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Cat and kids

3 replies

MabelsBeats · 31/03/2024 11:23

Happy Easter to those celebrating.

I’m having a slightly unexpected Easter morning, and not in a good way.

As briefly as I can:

We had two cats from the same litter. Last year, one of them needed to be put down.

One cat left, 16.5 years old, so a very old lady cat. She has been sleeping more and more, and younger DC came to me this morning to say that cat’s breathing is not right. She’s correct in this.

I need to take her to the vet this week, and I’m afraid she will likely need to be put down, as this is the same sad pattern as with her sister.

Both children (14 and 10) are crying, even though I’ve said we should not pre-judge anything, we need to see what the vet says.

They have jumped ahead and believe she will need to be put down. I think they may be right (although of course have not said that).

My question is, should they come to the vet with me, given what might play out. They are 14 and 10, the 10 year old is autistic.

They did not come with me when our other cat needed to be put to sleep, and they were hugely sad and upset about her death for a good while after. Would coming with me give them more of a sense of closure, if it does come to the worst?

OP posts:
GoodVibesHere · 31/03/2024 11:29

No I wouldn't take them. My vet told me that it isn't guaranteed peaceful-looking, some cats can appear to fight it for a few moments or have slightly troubled breathing at the end, and whilst they aren't in actual pain it could look quite upsetting.

I'm so sorry, it's the absolute worst thing about having pets.

MabelsBeats · 31/03/2024 11:57

Thanks for your kind reply.

The process with our cat last year was extremely peaceful, and I hadn’t thought that actually it could be distressing. That would be awful.

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 31/03/2024 12:55

So sorry OP, it's heartbreaking, but a valuable life lesson for DCs, even if a sad one.

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