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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / October 2006Putting my cat down
Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born with cerebellar hypoplasia. Spam hasn't been able to walk very far for a few years now, he doesn't play and pretty much all he has done is sit in his chair and occasionally meow for attention. Since he seems to have declined considerably, we've decided it's time to let him go. Two months ago the vet said Spam was reasonably fine, but Spam's mobility has consistently decreased since then. He has lots of accidents. He can't get around anymore, and we have to carry him to the catpans and food bowls. If he does get off his chair on his own he's unable to get back into it (it's his sleepy spot) and he's too confused to understand what's going on when we try new, easier to get into sleepy spots. He forgets he can't walk and jump and has hurt himself twice recently, so we have to watch him constantly to make sure he's okay. He gets pills twice a day and he hates it terribly. Physically he's lost weight, he's incontinent, often nauseous and vomits or spits up, lethargic, and occasionally acts "out of it". He does still like his soft food treat and he will eat and drink when carried to the bowls. He will use the catpan most of the time if we carry him there. Sometimes he likes being petted. That's what makes this so hard, I keep thinking he must still be happy, but every day he gets worse. We just can't spend all day carrying him places and watching him. I'm losing sleep with worry and he's so unhappy, uncomfortable and probably in pain. This is no kind of life for a cat. Stacia I'm so sorry. It's such a tough decision to make but ultimately it's probably the kindest thing for Spam. Best regards, Bonnie > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Stacia It is never easy to make that decision. Having had to make it myself more times than I care to remember (and I'm having to make it now as we speak), it's traumatic every single time. But when it breaks your heart to see them existing in such a horrid state, you know it's the right thing to do. Take consolation from the fact that it's done out of pure love for your beloved pet. You have my deepest sympathies Stacia, and I'll put a prayer in for Spam along with my own. Best regards, Mig >I'm so sorry. It's such a tough decision to make but ultimately it's >probably the kindest thing for Spam. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> >> Stacia > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born > with cerebellar hypoplasia. Stacia, it sounds to me like you are making the right decision. Please read the following link, as I think it might be helpful: http://angelshavenhere.homestead.com/makingthedecision.html It's never easy to do, and IMO, and IME, it's always best to err on the side of caution rather than to let the animal suffer too much. Take care, and we will keep you in our thoughts. -L. Dear Stacia, You have my very real sympathy. I still vividly remember going through this decision for our first cat, Tiger. That was many years ago, but the memory of how very hard it was is still intense. My heart goes out to you! Elizabeth > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > to let him go. Two months ago the vet said Spam was reasonably fine, > but Spam's mobility has consistently decreased since then. Thanks everyone for the kind words. We've decided to have the vet check Spam out tomorrow and hold off on putting him down. I just can't do it yet, although logically I know he doesn't have a lot of time. He's somewhat more alert this afternoon and I'd feel better if a vet saw him again once more before we made a final decision. Stacia > He's somewhat more alert this afternoon and I'd feel better if a vet saw > him again once more before we made a final decision. > > Stacia That's good news Stacia I think that's a good idea, Stacia. Do everything you need to do to be certain. Worse than having to make that decision, is having any lingering doubts. Take care, Rhonda > Thanks everyone for the kind words. We've decided to have the vet > check Spam out tomorrow and hold off on putting him down. I just can't [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Stacia > Thanks everyone for the kind words. We've decided to have the vet >check Spam out tomorrow and hold off on putting him down. I just can't [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Stacia That's best. My vet told me when it was time with Jackie. I brought her in for yet another problem and he said that it was time and that she would just suffer if I took her home. We had our cat Spam put down this evening. The poor guy. Last week I said: > Thanks everyone for the kind words. We've decided to have the vet >check Spam out tomorrow and hold off on putting him down. I just can't >do it yet, although logically I know he doesn't have a lot of time. The vet felt Spam had suffered a small stroke or was throwing blood clots which were somewhat dissolving, which accounted for Spam's slight improvement. So we waited a few days but Spam started having nausea and pain when using the cat pan, he couldn't walk well again, etc. At first we decided to have the vet come by and put spam to sleep next week, but today when I got up Spam was breathing heavy and lethargic. He's lost even more weight, and was all fur and bones. So the vet came by tonight after I panicked and thought maybe I'd waited too long to do this. I couldn't stop crying. I've been a wreck, I even hyperventilated. So far the other cats are kind of confused but not so much they're worried. Anyhow, the procedure wasn't very peaceful -- the sedative made him spit up, he fought the sedative, then hissed when the final needle went in his arm. God it was awful. I'll definitely think twice before having a cat put down again. I'd read online that it was all peaceful and quick but that's not always the case. He did go quickly though, before the shot was even finished. Stacia > We had our cat Spam put down this evening. The poor guy. [...]