Hyperthyroid cat is no longer a comfort to my 2 dementia wards. How do I get rid of him?

Burnt Caregiver,

Yes, I agree with you! A pet owner should be in for the long haul, through thick or thin. I have had 20 dogs so far throughout my lifetime and have nurtured and cared for them in times of illness and provided a forever home. Not everyone is capable of doing this and/or no longer wants to. Sad, I know.

Feral cats are not companion animals. They are a highly invasive non native species that do wipe out native wildlife and pose threats to crops and small livestock. Out in the country, there’s no one to call to otherwise have them removed.

It’s interesting how much people’s views depend on where they live. Loo writes that “it must bring you some satisfaction to kill something so inconsequential as a cat”. Yes it does, but feral cats are not ‘inconsequential’ here. They are major predators of endangered wild life, there are baiting drives, sanctuaries with 9’ floppy topped fences to keep them out and give the little native animals a chance. We have finally got legislation that requires all cats for sale to be neutered, other than to registered cat breeders (with fees and strictly limited numbers). Let’s hope it stops people dumping kitten litters in the bush. Perhaps snow might help, but we don’t have it here. We bait the local feral cats with sardine tins, then shoot them in the cage. A quicker kinder way to die than most cancers.

It made our neighbors slightly hysterical when I told them about the ‘rabbit rescue’ group that someone on the site mentioned. Rabbits denude the land and wipe out native vegetation, cause millions of dollars damage. Vegetation is also at real risk from the wallows of feral pigs, and virgin scrub gets knocked down by feral deer. Even kangaroos can build up too far, and push out other wildlife. Koalas are endangered on the east coast but a pest on Kangaroo Island. Suggesting that all these creatures should be euthanized by a vet is not realistic.

I strongly support a quick death for unwanted animals, with as little pain as possible. Vets are expensive, and I’d rather see the funding for OP go for the intended purpose.

It sounds like it would be more humane to put the cat down at this point. You may want to first talk to your vet for any other possible options beside dropping the can off at the shelter.

“Get rid of him”. Wow. Could you be more heartless?

Some of the answers here are practically evil. Why is it so hard for people to realize:

1. Animals have emotions
2. Animals feel pain
3. Domesticated animals need love
4. Pets know when they’re being abandoned by their so-called “owner”
4. Pets aren’t objects you can buy and toss when you’re tired of them or they become too much work.

In response to Margarets post.

In response to the comment about the Amish. Its just notjust the Amish its farmers in general, I have found. They cannot have an animal that is not pulling its weight. Chicken doesn't lay eggs anymore, goes into the pot for dinner. A cow can't breed or give milk, she is butchered. A dog can no longer hunt because he has no smell...

IMO this cat has a medical problem which he will need to be put down for. This Caregiver needs to make the Vet aware that the 2 ladies are no longer able to care for the cat. Caring and cleaning up after this cat is not the Caregivers responsibility. And in no way should another animal be brought into the house because the ladies cannot take care care it and the Caregiver should not have to.

I had 4 cats over 37 yrs. One lived to be 18yrs old, 2-16yrs old. The last one had anxiety problems and peed constantly. Meds helped but did not cure. After she passed we said no more animals.

If he's a tired old cat who is ill and miserable, take him to the vet and expect to have him put down (the vet may have better ideas that we don't know about). A case of "well done thou good and faithful servant," I'd have thought, a cat who deserves a painless and dignified end.

And if you yourself like cats and are happy to take one on, get the ladies another cat.

I can understand that many USA citizens cling to the right to bear arms, established about 300 years ago, loony though it seems to most of the rest of the world. I find it very hard to understand why the same pioneer-stock descendants go for a ‘right’ for unwanted animals to be ‘euthanised’ by a modern vet, at whatever cost. Their citizen ancestors would just laugh! It’s not in the constitution, and you can’t blame the British. My DH is still laughing at the idea of a society for ‘re-homing’ unwanted rabbits! You can have all of ours for free, any time.

My DH had 2 Jack Russells, brother and sister. Daisy went to the vet, and freaked out (Candles? Low lights? Hymns? Held in the lap?). DH decided to shoot Ted at home, out of kindness.

Love is a quick death, is my take on things!

