My cat, Sika, has not eaten or drank essentially anything for the last few days. She also has not had a stool or urinated. She does not seem to be in any distress and will still purr occasionally. A hard question to ask and answer, but do you know how much longer she has to live?

Thank you again for your support.

Giving a sick cat subcutaneous fluids can contribute considerably to helping them feel better. Depending on how ill you cat is at this stage, it may be a viable option if your cat easily accepts the procedure.

The big difference between cats and humans with this is that with cats, we do have the option to choose euthanasia, rather than waiting for dehydration to get to the point where it leads to death. It’s a very difficult decision, and one only you can make. There are a lot of factors that will come into play with this decision, from your own personal belief system to your cat’s temperament. You know your cat better than anyone else, and you will know if and when she is ready to let go.

My heart goes out to you – this is such a difficult time, but it can also be a time of an even stronger connection between the two of you. Treasure every moment you have with your cat.

I have worked with “humans” on hospice. Dehydration is a peaceful way to die. With the electrolyte imbalance, they go into a euphoric state. Is this the same with cats?

Thank you Clara and Ingrid for your support

I think it’s helpful to talk to your vet about what to expect as far as the typical progression of your cat’s particular cancer. What kinds of things can you expect physically? What is a normal part of the disease, and what constitutes a true emergency? Find out whether there are any medications you should have on hand. Can you call your vet during business hour with questions and concerns? Who should you call after hours?

Pain management is one of the most important aspects of hospice care. None of us want our cats to be in pain. Unfortunately, cats are masters at hiding pain, so pain in cats can be very hard to assess. You may find some helpful information in this article by Dr. Lorie Huston: http://consciouscat.net/2010/12/06/pain-management-for-cats/

I’ve never heard of catnip interfering with any medications, but it might be a good question to ask your vet! I’m thinking if your cat loves it, let her have it! This time is all about making your cat as happy as you can, given what she’s dealing with.

I think a kitty memorial fund is a wonderful idea. There are a lot of different charities that might be appropriate. The Animal Cancer Foundation is one that immediately comes to mind. If your cat came from a private shelter or rescue group, making a donation in her honor to them is a lovely way to celebrate your cat’s life.

I hope this helps. I’m wishing you all the best as you take this journey with your cat.

I am glad to see that I am not the only one and delighted there are so many experts who have gone this route. I have many, many questions. For example, what things do I need to talk with my vet about and what things should I be listening for?

How do I determine my cat’s level of pain and what should I look for to distingush pain from too much medication? (We’re not interested in a zombified cat, just a comfortable one.)

Can she have cat nip while on medication? She loves this stuff.

Finally, we are looking into offering a Kitty Memorial fund in place of what we would have spent on multiple surgeries. How do I dertermine the best way to donate these funds?

Guidance is appriciated.