11 yr old cat pooping on carpet and other issues

Question
Carol,
I am heart broken because I think my 11 year old cat is dying.  This cat was our first family pet and has been my daughters constant companion - she is almost 16. For the past 5 years he has been getting prednisone shots for a skin allergy but other than that he has been healthy.  His last trip to the vet was jan 5 2008, he had skin issues but had also started pooping dirrhea in the living room with a little blood.  The vet wasn't concerned about the blood because of his age, gave him another steriod shot and an antibiotic. His dirrhea has never went away, I have been giving him immodium to help it but in the past month he has dropped half of his weight and is lethargic. He used to try and get outside all the time (he is strictly an indoor kitty)now he just sits/lays there and watches.  He is hydrated, doesn't cry out in pain, has no tumors that can be detected and has a body temp of 99.9.
He looks completely miserable and has stopped sleeping with my daughter.  He still begs for food when we are eating.  I have searched the internet high and low but have found nothing that resembles his signs, so I have been left to think he is just dying. I would appreciate any knowledge you may have and any input from another cat lover about having him put down. I love him to death, but my carpets are a complete mess, I spot clean everyday and use my carpet cleaner every weekend just to feel clean and I am needing to do other things besides clean carpets.  I am so scared to make the decision to put him down.
I appreciate your time!
Thanks in advance,
Christina

Answer
Christina,

I'm sorry it took a bit to get back to you, but since I do not answer veterinary questions, I asked a friend at http://www.dogandcathealth.info/ to help me with your question. She is very knowledgable about cat medical issues since she has worked along side a veterinarian for many years. She was nice enough to send me a reply to forward to you about your cat:

"I'm sorry, but the prognosis does not look good. His temperature is very low for a cat. The cat needs veterinary attention, bloodwork, fluids, etc. --NOW-- to try and save him...and you still may not.

Weight loss in older cats is usually caused by cardiomyopathy (usually eating less), diabetes (appetite variable), hyperthyroidism (eating a lot and losing weight anyway), kidney failure (appetite variable), cancer (usually eating less), feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, other systemic illness

There are a number of organisms that are sometimes suspected to cause chronic gastrointestinal disease in cats, including giardia,coccidiosis, cryptosporidiosis, and Clostridium bacteria. Several of these are possible to find on fecal examinations, especially if they are specifically looked for using special fecal floatation or fecal smear stains. Disorders of intestinal motility (megacolon) or capable of causing dehydration (most disorders of cats) can also lead to blood in the stool.

Early in the diagnostic process it is a good idea to check a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel to try to be sure that some problem like kidney disease or liver disease is not contributing to the diarrhea. For cats over nine or ten years of age it is a good idea to check a total thyroxine (T4) value, as well. Hyperthyroidism can cause persistent diarrhea in some instances. After treating for parasites we usually try two different dietary manipulations to see if they will help. If the cat will eat Hill's w/d (tm) diet, we usually try it. This is a low fat, moderate fiber diet and it will sometimes work to resolve chronic diarrhea. When this works it usually works quickly, so we try it first."

If you do not have 100% faith in your current vet, I would take the cat to another vet for a second opinion.

About the part of your question about euthanasia. It is NEVER an easy decision to make. I don't think there is a right or wrong choice. I have done it many times and I have gone both ways. I have gone with my head and with the veterinarian's opinion and put cats to sleep. Then after I wonder if the cat had the will to live, then who am I to play God? And questioned my decision for a long time. On the other side of the coin, thinking with my heart, I didn't put a cat to sleep because I thought it would be better for the cat to be at home, and I left it in God's hands and the willpower of the cat. BUT there is NOTHING worse than watching a cat die a slow, painful death that you think is NEVER going to come. And I again questioned my decision NOT to.

Just remember that, unlike people, cats are only with us for a short time. He had a good home, and he KNOWS he is loved. There are SO SO many poor cats and kittens out there dying everyday who never knew what being loved was like, never had a home, never had enough to eat and never had anyone even care. You gave your cat a good, happy life. You have to let go. And DON'T worry about your carpets! Carpets can be replaced, your cat can't. He probably is feeling confused and embarrassed by his accidents. Just give him lots of love while you can. You may wish too soon that he was still there with you having his accidents!

If you DO put your cat to sleep, go somewhere quiet and peaceful (a park, the mountains, the country, etc) and grieve for the the cat and send him on his way. Then keep busy...don't dwell on his death...it's over and he will be pain free and happy. I've gone through it many times. It does get easier, but it is like losing a beloved human family member and best friend.

A suggestion: make a donation to a shelter in his name, or save a little kitty that is bound to be put down because of over-crowding and because he is unwanted. Or, even an older cat who lost his owner, or they didn't want him anymore, and is now sad and confused and will be put to death because no one wants an older cat.
IF or when your cat passes, have his death have meaning by doing something positive for another poor animal. Another cat will NEVER take the place of your kitty, but it can share a place in your heart and take away some of the emptiness of your home.

I am including some excellent links on losing a cat and support: (copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.2ndchance.info/grieving.htm
http://www.pet-loss.net/links.html

Here is a WONDERFUL website where you can have a lasting memorial for your pet, or share your pain with others who have lost beloved pets. It's a very beautiful and moving site:

http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm

And...if you or a member of your family is having trouble dealing with the loss of a pet, call (217) 244-CARE for hours of operation. The C.A.R.E. Helpline was developed to provide a supportive outlet for people experiencing disruption in or the loss of the bond they share with their cherished companion animal. The hotline is staffed by veterinary students who understand the importance of this bond and the emotions involved when that bond is threatened or broken. The students have received training by professional grief counselors
and receive ongoing supervision by a licensed psychologist.

Please let me know what is happening with the cat and how he is doing. Again, I'm sorry.

Carol