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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

home visit for euthanasia?

31 replies

GMFLondon · 09/10/2018 13:48

Sadly my cat's just been diagnosed at CHAT Clinic with aggressive cancer, given 2-3 months but not looking like she'll last that long, she's very weak despite being given daily Prednicare steroids.

It's so awful to have to plan this, but I have to think of what's best for her, it's not about me, and I really think a quick injection quietly at home on her favourite sofa is what she would appreciate. She's a nervous little cat at the best of times, never really recovered from whatever happened to her before she was rescued by the wonderful Celia Hammond.

Don't want to stress her out again with a car ride to the clinic when the time comes for euthanasia, wondering if anyone knows a vet who'll do a home exit visit for a reasonable price in Walthamstow London E17? Googled and found a mobile London vet for about £400, she's certainly worth the extra cost but that really seems excessive. Any ideas?

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Toddlerteaplease · 09/10/2018 14:14

I took my cat to the vet, and I also took her sister along to comfort her. And she did. They put us in a private room to wait for the vet. It was exactly as I'd wanted it to be for her. Very peaceful and dignified. £400 is very excessive. I suspect all she'll want is for you to cuddle her and the location won't matter so much.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/10/2018 14:15

My cat was also extremely nervous. But she was fine. Mainly due to her sister, who she climbed on top of. Which was so perfect.

BackToTheFuschia7 · 09/10/2018 14:23

I’m sorry you’ve had that news about your cat. I’m not in London but definitely agree that home euthanasia is the best option, where possible. It’s what I plan for all my animals, but especially the nervous ones. You don’t necessarily need a mobile vet - my own vet will do a home visit euthanasia too, usually at the end of clinic times.

fenneltea · 09/10/2018 14:23

Sorry to hear you're having to plan this, I can't help with recommendations, but would suggest ringing round several vets in the area for a quote. I have all my animals done at home when the time is right , providing it isn't an emergency and I find it much less stressful for all concerned. It has never cost £400, but I'm nowhere near London.

Original poster

GMFLondon · 09/10/2018 14:28

Thank you for your response Toddlerteaplease, the way you were treated does sound reassuring. But mine's just so frightened during car rides, it would be so great if I can get someone to come here instead. She has two grown-up offspring living with us and they also dislike the car journey, they all crouch down with belly low and ears back and make the most awful sounds for the whole journey, so taking them along wouldn't help.

Will keep looking.

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fenneltea · 09/10/2018 14:28

A quick google has shown Cloud 9 vets that do only euthanasia in your r home and start from £249 for a cat.

Original poster

GMFLondon · 09/10/2018 14:33

Thank you fenneltea, I'l have a look at their website.

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FiveHoursSleep · 09/10/2018 14:36

Yes, try Cloud9. I work for them on occasion and we do home euthanasias.
cloud9vets.co.uk/

AornisHades · 09/10/2018 14:39

Two of mine were PTS at home. One was an emergency in the middle of the night. I don't think I paid anywhere near 250 for either.
for you and your poorly puss cat

ifonly4 · 09/10/2018 14:40

So sorry you're having to think about it. I think it helps to think about what you want for your little cat.

I've had two pts in the last 18 months and decided I'd take them into the surgery as I felt they'd have no idea something was different. Also, I knew they'd be alarmed at someone different coming into the house. Wherever it happens, I think it's nice if they can pass away somewhere comfortable, whether your home or take something to put under them at the vet. There's no right or wrong, so do what you feel is right.

Do speak to various vets beforehand and get a feeling of which one feels right, will come out when you want after making the decision. Sometimes money has to be an issue, but if you have to pay a bit ore for it to be right, do so.

Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 09:29

"MrsCatE Wed 10-Oct-18 04:11:35
Sorry, just seen your other post and hope you find a vet that can come to you. Stupid question but have you asked CHAT for advice?"

CHAT don't do home visits unfortunately. Not surprising as they're a clinic and rescue centre, and always busy.

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Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 09:43

Someone has just pointed out that our other two cats - the sick cat's offspring - will be very upset at having strangers come in, and if their mum gets upset and gets vocal as is her wont, it might be quite traumatic for them. So while I would like her passing to be peacefully at home, I'm wondering if I should be thinking of them instead.

This is such a difficult issue, I just wish she would simply not wake up one morning but in case that doesn't happen, I need to plan ahead.

So the dilemma is whether or not to traumatise her by taking her to the clinic for euthanasia, with all the stress that entails, or whether to risk traumatising her offspring by by having it done in their home.

In any event, I would lay out her body for them to sniff if they wish before burying her in the garden. They know something's wrong with their mum of course, and are both acting weirdly now anyway, half the time very skittish and the other half very clingy.

I suppose I'm treating them as I would human children, except that I can't explain anything to them, more's the pity.

Ah, the heartbreak of having pets! Thanks everyone for all your thoughtful responses.

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Madcats · 10/10/2018 10:41

I feel so sorry for you and your family. If I had my time over again I think we would choose home euthanasia.

When Madcat1 was very ill we'd arranged to pop round to the vet at the end of the day only to discover another cat had been rushed in having been badly run over (it didn't help that we knew them too).

