How do you know when it's time to put your pet down?

[betrayedgirl]

I have a 12 years old cat. He has been losing alot of weight in the last few months, he used to weigh 20 lbs and now just alittle over 6 lbs. Two weeks ago 7 lbs.

He is very constaipated so I give him miralax. His bowel movements are really stinky and runny since miralax. He had x-rays done, and looks like he might have a mass. He had bloodwork done at another vet which Id idn't like the vet so took him to another vet that I like and am currently using. All tests came out fine except for the liver which is "okay" ....

He has been vomiting a few times a week, his appetite is great, though but throws it back up sometimes. He is so skinny you can feel his ribs and spine.

Problem is I cannot afford ultrasound, treatment and surgery, etc. I do have a job, been there 3 years, and when I got this job, I took a big paycut from my previous job where I was extremely unhappy.

I don't want him to suffer any more and am considering putting him down. He had a great life with me. He doesn't play anymore...he just wants to hang out with me, clings with me, etc. It's just not fair if he doesn't have that great quality of life anymore.

This afternoon I came home to find that he had threw up on carpet, and he was sitting there with a sad face looking at me. Few minutes ago he pooped on my bed ... thankfully not runny though ... I just hate seeing him like this .... I hate not being able to afford this ....

What would you do? I've been crying since yesterday, when the vet asked to bring him back next monday for checking weight. It has been stressful for me to watch my cat suffer and my close friend died a month ago and been planning the memorial service for the last 5 weeks and it's finally this Saturday so that will be all over.


Thanks!

[Ariel85]

I would put him down immediately. Believe me, I know how hard it is, but to me, the greatest gift we can give our pets is the true gift of love to release them from their suffering. And trust me, he's suffering.

Do the right thing for HIM. This isn't a time to be selfish. And then you will always know in your heart you loved him enough to let him go.

[lia86]

I am so sorry to hear this. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. I just consoled a friend who had to put her cat down last weekend.

My sister, who is a HUGE animal lover and works as a vet tech, strongly believes in euthanizing a pet when they are so sick. She said before she got her job she would've extended a pet's life as long as possible, but now that she has her job she knows how much pain the pet is really in and recommends euthanizing. She said pets cannot voice how much pain they are in and will actually act like they are in less pain then they actually are to convince their owners they are okay. (Dogs in particular do this, but cats to a degree as well.)

Again, I am so, so sorry. It pains me just reading about your poor kitty. It takes a lot of courage to put a pet down, but I really think it is the right thing to do.

PS~ I am an animal lover too... vegetarian here

[betrayedgirl]

Thanks.. I don't really want to put him down, it's just hard as I have never done this before and I truly love him... he's a sweet cat, a tuxedo cat, with cute "milk drool" on his bottom lip ...

[betrayedgirl]

Forgot to add that vet gave me presdione pills to try and see if it will stop vomiting.

[Ariel85]

I have put down three cats, Betrayed. It is extremely difficult. BUT, you have to be a responsible parent and release him from his pain. I mean, we can't do that for people (which is BS, but another topic) so it's wonderful we can do it for our pets.

Remember - he trusts you to take care of him. That includes even making the painful end of life decisions for him.

I put down a tuxedo a few years ago and I thought I'd never survive it. He was also 12, had cancer, and we had been together since he was 6 weeks old and weighed a pound and a half. To say I loved him was an understatement. But, after having his tumor removed, we knew it would recur, and when it did about 8 months later, it took one day of him not eating, and I took him in. There was NO WAY I was going to sit by and watch him suffer in pain because I was too weak to do the right thing for him.

This takes a lot of courage, but it's part of the responsibility of being a good parent. He deserves this much.

[jumper11]

I think it's time too. I am a huge cat lover, and my heart goes out to you. I could not imagine... 12 is a good life he has lived, and I am sure he has lived a wonderful life. I have a 16 year old cat since I was 6 and she is my life, I really cannot imagine your pain..