> I couldn't stop crying. I've been a wreck, I even hyperventilated. > So far the other cats are kind of confused but not so much they're > worried. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > and quick but that's not always the case. He did go quickly though, > before the shot was even finished. Stacia, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you did the right thing, it sounds like Spam had been suffering for a while. It may have been harder at the end because you waited a bit too long, but for all animals there are "good deaths" and "bad deaths" and though we always hope they will be "good" it just can't always happen. I definitely waited too long to have my cat euthanized, and that made things harder on both of us. No matter what, by having Spam euthanized rather than letting his last illnesses take their time and ravage him, you saved him a lot of suffering. It was the right thing to do, albeit incredibly painful for you. You did an act of mercy, at great expense to yourself (emotionally) and that is a great kindness.  SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you did the right thing, it sounds like >Spam had been suffering for a while. It may have been harder at the end >because you waited a bit too long I never thought of that. You're probably right, I know his veins were hard to find, and that's likely because of the illness. The vet warned us the sedative might make him spit up though. It wasn't completely a bad death, I just got the impression Spam knew something was up and maybe a was a little scared. Thanks for your post, it definitely helped. Stacia I am so sorry for your loss. I have had to have three kitties put down and all of them have been peaceful. I am sorry that your experience wasn't. > We had our cat Spam put down this evening. The poor guy. > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Stacia > The vet felt Spam had suffered a small stroke or was throwing blood > clots which were somewhat dissolving, which accounted for Spam's slight [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Stacia Despute the fact it wasn't "pretty" you did the best thing you could have done by euthanizing him. You ended his suffering, which was the humane thing to do. Please know you did the right thing. take care, -L. ((((Stacia))))) Even if it was hard, you still did the right thing. You were doing what was best for him, and he would have known that. It is better that he didn't have to go through all that suffering and pain; a few minutes distress is nothinbg compared to what he would have gone through otherwise, you were a loving and merciful friend, and that is all he would have asked for. > We had our cat Spam put down this evening. The poor guy. > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Stacia > We had our cat Spam put down this evening. The poor guy. > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Stacia Oh Stacia, I'm so sorry. It's a hard enough decision to make without complications. I think we all second-guess ourselves but I believe you made the right choice. You obviously loved Spam well and you did the best thing that you could. Bonnie > thinking he must still be happy, but every day he > gets worse. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Stacia Oh I know it must be heart breaking I know this sounds silly, but have you thought about, talking about it Spam? I am sure he knows what's up If anything, he does not like seeing you and your family, like this. Talk about it, and at some point, you will know when the time is right, Im sorry to even say that! but you will know.. I think it could be better than just getting up one morning, with no warning.. and making that trip. The other possibility is that your cat could pass in it's sleep. Not likely though.,. they are tough little things. So, tell the cat it's condition and your views, to get it's affairs in order, I think you will never regret doing this in a planned way with you cat. Ok, I know they may not understand english, but so what.. I'm sure he will find you voice and tone and release a comfort to him. maybe in telling him, it would give you a different take and strength on the matter. Regards Barry What a terrific idea! Seriously -- I know they don't understand the words we use, but they sure understand the emotions we express, and to some extent even the meaning of the words to us. When it comes time to face this decision with my Jasmine, I'll do just what you've suggested! Elizabeth > I know this sounds silly, but have you thought about, talking