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Original poster

Help? To euthanize cat or let die naturally at some point? Vetergesic?

38 replies

SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 00:43

Please, any advice or opinions are welcome - preferably from someone who has either experienced euthanizing their cat, or has had the choice. Long story short, our cat was suddenly diagnosed with cancer 48 hours ago and told we should put him down tomorrow. Obviously this is a huge shock but the vet seems to think it’s best we euthanize. It’s kidney cancer, now lymphoma, he’s been on antibiotics/anti-sickness & painkiller Vetergesic (anyone know this?) for 2-3 days now. He is lethargic, not moving all day, lying still but not closing eyes - eyes are wide open and staring into space (is this the painkiller? Or cancer? We don’t know), but the worst concern is that he is unable to eat.. he hasn’t eaten anything in 2 whole days now and before that, was having about 3 chunks of meat for a few days. We are worried he will starve to death if we don’t euthanize him and the vet recommended it due to his complete change in personality (he’s usually so interested in everything and cuddly, and he’s just staring straight completely not phased by anything even his treats or brother), and his weakness in his body, along with the fact that his cancer has spread everywhere. But saying this, he isn’t struggling or seems to be suffering at all visually. He is just lying there eyes open, but not actively suffering? Help????

OP posts:
ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/12/2018 00:46

Fucking hell. I can’t believe there is even a question in your mind! Read your OP again. Read your description of his current condition and then try and say he doesn’t seem to be suffering! Hmm

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 23/12/2018 00:47

Honestly, I would say that it is the last act of kindness you could do for him, to let him go peacefully and with dignity. I'm so sorry that you will be losing your friend.

Original poster
SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 00:50

This is what I am battling between - he is calm, lying down and not flinching or making a sound. He is awake and not crying/still lets us touch him? It’s all come on so suddenly? I of course don’t want him to suffer - but we are worried, as a family, that if we put him down, it was the wrong choice? Maybe he wants to die naturally?

OP posts:
PipLongStockings · 23/12/2018 00:50

I made the heartbreaking decision to put my cat to sleep a few months ago almost against veterinary advice. Overnight most likely he had a blood clot that paralysed his back legs. They suggested many life prolonging options but I asked would they be able to make him be a cat again and enjoy what he did before the clot. The answer was no.
Your cat has lost all enjoyment in life and will be suffering immensely from lack of ability to self care. It is the most kind thing you can do when there is no option of getting better

PipLongStockings · 23/12/2018 00:52

We are kinder to animals than we are to humans. Dying is not a peaceful process in cases of cancer. Your little one is suffering and is showing that by not partaking in usual activity

ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/12/2018 00:54

Maybe he wants to die naturally?

What?? Cats have no concept of wanting to die naturally. They have no concept of dying. All he knows is he is starving and in pain. He is already suffering massively. He can’t even move!

Drogosnextwife · 23/12/2018 00:55

Given the choice I don't think a person would want to suffer a death like that, unfortunately we don't have the choice. Put the poor soul out of his misery.

DramaAlpaca · 23/12/2018 00:55

FFS, how can you even be thinking of leaving that cat as he is! Of course he's suffering. Have him PTS & let him go with dignity. Please think about what's best for the animal. I can't understand why you have not taken the right decision already Angry

Unobtainable · 23/12/2018 00:55

A cat has no concept of death, let alone whether its natural or not. The vet has recommended having your cat put to sleep. Please do it as a last act of kindness to prevent any further suffering.

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 23/12/2018 00:55

Also, cats can tend to retreat into themselves when they are in pain. I'm so sorry, but I really think he is telling you that he has had enough. It's time for him to go.

zenasfuck · 23/12/2018 00:56

Your cat does not want to lie down riddled with cancer and die slowly
Please have him euthanised tomorrow and let him die peacefully and pain free

Original poster
SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 00:58

Okay :( the last thing we want is for him to suffer :( we just didn’t know if he was suffering that justified death, as he is so quiet and seems to be content lying next to us. I guess it’s about the quality of life :(

OP posts:
Original poster
SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 01:00

And I don’t mean maybe he wants to die naturally, I meant, he doesn’t seem to be in visual pain and has no symptoms like vomiting/diorrhoea. He is just not acting like himself and has retreated to sleeping in strange places and not eating. But I guess I need to understand that these things mean he has no quality of life. We will euthanize him tomorrow morning :( I just needed some reassurance

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 23/12/2018 01:00

OP, cats are very, very good at hiding pain. They even purr when they are in pain to try to comfort themselves. You know what you need to do.

norfolkandchanceyou · 23/12/2018 01:01

Vets do not recommend euthanasia lightly so if your vets says it's time then it really is

Besides if he's sitting there and not moving he is suffering. Animals don't wail in pain like us but there eyes will tell you so if your cat is just glazed over and not looking that's another sure sign he's in pain

Please put your upset to one side and let him go with you beside him until he's gone. Please do not leave him in the company of strange people to him in the final moments of his life.

Original poster
SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 01:01

Lastly - the vet told us he isn’t in any pain. But the not eating thing and retreating - people here still think they are reasons to euthanize??

OP posts:
ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/12/2018 01:03

There is no benefit to him in delaying euthanasia. Even if he wasn’t suffering now (He is btw- absolutely) it wouldn’t be long before he was. Why would you you want to wait for him to experience pain when you know he isn’t going to survive anyway? How does he benefit from experiencing pain?

Original poster
SabahAndHerDaughter · 23/12/2018 01:03

Thanks for the last few messages. I have decided to euthanize tomorrow morning :( I am utterly devastated :( I hope you are all right and he is suffering and that’s what I thought, about him being in pain. I guess I’ll say goodbye tomorrow morning before (he is sleeping in a hidden spot that I cannot reach)

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SheSaidNoFuckThat · 23/12/2018 01:03

Do the right thing and pts ffs! Owning a pet is hard and this is the best thing to do. They will not show pain to you, don't be selfish

Shinesweetfreedom · 23/12/2018 01:03

Don’t let him suffer.Look up 24 hour vet and get there as soon as possible.Please.

Balloondog · 23/12/2018 01:03

We had to make the awful decision to euthanise our beloved girl in summer - it's still raw and hands down the hardest decision I've ever had to make however, despite the vet not wanting to commit to a decision either way and leaving it up to us, we knew it was the right thing to do for her. She wasn't suffering terribly in that moment but was not herself, almost spaced out and not eating or sleeping and the vet said she had only a matter of weeks to live naturally anyway.

Someone on here advised me that it was better to make the decision a day too early than a day too late and whilst we miss her terribly we take comfort in the fact we could give her a 'good' death in our arms and in peace.

From what you've said OP, it sounds like it is time. It is an incredibly hard decision but remember you need to do what's best for your cat, not what's best for you.

PipLongStockings · 23/12/2018 01:04

If he liked his food before and now he doesnt- he is not a happy boy and there is no quality of life for him. I'm sorry but that is what we are trusted to do as pet owners Flowers

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 23/12/2018 01:05

And for what it's worth, you're doing the right thing, I know it's hard and send condolences but you have to do what's right for them
And not you x

MovingNextYearHopefully · 23/12/2018 01:07

You know what you need to do really. So sorry. Xmas Sad

chatwoo · 23/12/2018 01:09

Poor cat Sad. Please make preparations to have him put to slee. His behaviour and lack of appetite shows he is suffering.

It's a horrible thing to have to do, but if sounds like it will be in the cat's best interests Flowers Flowers