Putting Down a Pet

[MrGiggity]

Just found out from the vet that my cat only has 2-4 weeks left before we should seriously consider putting her down. She is 15-16 years old and has bone cancer. The cancer is getting progressively worse and she is struggling to eat. This sucks. I like her more than 99.9% of humans. Does anybody have any experience with putting a cat down? When do you know it's the right time? Do they show any signs that indicate they are in great pain? I had to put my dog down 5 years ago but have yet to put a cat down. Just wondering if cats are any different. Thank you all.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I hate these threads.

[DaFace]

Without meaning to derail the thread, I always think it's funny that the overwhelming opinion is that it's cruel to make the pet suffer in situations like this, while we force humans to hold on to the last possible second no matter how much they suffer.

Anyway, hang in there OP. I don't look forward to the day when I have to make that decision with my cats.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I hate these threads.

This!

For me the time is when I see my pet suffering. If my pet is suffering and there is no hope it is time. Anything more than that is being selfish, understandable we love them very much and they love us too.
Sorry to hear about your beloved pet.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Without meaning to derail the thread, I always think it's funny that the overwhelming opinion is that it's cruel to make the pet suffer in situations like this, while we force humans to hold on to the last possible second no matter how much they suffer.

Anyway, hang in there OP. I don't look forward to the day when I have to make that decision with my cats.

I have always thought it was odd as well that most humans don't have as much humanity towards humans as they do towards pets. I am not sure which is actually the lesser of importance in those people.

[Pepe Silvia]

My yorkshire terrier just turned 8 recently and this has been on my mind .

[Rain Man]

I miss my cats.

I had to euthanize both of them due to illness or quality of life, and you know at some point that it's the right thing to do. It doesn't make it any easier, though. I still have guilt about my older one, because I think, "Maybe I did it too early. Maybe he could have had a little more time." It's hard to judge quality of life. But as a pet parent you have to make that decision at some point.

[Simplicity]

ahhhh

[Dayze]

one thing that'll be hard for me during the process is that I'll insist on being their next to them as they pass on and take their last breath. I know some folks can't do it, but I owe it to them.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Dayze

one thing that'll be hard for me during the process is that I'll insist on being their next to them as they pass on and take their last breath. I know some folks can't do it, but I owe it to them.

Yeah, I wouldn't do it any other way. I want to be there with them.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, I wouldn't do it any other way. I want to be there with them.

Me too, I want them to feel some comfort in me being there rather than just afraid because the vet is doing something they don't understand.

[Iowanian]

I've always taken care of it at the first sign of suffering.

[Kaepernick]

My 16 year old cat showed no signs of pain, but animals don't. They don't whine and mope like humans. They just soldier on in crippling pain.

My cat was eating, drinking and peeing enough matter for 3 or 4 cats, new litter boxes were constantly soaked. I couldn't even pet him anymore, probably due to pain.

Mildest and best lap cat I ever had. I have had cats that disappeared the moment they were done eating, not to reappear until their next meal. No clue where they hid out all day. This guy was the kind that had to be near me constantly and in my lap was even better to him. A great little winter bed warmer. Warms the lap for winter reading in the easy chair as well. Cat hair be damned!

The shelter was THRILLED to put him down. They have been destroying so many young cats since the economic Depression began in 2008, that they were overjoyed to see one that had made it to 16 years old and dying of natural causes.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by Dayze

god...I don't even want to think about that day with my dogs. I have 2 that are 10 and 11 so they're getting 'up there'. I'll be a mess.

hang in there bud

I was socializing my rescue German Shepherd who had been neglected for 2 years by previous owners when he up and bit a small neighbor kid - his 2nd bite after accidentally biting me while pulling him apart from a stray dog. 2nd bite required me to surrender him. They said he would be adopted but they put hom down, claiming he was guarding his kennel and food dish. I dont buy it.

Anyway, that dog had me wrapped around his paw within a week of adopting him. After 2 years with him, he was really becoming comfortable and fit me to a Tee. Then he bit the kid.

I still havent gotten over my love for that wonderful animal. My latest adoption is a far better, milder, friendlier pet and everybody just loves him. He is much lower maintenance, and much easier to live with. He is getting under my skin, but not like my 4 year old GSD They put down.

I still miss that dog. He was a partner.

[KC_Lee]

Just got back from the vet, had to let our lab-chow go. His immune system went into overdrive and started killing off all his red blood cells. His liver shut down, he turned yellow and would not eat or get up. My wife and knew it was time.

Dang this day sucks.

[Dayze]

GD dude. I'm sorry.
at least it was apparent, so you won't have doubts of if it was too soon etc.