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Original poster

Can we be forced to put our cat to sleep?

35 replies

antimatter · 06/09/2018 16:14

I am looking after a cat for my friend who is seriously depressed and is waiting for a hostel or council accommodation where she can keep pets.

She was desperate when she lost her previous accommodation and I offered to look after her pet. This was 12 months ago.
Her cat is disabled, it fell out of the window 5 years ago and had his front leg amputated.
His hind leg was damaged as well. The vet then put it together but warned her something may happen in the future.
So tomorrow we are going to the Fitzpatrick referral unit for CT scan and if the operation is impossible then the local wet said that they may want to put our cat to sleep.

I know 100% that if that was to happen my friend would end up with nervous breakdown. We want to do anything to keep him.
Can hospital force anyone to put down their pet to sleep? Even if we want to explore other options?

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 06/09/2018 16:16

Of course they can't FORCE you to, but would the cat be in pain if it wasn't put down?

Wolfiefan · 06/09/2018 16:17

I don't know about the legalities but if an animal is in pain or has such serious mobility issues that their quality of life is impaired then the right thing to do is to pts. I'm sorry your friend is so low but you can't keep a cat alive and suffering because of that.

ifonly4 · 06/09/2018 16:23

I totally understand where your're coming from, but if you have a couple of different vets talking along the lines that pts is in the best interests of the cat, then you unfortunately I feel it has to be done.

Vinorosso74 · 06/09/2018 16:25

They can't force you to have a cat PTS but a vet would be concerned about the cat's quality of life and the ethics of keeping an animal alive if they are suffering.

pennycarbonara · 06/09/2018 16:28

Can your friend come with you to the appointment, or at least talk to the vet on the phone during it? Hearing about the cat's prognosis and quality of life from a professional may prompt her to start thinking about it differently. In a few days or weeks she may be ready to make the decision.

MissVanjie · 06/09/2018 16:30

hmmmm, well she is already unable to house or look after this animal - who is paying the vet bills? it's not really fair to force an animal to live in misery and pain just for the sake of your friend's mental health. I get where you are coming from and you sound like a truly lovely person and an amazing friend, but animals can't be with us forever - saying goodbye when their time is up and letting them go with love and dignity is the price we pay for having them in our lives in the first place.

it may be the best time for this to happen - can you imagine how much more painful it would be for your friend if she was living with this cat? at least she's used to the current set up where it is not in her life as much. she'll be able to grieve and sort her housing situation out and then she might find she is in a place to offer a home to another cat. I know it's not the same btw.

Toddlerteaplease · 06/09/2018 16:38

If surgery is required does your friend have the funds in place for it/ insurance. From what I've heard Fitzpatrick bills run into thousands of pounds. Not helpful op. But it does need to be considered.

DrCoconut · 06/09/2018 16:38

I was looking after my mum's dog during her holiday when he became ill (it was a once in a lifetime trip abroad so they couldn't take him as usual). The vet said that he needed to be PTS and if I couldn't get my mum's consent over the phone and sign the papers she could intervene in the interests of preventing suffering and force it. Obviously my mum agreed even though she was gutted and I stayed with him till the end. But I got the feeling that there is a legal procedure that can be used.

DrCoconut · 06/09/2018 16:39

I should add, this was a case of acute and very distressing illness. It may well differ if it is not such an emergency.

Toddlerteaplease · 06/09/2018 16:39

The cat can't be kept alive because your friend couldn't cope if it died. The cats best interests must come first.

Original poster
antimatter · 06/09/2018 20:09

We are covering the vet's bill so that is not an issue.
I am driving with her for 9 am appointment tomorrow. They have his notes there already.
I was thinking that if she is there with her cat and F clinic is the best place to asses his problems we csn but wait.
I do hope they can advise to help him in some way.
I have 2 cats and a dog already and this disabled cat became equal member of our family. That's why we want him to get better and obviously not to be in pain.

Thanks for all your comments.
I'll let you know tomorrow how our cat W is doing and what the surgeon in F advised us.

OP posts:
Original poster
antimatter · 06/09/2018 20:19

Our local vet was informing me about the cost of tests, scans and the operation so we know how much it all is going to cost us.

