it's $200 for a month and you're supposed to take it for three

It's totally stupid that the insurance won't pay for it, but if it helps you quit, how much will you save not buying cigarettes? (Not asking you to do the actual math! It's just a way to look at it. Investment in your future and all that.)

This is a day of crank for sure.

I have need of the hivemind. As many of y'all know, my cat, Mickey, is sick. The reality is he's dying of cancer and it's just a matter of time. And here's where I need your help. I am keeping a close eye on him and trying to determine when the right time might be to help him along in his journey. I know I'm sounding really clinical about this but that's because it's the only way I can deal. Frankly, I'm sitting here bawling just thinking about.

Right now, he's not eating much. He's lost a LOT of weight. To get him to eat, I have to bring him food in bed and sometimes hand feed him. He sleeps most of the day buried deep in the covers. Most days, when I get home, he'll come out and sleep on the couch next to me, but there are more days when he doesn't and just stays in bed.

I don't think he's in pain but I'm beginning to wonder about that. He'll lay on the couch with just a vacant stare sometimes. And, he's purrs have turned into a mix of a high pitch purr that's almost a cry but not quite.

I guess what I need your help on, is how can I tell if he's in pain?

Honestly, the thought of putting him down kills me and I'm not even sure I can do it. I look in his little face and love him so much I'm not sure if I can.

I came asking for your help because I can't even say these things out loud to my RL friends, who are all sympathetic pet owners. They are lovely, but I'm afraid if I say this out loud, I'll start crying and won't be able to stop.

Oh ChiKat, it's such a hard place to be in. I'm sorry.

Try it at CVS?

This was at CVS. It's just not covered. I'm going to double check, but yeah.

lisah, $200 would buy me over thirty packs, and I'm not a pack-a-day smoker. Maybe I should look at cancer treatments? IDK. I definitely cannot swing it myself right now. It's just frustrating, b/c I doubt patches would work - it's not the nicotine, it's the psychological reflex. And Chantix has a 90%+ success rate for people who take it as prescribed; that's pretty fucking impressive.

X-post with Chikat - hon, I am so, so sorry. If you are not sure, a good vet will help you make that assessment. When I took care of a very sick foster kitty, even though we'd only had her a few weeks, one day I came home and KNEW. I've heard other people describe that feeling, but it's so hard to spend every day looking at him and wondering if today is the day, if you're just missing the signs.

{{ChiKat}} You know I just went through this with Brandy. The last few times I took her to the vet I expected him to tell me to let her go, but he didn't. The last couple times he told me if I made the call he would not have an argument. The day I made the decision she had fallen three times and gave me such a pitiful look. I knew I wasn't being fair to let her go any longer. My vet told me that her breed was a dignified breed and it wouldn't be right to let her lose her dignity. (he was super funny in describing certain tiny undignified breeds)

I know it is the most insufficient advice ever, but you will know when it is the right time. Ans whether sooner or later it sucks.

it's so hard to spend every day looking at him and wondering if today is the day, if you're just missing the signs.

This. I keep wondering if I'm missing something or deliberately ignoring something.

{{{ChiKat}}}

We're going to the vet on Friday. I'm actually going out of town for the weekend and I'm boarding him there. Maybe that's a good thing. They'll be able to observe him pretty closely for three days.

aww ChiKat, that's so hard. There were a bunch of times with my dog Frank where we thought it was the end but when it really was we did know. I hope your vet is able to give you some guidance. It's such a difficult part of being a responsible pet owner.