Can we be forced to put our cat to sleep?

[antimatter]

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?

From watching him on TV I get the impression he treats the owners, not what's in the best interests of the animal. Although I am Not saying that that is the case with your cat.

@Toddlerteaplease why?

I am going with what F recommends. As it hsppens I have no other option. My cat is injured and needs to be treated asap so that he is not in pain any more and can recover to have decent quality of life.

What would you do @Toddlerteaplease?
Put your cat to sleep?

My partner offered to pay half of the bill @Wolfiefan. He didn't have to and I am very grateful for his contribution.

I don't agree with some of the treatments carried out at Fitzpatricks but others are amazing. I've watched Supervet many times and thought that it would be kinder to amputate a limb than go through numerous operations to have a prosthetic fitted. However there are other things he does that I wouldn't hesitate to have done for Harry if necessary.

Because like Pink, I don't agree with some of his treatments. I had no choice but to have my cat PTS a month ago today. Putting her through anymore treatment would have been cruel and would have prolonged the inevitable.

Fingers crossed for a quick recovery and good outcome op. He must be a very special cat. I'm not one for experimental techniques on my animals, and being put to sleep isn't always the worst thing that can happen to an animal in my view, but I do think that the vet wouldn't try if he didn't think it could be successful.

I agree about amputating rather than experimental surgery.

Oh I'm sorry Toddler I hadn't read that, I can imagine the hurt

I was forced to let my little one go a couple of months ago and it's a horrible feeling even if you know you don't have much choice

Sometimes things are possible that wouldn't be fair on an animal. But if there is a decent chance of a good quality of life then it's worth trying. The alternative is to pts and not even try. I wish you and puss well.