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Original poster

putting my cat to sleep tomorrow

13 replies

havetodothis · 10/08/2005 01:00

I've changed my name for this as i feel really really bad.
I have an old old cat who has various manageble problems. He is not doing tooo well at the moment as i am finding it difficult to medicate him 3 times a day, which is what he needs.
He is getting old- 17yrs plus.
The major prob is that he ahs pooed around the house on and off for years. He broke his pelvis years ago and this is a pretty chronic problem from this.
He is just pooing more than ever the last few months.
I have a ds 2yrs old, and am having a baby soon.
I just can't cope with any more poo. i really can't. i've done it for 8 yrs now. My son has sat in it, even ate it once, i have walked through it, sat in it, had to rescue guests from standing in it, removed it from my bed and changing the clothes.
I just can't see how I can cope with a toddler, a baby and an aged, ill, incontinent cat.
Please tell me I am doing the right thing.... his other problems are pretty secere and not responding brilliantly anyway.
I am also sorry that the last yr of his life has been tough with the toddler and me being busy so much of the time. i have had him longer than i have known dh and lived here and he is just so much a part of my past.
This is so hard and i feel so guilty. I know some of you are not bothered about cats, but i am and this cat has travelled with me for so long, i just feel so much like i am letting him down

OP posts:
vicimelly · 10/08/2005 01:39

Don't feel bad havetodothis, He's an old cat, and has had a long and enjoyable life and he's been loved
Even if his problems are manageable it can't be fun for him at his age with any problems, I'm sure you are definitely doing the best thing for both him and you.
I've always had cats, I had to rehome my last because I'm not allowed to have cats in my new place and that broke my heart, even though I knew she was going to a good home, so I can truly sympathise with you, I felt AWFUL getting rid of my cat!
It's horrid to say but he probably wouldn't have lasted too much longer anyway at his age, better to have a dignified passing than to deteriorate and suffer
Am waffling a bit now! but really you have NOTHING to feel guilty or bad about, he's had a good life, and you need to do what is best for not only him but you and your family too.
I hope you get through it ok, it is hard losing a loved pet xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

luckylady · 10/08/2005 06:40

hsvetodothis.. I really feel for you.
when you have to let a pet go .

{{{{hugs}}}}

Blackduck · 10/08/2005 06:54

HTTS you gave him 17 years thats pretty damn good for a cat - with his problems etc. there's no chance of rehoming. I think you are doing the kindest thing...

AlmostAnAngel · 10/08/2005 07:12

your not letting him down!!
wow you have given him a wonderful long happy life...and this is a final thing you can do for him .he is prob very uncomfortable and cats hate being dirty.
we had to have our cat put down last year she was about the same age and i sobbed but i know it was the right thing to do..so heartfelt sympathy and loadsa hugs ...

juice · 10/08/2005 13:16

havetodothis.

huge hugs to you. i know how you feel, i have had to get some previous pets put to sleep.
i have a 16 year old dog at present and she is totally deaf and nearly blind. one day i am going to have to get her put down too as she wont have a good life anymore.
i know it will be for the best but it still breaks our hearts when we have to part with them.

sending you and your loved pet lots of prayers

suedonim · 10/08/2005 16:11

Bless, HTDT. Sometimes we just have to do what needs to be done, however hard it is. We had our 15yo cat put to sleep last Xmas. She wasn't ill but was poo/weeing all over the place. Our lives were pretty miserable, with all the clearing up we had to do, and hers was pretty miserable because she knew we were grumpy at her all the time. Dh just had enough one day and made the appt. I could have talked him out of it, but I chose not to. It was for the best, sad as it was, and you'll be doing the best for your cat.

AlmostAnAngel · 10/08/2005 19:55

you ok ? {{[hugs]]]

bubbaloo · 10/08/2005 20:50

please dont beat yourself up about this.you've loved him and looked after him for 17 years which is a fair old age.
we had the same horrible decision to make a couple of years ago.one of our cats had diabetes,was very poorly and also messed around the house.we didnt have our ds at the time,and the cats were our babies.it really is an upsetting thing to do,but it is for the best,for you and even for your cat,in the long run.

sending you a big hug.xxx

Lonelymum · 10/08/2005 20:57

HTDT, I am so sorry that you are losing your cat. I grew up with a cat as my best buddy (sorry that makes me sound like I had no friends but my cat was my special friend IYSWIM.) When she died of cat flu when she was 13 and I was 18, I grieved for her for months, so I know the pain of losing a beloved furry friend.

But your cat's condition must be pretty bad for the vet to even agree to put him to sleep, so I don't think you are doing anything you need be ashamed of. You have given him a loving home for 17 years which is longer than most cats live, and you may weel be saving him from a really miserable end to his life.

You feel terribly sad for a time, but you have a new baby on the way and a lovely little son now so you will have plenty to console you in time.

Original poster
havetodothis · 10/08/2005 21:02

I didn't do it.... he seemed quite happy today... maybe tomorrow.
Thanks everyone, it is nice to get a little bit of support. I just feel so mean, he is very demanding ATM and i really don't have the patience to be nice to him
he did get a cuddle today though.

OP posts:
charliecat · 10/08/2005 21:25

My mums puddy tat was 21 and was senile, didnt know whether he had just came in or out and she took a few goes at actually getting him to the vets, she took him on a day when he had spent the whole day enjoying the sun. Hes at peace now, youll know when the time is right x

nooka · 10/08/2005 21:54

One thing you might think about, although I don't know how possible it is, would be to have him put down at home. Our neighbours were considering this for their cat a while back (not sure who does it tbh, and I think it was expensive).

We had one of our cats put down a few months back, as she had some sort of brain tumour and the steriods were starting to be less effective (also had to give them 3 times a day). Dh did the deed, and was very upset about it - felt we'd done it because she was disabled, but I think it was the right choice as she was starting to get distressed about falling over, and I think would soon have found it difficult to go out. He found taking her to the vet the worst bit, and I guess it's not an environment most cats enjoy. Anyway, might be a possibility?

Tanzie · 22/08/2005 21:24

My puss is 20, senile, incontinent and deaf. She also has wonky back legs. When the time comes, we are going to have her put down at home and have discussed it with the vet. I don't want her life to end with the trauma of going to the vet's. Sadly think this might be sooner rather than later.

Good luck, whatever you decide it will be tough.

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