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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Putting cat to sleep

39 replies

Thewinedidit · 01/01/2018 18:47

My boy has had serious health issues this year which have been controlled by medication until recently. He is now no longer keeping well and realistically our kindest choice is to PTS. I'm obviously devastated. In preparation if anyone has done this what was involved? How long did it take? I deal with things much better when I'm prepared, although I know I'm going to be in bits.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/01/2018 18:50

I'm so sorry. We had our old girl put to sleep about three years ago. I stayed with her. A vet and a nurse administered the drug and I got to cuddle her and talk to her as she peacefully went to sleep. She had had enough and was ready to go. I mostly managed to hold it together until she was gone. Then blubbed like a loon.
But it was the right thing to do. And the only one that suffered was me. She was calm and relaxed.
Some vets will come out to you if you prefer.
I'm sorry you're facing this.

follybodger · 01/01/2018 19:04

It is less stressful for her and you if it is done at home but sometimes that isn’t possible for various reasons

Some fur will be clipped from a front leg and an overdose of medication given to stop her heart. She will gentle fall asleep in seconds and about a minute later the vet will check the heart has stopped. Your choice is then for burial at home or cremation.

I’m so sorry for your impending loss Sad

follybodger · 01/01/2018 19:05

Sorry he not she Sad

Original poster
Thewinedidit · 01/01/2018 19:07

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

I would prefer not to have it done at home for various reasons. Financial but also I have small children and I want to minimise the distress on that side.

I keep hoping that he will either get better or as cruel as it sounds, pass away on his own. I hate the thought of being responsible for his death. However we are at the stage it's the only kind thing to do.

OP posts:
villainousbroodmare · 01/01/2018 19:11

In between the fur clipping and the overdose of anaesthetic, an intravenous catheter has to be placed into a vein. This is inevitably slightly painful for a moment and requires good restraint and good lighting. It can be tricky if the animal is in poor condition or is feisty and for this reason, putting an animal to sleep is much more straightforward at the vet clinic than at home.

Hammy12345 · 01/01/2018 19:13

I had to do this a year ago with our elderly cat. He had previously had lots of surgery, medication, but this was no longer making a difference. The vet had been told why I had booked the appointment and got a fleecy bed out for him to lay on. She agreed it was for the best. She checked him over and agreed that there was nothing else that could be done to help him. She put a cannula in, and then when I was ready I cuddled him and they gave him the medication. It was over incredibly quickly (less than a minute) and he wasn't in pain or distressed whilst the vet did it. I had a few minutes with him afterwards. Although it was difficult to decide to do it, I don't regret it at all as he didn't have to suffer until he naturally died. Thinking of you, it is hard to make the decision, but in a way, that was kind of the worst part.

Original poster
Thewinedidit · 01/01/2018 19:48

I'm going to fall to pieces. I'm already in tears every time I think about it.

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 01/01/2018 19:57

Had to have my 20 year old cat put down a few months ago. Quick injection at the (very sympathetic) vet and done - I stayed in and held him. Response was almost instant - just like falling asleep with no fuss at all.

The only thing you may need to be aware of is that an animal that has been put down may twitch after death which can be a bit disconcerting if you haven't been warned.

Vinorosso74 · 01/01/2018 20:02

I found the hardest part ringing the vets.
The vet explained everything very calmly and the room was set up with the blinds down and lower lighting. I had to sign a consent form and we were asked if we had decided what to do eg. cremated individually and ashes returned etc. The vet and nurse took her away to put the catheter in one of her front legs. We all said our goodbyes and it took no time for her to pass. It was emotional but peaceful and handled so well by the vet (who wasn't the one we usually saw as ours was off).
No doubt it is hard for us humans but the kindest thing we can do for our beloved cats. I'm welling up here.
Flowers for you

Vinorosso74 · 01/01/2018 20:03

Forgot to add the vet let me hold her.

Want2beme · 01/01/2018 20:13

My lovely 20 year old boy was PTS last August. It was the first time I had to take care of things & I wasn't convinced that I'd be able to do it. I read about it online & the general feeling was to be there with your pet, for their sake as well as your own.They need the person who has loved & cared for them to be there at the end. I have to be honest and say that it was one of the toughest things I've done & I don't look forward to repeating it. He went very quickly but did have a reaction & that was very upsetting for me. You will manage it, because you have to. I am so glad that I was with him, my little sweetheart.

cozietoesie · 01/01/2018 20:15

Might I then suggest having someone to pick you up / get you a cuppa when you arrive home?

I was very calm - perhaps too calm - when I took my Darling Seniorboy for his last vet appointment. I kept it together throughout the procedure and the settling of bills but as I set off back up the hill with his empty carrier banging against my leg, I felt awful. There was a little girl with a parent/ carer having a high old time in the afternoon sunshine and as I went past, she shrieked with delight and yelled about the carrier. Her father/minder said something about 'doggy' (it's a large carrier) but he must have seen my face because he hauled her away and she went past quickly. If she had come over and asked questions, I think I would have lost it completely.

