Sunset…. Not a Knitting Post

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This is not meant to be a sad post. 
I just want to know, honestly, how other pet lovers, fur baby moms and such handle this situation.

Rozzy is having accidents.  Lots of them. 
She is 17 and  a half.  She has arthritis and we are giving her a strong pain killer.  She doesn't cry anymore on the this treatment, but she's having accidents.

I am not happy with cat urine. 
All of our floors are wood, so she's not ruining carpeting etc
but it bothers me.

She is otherwise just an old sweet girl who purrs at us all day.

I don't think I can end her life now, because it would feel like I was killing her…
but this incontinence  thing is very disturbing to me. 

Fireman has taken to carrying her to her litter box several times a day.  Sometimes she complies, sometimes she is just confused. 

Oh she's confused quite a bit. 

Could you?
For incontinence?  

Comments

Kim in Oregon said…
Oh poor Rozzy.

When was her last vet check up?

Kidney disease/failure is, I believe, fairly common in older kitties. When we had three ladies over the age of 16, they all received sub-cutaneous fluids to help the kidneys function. It worked wonders, and was not difficult to do at home after a bit.

It is so, so hard when our lovies age. Hugs to you.
12:03 PM
Wanderingcatstudio said…
Poor Rozzy, poor you.

I've been through this. With two cats with diabetes - when their blood sugar is off, accidents happen - so you may want to get it checked. And like Kim says, kidney disease is another possibility.

But you said she's confused, so another thing to consider is dementia - yes kitties can get dementia. Our dearly departed Mopar had it a lot of the time the poor old man was confused. Just like humans with dementia, he would get worse in the evenings (sun downing) and just stare off into a corner. And he just didn't remember to use the box.

Dave and I wrestled with euthanasia, but it eventually got to the point where Mopar just wasn't really there any more. He'd still purr like crazy, but he had trouble walking (and squatting in the box), and you could tell he just didn't know where he was most of the time. It still broke our hearts to do it, but we had to let him go - not because of the mess, but because he just didn't have quality of life.

And eventually, cat pee will eat through the finish on your wood floors... ask me how I know...

If you want more details, feel free to email me wanderingcatstudio@hotmail.com
1:14 PM
KSD said…
That's such a hard call. I have absolutely no words of wisdom or advice, just lots of positive, hopeful thoughts for you.
3:09 PM
Anonymous said…
What a hard decision to have to make.

I have no advice, I only hope that the right answer will come to you and that you will be at peace with whatever you decide.

Hugs to you my friend and also to Rozzy! She sounds like a sweet, old girl.
3:56 PM
Celia said…
I'm so sorry you are going through this. *Big Hugs!*
5:43 PM
SissySees said…
Mugsy slept on piddle pads, then finally, wore puppy diapers at the end.

Licks and love from the furgirls.
7:01 PM
Araignee said…
I spent the last year of Dear Old Doggies life living in a house covered wall to wall with pee pee pads. I couldn't bring myself to "kill" her either just for the convenience of having a pee free house. It's funny that now the new pup is expected to only go on the pee pee pads. I've gotten too lazy to want to worry about taking a dog out.
My vet told me that you will know when it is time to let them go. If you have to ask-it's not time.
7:17 PM
Mrs. Micawber said…
Both of our cats had kidney failure at the end of their lives ... they seemed to get so bad, so quickly, that we felt we had no choice but to put them down. I still dream about them and miss them. :(

Kim's comment is very interesting - I didn't know such things were available.

Good luck to you and Rozzy.
8:02 PM
Lilea said…
I know that cats and dogs can be very different, but for what it's worth, my friend's old dog was having accidents in her dog bed every night and nap. My friend got a medication from the vet for the incontinence and no more accidents! Hoping all the best for you and your kitty.
8:41 PM
Marguerite said…
Lilea is probably talking about spayed female incontinance where the dog leaks when they're sleeping. My Sunny has that and takes estrogen. Works like magic. Doesn't help old animals who pee in the house when they're awake though.
10:26 PM
Annie Cholewa said…
These decisions are among the hardest we'll make. I always feel that with an old diabetic dog with dementia we once acted too soon, but prior to that we had left things too late with a little dog who died in my arms and suffered when he shouldn't have done. We can only do what we hope is right and in your heart I'm sure you'll know what that is. Thinking of you x
4:57 AM
Linda said…
yes....
Our Taffy was 23...very frail...peeing everytime she walked along...
So...yes...we took her to the vet...she smiled at us...we cried...she was much happier...I am sure!
Thanks for all your lovely comments, Kathy...
Enjoy your week...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
1:51 PM
Coralee said…
This decision is never, ever easy regardless of the circumstance. I agree with Araignee, you won't have to ask, you'll know. When we decided two years ago, both my husband and I felt it almost at the same moment. It hurt, still hurts but our Parker knew we loved him both here and beyond, as we held him in our arms those final moments. He trusted us to do what was best for him. Hugs & prayers to all at your house.
10:51 PM
Karen said…
This is what happened with Charlie when he was in the last stages of liver failure. I got more litter boxes so there was always one near by. Sometimes he still didn't make it - I would help him get to the box when I could. Then one night he was crying and crying and we knew it was time. I honestly think they let you know when they are ready to go. It's still just as hard to say good-bye though.
12:14 PM
elns said…
Kathy, I send you and all my best and support. I don't know anything about this situation to comment. I'm glad to read what others have to say and learn something.
12:55 PM
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