Thread: My girl is going downhill fast

My husband and I went to the then-local shelter 12 years ago because we wanted to get a cat. When we got there, they had just gotten in two Maine Coon kitties, who were about two, I think -- a brother and sister -- that they had rescued from a so-called breeder. The lady said that where they were kept was in an area where their elimination was so thick that they were walking on it. The fur of both brother and sister was so matted that it was pulling away from their bodies in some spots. The female was missing a tooth and was much, much smaller than her brother, and they were the same age. Anyway, we couldn't take both because where we lived we could only have one, and we fell in love with Rose and have had her with us ever since. She is seriously the absolute sweetest cat I have ever had, and until recently she has slept with me every night for the last 12 years.

She has always been really thin, at her heaviest she's been just under 8 pounds. The vets have all said that they're not concerned since it's been a typical weight for her. Now, however, at about 14 years old, she's so thin that I can feel her bones; and by my calculation of a tear weight, she's down to about 6.5. She doesn't sleep with me anymore, and she basically lays under the bed. I think she really has a hard time getting up there. I know she favors her front feet a lot, and when she's sitting, she holds one or the other up. I've taken her in for the weight and the paws. For her paws they took x-rays and an ultrasound, and the results were inconclusive, but they told me to pick up some glucosamine. As for weight, they did some labs and found that she had a lower liver function. She throws up all the time. I plan on taking her to the vet again to see what else may be going on, but I just don't know what else to do. I'm really trying not to be a neglectful owner for her when I say this, but at what point do you say enough is enough? This is breaking my heart and I feel so torn. I'm almost sure she's in pain from her paws, she sleeps under the bed all day and night except to eat, drink and use the litter box, she can't keep food down, she's skin and bones. On the same token, I'm not made of money. I don't know how much I can afford to spend... What would you do?

Also, I have fed her Iams since I got her, sometimes I would get the hairball remedy, but after she turned about eight or so, I've been getting the mature kind. I tried Blue Buffalo for a bit and she wouldn't touch the stuff. My dog wouldn't even eat it. What do you feed your Maine Coon? Kibble of some sort? Raw stuff? Supplements?