OP posts:
MissVanjie · 06/09/2018 22:03

That’s an amazing thing to offer to do for your friend op. I hope there’s good news tomorrow for the cat, it sounds like he’s had quite an eventful life. But if it is his time, i hope your friend can let him go without any more suffering. I am sure you will find a way to support her through it - she’s lucky to have you in her life Flowers

Original poster
antimatter · 06/09/2018 23:27

During the 12 months W has been with us he becsme my son's best mate and comfortted him. My son has done his A Levels this year and I feel this time would have been much more stressful without this cat in his room. Seeing how laid back and happy W was despite his disability helped my son to keep going. They spent many hours together because W slept in my son's room.
I know that what I am writing may not make much sense but we owe W a lot. This is small way we can repay him what he brought to our ir family.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2018 05:44

If he's suffering prolonging his life against veterinary advice will not be repaying what he's given you. My cat was PTS recently, she gave me so much, but she wasn't the cat I knew and there was going to be no recovery. The only way I could 'repay' her was to give her a peaceful and dignified death.

Original poster
antimatter · 07/09/2018 11:51

I left W in Guildford earlier today and now am nervously waiting for a phonecall, it doesn't look good, where his leg is broken there's damage to the bone, so it was not an accident what caused it to break but a weakness to that part of his bone.
My friend and her mate came with me, we all listened to the wet and now she is taking it all in.

OP posts:
Giantsquid · 07/09/2018 11:53

Your friend would happily keep a very poorly, in pain and distressed animal alive? So they don’t ‘have a nervous breakdown?’

Well as long the friend is ok

fenneltea · 07/09/2018 11:59

Sad news, but I hope your friend will do the best thing for the cat. Keeping an animal alive to alleviate your own suffering but prolonging the suffering of the animal is totally unfair, and something I think she would live to regret doing in the future. Vets don't recommend euthanasia lightly, and surgery isn't always pleasant for an animal that doesn't understand that you are doing it with the hope of making them well. I think it would be best to prepare for doing the right thing by the poor cat. There are some excellent pet bereavement services by organisations like the Blue Cross who could support your friend if it comes to that.

Original poster
antimatter · 07/09/2018 13:13

@Giantsquid - where did I say she is going to do what you suggest?

I started this thread when the word euthanasia has been mentioned because I was never in this position. I didn't have all the facts and still don't know everything but was able to see xray and speak to few vets.
we would never not operate and leave him in pain!
By saying "we woiuld do anything" I meant looking for suitable treatment.

@fenneltea I will look into pet bereavement services for her (and my son too)

OP posts:
MorticiaAddamsIsMyStyleGuru · 07/09/2018 13:43

Anitmatter

Your love for W comes through the page. I am so sorry you and yours are in this situation.

I truly hope you get good news today. However, if the worst happens would it be easier for your friend to accept , if it is described that she is doing her final act of love for W?

That she and you have made his life and final year so loved and now it's his time to pass, peacefully, with you both beside him.

For me it truly is the mark of deep love knowing when to let go.

Sending you my best. 💐

Giantsquid · 07/09/2018 13:49

I know 100% that if that was to happen my friend would end up with nervous breakdown

Here is where you said that. HTH.

Original poster
antimatter · 07/09/2018 15:45

@Giantsquid I stated what will happen, and it may, I did not say that I will sacrifice well being of an animal so that won't happen

but you may interpret it any way you wish, such is the right of internet communication

@MorticiaAddamsIsMyStyleGuru that is the only way to look at it if we have to take that route

I am still waiting for the phone call, that means I thing that they took him for a ct scan

OP posts:
Original poster
antimatter · 07/09/2018 18:10

We have good news!
W is going to get an implant. F are going to keep him over weekend and next week decide what is the best course of action.
The scare of cancer was unfounded but they needed CT scan to confirm.
The big boss aka Super Vet is going to look over the care plan and design for W's new implant and they will let us know when the operation is going to take place because the design of his implant is going to be quite unique.

Thank you all for your kind words and please contact Fitzpatrickreferrals straight away if you think that your pet has serious injury. They have 24/7 line and are able to help in emergencies. We are so lucky this hospital is just 1 hour drive from us.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/09/2018 18:45

I'm so pleased you have a plan and the CT showed it wasn't cancer. You're funding this? You're awesome!
Good luck puss. Heal well and fast. Live long and be happy.

Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2018 19:19

Op, I'm Afraid there is no way I would let that man anywhere near my precious cats.