Saying Goodbye To Dinah

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My cat Dinah is 17 years old, plus a few months, and she has been in kidney failure for almost a year now. These past two weeks or so, I have seen a very noticeable decline in her health and behavior.

Dinah is the first cat I've ever had. I'm really a dog person. But back in 1994, I had some major life changes, and my then 4 year old poodle Pawla was being left alone too much of the time. I thought that having company would help her. Getting another dog when I wasn't home enough for the one I had was out of the question, so I adopted a kitten as a companion for Pawla.

Poor Dinah got pushed around an awful lot in the beginning, but she had her claws, and they eventually worked things out. Most days when I got home, the two of them would be lying side by side.

Pawla died in 2005, and shortly after that, I moved to my current home. Dinah was 11 then, and she seemed to like the new house. When Jackdoodle joined us a few months later, there was immediate harmony. He likes cats, and this time around, Dinah decided that she had seniority and was not taking a back seat to any dog, no matter how big he was. To this day, 80 lb. JD is a little bit afraid of her, and treats her with the utmost respect.

Dinah has been the easiest pet I've ever had. She has never been ill, never displayed problem behaviors, and has needed so little from me. Some food and water each day, a brushing here and there, a few scratches behind the ears, and she's happy.

About 10 months ago, she started peeing outside her litter box. She also stopped eating. We consulted the vet, did blood work, and discovered she was in early kidney failure. We changed her diet, made some litter-box adjustments, and things seemed better. But since then, we have had to change her food again several times, and she will now only eat baby food. We ran more bloodwork, and her BUN and creatinine levels are considerably higher. She has stopped grooming and is covered in mats, down to the skin. She has started spending time in strange out of the way places in the house, places where she never was before. It's like she can't find a place for herself. And now, the past two weeks, she's started peeing and pooping outside her box, in strange places around the house, and she also seems to be leaking or dribbling urine. I knew it was getting to be her time, but she has still been wanting to eat and looking for affection. I know how to tell when one of my dogs is ready, but Dinah is my first cat. And this is an awful, awful decision to make, as any of you who have been through it know.

Now, something has changed again. Her litter boxes have barely been used over the past day or so. She woke me in the early morning hours retching in my bathroom, and this continued on and off for about an hour or so. All that retching produced very little. She has been sleeping on my bed all morning (not normal for her, that's Jack's spot), and today was the first time ever that she was not standing on the kitchen counter meowing for her breakfast, and the first time in more than a year that she hasn't touched her food. I think she's telling me something.

There isn't any point in trying to prolong her life, it won't help anyone but me. I don't want to put her through anything that would cause her stress. I think it's her time. Does anyone agree? I know nobody can make this decision for me, but maybe hearing that it's the right decision would make it easier.

Thanks.

***UPDATE***:

Dinah went to the Rainbow Bridge August 5th, 2011. RIP, Diney Girl. And give Pawla a kiss for us.

Dinah 3/17/94 - 8/5/11

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Karen, I have no idea how to answer your question, but I wanted to say that my heart is aching for you and your Dinah. I'm so sorry. I know you will come to the right decision. Spend lots of time cuddling with her now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for the kind words, Sherri.

[Eileen Ross and Cody]

Karen,

We feel for you and know exactly what you are going through.  A couple of years ago we went through the same thing with our Cat Taffy.  We had 3 cats before we had Cody.  She also had Kidney failure and after about a  year we had to make that dreaded decision.  She unfortunately exhibited many of the same symptoms as your beloved cat.  A vet will  not make the decision for you but hopefully will give you good advice.  We knew Taffy was starting to suffer and it broke our heart but we did put her to sleep.  The vet allowed my husband and I to be with her (My husband held her  paw as the vet administered what ever it is they used.  It really was a peaceful end and she knew we were with her.  Our second cat is now about 14 years old and has hyper thyroid condition.  Every few months, we think "this is it" but she has a resurgence.  But we know it's ju st a matter of time. 

There really is no wrong decision.

Hope this helps.

I

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It does help. Thanks, Eileen.

I've unfortunately been through the process with too many times before, with my dogs. It never gets easier.

The vet has made suggestions like having her shaved down to help with the matting & constant wet, stinky fur, but Dinah would be so unbelivable stressed by that, I can't imagine doing it to her. And if she's stopped eating...

Thanks again for you kind words.

[Linda and Murphy]

No words of wisdom here, Karen. I just wanted to say how sorry I am.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Linda.

[Kate]

Hi Karen,

This is the first time I've been back on this site in months, and I saw this and feel I must respond. Growing up, my family only had dogs (big ones) so I never considered myself a cat person. I adopted 2 kittens when I moved out on my own. That was 17 years ago, so I guess I can now consider myself a "cat person." I have tears running down my face right now. I had to put my 16 year old cat (Rachel) to sleep about 6 months ago. My 17 year old is lying on my chest as I write. Rachel developed heart disease and was being treated with meds for 4 years before she died. The meds progressively stopped working.  I think I was ultimately in the same position as you are now, except that at the end Rachel was still willing to eat (she was only about 7 lbs and had an appetite like you wouldn't believe). I kept saying to my vet, "but she's still eating," even though I knew deep down that it was time.

 

I can't tell you what to do, but everything you have written is completely reasonable. I know that cats are fastidious creatures, and when they stop using their litter box it really means something. I also know that cats are much more stoic than dogs. In other words, they are better at hiding it when they don't feel well. Thus, when they start to outwardly show symptoms like Dinah is now, they are already pretty sick. I remember when I was going through this, a friend and long-time pet owner said to me that she has regretted waiting too long before putting a pet down, but never regretted doing it too soon.

 

I think that you're right in the middle of the hardest part. Once you make your decision, you can begin to grieve. My heart goes out to you, Karen. If I can be of help in any way, please let me know.

 

Sending cyber hugs to you-

Kate

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Kate. You've pretty much confirmed what I was thinking, and it really helps.

[Kate]

I'm glad. I really do know how awful this feels. Let Jack help you through it, and remember to take good care of yourself. I'm here if you need anything.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Oh Karen this just has me crying for all of you!  We too have a cat - Humphrey, even though we are dog people.  Most people who don't have a cat, don't understand how much love and affection that a cat can give to its humans.  They don't just eat and sleep, they have amazing personalities!  I'm so sorry that Dinah has come to the end stage of her life.  It is never easy no matter what type of beloved pet it is.  When it comes to euthanasia my thoughts are "what would Dinah want if she could say".  I know some people that would never go that route and I've tried to talk to them about "quality of life", that simply prolonging life doesn't mean that the animal is pain or stress free - which they can't tell us.  It sounds like you know what you will do - I say dearest Karen - go forward knowing that Dinah has a wonderful life with you and Pawla and then Jack.  I'd like to think that she is joining with Pawla and that you'll see them both again!!!!  xoxox Jane

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Jane. Your words are very comforting.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

We love you girl and share your heart break - our prayers are with you!!!!