I May have to put my cat down (vanity?)

[Canedawg]

I havent had to go thru this since my dog died 20 years ago. And he went down so fast, the decision was a no-brainer.

So this kitty is 15, mostly siamese, white with blue eyes. He's been having violent seizures (six in the past 6 months)and kidny failure. I give him intravenous fluids, and the kidneys are stabilizing, but he has been losing weight, eating less, stopped sitting on my lap, and has had very flat affect the past few weeks. He's very lethargic, and so I have resisted putting him on phenobarbitol to control the seizures, but I may start that.

He doesnt seem happy, and his hind legs are going- he's wobbly and gimpy- just very fragile.

But, when I watch him resting comfortably, sleeping, and when he meets me at the door when I come home from work, the guilt pangs hit me as to why should I make a decision to take his little life away from him?

I am divorced, live alone, and dont get a lot of emotional support from any real support group to speak of.

I'm truly at a crossroads here. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

You've got FReepMail.

[jdm]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear your cat is so ill. If he's still coming to greet you at the door, it's probably not his time yet. That's just my gut instinct. Good luck to you. Again, very sorry to hear.

[jocon307]

Very sad, very sad, you have my sympathy. Been there and done that. We had one cat, we were trying to let him die naturally, but finally we took him. I can't remember why. It just seemed like it was time. When it is time, you will know.

May God bless you and your kitty.

[Dark Skies]

Hey CD...sorry to hear about your troubles. I have lost three cats in the last 5 years, all to old age, and I can imagine what you are going through.

Hang tough...as painful as it is, eventually the pain will be replaced with fond memories.

[Darkwolf377]

All of those symptoms are grave. Coming to greet you at the door shows that even in pain he still expects you and knows you're coming--I don't think it indicates a return to health.

My dog went through something similar and the day before I brought him to the vet, where he had a seizure and died, he got up on the couch for the first time in weeks.

I'm afraid I was looking for excuses not to have him put down, and he made the decision for me, apparently. I'm not telling you what to do, merely expressing how I would react in this case, and that would be to have one last good day with him, and then let him go with dignity, with you there for him as he goes. I was there when my previous dog went--I had him for 15 years--and he was in pain, and I was crying like a baby, but I have never regretted being there, holding him as he slipped away.

Oddly enough, an ex-girlfriend had become an employee at this vet. When she saw me she looked confused, then realized who it was who called to say they were coming in. She cried too and hugged me as I took my dog home to bury him; it was at night, and raining.

I mention all of this stuff about me to show you where I'm coming from. I am not a cat person but feel your concern mixed with your desire to keep your beloved pet around. But sometimes you're only serving yourself. What is in the best interest of the cat, who can't express pain as humans do?

IMO, it's time. But you have to be the one to decide. Best of luck on making such a hard decision.

[eastforker]

When it is apparent that she is in pain, that would be the time. That being said 15 yo is old for a cat. Sometimes it is better to let go and remember all the good times.

[LSAggie]

Sorry to hear about your cat, those types of decisions are so hard to make.

I use a dietary supplement I get at the health food store for Louise, my 16 1/2 year old cat. It's called Life Exxtension and it's made by Solid Gold. It is an auto-immune enhancer and it has made a world of difference with Louise. She is a lot more interested in what's going on around her, and her health is generally much better. It's rather pricey but the dosage is only 1/4 tsp. a day. You might try it and see if it helps, it won't hurt.

[Canedawg]

Thanks for the quick responses. My heart strings are making my eyes wet.

Keep the kind thoughts coming, and I will keep you posted.

Dawg

[vetvetdoug]

Try phosphate binders, subcutaneous fluids daily and periactin to stimulate the appetite. If you have already done this on the recommendations of your veterinarian, then you may be at the end. Valium at a very low dose sometimes also will control seizures and stimulate the appetite. It is very common for cats to have a special type of brain tumour that believe it or not, is very operable and successful but with the complications you spoke of, keeping your cat happy and letting your cat live and die with dignity may be the best option. It seems the time for a decision is always made by other factors, let the events guide you to the right decision and don't force the issue. I wish you well. I lost my favourite horse valentine's day and it pains me; I raised him,trained him, and had him for 21 years.

[rambo316]

If its any help, my wife and I had a outside cat that we have been feeding for 7 years. he was a wild cat. he had an igloo that we bought for him and we let him use the heating pad in the cold weather. A couple mornings ago, we noticed that he hurt his leg. I had to trap him in a cat carrier and take him to the vet.

he had filine HIV and his leg was hurt really bad and we had to put him down. It was sad. I hate having to make that decision.

[laney]

GOD Bless you're kitty I know GOD looks after all of his precious creatures. I think your cat will give you signs when it's time for you to let him go with all the love you have for him...Pray about it and let your heart and mind do what is best for your cat..
God Bless you with your decision.

[dandelion]

First, let me just hug you spiritually - you are not alone, and there are many of us who have had to make similar choices here. It's hard, isn't it?

