What would you do if this was your cat?

Poor you .
This is so painful .
I think that I'd let Milo pass quietly in my arms after having some very strong analgesia.
Bless you both.

Such a difficult decision to have to make. I think perhaps strong painkillers at home where he could be comfortable in his own bed?
Thinking of you.

My heart goes out to you. Milo has been a very lucky cat having you take good care of him for so long. I think it is time now to be with him as he is put to sleep.
My lovely cat had to be put to sleep a few years ago. I always remember the vet saying to me " you have made the right decision, remember he is not aware of what is going to happen " I stayed with him and stroked him as he slipped away. It was incredibly quick and very peaceful, he simply ' fell asleep ' Distressing as it was I was grateful to be able to witness him have a tranquil end to his life. Your vet may put Milo to sleep in your home- worth asking.
You love Milo and will make the correct decision. 💐💐

My cat is 15 and fortunately seems healthy at the moment, but in your position I wouldn't go any further with treatment. Vet visits and scans are all going to be stressful for him. I would opt for a few hopefully comfortable days at home and then a peaceful end.

I love cats and I always wish they lived a bit longer because they become part of your family. We faced this with our 23 year old lovely boy and in the end I took him to the vet who put him down. He died very peacefully in my arms and, because we loved him so much, we made a little memorial garden for him. I still get teary thinking about him. We have two beautiful little rescue cats now and they might well outlive us but my children are all cat lovers so they would house them in that event. Hope you can make a good decision that you are happy with.

Thank you so much for all your helpful comments and support. We have pretty well made up our minds what to do. We will definitely not be taking him back to the Vet for a scan and more shaving of fur. We will ask the Vet’s advice about end of life care.

Oreo

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 agree with you.

I’m sorry for your anguish over this LLFL. x

I was in a similar position just last week. Our cat Toby had gone off his food, or I should say couldn't eat his food. He could manage very soft, lappable food only. He was losing weight and couldn't groom himself properly. We took him to the vet who examined his mouth (he wouldn't let us touch it). She found a large growth under his tongue. It was untreatable. We made the decision to let him go, there and then. She was so kind and Toby didn't suffer.
Perhaps you should think of having your cat put to sleep, it's often the kindest thing to do. I'm sorry you are going through this, it is hard to let them go.

Oreo

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.

This.

Take him to the vet and cuddle him closely as he goes for his forever sleep, it’s the kindest way for him but so very sad 🥰

I’m so sorry for you Esmay . I’ve had cats and dogs and it’s horrible when they’re poorly and elderly. With elderly animals , we’ve made the decision to have them pts. A scan may show you what’s wrong but then do you treat those ailments in an elderly animal ?
Thinking of you 💐

Georgesgran I absolutely agree

Yes I agree with Willow, let him go painfree at home,why put him through more,lots of love and cuddles,.
So sorry.

Just to add - my son's elderly cat died at home last year, and they decided it would be better to let her die naturally rather than go to the vet's and be PTS. The poor thing struggled to breathe right at the end, and they said it was really quite distressing for her and them. It's not something I would ever have done.

The choice you have with your beloved Milo is a heartbreaking one and one most pet lovers will have faced at some time.
You have obviously considered both options , but as you say , he is an old boy and is weakening daily.
I know I would let him go if when the Vet thinks it’s time.
I wish Milo a dignified end to his lovely life.
Sending my regards.

So sorry you are having to face this. I'm sure I read somewhere that it's possible to arrange for pets to be PTS at home when the time comes? It is something I will consider for my 19 year old torti if/when needed.

Vet visits are often incredibly stressful for cats so ask your vet for a home visit. This way your precious Milo can pass peacefully in his own home.
My heart goes out to you.

I think in your heart of hearts you know what should happen now LlfL...it's absolutely heartbreaking and the very worst part of being a pet owner but the the very best thing you can do after a lifetime of happiness with you. Our beautiful Cane Corso slipped away being fed ham by me....she knew and felt nothing. My heart was breaking when I phoned the vet to say it was time..but her words will always comfort me...Far better a day too early than a day too late. I most firmly believe that we will see our beloved pets again one day...how could it be heaven if they were not there to share it. ❤️

Such a sad decision but the kindest thing you can do for him is to let him go. Keeping him at home, even with painkillers, is not kind as he can’t tell you how much pain he is in. My thoughts are with you.

I agree with everyone.
It's such a heartbreaking decision to make.
I've had 6 cats, 5 from kittens and loved so very much. 5 we had to have put to sleep at 14 years old.
Our Thomas was put to sleep in July this year. He was 18 years and 4 months old.
He went downhill in just a week although he had gradually stopped doing things like going upstairs and only went outside for a couple of minutes then back in.
He stopped eating on the Tuesday of that week. Refused his favourite ham and chicken. Hid behind the living room door and just slept there all day.
Come Sunday he was losing the use of his back legs and so I phoned the vets and had him put to sleep.
The vet was so kind, He gave Tom a sedative, felt all underneath him and said he could feel a hard lump and one of his kidneys were englarged. He put Tom to sleep while he was on my lap and I stroked him and he was gone in a second.
I sobbed and couldn't get over it for ages.
It's the kindest thing to do for them. I couldn't let him go on as he was.
We have his ashes here in a lovely wooden casket together with the others. Always tell the vet that you want your cat to be cremated on his own. Our vets use a certain pet crematorium that do that anyway.
After having cats for the last 30 years it was so empty here and a couple of weeks ago we adopted a just over 2 year old pure white cat with big beautiful green eyes. Named her Lily. She's not very big, Sleeps on the bed most of the day and scatty in the evening. Loving though.
Sending hugs and hope you do whats best for Milo.

With tears running down my face, I, if he were my cat, would phone the vet and change the appointment to one to have him put to sleep.

Letting him fade away, means that his organs will shut down one by one - whether this causes him distress or not is very hard to say.

I am afraid the time has come for that last horrible trip to the vet. Stay with him to the end.

All of us who love animals go through this, and swear every time that we never, never will have another pet. This lasts until the next homeless little thing looks at us.

AuntieE

With tears running down my face, I, if he were my cat, would phone the vet and change the appointment to one to have him put to sleep.

Letting him fade away, means that his organs will shut down one by one - whether this causes him distress or not is very hard to say.

I am afraid the time has come for that last horrible trip to the vet. Stay with him to the end.

All of us who love animals go through this, and swear every time that we never, never will have another pet. This lasts until the next homeless little thing looks at us.

My thoughts exactly.

Give the poor little thing the relief he needs.
We did it was for the best

If it was me with a very poorly 16yo cat I would have him pts. I’d hold him gently and stroke him while saying his name quietly. We are so often told to be with our pet when it’s pts as it’s the kindest act

To the cat, being sedated is no different from being quietly put to sleep permanently. My neighbour, who loved my cat William, told me that when I was considering what to do when he hurt himself at about the same age as your cat. We all just wanted to save the poor old boy any pain and distress when he was clearly in decline. The choice was one we had to make quickly as he had injured himself and a small op might have sorted it out. However, we felt it wasn't fair on him to go ahead and put him through the recovery. Personally, I'd not go for sedation but let the cat go if it's his time.