Sitting with very ill cat

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

Hello all.

I am due to start a sitting with an elderly cat whom I already looked after last year.

At the time the cat was alright, I had to administer her some medication. At some stage, due to some slight complications, I had to monitor her toilet, but luckily with communication with the HO and by amending the doses slightly, everything went back to normal.

After one year and just 5 days to the start of the second sitting with them, I’ve received news from the HO that the cat is high maintenance at the moment. They hope that she’ll be more settled by the weekend. There is a bit of routine right now.

Two infections have been resolved by the Vet (fingers crossed they won’t get back), but there is severe constipation.

I have to log everything in different moments of the day.

Like I have to weigh left-over food to establish and record how much she has eaten in 24 hours.

Again, I have to administer medication, wake her up at specific times, check if she at least licks the medication, etc…

I am aware that they’ll review with the Vet tomorrow, so the schedule could possibly change.

I have now many questions, but before talking with the HOs possibly tomorrow after seeing the Vet, I’d like to double check with you in case you’ve experienced something similar?

I feel like wondering, would I go on holidays if my pet was in these conditions? I think I wouldn’t, but maybe not everybody is the same or perhaps I see this medical condition as too serious?

Is it normal within THS to invite sitters requiring high maintenance for pets like this one?

While I didn’t mind the extra care I gave last year and I was glad that the cat got better in the end, I am no professional sitter or carer.

Has anybody experienced something similar in life or on a sitting?

Could I please ask for your advice?

I’d really appreciate it. I think that before having a conversation with the HOs I’d need to have a clearer picture.

Last, I’m not sure when the situation started getting complicated (there is a subtle mention that the underweight got worse in the last couple of weeks). I remember asking the HO how the pet was in the last few messages exchanged, but there was never any mention about her. I don’t know if I’ve been put on hold in here because other sitters might possibly not have applied for this sitting, but I’m not sure if this is fair. At the moment I just kind of feeling put on hold…

2

I had a similar thing a few days before a sit, although the owners of the cat had known earlier in the month it was very ill. I suddenly received a 9 page email with the cats care and medication and what to do when. Also I was then to sleep on a sofa bed which was the same room as the cat was being kept so it could be monitored at all times . The email also said I should pay any vets fees on my credit card and they would reimburse me. Needless to say I was quite angry and cancelled. They were going abroad and if it been my cat, I would have cancelled my holiday.

3

Ultimately there is no right or wrong way to handle it. If the responsibilities of the sit change in any way from the time of confirmation, sitters have a right to cancel. If you are concerned the care is too extensive, and you worry you are not properly equipped to do it , you think it is beyond the scope of this free exchange, or you will just stress too much, that is an option you are free to exercise.

Whether or not a host would cancel their trip, or seek out a service such as THS in the first place, really depends on so many factors, and sitters are the ones who have to decide if they are willing to do what needs to be done, whether at the outset of accepting the sit, or if there is some dramatic downturn in the pet’s health prior to the start of it.

We had a sit cancelled back in September because one of their cats became seriously sick–she was young and healthy and this was out of the blue-- and they were not comfortable leaving her. Perhaps another host may have felt comfortable doing so. If this host was willing to take their trip, given the serious nature of what the cat was dealing with specifically, I probably would not have felt comfortable proceeding with the sit and would have let them know.

If the sit being cancelled on the host’s end is a possibility, then it is totally reasonable for you to tell her you must know as soon as possible. If it is simply more a matter of getting clearer instructions on the exact care, and you are entertaining the possibility of cancelling on your end, then again, wanting to connect as soon as possible is understandable.

At the end of the day, you have to decide what you think is best for you and also the animal…in this case, with all the extensive needs and monitoring, you may feel like the host is the one better equipped to care for her. When it comes to caring for sick animals, people’s comfort level can vary significantly depending on the exact issues.

While I can’t say for sure what I would do, if the issue was more of feeling like it was inconvenient or just ‘too much’ I would probably just do the sit as planned since it was starting so soon.

