When to euthanize?

[rubysmama]

The second guessing is the worst. I keep doing it too.

Your kitty was beautiful. RIP sweetie.

 

[susanm9006]

I also want to add another thought. When it comes to euthanizing at home or at the vet, factor in how you will feel about the location in your home after she is gone. Some folks can't fathom how they will handle being in that location afterward. Now, i am torn - do I take her to the vet which I really didn't want to do, or do I find a way to deal with being in one of her two favorite places - our living room couch or our bed - once she is no longer with me - knowing that died there?

I have done euthanasia’s at the vet and one at home. The one at home for was my 19 year old girl, Murphy who suffered the last few years of her life with paw cancer. Of those done hers gave me the most peace. I didn’t have to put her in a carrier and bring her to an always scary vets office. Instead I held her while the vet gave her an injection to sedate her and then sat with her in a chair at home, holding her and telling her how much I loved her until she was fully unconscious. I like to think that was the last thing she remembered. When I was ready to let her go the vet gave her the final injection.

 

[Kris107]

I thank you all for the replies. Of course it’s natural to second guess and think about things I should have done differently and I’ve been doing that.

She only got diagnosed with lymphoma about a month ago. For about two months prior, I noticed she wouldn’t always eat her cat food but she wanted treats instead. I thought she’s just being picky and she’ll eat when she’s hungry. I didn’t notice the weight loss. I didn’t think it would be anything like cancer so I didn’t get her to the vet until it became far too late. Would it have made a difference? I don’t know but I know I can’t help but beat myself up for letting her down. She was only 11.

Also looking back, for the last year or so she would vomit her food periodically. It didn’t happen enough for me to think anything bad.

This resonates. One of my babies - looking back, he had lost a little weight. Then I noticed he was in the litter box a lot. Made him a vet appt thinking it was a UTI or something. No, cancer. He was only 10.

Cats hide so much and sometimes these little changes - your brain thinks it's probably nothing SERIOUS. It happens with humans too though. Generalized symptoms and then a serious diagnosis.

What was your cat's name? Did you get her when she was young? What was she like in her prime?

 

[VinceL]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is an agonizing decision to have to make.

Over the past 30 years we have had 8 cats. The first was an indoor/outdoor cat that was hit by a car. We have had to euthanize the other 7 cats due to cancers, other medical issues and old age. Every time has been extremely painful and left a hole in my life. In looking back to our first cat that had to be euthanized (23 years ago), I now see that I held on too long. I just couldn't bring myself to make that fateful decision....I am tearing up a bit as I type this. Every euthanization has been painful. I still second guess myself each time.

I have done one thing that helps my grieving. We have multiple Google Nest Hubs in our house. You can configure them to display a series of photos. I have loaded many photos of all our cats into the hub which is located in my office. I often look at the pictures and talk to the cats. This has really helped me.

It has been 2 months since we had to euthanize Loki, our one remaining cat. The house has been so quiet, and I have not really looked forward to coming home after we go out.

In a few weeks we will be adopting 4 kittens. It feels wonderful to look forward to bringing these little furballs into our home. I will always grieve for our departed cats and value the memories I have of them. Now I will have new memories to create with these kittens.

 

[Stormy accepts you]

I’ve been putting off putting down my oldest dog and now she seems to be doing so much better- my advice- when the bad days outweigh the good, it’s time. It’s the greatest act of love. I know it’s also one of the HARDEST things in the world to do. So, know we will be here for you when you decide it’s time.

 

[Stormy accepts you]

She knew you loved her. She’s protecting you. Watching over you. You did good.

 

[Cat McCannon]

“Never on their worst day.” -Jackson Galaxy