What would you do if this was your cat?

He's not mine, and no one can speak for you, but I think I'd let him go gently with max painkillers, at home, where you can cuddle him.

Oh am so sorry you have this decision to make. We have had cats and dogs and it never gets easier. If your cat is pain palliative care will help with this, but at some point you will have to brace yourselves to face the prospect of euthanising your pet. Is it better to do this later rather than sooner??
I cannot say and obviously is your call.
😢💐

I’m so sorry you are facing this dreadful decision LLFL you’ve often written and posted pictures of your beloved Milo here. However, I don’t agree with your OH saying to just let him slip away - as you say he could be in pain and animals are designed to conceal pain - a sign of weakness to a predator. It could take days without any intervention.
He deserves a worthy and dignified end, held in your arms, one last time - the type of end we all pray for ourselves and our loved ones.
Personally, I’d phone the practice and change the appointment, but for a different outcome.

A day too soon, is better than an hour too late. 💔

This is a terrible dilemma but I would tend to agree with your OH especially if the vet can prescribe pain killers. I have been in this situation a couple of times and each time made a different decision. He probably would prefer not to be on the vet’s table yet again for another scan. In view of his age I would let him go peacefully. I am sorry you have to face this but at least you have time to say goodbye which isn’t always possible.Thinking of youZ

No one can make the decision for you but it it were my cat I would let him go at home with painkillers, rather than let him face another scan and more shaving. So sorry.

Georgesgran I couldn't agree more with everything you wrote. I have been in a similar position several times with the cats I have shared my life with.

As one vet put it "You show your love for them by knowing when it is time to say goodbye in the kindest possible way."

Writing this has just made me cry. It is a grim time for you and I really feel for you.

I think you had pretty much made your mind up what to do for the best when you posted this thread. Of course it is still very much your call.

When our beautiful working cocker started to go this way at 14, then developed “doggy dementia”, we sadly make the decision to have him pts.

As with all our dogs, it was heartbreaking and I still miss his handsome face and excited greeting when entering our home, but it was the right thing to do. I was with him, on the floor, on his blanket, in the vets. I cried all the way home! 🐾🐾 No one can make this decision but you

Sadly our aged show cocker is going downhill quite rapidly and is only 12.5 years old ☹️😢

Love Milo and respect him, then you’ll know what to do. There is no dignity in pain and suffering.

My very kindest regards to you.

Better a day too soon than a day too late. And at home…

In the wild Milo would find himself a quiet sheltered spot under a hedge and spend his last hours or days there.

I think I would be with him at the vet and let him be PTS.
Or have painkillers at home and let him spend his time quietly there.
So sad for you all, but what a lovely life he has had with you.

Ladyleftfieldlover How sad. I've had several cats over the past 46 years, and 3 were elderly. Two of them had to be PTS after being ill and on medication for a couple of years.

I think it would be much kinder to have your lovely boy put to sleep. Hold him as he drifts away.

Vets are running a business, so they will keep offering treatments and tests, but is it really very kind?

I would take him back to the vet and let him put the cat to sleep. It’s the kindest thing you can do for him.

I'd let him sleep now, you can be with him I'm sure he would feel more relaxed if you were there. I've been there twice with my cats, it's the kindest thing you can do for them, but heartbreaking just the same

Time to let him go Ladyleftfieldlover .

We had to make this decision a few months ago and said goodbye to our precious Pip who was euthanised at home with us by his side. It broke our hearts and yours will break too but it's the kindest thing you can do.

I'm so sorry .

I have been in this position quite a few times with my pets.I think you know in your own heart what you want to do, we all wish they could just go in their sleep but there comes a time to make a decision.
I can't help you to make your mind up, but what I can do is send you positive thoughts, both to you and lovely Milo xx

I would have him euthanised at your home with you holding him, yes it will break your heart, but it will be the best and kindest thing for your beloved cat….😥

I wouldn't put him through the stress of more vets treatments. Very difficult to say let him go peacefully, but that's what I did for my last cat. I still miss her 5 years on, wouldn't have another animal.

My gorgeous cat Mollie was 14 and we were in a similar situation. I just didn’t want her to suffer so we made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep. We were with her to the end cuddling her. I cried buckets she was my little girl.

I feel for you it is so very hard. My lovely vet offered palliative care but said the kindest thing to do was to let her go. You must do what you feel is right for Milo.

Yes yes yes! Please do the kindest thing and let him fade away in comfort. Repeat vet visits and procedures are so stressful for a poor old puss. Spoil him and let him have all his favourite treats and cuddles.

I think it's time to say goodbye to your cat. When we had a similar decision to make, a few years ago, the vet said we are custodians of our pets, we give them a good life and we should let them go when the time comes. I thought this was a good way of putting it and it made our decision easier.

Don’t take him to the vet again.
If he can be comfortable and happy at home with pain relief then that is the thing to do but if he can’t be comfortable with you then you know what to do.
Heartbreaking but the loving thing for him.

Hate this bit. It never gets easy. 💐

We've been in the same situation more than once, so I feel for you. It's such a hard decision to make.

We had one cat that was diagnosed with a tumour behind his eye. The vet offered treatment that would keep him comfortable for a while so, as his main symptom was a watery eye, we agreed. The cat spent about 6 weeks pain-free (even from his arthritis) and as lively as a kitten. As soon as he started to go downhill we took him back to the vet to be PTS.

The decision you make - you know Milo better than anyone - will be the right one.

I would do the kind thing. My 18 year old Bengal was in a similar position with cancer two Christmases ago. She died purring in my arms, as did my 21 year old two weeks ago, who had just gone downhill rapidly.
I will be thinking of you.