If it was a matter of feeling like I may not be able to properly care for the cat and I would worry I would do something wrong,etc…then I would probably lean more towards cancelling. BUt again, there isn’t some objective ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ here, it is ultimately up to the individual sitter to decide.

4

Accepting a elderly animal sit comes with risk. Since you already cared for this cat in the past and did these things (if i’m understanding correctly), I feel like you should accept the new circumstances and execute the sit.

Adding on new things should not be a surprise for this old cat. Aging animals do not improve with time. They are lucky to stay stable but more likely to decline.

My 1st (and only sit so far as we are new sitters, a change from only Homeowner membership) was an 18 year old cat that was listed on the profile “in good health”. Upon our arrival we were informed that she had been sick recently and stopped eating and had some gastrointestinal issues. Having lost my own elderly cat with gastro issues a couple years prior I didn’t hesitate to roll with the new info upon arrival. I was extra watchful of her eating and turns out she had liquid diarrhea for about the first 4 days of the 9 days sit. There were “hershey kisses” on the tile floor that took me a minute to figure out it was from her. Poor baby. I scooped her two boxes multiple times a day (I was only asked to do it once a day) and went around cleaning poop kisses on the floor as needed daily. I didn’t bother telling the owner about the floor tracking, as she told me the cat had been ill. I gave daily updates on her behavior, eating, drinking, and what types of poops i found in the littler box. Pics and videos sent daily also as requested. We gave and received 5 stars for the sit.

These questions are judgemental. They have no bearing on the sit as the owners have been up front and you have sat for them before. It is not your place to be curious about why they would continue to travel while they have an elderly or sick animal. I have been in the position before with my sick cat and we took a 3 day getaway. It was a ton of fun, a needed break and we had a wonderful and understanding local private sitter.

If a THS Sit is too high maintenance for someone, they can just scroll past the listing and move on. As long as the homeowner is transparent about the needs of the pet and home care, and it is within THS rules and regs, all is good. Things change and sometimes last minute changes and info come up – hopefully both sitter and homeowner can have honest open conversations about it and come to an agreement on what to do.

If you are unsure about taking this sit on, I encourage you to get on the phone with the owner and have that discussion now. Talk out ALL the requirements, make sure you understand them and are comfy with them (or not). Then make your decision sooner than later. You dont want to leave them or yourself in a lurch.

5

@KC1102 & @MTBer have given such great responses, it’s hard to think of anything to add.

I’ll just say, then, to anyone in this situation, to please have compassion for both the pet & the hosts, who are almost certainly finding the whole situation just as challenging & worrisome as you are. (And to the OP, your questions & concerns do seem to be rooted in compassion, so kudos to you.)

Also, don’t be afraid of over-communicating. Don’t leave it to texts…pick up the phone & call, or schedule a call for after the vet visit, to have a frank but kind conversation about your concerns, the cat’s situation, the owners’ concerns & feelings & requirements — all of it. If they’re like most pet owners, they’re worried as heck right now too, & would likely be grateful for an honest and open discussion.

They are probably struggling with whether to leave or not as well, assuming they have a choice. Perhaps it’s simply a testament of their trust in you that they’re willing to even consider leaving their beloved pet in someone’s care, but depending on your input & comfort level you may decide together that a different course of action is warranted.

In the meantime, wishing you all the best of luck, & that you settle on the best solution for all concerned. :hugs:

6

Hi @Mokina :slightly_smiling_face:

I think the distinction I’d be looking at is whether this is now routine care for an elderly pet, or whether it has moved into end-of-life nursing care.

Many of us are happy to administer medication, monitor eating and litter trays, and provide a bit of extra support for senior pets. That’s fairly common on sits. However, when a pet requires detailed monitoring, recording food intake, tracking toileting, waking at specific times, and following a changing medical regime, that starts to feel like a different level of responsibility.

For me, the key issue isn’t whether the owners should travel or not. Different people have different circumstances, and we can never know the full picture.

The more important question is whether the care requirements now are materially different from those described when the sit was agreed, and whether you have enough information to make an informed decision about taking that on.

