When vets mention putting to sleep

[NellMangel]

I'm really anxious about my decision to put my cat down 2 years ago...

My dad has just been to vets with sick dog and she asked him if he wanted to put him to sleep or explore treatment. He said explore treatment and she said "I'm pleased you said that cos we are told to ask about euthanising without judgement"

Now I'm appalled cos I took my 13 year old cat to same vet. He had been acting oddly for weeks, one vet said arthritis, then he was constantly straining to poo, literally all the time, he'd be curled up beside me, straining with poo coming out on sofa. Arthritis didnt seem right so i took him back to this second vet and she felt a big mass in his stomach. I can't remember how she phrased it but I think she said not many options, can put to sleep or we'd have to operate to find out what dealing with.

I assumed she would only ask about putting him to sleep if she thought that was the right option. Now this info from my dad has made me worry that I could have treated him and he'd still be here.

I loved him so much and it broke my heart.

Any vets out there? Do you suggest putting to sleep as an alternative to any invasive/costly procedure?

Not a vet, but I work in a vet clinic. Our vets will only suggest pts if they feel there is literally no other humane option.

If your cat had a mass, and had the symptoms you describe, then I can think the only possible option to avoid further suffering would have been to pts. There can have been no cure. Don't torture yourself. I'm sure you did the right thing.

Thank you. I felt sure of decision at the time but my conversation with my dad made me panic.

The vets who PTS my cats didn't suggest this to me. They were really kind and sympathetic. They broached the subject, but didn't force it and guided me over a period of time. I think when a vet suggests PTS as the best option, you can be assured that it's the kindest thing to do, even though it's traumatic for us.

Please don't doubt that you did the right thing

I've never heard of a vet who would suggest PTS if they didn't think that it was one of the correct avenues to explore