u/AngeMiao

We just adopted a timid cat from a shelter and just want to make sure we're doing the right thing since it's the first time I bring home a cat that isn't a kitten.

So my soulmate cat (Jack) passed away last week at 18. We were initially going to wait a bit to get a new kitten but decided to look early to help my ASD son and because I couldn't stand waking up to no cat after 26 years of never being cat-less. We found a kitten which we are getting in a month but while we were looking at the rescue's page, I found Jack's literal twin. It was a humanitarian adoption due to him being timid. It said he was extremely shy but very affectionate and loving other cats (with video proof) and I decided I had to have him because Jack was also very timid and took 12 years for him to become chill. I had also moved Jack from my parents' house but I was already his person and it still took a month for him to relax (and never ever got comfortable enough with my dog in 7 years to ever come downstairs) so I know it'll be a process.

So we go and get the cat yesterday. He was obviously very scared so it took a bit to get him into the carrier. Prior to getting him in, I had been reaching under cabinets to push him out and he hissed but did not scratch or bite so I don't think he's aggressive at all (he had plenty of opportunities to maul me lol).

Car ride was 2 hours and uneventful. He actually looked quite chill. When we got home, we put the dog outside and brought him upstairs to my office. He didn't leave the cage all night (expected) so we surrounded him with bowls of water, food, treats, his bed from the shelter and litter. They said he liked the radio so we left it on. Overnight he moved to my desk so might have to move him in a few hours so that I can work unless I should leave him.

Dog still hasn't noticed the cat (cat definitely noticed the dog) and my 3 year old son hasn't noticed him either so neither of them are bothering him.

Is there anything special I should do or should I just let him be? Is it better for me to stay away or be near him "ignoring" him so that he sees me as safe? He's letting me pet him but hissed one of the times.

Hello

My cat (Jack) is almost 18 and had had CKD since 2024 and diabetes since 2018. He had developed a limp mid 2024 and in February and March of 2025 we tried Solensia. His limp went away but I ended up stopping it because he had constant diarrhea that I wasn't sure was from the shot. The diarrhea arted after his second shot and went away when we switched from tap to bottled water 2 months after his second shot so I assumed that was the cause. His limp didn't come back until December of 2025 and got progressively worse. In February of this year, he started struggling with his appetite again, constipation got worse and his limp was at an all time high. We had one night (April 18) where he was dragging his legs and I was ready to put him down but he eventually managed to poop and somehow started walking okay again.

On April 23rd we went to the vet and I asked to try Solensia again as a last attempt. Within 1 hour of the shot he had diarrhea and for the last 5 days he's barely had an appetite, had diarrhea for the first 3 days (no poop since) and his limping has gotten to the point that he can't walk on them anymore. He's also not grooming or even licking his lips clean after eating and his nose randomly became swollen so Im thinking his gums are irritated (he has pretty severe dental disease). He's still dragging himself to the litter though and wanting to sleep on the bed with me. I gave him Gabapentin for the first time last night, half the prescribed dose and it made him get that dying cat face but it went away after it wore off and he's been trilling at me but not purring. Sleep hasn't increased but obviously he isn't leaving the bed unless he wants to pee. He was getting up to drink but I ended up just bringing his water to the bed since I don't want him to drink less with CKD.

I'm so torn on whether or not I should just let him go or try to get him through it with sub-Qs and ask for something like prednisone and antibiotics. We're going to the vet today and I'm sooooo torn on whether to ask for an emergency appointment or just schedule euthanasia.