Mental health question

[charliana]

I don't know where to post this. But if I have to put my cat to sleep what can I take to keep myself from crying all the way to the vet's office,? The only idea I have is to try a shot of vodka. I know that isn't the best idea, but I don't know what to do

 

[Kris107]

If you think that will be the case, please see if you can have a friend or uber/lyft take you. It's a good idea for after. Don't cry and drive - not safe. Also, there are often options to do in-home euthanasia which means no driving. Alcohol is never a great idea for any mental health event.

 

[PMousse]

Safety first like K Kris107 said. That aside, crying is a natural and healthy way to grieve. It's okay to cry, it's totally understandable because you feel sad! Let it out. And have a friend with you or call a friend afterwards to chat.

 

[nurseangel]

As the others have advised, please don't go alone. I am like you, as I am sure most of us on this site are, though everyone handles things differently. I went to the emergency vet with my cat and everyone was calmly waiting. I remember a teenage girl sitting across from me. I got hysterical and ran to the bathroom. When I came out, everyone in the waiting room was all to pieces. Thank goodness DH was there. I felt terrible for upsetting those people who were so composed, but I couldn't help it.

If you truly believe you have a mental health issue, please see a medical professional. I know you mean just in that certain terrible situation, but it may help to talk to someone.

 

[IslandGirl242]

I agree with everyone else's suggestions.
Ask a neighbor, friend or family to take you.
Alcohol is never the answer!!

 

[charliana]

It is just different than anything I have done. When I took Rocky in with the saddle thrombosis, I didn't know what was coming and told Rocky all the way to the emergency vet that he was going to be ok. This time I will know.

 

[nurseangel]

charliana

 

[Kflowers]

On the way to the vet, what I would do is tell cat how much I love him and that this will be the end of pain for him. Tell him your love for him will go on forever. Just keep saying it.

If you can't get someone to go with you, at least wait at the vet's for a while afterward. Do not go straight to your car and try to drive. Give yourself a quarter of an hour or more before you try to drive.

 

[tiggerwillow]

sorry about your cat

 

[Margret]

1. Don't drink and drive.
2. Don't cry and drive.
3. Try to find a mobile vet who can take care of this. It will be easier on both the cat and you.
4. If at all possible, don't do this alone. You're going to need some hugs, as well as a driver if you're unable to get a mobile vet.
5. You may find this thread helpful: Grieving

 

[neely]

If you can't get someone to go with you, at least wait at the vet's for a while afterward. Do not go straight to your car and try to drive.

Quite awhile ago we had to put one of our cats to sleep as his organs were shutting down. Due to our daughter being sick my husband stayed home with her and I brought our cat in myself. I was crying so hard that the vet put me in a room by myself and told me to take all the time I needed before driving home. She also told me to let them know if I needed anything.

Please don't drive by yourself, as others have said take a friend or if you do go alone keep a big box of kleenex beside you in the car. Pull over temporarily if you feel you are unable to drive any further. How long of a drive is it from your vet to home?

 

[Norachan]

charliana crying is your body's way of releasing the grief and helping yourself to come to terms with you loss. If you need to cry, let yourself cry. It's far better than trying to bottle things up. Cry all you need to and remember to take deep breaths. A long exhale is also a great way of releasing tension and pent up emotions.

We're here for you if you need us.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

I agree with everyone else, if someone could go with that would be good.Skip alcohol altogether. I had to take our 10 year old cat to ER vet ( no moble euthanasia vets here at that time )@1am. They wanted me to stay there for awhile because they were concerned about me driving home.

