaceful passing in her sleep, when she's ready to go. I knew when I had to let Annie go--actually I knew a few days before my heart and head could get in tune with each other. All you can do is your best--which you are--and love her until the end--which you do. Purrs and peace from Nicki and Derry.
ReplyDeleteThere is a place reserved for you in cat heaven, I am sure of that.
ReplyDeleteAt her age, I think you are doing just the right thing. I smiled at her stopping as if she forgot where she was going, and falling asleep in her litter box. She's got the cat version of senile dementia, I suspect. Just love her, she will be going over the Rainbow Bridge any day now. Sending you lots of love and hugs, Rian. :-)
ReplyDeleteWatch and wait is all you can do, and the best for Mollie. Cats do "hide their pain," or perhaps they compartmentalize it. I picked up one cat by the doormat he lay on and took him to the vet with his throat in a pile on the mat, thanks to a dog attack. He made no sound when I moved him. He lived to a fine old age, but gave those Airedales wide berth. Another cat had his let shattered; got himself in the cat door, down the basement and hid behind my sewing machine for at least a couple of days before I found him. He made no sound when I slid him onto a blanket and took him to my same vet, who pinned his leg back together. He walked like peg leg Pete the rest of his many days.
ReplyDeleteWatch and wait, and fond thoughts from me and all my cats, past and present.
Oh, she is precious, Rian. I know how hard this is. I think all you can do is keep her comfortable and well hydrated, I would add water to her food and because they get cold easier at this age I would add a heat pad to where she sleeps most of the time. Just enjoy her every day. I'm so happy at this stage that she has other cats to cuddle up with. They really need that.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry Rian, you're in such a hard place. I too hope Molly goes easy into the good night. I expect she'll let you know for certain when she is ready.
ReplyDelete(((Hugs)))
Kim, Olga, DJan, Joanne, Deb, and Eileen: So far Molly is holding her own. She doesn't eat much during the day (sleeps mostly), but during the night when she's confined upstairs with her food (which I do mix with water and make soupy), water, and litter box - she apparently eats, drinks, and uses her box - as all the food is gone in the am and it is apparent that she used the litter box. But I am going to call the Vet this afternoon and tell them the situation... just to see what they may have to say on the subject.
ReplyDeleteRian so sorry for Molly I know just what you are going through. my Betty is doing the same thing, she sleeps in the bathroom sink and gets down to eat if I drop the kibble into the bowl and she hears the sound, she doesn't drink water and I have to carry it up to her to drink. She does use the kitty litter. I give her the wet food every other day and she only eats a little of it. I let her out last week in the morning and she went pee in the bark and sat and enjoyed the sun, then this past week I let her out and she ran into the woods and didn't come back but the next morning I saw her in the yard and she just sat there so now I cant let her out any more for fear she'll go into the woods and not know. When I did bring her in from out of doors she ran immediately to the sink in the bathroom and that was it. She does purr if we pet her but I fear she is suffering and she has a distant stare and doesn't do anything but sleep. I think in these cases the cats have had a small stroke in their brain which affects their demeanor and cognitive ability. I can't afford to pay my own medical bills so I can't afford to spend a ton of money on tests for my cat who is on her last legs.
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