PollyOR Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I am having a struggle. I love my cat. Love him! (I call him my boyfriend ;) ) But, he has aged tremendously in the past six months. He is 14 and lost one back leg and the sight in one eye 12 years ago. His remaining back leg is giving out and he is having a hard time getting around (hop, hop, hop, rest). I've often wondered if I was holding on to him too long. Other than losing the ability to jump, he has been healthy. He has had to claw his way up the end of my bed for the past year but he could make it. Recently he has given up trying to get on my bed and waits for someone to lift him up. I've made an appointment with the vet for Wednesday. They'll probably try to talk me out of having him euthanized. Blah! I hate making these types of decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 My 15 1/2 yo husky couldn't stand up long enough to go to the bathroom. That was when we knew it was time. It hurt like crazy, but his quality of life was horrible. I am sorry you are having to go through this now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolosoli Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Oh my! ((((HUGS)))) I'm so sorry. YOU know your cat best!!!!! You have obviously done all that you can and have given him a wonderful life!!! This isn't something you are taking lightly! I'm sure the vet will see that. They'll make sure you know all your options...but, I am sure they will support you in the decision. :grouphug: I'll be thinking of you and your cat on Wednesday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Our dog had cancer. When he was crying trying to lay down on his bed because it was too painful (huge tumor on his leg) we knew it was time. It is so hard. I loved him so much. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I put cats down when they stop purring when I hold or pet them, and my dog when she quit wagging when I spoke to her. My folks put my other dog down when he lost sensation in his rear, and defecated in his sleep and took 5 minutes to make it to the dinner bowl. He was a 12 year old Dane, and rather daffy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I put cats down when they stop purring when I hold or pet them, and my dog when she quit wagging when I spoke to her. My folks put my other dog down when he lost sensation in his rear, and defecated in his sleep and took 5 minutes to make it to the dinner bowl. He was a 12 year old Dane, and rather daffy. Yes. When you know your pet is in pain and has lost the ability to enjoy simple pleasures like eating or being petted. We've been through this twice. I'm so sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 :grouphug: It's especially tough since they can't tell you what they want. I haven't had a vet talk us out of euthanizing. Our cat, CP, had kidney disease for a couple of years and was losing weight. The night before we had her euthanized, she had seizures during the night. It was one of the longest, roughest nights we've had. We probably did wait too long. However, I don't think waiting had her in pain. I did have the prior night with her snuggling next to me and purring. :grouphug: I wish you peace with your decision. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I am having a struggle. I love my cat. Love him! (I call him my boyfriend ;) ) But, he has aged tremendously in the past six months. He is 14 and lost one back leg and the sight in one eye 12 years ago. His remaining back leg is giving out and he is having a hard time getting around (hop, hop, hop, rest). I've often wondered if I was holding on to him too long. Other than losing the ability to jump, he has been healthy. He has had to claw his way up the end of my bed for the past year but he could make it. Recently he has given up trying to get on my bed and waits for someone to lift him up. I've made an appointment with the vet for Wednesday. They'll probably try to talk me out of having him euthanized. Blah! I hate making these types of decisions. It is hard. At one time we had schnauzers. The oldest was 15 1/2, quit old for schnauzers. She had lost most of the use of her hind quarters. We babied her along for another 6 wks but I really wish we hadn't. It was hard. The next one was almost 14 and she was having seizures. We had taken her to the vet several times, tried different meds but to no avail. She would be walking along and just fall over with a seizure. I can't imagine a vet not being supportive of your decision. I really do believe that when life becomes miserable for the pet instead of enjoyable it is time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm so sorry. If your vet suggests it, then it's probably time, dear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Just wanted to send :grouphug:. I know how hard it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 One thing I just thought about is how we keep our pets alive much longer than they would have lived in the wild. For example, I have an older dog (unsure of age but over 10) who suffers from heart issues, lung issues, and arthritis. At this point, he has medication for both the heart and arthritis and he has stopped crying so we are good. He will continue to have the arthritis medication and the heart medication for life. I will continue to monitor him and if his arthritis gets to the point that his pain can't be controlled or his heart gets a lot worse, it will be time. I love my dog but I have arthritis and I know how painful it is. His spine and hips are affected and if it can't be managed, he won't be able to move. to me, a dog or cat is much more important that they move than even for us- we can have such a life through books, videos, music, the internet, etc. Not for them. I think unresolved mobility issues and unrelenting pain that cannot be addressed are both valid reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeegal Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 :grouphug: I knew. It broke my heart to watch her one morning, and I couldn't see making her go through the weekend in such a state. :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Thank you all for your support and kind words. He's gone. I sobbed all the way home. :( I'm going to miss him SO much! The vet was so kind and kept assuring me that I was doing the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'm so sorry, Polly.:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 :grouphug:Pollly:grouphug: I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 When flies started landing on my doggie and she couldn't bother to shed them off, that told me it was too much suffering to let her bear. She was blind, deaf, had poor bladder control and advanced gum disease. She was 16 and I had had her since I was 16. :grouphug: It felt especially horrible to call the vet, making an appointment for the end of her life. I felt dastardly doing it. Seemed like a betrayal. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezus Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I had to make that decision last year with both my greyhounds, within two months of each other. They both got to where they could hardly walk any more, weren't really eating, and couldn't make it outside for potty duty. It's such a hard thing to do because our animal friends become so integrated into our lives. My hounds were very stoic creatures, but it didn't seem kind to them to keep them lingering when they couldn't even manage daily living activities any more. I'm sure your cat had a happy life with all the love and attention you gave him. Hugs to you, Polly. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'm sorry... I still miss my first "babies" -- my kitty was born in 1991. She was with us until a year ago (she was almost 19). She was blind, deaf and had lost all sense of bladder control. She was in renal failure. She had started peeing all over the place (on herself, even). I knew it was time. To be fair, my kitty was a loner... you didn't even know she was around except for the litterbox and empty food bowls. My Cocker has been gone for 5 years now... I know it's been 5 years, because we put her down two weeks before my Lizzard Breath was born. She had cancer, was bleeding, and had congestive heart failure. She was struggling just to breathe. Again, we knew. Meds may have given her another couple of weeks... I'm crying with you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 What a rough time :( I'm about to do the same to one of my kitties, who is at least 14 and may be as old as 18. It is an impossible situation. You have my sympathy :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Our dog had blood cancer, and couldn't walk up the curb. She was my first child (basset hound) and was almost 14, but I had to put her out o her misery because I loved her so much. It was hard to see her struggle. Sorry you have to make this decision, it is tough.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Thank you all. Hubby came home on his lunch break and buried him. I started crying all over again. I never thought I would be like this. My eyelids are puffy and red. I keep blowing my nose. When I put his cardboard carrier in the recycle I started sobbing all over again. I've cried so much I have a headache. I'm going to miss that cat. The doctor said his kidneys were enlarged which was making him heavier and putting more strain on his remaining back leg. He said the cat probably had feline leukemia. Thanks for listening to me babble. I never expected to take it this hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'm so sorry for your loss and crying with you. I had to put my female Bengal cat down almost two months ago now and I still miss her so much. We just got a new kitten though and she is really cute - looks just like the one that just died:001_smile:. It has helped me, although I still miss my baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3peasinapod Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'm so sorry. We had our dog put to sleep 3 years ago when he continually bled from his rectum after 6 months of trying to stop it. He had a tumor in there. His hind legs also started giving out on him. It is so painful, and it helped me to know I would be able to smile as I remembered him instead of feeling pain. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 :grouphug: They become parts of our families and provide unconditional love. I'm sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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