Are there any experts on tonight? My poor cat is being PTS tomorrow and I don't know if I've made the right decision

[befuddledandconfused]

That's it really.

Not sure if I'm just upset or whether I've genuinely got it wrong.

He's been getting so thin for about 4 weeks.

Went to vet 3 weeks ago as I found a lump - he said it was most likely fatty and to just keep an eye on him for 6-8 weeks.

He basically stopped eating a week ago and is skin and bone, but still lively, loving and happy.

Back to vet today - she said he was badly jaundiced and has liver problems so needed bloods done 5 hours later.

Bilirubin was 400 (meant to be 2-10 I was told), and white blood cells all wrong.

Then they did a scan - huge tumour on liver, gall bladder wrecked. Wanted to PTS there and then.

I brought him home so everyone could say goodbye and he's scheduled for 10.10 tomorrow but . . .

he really doesn't seem to be in any pain
he doesn't flinch at all when he's stroked
he's purring
he's smooching
he's getting up and down stairs and onto worktops fine

Have I been too hasty? Could he be in pain and I don't know?

I would really welcome any advice as I am breaking my heart here as he's pushing his head into my face all the time, purring and won't leave me alone. What if I've got this wrong?

[paperclip2]

thinking of you today, I think you have made the right decision.

[Pooka]

Oh this is so sad! :(

Fwiw I absolutely think you are doing the right thing.

My much beloved cat was taken to vets having lost a great deal of weight. She had kidney tumours. While she wasn't in any pain at that stage, the vet was quite adamant that she would be in a matter of weeks.

We took the view that we wanted to spare her any pain. And so she was pts. She wasn't going to recover and it would have been a difficult and upsetting decline for her and us. So she had a good ending.

[sebsmummy1]

It may be too late to arrange now. But I wondered if you could organise for the vet to come to your house to euthanise in his/her own environment? I know my friend was able to do this as her old boy HATED the cat basket and she didn't want him to be stressed.

Lots if love to you, you are making the right decision xxx

[CMOTDibbler]

My only regrets with the two cats I have had pts (both with kidney tumours) was that we should have done it 2 days before we did. Both times we held on for our benefit rather than theirs

[Lovethesea]

Thinking of you.

[SunshineSuperNova]

Big hugs OP xxx

[befuddledandconfused]

Thank you all so much. I read this first thing this morning and it made a lot of sense.

Before bed, Oscar had been really affectionate which was what had got me worked up I think. He was also asking for food, but couldn't manage anything which was upsetting and I guess a sign of things to come - I don't think he'd eaten for a week actually, and only tiny bits before then. He slept between me and my partner last night. This morning, he lay in the sun in the long grass where he loved to hunt mice and it did seem the right time for him.

Oscar groomed himself right up until we left. Thank you for the suggestions to have the vet come here, but we are only a two minute drive away and they had given us an appointment once everyone had left so the surgery was empty. He didn't seem distressed at all.

I took a blanket he liked to sleep on and we cuddled him the whole time. It was very peaceful and quick. He slipped away within moments, we kissed him and had a little weep.

I asked the vet and she said it would have been a matter of days and it would probably all have been quite drastic. Oscar had his dignity throughout - he was loved and cared for, which is what we all want really. There are so many important points here and I really appreciate complete strangers taking the time to be caring and to share their own memories. It's absolutely spot on that we only have good things to think of him now, not of some really awful decline that we end up regretting because we couldn't make this hard choice.

For Oscar, I think and hope this was right - for us, it'll take a little longer. Thank you all x

[cozietoesie]

He went in love.

Take care of yourselves, now.

[ParkerTheThief]

You did the hardest, but kindest thing.
He went surrounded by loving kindness with his dignity. He was lucky to have you.
I'm sure your home will feel as if there is a huge cat shaped hole in yur lives tonight and my thoughts are with you

[DramaAlpaca]

So sorry for your loss befuddled

[timtam23]

befuddled it really sounds like you made the right decision, it is a huge responsibility that we have for these little animals and this final decision is the most important one to get right, as they cannot tell us what they want to do. I'm sure you will have lots of lovely memories to keep you going. It is a sad time though, and look after yourselves

[SunshineSuperNova]

My late boy (4 weeks ago) was an Oscar.

Big hugs to you, I'm sorry for your loss. It's not easy. x

[TamzinGrey]

I almost came on here last night when you were wavering, to say not to do it. I'm so glad that I didn't. You clearly made the right decision. Oscar had a fabulous last day with you, and it's so good that you prevented him from suffering and allowed him to keep his dignity intact until the end.

RIP Oscar.

[archfiend]

He was loved, happy and not in any pain. This is all we can ask for our pets in this situation. You made the right choice, and although very hard, it was the kindest thing to do.

[Grittzio]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pussy cat, it's so hard when you lose a pet. We had to have our doggy pts about 6 weeks ago with what sounds to be a very similar condition as you've described. One thing my vet told me was that her liver tumour could erupt and she would bleed internally and she would be in a lot of pain if we let this happen. I believe we did the kindest thing and she went to sleep peacefully, pain free as far as we were aware. Big hug to you for your loss x

[FairieDust]

So sorry. I know it's not much when your feeling so lost but I hope your able to take comfort in the fact that you gave (and Oscar knew) a loving home and a happy life.

I'm sure you have plenty of memories to cherish and hold on to too.

[Iwouldratherbemuckingout]

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I lost my three old boys over 12 months and it is so painful. It's a great comfort though knowing they went peacefully surrounded by love.

Please look after your selves x

[DidoTheDodo]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It hurts so much, doesn't it?
It sounds as though your Oscar had a wonderful life and a loving and peaceful death. That's the best we can all hope for.
Holding you in my thoughts.

[hellymelly]

I am so sad for you, but you did the right thing, that is the sort of death that all of us would want. Free from pain, surrounded by love.

[Lovethesea]

So glad it was a peaceful end for Oscar and hope that you find comfort soon as you mourn him.

You absolutely put him first and gave him great love, affection and warmth and it was all he knew to the end.

[nothruroad]

So sorry for your loss. It sounds like Oscar had a perfect last day surrounded by loved ones and a peaceful end - what else can any of us hope for?
Thinking of you, what lovely memories you must have.