I chose to put my little cocker spaniel to sleep when she was suffering from cancer, and I chose to allow my kitty to die naturally after she contracted feline leukovirus. Both decisions carry their equal amounts of heartache. However, I will say that I felt pressured to put my little dog to sleep when one distant member of my family threatened to call a vet "on me" because _SHE_ "couldn't bear to watch that dog suffer".

I always felt guilty for allowing my dog to live so long because this family member made me to feel that my dog's suffering was somehow my fault. I was caring for my little dog with everything I had - carrying her outside, feeding her by hand - and I would have done it till she died naturally. In truth, I'm not sure it was right to put my dog "down" just because others "couldn't stand her suffering".

So I made the opposite decision with my kitty two years later, when the doctor told me she was dying. In this case, we knew she would die soon, and I saw no reason to rush her through the process. I made her as comfortable as possible, and I yes she did suffer greatly. She also purred, looked out the window, and enjoyed tuna water everyday. It was a process I documented in these blog posts:

http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/2005/04/just-cat_12.html
http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/2005/04/cat-and-her-boy.html
http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/2005/04/cat-and-her-boy.html
http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/2005/04/gracie-was-sufficient-for-me.html

My experience with euthanasia (for my little dog at least) was marred by the fact that she was very hard to put down - even though I know the vet was very good and she came to my house to help make the process better. This is not typical of all my experiences with pet euthanasia, but I have discovered one thing:

I always felt pressured by well meaning people to "do the right thing" and put my animals down when they were suffering - even if it was not a "given" that they would surely die - and I always felt terrible pangs of guilt afterwards.

However, I do not feel guilty for allowing my little cat to pass from this world naturally, and I discovered that I could help her through the process of her death. I understand that there are times when "mercy killing" is a mercy; but it is not always necessary. Follow your heart and do what you feel your kitty would want you to do. I and many more will be praying for you...

[wizardoz]

I sympathize. I had a big, black cat named Psycho (yes) and at 13 she got hurt and just never recovered. I had her on antibiotics, baby aspirin, everything, and her leg just wouldn't heal. She wouldn't eat. She got thinner and glassy-eyed, but never quit coming to lie at my side whenever she could.

I finally had her put down and it was harder than anything I've ever done. She slipped under without a struggle, so I know it was her time. But I still miss her sometimes, and this was two years ago.

[HairOfTheDog]

In my experience, you can usually tell when it's time, when they no longer are enjoying life. FWIW, the seizures are more painful for you to see than they are for him.

My heart goes out to you, it's painful to watch our pets get old.

Pinging Slings and Arrows for the kitty list, and my doggie list, because they understand how tough this crossroad is too.

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[Tijeras_Slim]

Our animals trust us. We owe it to them to make sure they don't suffer. This doesn't make it any easier. I put my old abyssinian cat down in 2000, and still miss him.

[Joe 6-pack]

You have my sympathies, but you, as the animal's owner have the knowledge and familiarity with the animal to know when is best...and when that time comes, you also have the moral responsibility to do so.

Our animals bring so much to our existence and truly live their lives entirely for us. We only have one opportunity to ever return that complete selflessness to them, and that is when we can relieve their misery by accepting a little bit of it for ourselves. I've seen too many (dog) owners prolong their dog's suffering because they (the owners) are too selfish to accept the pain that they woulod have to endure by relieving the animal of it's suffering.

Animals don't lie, deceive or manipulate...they're incapable of it. Your cat will let you know when it's time; and GOD will help you to see it.

[HairOfTheDog]

But, when I watch him resting comfortably, sleeping, and when he meets me at the door when I come home from work, the guilt pangs hit me as to why should I make a decision to take his little life away from him?

Up and down days are part of getting really old. We had an old lab growing up, who got pretty bent with arthritis, this was before there were good drugs they could stay on for the long haul... For a long time, he'd hobble and got slower, but that tail of his was still going a mile a minute. He was still happy. When the tail stopped, it was time.

Your cat may show you signs like that.

[Gabz]

Hair of the Dog sums it up very well:

When the tail stopped, it was time.

We had to make that decision 3 weeks ago today with our 14 yo lab/chessie mix, so I understand what you are going through. I didn't want to do it, but I knew she was no longer happy. She's buried alongside 2 of our outside cats who let her share their food.

It's a tough decision to make, but I feel you will make the right one for you and your beloved cat.

[DollyCali]

Awe geeze.. It is so easy to be objective when you are on the outside looking in.. but when it is YOUR baby & your heart breaking, it is another story. I am so sorry that your guy is suffering but it seems you both need each other. I believe one of the seizures, he will be "taken".. maybe until then you can just know that he is in God's hands. During seizures they do NOT control things & so if you go to hold him - to protect him - , he may bit you(and not know it).. I have had to have surgery trying to help one of my kitties in similar situation years ago. She severed an artery in my wrist. I know it is difficult for you to watch this....the easy way out is euthanizing. Give it time, you aren't ready to say good bye yet. Just MHO.. God Bless you!