I have to have my cat euthanized

[Juliacat]

because I just found out she's terminally ill, and either treating or not treating her would cause her to suffer.

This is the cat who gave me my username when I joined MDC over seven years ago. So I guess I will think of her every time I come here.

I wish I could somehow get through to her that I love her.

[stormborn]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

I wish I could somehow get through to her that I love her.

I'm sure you do every day. I'm so sorry...it's so hard to lose them, isn't it.

[Mama Mko]

[Jemmind]

I'm so sorry

[LemonPie]

Sorry Mama

[Juliacat]

I had the most awful dreams last night! Three years ago my dad spent five months on life support and every day we had to face the decision of whether to leave him on or take him off. Finally the doctor sat us down and said almost the same thing the vet said to me today--his entire body is failing and even the most aggressive treatment will only prolong his suffering. Early the next morning, he died of his own accord and my first thought was, "Thank goodness we didn't have to have him taken off." So, last night I kept dreaming that we had euthanized my dad along with the cat.

[William's Mom]

[angie7]

[FishBounce]

I'm so sorry mama.

[mysticmomma]

[Nicole915]

"I wish I could somehow get through to her that I love her."

She knows. It sounds like you two are deeply connected, I have no doubt that she understands your love, and returns it. Thinking of you.

[broodymama]

I'm so sorry.

Originally Posted by Nicole915

She knows. It sounds like you two are deeply connected, I have no doubt that she understands your love, and returns it. Thinking of you.

Yes, this. You two have a deep bond, and she knows that you love her. Just be there for her to the end, even though it's hard, she'll take comfort in your presence. (I know how hard this is, I was in your position with my last two kitties who had advanced cancer.) Hug her and love her, give her treats if she wants them, and just show your love as much as you can over her last days.

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

because I just found out she's terminally ill, and either treating or not treating her would cause her to suffer.

This is the cat who gave me my username when I joined MDC over seven years ago. So I guess I will think of her every time I come here.

I wish I could somehow get through to her that I love her.

You clearly have a deep bond with her. Do not doubt that she knows that you love her.

I had to make this very difficult choice several times, both as a breeder and as a pet owner. With my last cat, when I suspected she had gone anorexic on me I took her in. I had the same decision, a disease with no cure, a lot of interventions for little time or painless euthanasia.

I stroked her, loved her, cried, said my goodbyes. They let me stay with her the whole time, I kept her cuddled in my arms as she passed on.

You're showing your love too by not allowing her to suffer, by allowing her to pass without suffering through the pain. Veterinary medicine can do a whole lot of things nowadays...however sometimes it is done more to ease or delay the grief of the owner, and is so hard on the pet.

Think about some of those special times that you've had together, and rest in the knowledge that you are being a responsible and loving pet owner by not allowing her to suffer.

[Juliacat]

Our appointment is tomorrow. I don't think anyone is going to be able to take off from work to go with me. Can any of you give me any tips on how not to fall completely to pieces?

[Nicole915]

Hi Juliacat,

I'm a vet in Michigan, so this advice is from that end of the stick. Falling completely to pieces is totally normal. It is not unusual for owners to have a difficult time and needing lots of extra time in the room.

What I'd recommend is asking the vet to either use a rear leg, or putting an IV cath in before so that the vet doesn't have to monkey around trying to find a good vein.

It is not unusual for our vets to have a very emotional reaction, so don't be surprised to look up and see tears in your vet's eyes as well. We sometimes get really close to both our patients and our clients, and while it is a gift to be able to discontinue pain, it is also difficult to say goodbye to these creatures who warm our hearts.

Take as much time as you need with her after she's gone, I usually find that owners are in the room after we're done for 5-10 min. Be aware that certain things will happen, she might lose urine or feces, as all these muscles relax. Its normal and nothing you need to worry about.

Again, I'm so sorry. She sounds like a really special animal. Beyond that, she seems to be pretty lucky to have found her human to be someone who cared so well and so much for her through her long life.

Nicole

[tracymom1]

Big, big
I had to put my cat down just about 1 year ago after a long and painful illness. You and your kitty will be in my thoughts. I know how hard it is, but just try to remember that you are showing your love by doing the compassionate thing and not letting kitty suffer.
More

[heartmama]

I heard a vet on NPR talking about euthanasia in detail last week. She said it's a good idea to ask them to give your pet something to make them comfortable or pain free (if they are in pain) and they allow you time alone with your pet to prepare and saying goodbye BEFORE they are put to sleep. Some vets have a room for just this purpose with a sofa so you can both relax. I heard this is a good step because your pet is now more comfortable and you have time alone with them alert and comfortable and you are together and not being rushed. Then once you are ready the iv is in place already and it is very quick at the end.

I am so sorry you are going to be alone. Please come post here, so we can give you some more support afterwards.

[Maela]

I'm so sorry you're having to do this. It's so not fun. I'm sure she knows that you love her very much.

We had to do this with a little kitten that we had only had for a few weeks, but it was really hard on us (dh and I). It didn't help that I was pregnant. She was the sweetest little thing on earth. :cry: But her belly was swollen (I forget what she had, but she wasn't going to live and she was in pain), and we couldn't stand the thought of her being in pain for another month before she died on her own. I still miss her...

[Maela]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

Our appointment is tomorrow. I don't think anyone is going to be able to take off from work to go with me. Can any of you give me any tips on how not to fall completely to pieces?

I wish I had advice for you. I think that the vets are probably used to seeing people upset after something like this - it's totally normal. I wasn't able to keep myself from crying and I never cry in front of people I don't know. My thoughts are with you and your kitty...

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by Nicole915

Again, I'm so sorry. She sounds like a really special animal. Beyond that, she seems to be pretty lucky to have found her human to be someone who cared so well and so much for her through her long life.

Thanks, Nicole. Actually, I was only a so-so owner. I do think I gave her a better home than the person who gave her to me when she was a kitten, but I didn't do anything spectacular. She's only 10 years old and I think she was sick for a long time before I noticed. I had just never had an indoor cat before and didn't know what to look for. The symptoms came on gradually and they kind of ebbed and flowed and I attributed a lot of them to not being a kitten any more, being stressed out by the baby, etc. I did take her to the vet, but she was only diagnosed Tuesday by a very expensive blood test that my family was opposed to my getting for her.

Hey, when I pay for the procedure, how does that work exactly? Do I pay before or after? Do I have to stand at the front counter bawling in front of all the other patients? I've already figured out that I should either pay in cash or write the check ahead of time....

Anyway, thanks, EVERYONE, for all your support.