about it > Spam? [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Barry >What a terrific idea! It's not a bad idea, you're right. >> I know this sounds silly, but have you thought about, talking about it >> Spam? >> >> I am sure he knows what's up >> >> If anything, he does not like seeing you and your family, like this. It's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I might try it but to be honest, I don't know if it would work with Spam. He's been singularly stubborn and kind of dim his whole life. That sounds mean but it's not, he does have the cerebellar hypoplasia which might be part of the issue. Today he's doing well again. I hope the vet can give us a little insight. Stacia > It's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I might try it but to > be honest, I don't know if it would work with Spam. He's been [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Today he's doing well again. I hope the vet can give us a little > insight. He knows you, knows your tone, your inflection. He does not have to be bright. I think Barry is right, you should talk to him. My 20 year old was the dumbest and most unpleasant cat I have ever known (but thankfully my first, and I did not know that it got any better than that). I adored her and she was with me for 19.5 years. She was stump stupid--but we were attuned to one another. It is a very good idea to sit with him and touch him and have a long talk with him, for many reasons. >> It's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I might try it but to >> be honest, I don't know if it would work with Spam. He's been >> singularly stubborn and kind of dim his whole life. That sounds mean >> but it's not, he does have the cerebellar hypoplasia which might be part >> of the issue. >He knows you, knows your tone, your inflection. He does not >have to be bright. I think Barry is right, you should talk to him. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >to one another. It is a very good idea to sit with him and >touch him and have a long talk with him, for many reasons. That's really sweet. Spam and I haven't bonded as close as I have with our other cats, he was always aloof, but I understand crankiness happens with cerebellar hypoplasia sometimes. Yeah, I'm going to have a talk with Spam. The vet came by and said he thought Spam either had a stroke or is starting to throw blood clots from the cardiomyopathy. The improvement might be the body breaking down a small clot and restoring blood flow, but that the chances of Spam having a bigger stroke or blood clot emergency is high. We'll try aspirin (half a child's aspirin every 3 days) but the vet encouraged us to consider our options. He said a lot of people when asked say they probably waited too long to let their pet go. Stacia >>> It's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I might try it but to >>>be honest, I don't know if it would work with Spam. He's been [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Stacia All my best to you, Stacia. This stuff totally sucks. It has not even been a month since I lost my Dudley and I miss him soooo much. But, I just wanted to share this: The night before (literally...hours before) dudley died, Tim and I had decided we needed to take him in the morning. It was very clear he was suffering and it was horrible. We stayed with him until late that night, pet him as much as he would let us, cried alot...and Tim talked to Dudley. He told Dudley it was okay to let go and that we understood. He must have said it several times. Now, Dudley was a DEAF (and blind) cat. He couldnt "hear" us per se...but I'll be damned if my little guy didn't pass on just hours after Tim said those words to him. I think there is something to it. It might sound kooky to someone else but to us it makes perfect sense. Incidentally, today would have been his 14th birthday. :( We're with you, Stacia! Good luck! Pam > The night before (literally...hours before) dudley died, Tim and I had > decided we needed to take him in the morning. It was very clear he was [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > se...but I'll be damned if my little guy didn't pass on just hours after > Tim said those words to him. Awww, this was so sad and so sweet. Animals must use more than just their ears to listen to us. Rhonda > That's really sweet. Spam and I haven't bonded as close as I have > with our other cats, he was always aloof, but I understand crankiness [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Stacia Regardless of when you do it, you will second-guess yourself, after the fact. The best words my vet said to me when my dog was disgnosed with terminal cancer was "Don't let her suffer." Those words rang in my ears for months. When I did finally have her euthanized, I did it at home, on a day when she was having a good day (as luck would have it). She fought the pre-sed and so afterward I was heartbroken that I may have euthanized her too soon. But later I found a photograph taken 3 months prior to her death, where she looked *so* much better than the day I had euthanized her - she almost looked like a different dog. So I am now sure that I made the right choice, at the right time, and I ended her suffering. No one can tell you when it's the right time. You have to decide and hopefully Spam