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To euthanise or not... |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46,964
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To euthanise or not...
My 10-year old shorthair moggy, Paddy recently became quite ill. It started with him not eating much and becoming lethargic about 3-4 weeks ago, so he was getting thin. Last Monday I took him to my vets who said he was severely anaemic and took some blood tests and gave me some antibiotics and steroids to give him, along with a guarded prognosis.
By Saturday, his breathing had become laboured, so I took him to the animal hospital. There they put him on oxygen and xrayed him and found pulmonary odema (liquid on lungs). As well as a whole host of tests, after 2 days they discharged him and said wait for the tests. He seemed more perky at that point and ate plenty food when he got back home. Since then, he has gone back to being lethargic and I think his dyspnea has regressed. Despite his hospitalisation (which came in at a cool £1,100) they don't really have a diagnosis. I don't want him to suffer any more, but he's been on his current course of pills and oral liquids for 3 days and doesn't seem to be improving (and getting these in him must be stressful for him). He eats crunches and small amounts of wet food, but not enought to get his weight back. Does this seem like the right time to call it a day? |
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#2 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,655
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Do you have a vet you trust ? If so I would discuss this with him/her, from afar like this we can't tell you. What ever you do decide we are here for you though so don't feel you can't talk to us about it, just get someone who knows your cat to help you make the decision.
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,003
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^ this. Go to a good vets that you trust, get their opinion and work with that and your own gutt. We have just been in a similar situation, fight a nasty disease or put him down. Our vet felt he had a chance and we fought it. It failed, sadly, but I know we did the right thing to give him a chance and with guidance we trusted.
So I'd recommend working with vet you trust. |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,019
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Yes I also agree with speaking with a good vet.
My old dog was on treatment for years, and I had a gut feeling that I thought it was time. I took him to the vet, and after looking him over and looking at his history, he paused for a while as he stroked the dog, then said, "If he was mine I'd put him to sleep today." It was very upsetting, but we did the right thing by him. |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46,964
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Quote:
Do you have a vet you trust ? If so I would discuss this with him/her, from afar like this we can't tell you. What ever you do decide we are here for you though so don't feel you can't talk to us about it, just get someone who knows your cat to help you make the decision.
I love him dearly as until last month he was such a friendly, healthy cat who would squeak all day to make sure you knew he was there. But my gut instinct says he looks like he has lived life now and wants to go out quietly. I already know my own vet would agree with me if I asked him to be put to sleep tomorrow. He was horrified by all the stuff the hospital had done. |
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,019
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lemoncurd, we are responsible for providing our pets with shelter, food, security and health treatments - and we also have the grave responsibility for letting them go when we think the time is right.
If you think the time is right, then the time is right. |
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46,964
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Quote:
lemoncurd, we are responsible for providing our pets with shelter, food, security and health treatments - and we also have the grave responsibility for letting them go when we think the time is right.
If you think the time is right, then the time is right. As sure as I am that it would be a kind thing, it's just not a decision I've had to make before and I don't know if I'm expecting too much of treatment for it to have made an improvement after just a few days. I'm applying my own personal take on the situation - if I myself was unwell like that, I would like my family to ask the doctors to speed things up rather than keep testing and probing hoping for an answer. |
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,019
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Quote:
Thanks Armi.
As sure as I am that it would be a kind thing, it's just not a decision I've had to make before and I don't know if I'm expecting too much of treatment for it to have made an improvement after just a few days. I'm applying my own personal take on the situation - if I myself was unwell like that, I would like my family to ask the doctors to speed things up rather than keep testing and probing hoping for an answer. I don't think anyone is better placed than you to make the decision. But for peace of mind, speak to your vet and reassure yourself that it's a reasonable option. |
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,655
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Quote:
My vet is very much a pragmatist. His initial prognosis when I first took Paddy in was guarded and he did say you could spend a fortune chasing a diagnosis you might never find in cases like this. Bearing that in mind, I feel I've already put him through a lot of journeys and tests while he could just be wanting to be on his way out.
I love him dearly as until last month he was such a friendly, healthy cat who would squeak all day to make sure you knew he was there. But my gut instinct says he looks like he has lived life now and wants to go out quietly. I already know my own vet would agree with me if I asked him to be put to sleep tomorrow. He was horrified by all the stuff the hospital had done. |
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46,964
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Well, I gave Paddy some of his favourite treats and cuddles this morning before taking him on his last trip to the vets. Unfortunately, he had a bit of an accident in his carrier, I guess because of the stress. The vet agreed it was the right time and Paddy even curled up on his side to make the injection easy. It was over in the blink of an eye and he looked peaceful.
Trying to man-up about it but I'll admit I'm not taking it as easily as I thought I would... |
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,655
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My thoughts are with you, you've manned up enough just doing the right thing by taking that last step. Time to have a weep if you need one now we all understand, I doubt anyone here hasn't gone through this at times.
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#12 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 6,867
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No need to man up about it. If you're upset it's perfectly natural.
You are a responsible pet owner by the way. You faced up to your responsibilities. Best wishes to you. |
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#13 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46,964
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Thanks mollie, Elyan.
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#14 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 626
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I'm so sorry, I know all too well how hard it is. I've got dogs and very much believe in 'Better a day too soon than a day too late' and I try to follow it as I believe it's the kindest most humane way to help our pets at the end but it's such a hard thing to do. Being responsible for a life weighs very heavy.
I think you made the right call and Paddy left knowing he was loved x |
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#15 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 11,472
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I know when the time comes I'll be bawling my eyes out over my cat. But when its time, its time - the last act of kindness.
Its ok to cry OP. RIP Paddy. |
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#16 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,168
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Im so sorry
I had to make the same heart breaking decision in April so I know how much it hurts no need to "man up" - cry your heart out - I did - for days! just know that you did everything you possibly could for Paddy and he had a wonderful, happy, full life and he was loved very much it does get easier in time - I promise xx |
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#17 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sunny Manchester
Posts: 5,560
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Awww I let my cat Max go on Tuesday. He had a tumour and it was starting to cause him visible discomfort. It was an horrid decision but it was for the best. He lay still on his blanket and closed his eyes. Cats don't have any sense of mortality so for him it was just going peeps.
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#18 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
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I'm so sorry for the loss of Paddy - as I read through, tears fell.
He knew how much you loved him. Rest in peace, Paddy ⚘ Also, same for Max. ⚘ |
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#19 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,702
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I'm so sorry I had to say goodbye to my dear Clemmie cat earlier this month. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I miss her everyday. But we took the advice of a vet we trusted, a vet who knew Clemmie and knew she was not herself. We had two vets who dealt with her most and they were the ones who treated her that last day and whilst it was hard it gave me some comfort to know she was dealt with by people who knew her.
I cried everyday for about 3 weeks, I cried myself to sleep and I haven't been in the garden since because she would come and sit with me. It takes time, my husband was a mess. I actually found that getting a photo of Cemmie printed helped. It's now on a table in our sitting room and I look at it everyday. |
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