Kitten dilema... WWYD

[Bookeatingboy]

We've had our kitten a couple of weeks which sadly coincided with my father being very poorly and needing lots of support from me. This resulted in my not getting around to sorting insurance out.

Before everyone jumps on me, we are responsible cat owners and have always had pet insurance but my priorities were with my dad and I just forgot, so we could be facing a very big vet bill.

Kitten was fine this morning, running around as usual, then around 6 pm, noticed that he was limping and that is paw and leg had swollen to double it's size. Took straight to out of hours vet and looks like leg/paw is broken ( x-ray in the morning to confirm) Vet is saying because he is still so small will probably have to have the kittens leg amputated.

Here is my dilemma... My son who has ASD will just not cope with this, I know how his mind works and he will get very anxious, this coupled with the unknown of the quality of life the kitten will have is making me ask the question whether it might be kinder if we put him to sleep.

Really don't know what to do for the best, we could pay the vet bill so that's not my main worry. I just want to make the right decision for the kitten and my ds.

WWYD

There's some right arseholes on mumsenet at the moment just waiting to spill their venom on all these poor OP's.

Mumsnet is a place of support and understanding - or so it should be.

OP I am glad your kitty is ok. Get your insurance sorted so that's one less thing to worry about.

I am glad your kitty and your son can keep being friends. Kids love kittens!

We had a kitten that the mother bite a portion of his leg off , ( apparently there may have been issue and mother cats will do this or so the vet said) anyway the rest was amputated and he managed very well , I also have a child on the spectrum and what I would suggest( dependant on age of child) is show him pictures visual usually help,(obviously not too graphic) of people , animals etc, explain your kitten is poorly , will be extra special when he comes home , maybe take the child to the pets store to buy the kitten a special gift, make the kitten coming a good thing. Tell him you know he might find it difficult do you have things he uses when he's anxious ( my daughter uses a bead pot and puts her hands in the beads )
I hope it works out ok for u and the kitten

Apologies I've not read everything. We got a kitten and then my dad was very ill. Had to leave kitten for long periods. We also had an adult cat. I had a (large) cage with food, bed, litter toys etc. This meant the kitten could be kept safe whilst we were out and the old cat could still go out. Neighbours would pop round and let him out and run round the house. He would then sleep for long periods. Stopped using cage after a while but definitely helped in those early days. Cat now roams round house and garden and spends all night on bed so not restricted long term!