 

[charliana]

Bam Bam has been misdiagnosed. The 2nd vet did not see anything that looked like an oral mass, he saw a ton of infection. The infection has been flushed out, and he will be treated with antibiotics, an appetite stimulant, and put on a different pain killer. I think the one she gave him is not good for a non terminal case. They will do a biopsy if the infection treatment doesn't fix it, but were worried about knocking him out so soon after his dental procedure, and they don't seem to think there is an oral mass, unless it is hidden under the infection. I just have to hope we didn't wait too long for the 2nd opinion since I didn't know how wrong my vet was until everyone started telling me she should have done a biopsy. And of course everything hit at once, while I am driving my cat to the vet thinking he will have to be put to sleep, and we on our last ride together, I get a call that my mom isn't doing very well and they think she may need to go to the doctor. So after dropping my cat off for his 2nd opinion since there was no regular appointment available, but before I knew we had a better diagnosis I had to go check on that. She seemed to be doing better when I got there & didn't need to go to the hospital immediately or anything. It must be pain from the healing broken hip that is causing her to be shaky in the mornings.

 

[tiggerwillow]

Bam Bam has been misdiagnosed. The 2nd vet did not see anything that looked like an oral mass, he saw a ton of infection. The infection has been flushed out, and he will be treated with antibiotics, an appetite stimulant, and put on a different pain killer. I think the one she gave him is not good for a non terminal case. They will do a biopsy if the infection treatment doesn't fix it, but were worried about knocking him out so soon after his dental procedure, and they don't seem to think there is an oral mass, unless it is hidden under the infection. I just have to hope we didn't wait too long for the 2nd opinion since I didn't know how wrong my vet was until everyone started telling me she should have done a biopsy. And of course everything hit at once, while I am driving my cat to the vet thinking he will have to be put to sleep, and we on our last ride together, I get a call that my mom isn't doing very well and they think she may need to go to the doctor. So after dropping my cat off for his 2nd opinion since there was no regular appointment available, but before I knew we had a better diagnosis I had to go check on that. She seemed to be doing better when I got there & didn't need to go to the hospital immediately or anything. It must be pain from the healing broken hip that is causing her to be shaky in the mornings.

That's good news, I hope your mum will be okay

 

[DeesCats]

I'm so glad you got a 2nd opinion and are working with that doctor to address Bam Bam's infection and I'll keep you both in my thoughts that he makes a full recovery soon.

I hope your mom is doing better, sending my love your way.

 

[neely]

Bam Bam has been misdiagnosed. The 2nd vet did not see anything that looked like an oral mass, he saw a ton of infection.

You did the right thing getting a second opinion. It never hurts to have another vet examine your cat especially with a serious diagnosis. Fingers crossed for your mom, glad she seems to be doing better and didn't have to go to the hospital. Please keep us posted on Bam Bam.

 

[cheshirecat]

When I went to the Vet on the day I had to say goodbye to my Chester I didn't know that is what would happen. But I had been worried about him for awhile and it was 2 days after his 20th birthday I considered the possibility.

Fortunately I was lucky that I had my Niece and her daughter to go with me. I was too upset and had my Niece drive. Also, she sat with me when I said goodbye.

I agree with everyone who has said "don't drive yourself"! And remember you are doing the best for your cat.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Great you got a second opinion on Bam Bam and I hope your mom is on the road to feeling better.

 

[Margret]

Bam Bam has been misdiagnosed. The 2nd vet did not see anything that looked like an oral mass, he saw a ton of infection. The infection has been flushed out, and he will be treated with antibiotics, an appetite stimulant, and put on a different pain killer.

And of course everything hit at once, while I am driving my cat to the vet thinking he will have to be put to sleep, and we on our last ride together, I get a call that my mom isn't doing very well and they think she may need to go to the doctor. So after dropping my cat off for his 2nd opinion since there was no regular appointment available, but before I knew we had a better diagnosis I had to go check on that. She seemed to be doing better when I got there & didn't need to go to the hospital immediately or anything. It must be pain from the healing broken hip that is causing her to be shaky in the mornings.

A broken hip would certainly make me feel shaky. It sounds to me like your mother is doing astonishingly well under the circumstances. Is someone there who can help her out and make sure she takes it easy for a while?