When they start doing those things, that's unfortunately a sign.. I do recommend it, because my ex's dog was doing all of these same things and they refused to put her down, and it got so bad and she passed away in front of them. Whenever I look back, I wish they put her down to relieve her pain.

XOXO

[MizzGee]

I agree with everyone saying that putting him down is the most humane and loving thing right now. That way, you can be with him in his final moments and make it a painless death.
One of my dogs was like this last year, but unfortunately I still lived with my parents and brother, and they all didn't want to let him go even though he was living a miserable life (deaf, going blind, only had 7 teeth left and liver problems). I deeply regret not disobeying them and bringing him to the vet myself because he somehow tripped over the barrier to our pool and drowned in August It hurts more than anything knowing that I could have given him a peaceful sleep and he had to go in such a terrible way

[Madamdiva007]

Hi there, let me start out by expressing my sincere sympathy to you for what you are going through. It is never easy. I am a vet tech at an emergency animal hospital, so I see these things everyday.

Exactly 2 weeks ago I put my cat down, she had a very serious, very aggressive form of oral cancer. She was diagnosed with this 2 days before Christmas. At that time, I opted to place a feeding tube because the tumor was in her mouth, and I wanted to buy a little more time with her since I was completely caught off guard. Her quality of life was still very good at that point, and I knew I would be able to manage her pain very easily. I found out the next day through my boss that there was an unpublished chemotherapy protocal they had tried on 8 cats. Because I work in the veterinary field, I have a lot of "ins" and know many specialists in my area. My boss was able to contact an internist and get me started on this treatment. I originally told myself I wasn't going to try any heroics on this cat. I was going to give her a few weeks, and let her go when the time came. But the remission rate with this chemotherapy treatment was so good (and I was able to get a HUGE financial break) I decided to go for it. There was also a very good possibility that her tumor would shrink enough that she would be able to start eating through her mouth again and lose the feeding tube. Both of the chemo drugs started working almost immediately. The only problem was the most significant drug I was using was on backorder, and I was only able to get one vial through the internist I was working with. As a matter of fact, I got her last vial. Once I realized the chemo was working, I began a desperate search of finding the one drug I needed. My boss contacted all local vets, specialists, even A&M University. Nothing. I tried to order the drug from a Canadian pharmacy, but it was also on backorder there. I started to relaize that my time was limited with my little kitty. She made it 3 months with me feeding her through her tube twice a day, and giving her 2 types of pain meds. Then I woke up one morning to find that her feeding tube had come completely out. I knew I had to stop. I wasn't going to sedate my cat and put her through the placement of another one, only to prolong the inevitible. I spent that whole day with her, and took her into my work, and had my dear doctor friend put her down. It was very, very difficult, but I can tell you, I felt so much better knowing she was no longer in any discomfort. I found out afterwards the cancer had spread to her lymphnodes, so it was starting to get worse very quickly.

I think if you put your kitty down, you would be making a good decision. I know it's hard, and you're never completely ready to say goodbye, but if you're feeling like it might be time go with your gut. Even if you had the money for an ultrasound and a full workup with a specialist, you might still be left with only a few weeks. And please don't feel guilty about not being able to spend that money... if it wasn't for where I work, I would never have been able to afford everything that I did.

It sounds like your baby is very loved, and that you have taken fantastic care of him. He is very lucky to have you Good luck with your decision, and again, I am so very sorry. If you ever need to talk, please don't hesitate to PM me.

[Victoria66]

I agree it is time. I have put down 4 cats, and other small pets. I lost my beloved Siamese just after my son was born. He refused to eat after my son was born and rapidly lost weight and sounds much like the circumstances your cat is in. I could not bear to watch my beloved cat suffer so. It was so much kinder I think to let him know how much he was loved and to let him have rest and peace and no pain. My cat was 15.

I am sorry about your cat, I know how hard it is.