I am having my darling cat put to sleep tonight. I am deverstated

[bananaknickers]

She is 18 years old and we got her when dh and I moved in together.I noticed her pupil was dialated at the weekend. I took her to the vets with the children last night. She has lost vision in one eye, has a tumour and high blood pressure. I had to take her home with me last night as I was on my own with the children ( all in tears). I am going back tonight.

She has perked up today and is eating minced steak and chicken. I feel just awful

We didn't think our oldest cat was coming back from the vets last week, we were lucky he came back.

I take it the tumour is untreatable or to hard to treat in a cat of mature years ? The vets only recommend putting a cat to sleep if they honestly think it is the best thing for the cat, you are doing the right thing

All the best tonight, thinking of you.

Here is a poem for your children...the Rainbow Bridge

how very sad - am so sorry
I can recommend Frog and the Birdsong by Max Velthuis (sp) if your dcs are quite young - explains death and the circle of life really simply and beautifully

www.amazon.co.uk/Frog-Birdsong-Max-Velthuijs/dp/0862649080

Thanks for talking to me.
She is so old and a little bag of bones. She would never survive an operation

I am so sorry for you all. It is such a devastating thing to happen and all too common on MN at the moment.

Bananaknickers, our dear old cat had the same a year ago - a tumour behind the eye. Was so sad, and dh was away so I had to take him to the vet myself. It was just so upsetting for all of us, but it was very peaceful for him, and I honestly felt glad I had been able to stop any pain.

I was also unsure beforehand if I would be able to handle being there while he was put to sleep but I stayed and was so glad I did, as he fell asleep with his head on my shoulder and we had the best cuddle ever.

Will be thinking of you, Dinny x

its not a good time of year for cats is it atm?
poor you. we still miss our old guy

bananaknickers sorry
i got the vet to come to the house when the time came for my dog. it doesn't cost much extra and was far nicer for him. they took him away for cremation etc afterwards as well. maybe not ideal if children are around though.

I don't know what to expect when they put her to sleep and I am truley scared but think I want to be there too

I've been with several animals being put to sleep and though it's very sad it's also nice to stay with them - they just slip away as if asleep,so not scary. The vet came to the house on a couple of occassions which made it easier all round. Will be thinking of you xxx

I'm so glad that you have had time to give your poor cat some final treats and strokes. My dog died alone in the night, without any final kindnesses from me, and I really wish I'd been able to say goodbye to him.

bananaknickers, i am so sorry to hear about your kitty cat. You are making the right decision, and you must know that 18 is a fantastic age for a cat, i mean, she must be onto life number 15 already! In all seriousness though, please stay with her, you can stroke her and let her know you are there. I used to be a vet nurse and have helped to put many animals to sleep and i promise you it is very peaceful, they simply just go to sleep.

If it will help i will explain it to you, so dont read any further if you dont want the details but it helps to go in prepared.

When you get there you will be asked to sign a form and probably asked what you want to do with her afterwards. Do you want a private cremation and have her ashes back (expensive) or do you want to take her home to bury, or will she go with the other cats, which is what most people choose. They then spread the ashes in the garden of rememberance together.

When you are ready, the vet will give the cat an injection into the leg, they will have to fiddle a bit to get a vein i expect in an old kitty, but this will not hurt her. Then she will just go to sleep, so make sure you are talking to her and cuddling or stroking her head. A nurse usually helps the vet bring up the vein by holding the leg but you should be able to still hold and stroke kitty. It is very quick and very peacefull and absolutely painless for the cat, all she will know is that her mum is there for her.

HTH

Best wishes
LEM xx

Thanks all so much for your support today. We had her put to sleep this evening. It happened just as you said, I wasn't able to hold her but stoked and talked to her. It seemed to only take a minute or two and she was gone.They left us in the room with her so we could hold her and say good - bye. They were lovely to us. We are having her cremated and getting her back to scatter her ashes.

It's been a very difficult day with mixed emotions. Sadness, despair and now relief. She is at peace now. Thanks all of you for caring to post

...just seen this bananaknickers

sorry for your loss....
my old boy is 17 this summer
am dreading this

lots of love to you and your familyxxx

hope it was all ok yesterday - well as ok as it can be

Thanks for thinking of me Mary. I will miss my old girl thats for sure.

TaLcYonHerTodd - Enjoy the time you have with him.Actually I have to say it once it was done it has became easier.Like you I had been dreading it for a long ,long time. When they are old and ready to leave us, it is a little easier. My poor boy that I got at the same time as her was run over and that was very hard. He was an 18 month old ginger tom.

Threadworm - So sorry to hear about your dog.He knew you loved him

I still miss my beloved boy who died very unexpectedly about 6 years ago...I haven'rt been able to replace him

Thanks, bananaknickers. I hope you are all feeling ok today, and that the scattering of ashes goes happily for you. You gave your dear cat a long and happy life.

My old dog is scattered partly on our lawn and partly on the route of a favourite walk. I always think of him when I walk that way.

I am also having my cat put down on Friday i am just devastated she is sixteen and she has a tumor and one of her eyes are closed and she is not eating but i know its for the best but its so upsetting so i know how you are feeling.

very sad to hear that vicki

Oh, banana.

I'm so sorry!

I'm wishing you courage.

We had to put our beloved Persian, Smokey, down in October for heart failure. He had stopped eating and drinking. His breathing was so slow and shallow at the end, I thought he was going to pass on the way to the vet's.

Just a fortnight ago, my MIL's beloved ginger thom, Ginger, died at home from kidney failure at the age of 19.

You're not alone!

Hi Vicki

Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you on Friday. Hope you are O.K

It's almost unbearable to make this decision. I feel for you so as have been in the same position myself when, not that long ago, I had to have my 16 yr old dog put to sleep.

We got the ashes too and have a nice little plot at the end of our garden where we buried the box they are in. We nailed his name tag disc on the fence to mark the spot. Always makes me smile when I catch sight of it.