After 14+ years of full-time travel and 155+ sits, I’ve found that when circumstances change significantly before a sit, honest communication becomes even more important. I’d wait until after the vet review, have a detailed conversation with the owners, and make sure you have a clear understanding of the cat’s condition, daily routine, and likely needs during the sit.

Once you have that information, you’ll be in a much better position to decide what’s best for you, the owners, and most importantly, the cat.

:paw_prints: :heart:

7

I always like your comments @MerryPuppins they always bring some kind humanity into these troubled times.

8

Thank you so much @WeRPAWsome this gives a lot more of clarity to me :folded_hands:

9

Please talk to the HOs about a possible scenario where the cat might die in your care. You might be in a situation where the cat is PTS at the vet or it might pass away naturally. Ask the HOs to put a Plan together for what they want you to do, don’t avoid or assume, just follow the Plan.
If you cannot face this eventuality then you must cancel, it’s a huge honour and responsibility to help any animal at the end of their life, the HOs might want a live video via your phone if you’re at the Vets. You need a Plan just in case. This is all part of pet care and can happen at any time with any pet to any sitter.
Best wishes.

10

Potential end of life would be my concern. Obviously this can happen unexpectedly, but in this scenario it seems quite possible. Personally this level of responsibility known prior to the sit would likely make me cancel. It is heartbreaking enough to make decisions around care when they are yours, someone else’s pet adds another layer of complexity.

11

I would not be happy doing all those things on an unpaid sit. There is also a very real possibility that the cat will die while under your care ( if the vet doesn’t suggest it is pts sooner) which would be horrible for you. In your situation I would be honest with the owners and suggest it should be looked after at the vets instead

12

Thank you all for your messages.

I actually have an update.

I’ve been told by the HOs that it’s an evolving situation. They keep hoping she’ll be in a routine by Saturday (which is the day I am supposed to starte the sitting).

They have cancelled the first few days of their holiday (a paid local sitter was supposed to take care from today and me starting from Saturday) and do still hope to get away on Sat and would like me to mind her if it is ok for me with the extra care involved.
They’ve seen the vet. They’ve started her on an appetite accellerant and increased the lactulose dosage today.
They say that they’re sorry it’s ‘come right down to the wire’. They kept assuming they’d have settled her in a routine within the next few days, and they’re still hoping. If they don’t, they are not going to subject her to another round of sedation and an enema and will have to look at end of life care. They’re just not sure of the timing of that.
They also say that even if the worst happens, they would probably go away immediately as the holiday place is like a home from home for them.

13

In your shoes, I would cancel. The only thing I could see being an issue is if you have premium and would need them to cancel. As tough as all this is, I’d recommend a phone call with them. I’m guessing they may be on the verge of cancelling the trip and a conversation where you give them “permission” might be in order. The cat may rally, but there is a good chance the cat will not.

As homeowners, we had a crisis last year with our senior cat, that got us to cancel. The cat passed a few days later so we could have technically gone away but weren’t in emotional shape to and it wouldn’t have been fair to our other cats.

Sometimes senior pets (or even younger ones) battle health conditions for years. It’s hard for pet parents to know when the time has come to stop travelling. People looking at conditions from outside can see it more clearly.

14

Thanks for the update, so glad you two are talking details and figuring out a plan. This is the hardest part of owning animals, travel, sick animals, figuring out when is the time to let them go. Every owner handles these things differently. You are kind for hanging in their while they figure this out.

What are your thoughts on this?

If this occurs, was there mention of letting you come sit the house without an animal to care for so you have a place to stay? Not sure if you would want this but it might be a option.

Hang in there while they hope for the best and plan for the worst for poor old kitty. I went through this 2 years ago and it is heartbreaking. :face_with_diagonal_mouth:

15

@Mokina, gosh. Sorry to hear of developments. Delighted at some of the positive, thoughtful comments by fellow Forum members.

Kudos to you and your pet parent for transparent communication. Encourage keep communication wide open. And encourage pick up the phone - for complicated, nuanced conversations then email, message and other digital comms simply don’t work very well.