One thing to be aware of if you do go down the "on the favourite sofa" route is that there can be a degree of "leakage", particularly if your poorly cat has a full bladder/bowels. Find some old towels/blankets/Huggies bed mat.

It is a difficult decision to make, but I think you will all know when the time is right.

Wolfiefan · 10/10/2018 10:43

Is there any chance your vet could prescribe something to make the journey less stressful for your cat?
I’m so sorry you’re facing this.

Badcat666 · 10/10/2018 17:41

When my cat was diagnosed with mouth cancer our vet came out and put him to sleep at home when the time came, for no extra charge.

Have you asked your vet if they can do this for you?

Nandocushion · 10/10/2018 17:51

That seems odd that your cats would get so upset, OP. Do they get upset when you have friends over?

Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 19:22

Hi Nandocushion, yes they get very upset when anyone comes over, the male is a bit bolder than the two females but all scarper at the sound of the doorbell. They usually go outside through the catflap and toilet in the garden but have a litter box in the understairs cupboard - when we have friends over, I put another box upstairs as they usually hide upstairs and don't want to come down. The mother is very nervous and has passed this onto her offspring. We fostered her and her five kittens nine years ago when the kittens were a week old then adopted mum and two kittens so the kitten have only ever known us but as I say, take their cue from their mum and dislike strangers and any disruption.

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Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 19:25

Badcat666 we adopted the family from CHAT so our vet is the CHAT clinic and they don't do home visits.

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Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 19:34

So sorry for everyone who's had to give the instruction for euthanasia, how nice that Badcat666's vet not only came round but didn't charge extra.

I contacted a local well-known vet today recommended by a friend of a friend who's used them for home visits when her many dogs' times came, they were very impersonal, I had to keep asking for fees info, eventually said £150 callout plus £87 euth fee but sounded so cold and distant I wouldn't call them again. Complete contrast to Cloud 9 who were really lovely on the phone, warm and caring and upfront about everything so am definitely leaning towards them at £249.

CHAT clinic charge only £10 for cat PTS fee. Maybe if I can get them to give me a sedative for her when I collect her prescription refill next week, I could think about taking her to them, but still even with huge difference in cost, prefer at home option.

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Original poster

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 19:35

Should say, CHAT clinic fee only so low because she's already their patient, I imagine a new patient would have a consult fee as well as PTS fee.

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fenneltea · 11/10/2018 08:08

I don't think the euthanasia would be any more stressful for your other cats if done at home, if they get out of the way then they probably will just view it as another visitor coming in.

I have also got several ex feral cats who can get stressed with new people, the last cat I had euthanised at home I just tried to keep everything as normal as possible, the cats were allowed to go where they wanted to be and the only change we made was to put the dogs into another room as they are large and can be a bit boisterous which we didn't want.
I had mine sedated first as he could be aggressive when scared, it did involve a quick injection into his muscle but I would discuss whether you could have something to give in advance. It did make him vomit initially, which can happen apparently, but it was soon over and he fell asleep being stroked and the vet gave him the final injection which he knew nothing about.

Vets are often used to dealing with very frightened animals and will want things to go as smoothly as possible, so do discuss how scared she is.

I do think that it is much better without having to face the trauma of a journey and scary surroundings with an extremely nervous cat to have them pts at home. Whatever you decide I hope all goes well for you and all the cats. x

BackToTheFuschia7 · 11/10/2018 08:49

I would prioritise the cat you’re having PTS, it will be the last kindness you can do for her and it’s most important that she is as calm and comfortable as possible. Your other cats may well be unsettled at having visitors and the situation with their mother but they will recover and shouldn’t have any lasting effects.

Original poster

GMFLondon · 12/10/2018 11:48

BackToTheFuschia7 - you're absolutely right, the mum is the priority and that's what we're going to do. Am collecting some pain meds for her today, and if there's no noticeable improvement by Monday will be booking the home PTS appointment. The clinic is also giving me a single sedative dose to give to her 1-2 hours prior to PTS appointment.

The other two have settled down a bit and are back to cuddling with her for short periods before either they or she moves away.

Really appreciate all the support and advice on here, it's one thing to rush a suddenly ill pet off to the vets and come home with a sad bundle for the garden, but quite another to actually have to 'diary it in'. Thank you all.

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Original poster

GMFLondon · 17/10/2018 08:59

Update:
Our beautiful cat Jet died yesterday. She came to us with her five one-week old kittens for fostering from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust on 19th July 2009, and although a small nervous cat, was like a tiger in defense of her young. As CHAT had homes for three of the kittens, we adopted Jet and the other two kittens, who are still with us today.

Two weeks ago on October 3rd, Jet was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. The disease progressed rapidly and a final vet appointment was booked for today but true to her independent spirit, she made her own exit yesterday. We buried Jet in her favourite spot in the garden. We had the pleasure of her company for nine years, she was much loved and will be missed.

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ifonly4 · 17/10/2018 10:25

So sorry to hear about your lovely Jet. It's not easy the first few days, but try and hold on to all those precious memories and the fact you gave her a lovely home, where she was well looked after.

rip Jet

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