Meriad, cat chat

[miasmum]

Why are they so keen on pumping cats full of drugs?

How on earth did cats in my mums era ever live beyond kittenhood, let alone the ancient old cats my nan used to have.

[meriad]

To be honest Shell, I don't know.... I do quite often loose patience with a lot of the people on there I suspect that it's a guilt thing - the idea that you're a bad pet owner if you don't do everything you can for your pet, etc... also many will implicitly trust a vet and if he/she says give this or that to ease suffering, prolong life then they will blindly follow instructions.

I do know that with my five younger cats (who are also insured which also makes a huge difference) I'd do loads more for them than I would for Molly. But then she's nearly 21 and I'm sure would not appreciate being prodded and poked at this late stage of her life.


But to answer your question - back in those days 13 or so was considered to be a good age and cats older than that were the exception rather than the norm, whereas now-a-days more and more cats are living closer to 17 or 18 and quite a few past their 20's.... Pets, same as humans, are living longer because of advances in medicine

[miasmum]

I am a member of a chicken forum and some of them on there have implants fitted in their chickens to stop them laying so they don't develop peritonitis. Why???? They are chickens, they are bred to lay and when they stop sadly they quickly become ill and die. I loved Marigold, but I accept her lifespan and would never have put her through that every 3 months just to keep her longer.

They are always at the vets, which I did with my first three ex-batts, but I soon learnt that sadly chicken life is chicken life. Just make it as good for them as you can.

[meriad]

I 100% agree Shell. Whilst I'll do what needs to be done to keep Molly pain free and comfortable for the time she has left with me; I also need to accept that she is nearly 21 years old. And whilst many others would do test after test to find out why she had a seizure and pump her full of medicines; I won't put her through that. And thankfully the vet that treats her agrees with me that our priority is quality of life vs quantity.