This week I’ve been looking after a friend’s two elderly cats. While one shows her age only by her lack of teeth, the one in this photo was thin and slow.
A couple of nights ago, this little guy was listless. My husband and I massaged him, got him to drink some broth, turned up the room’s thermostat, and made sure he was comfy on his pillow throughout the night.
The next morning he was back to looking awful.
A couple of months earlier he’d appeared to be on the brink of death, yet pulled through. Now, given how he’d perked up somewhat the night before, I took him to the vet optimistic that some intravenous fluids might perk him up.
Unfortunately, the vet affirmed that there was remote hope that the kitty had any more good days allotted to him, probably not a single day left without constant pain and nausea.
Of the few pets I’ve had, I’ve never had to decide whether to euthanize them.
In the case of this sweet boy, my friend decided. I did, however, decide whether to be with the kitty when the final injection was administered. The vet’s caveat was that the cat wouldn’t care either way. Given that, he suggested that if I stayed, I might always remember the cat at his worst.
After considerable deliberation, I opted not to be there.
Have you had to make such a decision? If so, how and what did you choose?
Do’s and don’ts for if your friend has lost a pet.
Here and here are professional links about pet euthanasia.
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I have had tp have horses put down. One was a horse I’d had for several years and it was a heart breaking decision. I was there with him. I felt he needed me to be there. A horse being put down is not like a dog or cat and it is hard to see. But he was in pain and it was a release. The vet left me alone with him. He was on the floor of the riding arena. I went up to him and patted his soft nose and wailed with grief. But I have never regretted my decision.
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so sad – a horse! now that would be truly, truly heartbreaking! you are brave ❤
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I could not bear to see him in pain and there was nothing that could be done. But thank you for this sympathetic comment.
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I’ve had to go through this twice–with two cats. The first time, I cancelled the vet appointment twice. The third time I went, left the cat with the vet, and ran out in tears. The second time, I held my cat in my arms as he passed on. My daughter was there, too. It was a much nicer experience. I’m sure all the cats look down on us and purr.
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you are kind to share – indeed, I hope so…
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In 2009, we made the difficult decision to euthanize our Long-haired Dachshund, who had been part of our lives for 14 years. We said goodbye to her, at the Humane Society office, and she was taken away for her final injection, which was followed by cremation, a while later. We were not allowed to witness either final event.
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I haven’t ever had to make this decision, but I fear the time is coming when I will have to. My oldest cat is now 15 and she is showing signs of feeling unwell. My heart is breaking as I write this. It is not a decision I ever wanted to make, but having Daisy in my life is a gift I will always cherish.
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so sorry for all of us with furry family – it almost takes away the joy of having pets – but ’tis better to have loved and lost’…
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Absolutely!
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Ah! Yes, I have made that decision. I stayed. And I swore after it that I would never do it again. But now, many years later I am not so sure. Sending warm wishes…and a shout out for a New Year full of love and light!
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thank you much, Lorrie – wishing you & yours a wonderful new year too ❤
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