For context, we’ve had three pet parents that have sprung relevant surprises on us after arrival at property. “Oh did we forget to mention that [pet] may not live until the end of housesit?” … erm. Yikes. So kudos for openness of your PP. Mercifully we have suffered no loss of housesit pets. But the experiences taught us that we have no right to judge actions of pet parent (it’s simply not our pet), and that human-animal (nevermind owner-pet or parent-child) relationship varies dramatically.

Hope that you speak with pet parent and come to a sensible understanding in regards appropriate and reasonable pet care in difficult situation.

16

I wasn’t sure I was able and capable to do it, but then after sleeping on it and reflecting I’ve decided to care for the ill cat.

However, the situation is indeed evolving.

I spoke with the HOs yesterday evening. They told me that they had spoken with the Vet again and the situation is that if the cat doesn’t do any poo by Friday, they don’t want to do another round of sedation and edema and they’ll put her to sleep.

I won’t know anything until Friday, I am supposed to get to their home on Saturday.

I’ve been told that they don’t know how the Premium membership works in case of a cancellation and that I could go and stay in their “empty” house for the time they’ll be on holidays, but I am not sure if that is more a kind of invitation to find an alternative rather than for me to feel welcome to stay in their house.

Sometimes it is difficult to read through the lines or to miss any tiny word or intonation that changes the phrase completely.

I think I would feel sad to stay in the house especially considering I met the cat last year and that we spent a lot of time together. I think I’d be ok too, looking after their plants and having a place to stay. There are only three days ago and having to find an alternative accommodation, enquirying with the insurance while I’m due to sit for a one year old pup until Saturday is not ideal.

Also an alternative place to stay is very expensive in this Country, at this time of the year and on the last minute.

Last but not least, a year ago I got injured during a sitting and I didn’t avail of the insurance because the cancellation was “initiated” by me. You never know with these insurance companies…

On one side I still hope that the cat survives and that I can see her again, but having this poor little kit surviving for another few days on these conditions… I just hope for the best whatever it is :folded_hands:

17

I would take their offer to stay as a genuine one . You took care of their cat previously and were willing to do so again even with the potential of more responsibilities as the cats health declined .

These hosts understand the mutual exchange concept of THS . You’ll still be house sitting - providing security by staying at the home and taking care of plants etc .

We have had hosts offer us a place to stay when they heard that another sit if ours was cancelled at the last minute.

The sit cancellation plan (if the hosts cancel the sit ) will only cover part of your costs for alternative accommodation.

18

Hi @Mokina

What a sad situation. I really hope the cat improves and has a bit more time left, with better health.

It sounds like you’ve got things under control for now, but if I can help at all (e.g. make sure you get some support from the team) my inbox is always open :slight_smile:

Jenny

19

If you have premium and they initiate a cancellation because they want to cancel the sit for their reasons: eg the cat is very ill and they want to stay home to care for it or the cat was put down and they don’t need/want a sitter, then you can make a claim if you have premium and get reimbursement to stay in the area near the sit. This only applies if you have premium, they cancel, and you are still have to travel to or are in the area near them and need to pay for accomodation.

So if cancelling just means that you stay home, then it’s not worth filing a claim. I only suggested it previously in case the last minute cancellation put you in a situation where’d you be stuck for housing.

If they have premium but you don’t, that doesn’t help you at all.

20

@Mokina, applaud your mindset and commitment.

We agree with @Silversitters wise counsel. We guess that the Pet Parents are frankly grateful for your continued positive contribution to a difficult situation. They may seek to simply do the right thing - and have you stay at their property. We faced this a couple of years ago. Between confirming sit (non THS, repeat sit) and start date then the pet passed - pet parents reached out with bad news but expressly extended an invite that we stay in their property anyway. Turned out that, for them, housesitting wsa not just about pet care but also about property oversight - they felt that they’d better enjoy their trip knowing that someone was in their property.

In the event that you are not familiar then seems a timely opportunity to carefully read the coverage and conditions of THS Sit Cancellation Insurance for premium members.

https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360015619898-What-is-the-Sit-Cancellation-Plan