Take him to a shelter. I had an old man cat who had those symptoms and was hyperthyroid. If the cat has conditions you cannot provide care for, a shelter could assess him and possibly rehome him. At the very least, they would care for him and make humane decisions.

The suggestion of robotic pets is a good idea.

I grew up with males cats. They often get stones and have kidney/urinary problems. Depending on your cat's age, it may be treatable (if it is young) but it needs to happen right away, like at an emergency vet -- but who will be paying for it? This is a practical consideration. If it is an older cat, I would opt to put him down humanely and asap -- he is suffering.

1. What do you mean by wards? Are you a caregiver? Do you have power of attorney? Are you merely a friend or family member?
2. What power do you think you have to remove the cat from the premises?
3. What does the vet have to say about his condition? Does the vet think he's in pain and would be better off put to sleep?
4. Has the cat seen more than one vet?
5. Who is paying for the cat's medical care?
6. Have you spoken with any shelters about a cat that has medical problems? There are kind people who take difficult to place animals, but it's unusual.
7. If you remove the cat, will your "dementia wards" notice and have a problem with this?
8. If this is all about you, please step back. It's no fun taking care of a cat that pees outside the box and throws up. I know. I have a 13-year-old who's done if for years. I also know it can be dealt with and would be happy to share my experience with you. I have to say, I'm not quite sure about the diarrhea.
9. Nonetheless, if you are a caregiver and caring for the cat is part of your brief, there you are. It just goes with the territory.

If he has kidney problems meds will not help in the long run. He/she will end up having renal failure. Because he pees a lot, he may already be in renal failure. My daughter dealt with this for a year. One can of special need diet was $5.00 and her cat would not eat it. She tried working it into his reg food and as soon as it got to 50% he wouldn't eat it. She had to have him put down a few months back.

I would take him to the vet and see where he stands at this point. Maybe the Vet can come to you. My nephew is a mobile vet. It will be up to ur charges if he is out down.

Have him put down if he is suffering. That would the humane thing to do. The cat served you well working as a living plaything and comfort to the two demented wards you provide for.
It deserves better than to be dropped off at a shelter that doesn't want it to begin with because it is not adoptable in such a condition.
The animal is your responsibility. Don't pawn it off on a shelter and make it theirs because you don't want to care for a sick animal. Put it out of its misery.

My shelter offered owner present euthanasia for 50 bucks, about the same as their surrender fee. The process would happen in a peaceful secluded room decked out with a couch and unlighted candles.

Surrendered animals with this health prognosis would typically end up the same way in a room that wasn’t that nice with strangers that only knew it by its animal number.

Generally it is HYPOthyroid animals that sleep a lot, so I am surprised. Any animal in a state of HYPERthyroid tends to be jumpy.
I am sure it is impossible for us to tell you what to do with your pets. Is this your first pet?
Do consider discussion with your own vet.
I wouldn't do a shelter; most are terrified and then pts. Especially a sick animal.
Myself, if an animal cannot be helped due to age or illness it is a mercy to have them gently put to sleep in your arms. I have always been with my animals at the time of death, and wouldn't have it another way.

Veterinary care is the first choice followed by rehoming the cat (friends, relatives, neighbors who understand "special needs" pets). If these options are not feasible, surrendering to a "no kill" shelter is the responsible thing to do and the shelter would take care of the medical situation. Once your cat is stabilized, they will seek to rehome the cat. Sounds like he served you and your residents well, so do all you can to help him in his time of need.

See a vet. Doubt that it should be your decision to have the cat put down, because I am thinking that you are not the owner?

You can 'surrender' the cat to animal control who can decide whether to treat him, or euthanize him. You will no longer have authority over the cat if he is surrendered. I suggest this for you.

You may need to obtain permission from the owner(s) of the cat. It is not your cat?

If you and your caregiving wards (family?) can no longer care for the cat, allow the professionals to do this and make the decisions on behalf of the cat's welfare.

The cat needs medical attention.
IF you can afford it take the cat to the vet and see if medication can help with the problems you have mentioned.
If you can not afford to treat / medicate the cat then look for a shelter that will care for it until it is adopted.

Ask the vet to do a full exam and refer him for the radioiodine treatment to cure the hyperthyroidism.