I won't make the mistake of trying to do things like that on my own, again.

Weedsnseeds1 · 01/01/2018 21:18

When I had to take my old girl ( almost21) for her last trip to the vet, they were very kind. It took three injections,which I understand isn't usually, but she was very calm throughout. I was allowed to hold her and have a bit of time afterwards.
I went to pay and the staff were almost shooing me away, saying pay later.
It's hard, it's really hard, but it's not something that you can't realise was the best and kindest option.

cozietoesie · 01/01/2018 21:36

Oh I had no regrets. Much sadness but that was to be expected. And the vet staff were wonderful.

ToadOfSadness · 02/01/2018 00:24

I have had to do this twice in the last 2 years.

The first time I was well prepared, I knew I only had one more day with him and phoned the vet when I saw that the time had come. They were very kind and sedated him with valerian, he was normally a fighter but he lay there while he had head rubs, then sedation. We were left at some stage to say goodbye before the vet returned and injected him. He went peacefully.

The second time was only a few weeks ago, final tests showed something that could not be treated, however the results came on the day I had decided we needed to take her in so we were told when we arrived which didn't give me time to prepare and take my time to say goodbye before we left. It was a different vet from the time before and it was an earlier appointment as it wasn't expected so didn't have the luxury of extra time that you sometimes get at the end of the day. She was given sedation while standing up and I picked her up and cuddled her on my lap while the final injection was given.

No tubes, just normal injections for both of them. The first time I refused to cry, I wanted the day to be normal for him so he felt no stress, it was good and how I wanted it to be, my only regret was not being able to hold him but he knew I was there. I had a tear run down my cheek as we took him out of the room. I broke down later.

The second time I sobbed as I watched her trying to stand, didn't hold it together at all but she was in my arms at the end which is where she always wanted to be.

Mistoffelees · 02/01/2018 00:40

I went with my mum when we had to have our family cat PTS about 8 years ago. He was so loved and very gentle natured but he'd been poorly for a long time and in the end it was the kindest decision but was still horrible to have to do, I'm very lucky that I've not had an awful lot of emotional pain in my life and it's one of the things that has stuck with me, I still get upset about it now, especially when reading other people's experiences, sobbing now typing this. We stayed in the room with him and he did struggle slightly when they put the needle in as he'd never been good with injections but then it was very quick, we both hugged and stroked him as he passed away very peacefully. We were then allowed to leave out the back of the practice and carried him home wrapped in a blanket then buried him in the back garden in a spot he liked to sit in. As I said it still makes me cry but the majority of the time I'm able to remember him as he was when he was well and I'm very glad we stayed in with him as I feel it would have been cruel for his last moments to be alone with a vet.

Mistoffelees · 02/01/2018 00:42

Also meant to say, so sorry, it's an awful situation to be in Flowers

DontCallMeCharlotte · 02/01/2018 13:11

@Thewinedidit Oh you poor love, I'm so sorry for you. I'm in exactly the same position myself this morning and I fear the time may be tonight as we have a vet's appointment. I always assumed I would know when the time came, having been through this twice before and had no doubts with previous cats, but this time it's so hard to make the decision.

My only practical tip is that last time I had to do it, I was at home and standing up holding the cat and bless her heart, her bladder relaxed... so you might want him to be on the table.

But it will be peaceful and Flowers for you x

Original poster
Thewinedidit · 02/01/2018 17:14

Thanks everyone for your kind words. My boy was PTS today. The vet and I agreed it was the best decision. Although my heart is broken I also feel relieved as he is no longer suffering.

charlotte I'm so sorry you're going through the same.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 02/01/2018 17:16

It's rough on you, surely. Right for him, though. Thinking of you.

Want2beme · 02/01/2018 17:26

So sorry for your loss Flowers

Liz38 · 02/01/2018 17:27

Flowers for you, op, and for *charlotte.

I had my beloved old boy pts 10 days ago and it was the right time and beautifully managed by our vets. Not only did i cry but so did DH. We had arranged for DD7 to go to a friend rather than be there which I think was much better. It makes me so sad and i miss him so much but i couldn't have asked him to go on any longer.

Wolfiefan · 02/01/2018 17:53

I'm so sorry OP and to Charlotte too.
You're suffering OP but your beloved cat isn't. It's the last, hardest and maybe the greatest act of love.
Run free over the rainbow bridge puss cat.

BulletFox · 02/01/2018 17:55

Wolfie that's really sweet.

Sorry for you missing him Flowers

DontCallMeCharlotte · 02/01/2018 20:30

Thanks @Thewinedidit and well done for doing the hardest thing. He will be at peace and out of pain now xxx and thanks also to @Wolfiefan. I took my boy and had prepared myself but the vet wants to do tests. She's fairly sure what it is and was honest enough to say she doesn't think it will be long but now it just feels like i'm prolonging the agony. I actually wish I'd been a bit more assertive as I was "ready" and just said do it. But she did promise me he's not in pain at the moment so I'll just make the most of this "bonus" time.

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