will let you know. Having counseled many clients on euthanasia I would also reiterate what your vet said. It's so much better to do it before the situation becomes "We waited too long". -L. > That's really sweet. Spam and I haven't bonded as close as I have > with our other cats, he was always aloof, but I understand crankiness > happens with cerebellar hypoplasia sometimes. > Yeah, I'm going to have a talk with Spam. I hear ya, the rule is this: Whatever you are feeling, he is feeling the same thing it don't have to be all serious, you could just talk to him across the room you know old men are like that, they get cynical and tough, wouldn't dare show a litte emotion, lol ol hard ankles lol... bless your heart, I know it's rough. I had a male cat for a short time, and believe me, he took a piece of me with him when he left. What you need is an ice-breaker :D Im sorry, but this is playing just now.. and.. well.. <passing a tissue> There is a fine line between laughing and crying, and both can be a gift. "One Step Closer" by U2 I'm 'round the corner from anything that's real I'm across the road from hope I'm under a bridge in a rip tide That's taken everything I call my own One step closer to knowing One step closer to knowing I'm on an island at a busy intersection I can't go forward, I can't turn back Can't see the future It's getting away from me I just watch the tail lights glowing One step closer to knowing One step closer to knowing One step closer to knowing Knowing, knowing I'm hanging out to dry With my old clothes Finger still red with the prick of an old rose Well the heart that hurts Is a heart that beats Can you hear the drummer slowing? One step closer to knowing One step closer to knowing One step closer to knowing To knowing, to knowing, to knowing -- it's a real pretty song it's been in my head all day. I'm round the corner from anything that real.. .. I like the 3rd verse, it just gives me a little focus these days. > Today he's doing well again. I hope the vet can give us a little > insight. > > Stacia There is a certain look that comes into an animal's eyes when it is ready to go. Once you see the look, you will never forget it -- you will always know when it's the right time after you've seen it. If your vet is good, he'll know the look, too. It is our last act of kindness to spare them from suffering. Bless your heart. I think we've all been where you are now, and I know you'll do what's right for your baby. Eva > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Stacia Stacia, It's a hard decision to make. My Cosimo was only 9 when I had to euthanize him. But it appears that Spam's decline is pretty obvious. You've given him a good home and good care for 15 years. I think you've rationalized it for yourself. My best to you. T > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Stacia>> I'm so sorry. It's a very hard decision to make but it's kinder not to let Spam suffer. Alison Fifteen is the oldest any of my cats have lived and they always went for yearly check-ups, shots and had all the treatments they needed. While I know some cats live longer I guess 15 is fairly old. You are doing what's best for Spam and whatever you decide I'm with you. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, >who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > >Stacia There's no winning with this situation. We're either unhappy because we waited too long to put them out of misery or we worry that we hurried them to death. Since they can't talk we can only guess what is best. See what the vet says now but it sure sounds like he's suffering too much. I can't think of a harder decision to have to make. The vet started talking to me about euthanasia for my big dog about 2 years before I could go ahead with it. My dog was very deaf and blind and couldn't control his bowels which embarassed him terribly. One day he couldn't stand up or even hold his head up straight. I had to let him go. It is so difficult to get past our own feelings and do what is best for our pets at the end. You have given Spam 15 happy years and he knows he is loved. You should have no regrets when you let him go. > > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > >who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > best. See what the vet says now but it sure sounds like he's suffering > too much. > Hi all. For a while now I've posted occasionally about my cat Spam, > who's about 15 years old now, and has CRF, cardiomyopathy, and was born [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Stacia Stacia, I'm very sorry about Spam. I know what you're going through. I put my cat, Al, down on August 28. He was about 16 yo, and I had him 14 years. Putting Al down was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I really loved Al! He developed lung cancer, and I put him down at the right time. I would have regretted waiting any longer. Al died a very peaceful and fast death in my arms. Ending a pet's suffering is very hard on us, but it's the right thing to do for them. My best to you. Rich you're defintely doing the right thing. I think joy is an important part of a cat's life - and when it's replaced with continual pain and apathy - well - I think it's time to let your cat be free of that. |
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