canaveral

I have just come back from the vets. Although the vet comfirmed my cat to be healthy, the vet said that it would be very risky for my cat to travel to Australia because of his age. He is 15 years old. The receptionist then said in a polite way that I was being selfish!
Maybe I am being selfish but I truly think that this is what is best for my cat and what he would want.
Anone else taken elderly pets too?

Welshie

Its not selfish its more that you have so much love for him that you don't want to emigrate without him! I know exactly how you feel!

I haven't owned a cat for years and 15 is a great age, but the vet may have a valid point. You have to think what is best for him firstly and foremost and only you can decide that.

I wanted to bring my horse who is 28, but vet said no way..too old! I had owned this horse for the past 27 years...we grew up together practically! I didn't want anything happening to him in transit etc so I rehomed him. Looking back, I am so glad I did because I would never have forgiven myself if anything did happen to him!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Cheetah7

There is a BE poster John&Netta, who took their elderly male diabetic cat to Oz. He isnt as old as your boy, but he is peppered with health problems.

Initially they were going to rehome him as they had been advised not to take him and get him put to sleep.

I couldnt find a home for him either and even vets I spoke to said it might be best to put him down.

Anyway, they took Branston with them and Branston is enjoying his new life down under.

Your boy is 15 and otherwise healthy. Branston I think at the time was about 10(ish) and had in the past, bladder operation, he is insulin diabetic.

So it is swings and roundabouts.

Dont let anyone call you selfish. Only you know your own cat and if he is a fit and healthy 15 year old, then why not?

One vet I worked for, had this seasoned traveller cat of 17. He had travelled all over the world. A rather demanding boy who would only let you feed and clean him and only his owner cuddle him, he was very spoiled.

It can be done, just be sure of his health first. I am sure he wouldnt be the first senior pet to travel either.

People put their human emotions into animals, thinking the flight would be the most stressful thing you could EVER do, when in fact there are stressful situations your pet will go through in everyday life and they cope with it.

Its an idividual choice, your pets health should be taken into consideration and if he is healthy, then it is your decision and your decision only.

Good luck

canaveral

Thanks Welshie, It must have been so hard for you to leave your horse, especialy after owning him for 27 years, such a decision to make.

canaveral

Hi PP I feel I have to take him, at least give him a chance. Thanks!

biggy

I personally would not take him...we left ours with our friend, he would have hated it here far too hot...not fair to drag them half way round the world at that age

sel

I am taking my cat and she is 14 years ... she has also had a clean bill of health and I cannot see any reason why she shouldn't be absolutely fine ... but I have also felt torn at times wondering if I am doing the right thing.

I do feel however, that with it being alot harder to find a nice home for an old cat and that the stress involved in a new home anyway, it will only amount to the same stress with a flight .. so she's coming with us

Cheetah7

Trouble is we only think it would be too hot for them.

Branston the cat I mentioned, would on paper, appeared not to have done well at all.

Everything was against him, his previous bladder problems and diabetes.

But he has adapted and thrived in the heat.

I think he will be hard if not impossible to rehome at this age. To destroy him when he is a healthy old man is cruel. They are looked after from the minute they leave the airport to the minute they go into quarantine.

As the OP says, he is worth a chance.

biggy

yup and thats up to the OP I did say In my opinion

Chick Flick

My OH had 2 cats before we were married both very different and both lived till almost 18, I had a dog for 17 years, we've never had any pets since we married as we travel too much and thought it wouldn't be fair in kennels etc.. but we both know that if his cats were 15 and my dog was 15 we would of definately taken them with us. Your cat loves you as much as you love it and hopefully it can end its days happy healthy and with you. Good Luck in your decision. P.S. As soon as we settle in Oz we are getting 2 cats (although I'm a bit scared)

Cheetah7

I might eat mine to save on air fare

With my Gordon weighing in at 7kgs, he could feed a small family of five.

biggy

lol poor gordie

232Bar

I'll bet the cat couldn't give a monkeys about you - as long as someone feeds their horrible smug faces they are happy - they don't give a s*it who is doing it.

Cheetah7

Can you not just see him with an apple stuffed in his mouth?

biggy

its the spit up the arse i canny deal with