Euthanizing a cat

Question
Hi Ellen,

My cat is about 18 years old, and we recently sent her to the vet for her check up.  While everything is as expected for an older cat, she is beginning to lose her eyesight --  rapidly.  She walks into walls, chair legs, etc.  To feed her we have to hold the plate under her nose and lead her to her feeding spot.  This might be fine, but lately she has not been able to find her litter box, and has begun urinating and defecating in inappropriate places.  I am torn up about euthanizing her, when she may "only" be blind, but a cat who cannot find her litter box presents some obvious problems.  I am actually afraid of having my love for her become diminished by all the problems I foresee.

How do I come to this dreadful decisions?  I've looked at the library and online, and have not had much success.

Thanks very much, Ellen.  I appreciate any guidance you can give me.

Answer
OK,  this is a COMMON problem with old cats that are losing their site.

First of all, did your vet check her eye pressure to make sure its not blood pressure related blindness?  Cats do not suddenly become blind.  Watch for crying and howling. Bloodwork is a MUST in old cats.

As for the innapropriate problems  this is what you can do to help her a bit.

Get an uncovered LOW sided box for her to step into.  You can even place her in a closed bathroom with a nice blanket, food, water and her box for her to retrain her. When you are home, she can come out.  It is not as cruel as it sounds. Especially if you leave a radio on for her. MOST older cats with this problem, when my clients do this are very happy with their new situation since they are able to have everything close to them.


Its not her fault she cannot find the box.  Being 18 is like being 95 in human years.   I look at its TIME by, my cat not eating, hiding, incontinant (byt his I mean that  she cannot hold her bladder or bowels- walks along the house and it trails behind her all the time) and not wanting to be loved anymore.

Much luck to you and how wonderful it is to have a cat live well into her late teen years! :)