My old cat has kidney failure. How do I know when to euthanize?

Question

16 year old stray cat I have just adopted has severe dehydration where fluids were given last night at ER. Other symptoms hunching over water bowl, licking gravy only, meatloaf position, odor from body, excessive urination outside of box (despite receiving fluid) and hiding. There is no marked improvement since last night. I believe he is in renal failure and is in a crash that began yesterday. I'd like to avoid seizures and painful death, what is time frame for euthanasia? hours? days? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 16 years and 10 months old | 6 lbs

Dr. Leigh, DVM · Accepted Answer

Poor Stevie. I am not sure if they did any bloodwork at the ER to evaluate his kidney values but, with those clinical signs, it certainly could be kidney failure. Predicting the time frame for euthanasia is difficult but if he is not eating and had no improvement after receiving fluids than you may want to discuss with your vet as he could continue to go downhill. It sounds like his quality of life is not very good so euthanasia, at this point, would not be a wrong decision. You could continue to monitor him and try to get him to eat some but he likely will stop eating, possibly start vomiting, and become very lethargic. At that point, euthanasia would be the most humane choice for him. So sorry about your cat.

My old cat has kidney failure. How do I know when to euthanize?

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