so i'm gonna have to put my 11 year old dumpster kitty down this week...

When we found him he fit in the palm of my hand, and had a hernia that required surgery. No prob. He was nicknamed "Gangster Kitty" for a few years because he beat up on our other cats, but he mellowed over the years and became a nice beast. About 4 months ago he started to go downhill - so we took him to the vet. Diabetes. No prob - we learned to give him shots twice a day. Bought a meter to check his glucose levels.
The problem is - since developing diabetes (and being on insulin, checked by the vet three times now for level) he has taken to peeing on everything. He has ruined my sofa - a gift from my mom because our family room is tiny, the only sofa that fit it was antique Victorian loveseat. He has ruined the slipper chair in my office. He has sprayed my office wall so I had to repaint. He peed in the Norfolk Island pine, and it is near dead now. I put it and my banana plants in the guest shower to rinse out his pee in an attempt to save them - so now he pees all over the guest bath.
He has peed in a jade tree I inherited, which is well over 150 years old, and I do not know if I can save it - tho I have started several child plants. And last night he decided to pee on my stove. I am at wits end. My home reeks of cat piss.
I have tried everything, and finally today hubby and I decided that Webbie has to be put down. I am very sad... But I cannot think of any other way.

decision, but there is something wrong that the insulin is not helping. Kitties hide illness so well, but behavior changes like this are indications of problems.

You're in my thoughts.

downstairs, to the basement where he was banished, to hug him and he didn't even enjoy that. It was his time.

It's that hormone mimic spray recommended for cats that calms them. You can buy it at veterinary clinics or many pet stores. It comes in plug-in or spray bottle. It might be worth a try. Kitty isn't terribly old -- maybe has some good years left.

There may be medications that can help. If you have a good relationship with your vet, be very frank in your discussions, and simply ask what other options there may be.

Perhaps the vet might know of someone who would be willing to take the cat, and who may have had experience dealing with feline diabetes. I know it's a long shot, but it would be worth asking to save the cat's life.

As for myself, the material possessions in my home are simply not as important to me as my pets, but I understand and stipulate that not everyone feels that way. The suggestion of Feliway is a good one, but in my experience, you need more diffusers per room than what the packaging suggests in order to get desired results.

but he hasn't.

the right thing for this cat.


If you're willing to have you're heart broken again - be alert because another cat will walk into your life. All our fur babies give us such joy only to break our hearts by leaving before we're ready.

But it's one you have every right to make, and in your place, assuming you've asked the vet if there's any doable alternative, I'd do the same.

Love to Webbie. He sounds like a fine boy, and a lucky one.