When to put cat down?
My cat is 16 years old and her health is rapidly declining. I took her to the emergency vet last weekend (Sunday) and they found a mass on her colon and urged me to put her down. I took her to her normal vet the next day for a second opinion and they were more optimistic saying it could be a cyst. They prescribed her a steroid for swelling and told me to bring her back in a month. Tuesday and Wednesday were better days as she was eating and sleeping better. Thursday she was refusing to eat food and because restless again. She was walking around meowing throughout the house. I got her in to the vet on Friday and he said that her mass felt bigger and she may only have 2 weeks left. She only weighs about 4 pounds and she’s starting to turn her nose to churu cat treats which were the only thing I could get her to eat. I made an appointment for her tomorrow and I’m not sure if it’s time to say goodbye. This has been the most emotionally draining experience and I keep making myself sick thinking about putting her down. I feel like I’m just dragging it out for the both of us.
It may seem obvious that it’s her time but I’m struggling so much because she’s still so alive and conscious. She’s walking around and sat in the bathroom with me while I showered (this was very new for her) I always assumed when it came down to making that final call it would be so obvious. Like she would be gone cognitively. Her being so aware makes me wonder if I should wait a few more days or if I just say it’s time. Does anyone have advice on what to do?