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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

Talk me through euthanasia

62 replies

Gingerkittykat · 10/03/2020 19:15

My 15 year old boy has lymphoma and it is looking like it is near the end.

He started showing some signs of pain in the past couple of days, the vet gave him tramadol and he had such a bad reaction I would rather put him to sleep than have him live his last days or weeks on it.

I left a message for the vet and she will call back tomorrow and will hopefully have some alternative suggestions for pain relief.

He still seems happy, eating and drinking and enthusiastic and loving cuddles but I need to prepare myself for the inevitable.

What exactly happens? Will he be scared or in pain? Is it instant?

I've been trying to psych myself up to watching videos to see what it is like but can't make myself do it.

OP posts:

oldestchild90s · 10/03/2020 19:18

I wouldn't advise you to watch videos it will only make it worse 😭 but as far as i know when they are put to sleep it works within about 30 seconds or so, and they peacefully drift away! Sounds like you and your poor kitty are going through a bad time, so sorry to hear about that! I think it's reassuring to know it won't be painful for him. Good luck!

MrsJoshNavidi · 10/03/2020 19:21

I took my FILs dog to be put down years ago, when FIL was in hospital and we knew he wouldn't come home.
It was ok. The vet gave the dog an injection and it just kind of fell asleep and stopped breathing.
I don't like dogs though.

nomorespaghetti · 10/03/2020 19:22

I can talk of my experience of my lovely little dog some years ago. She had bowel cancer and she’d stopped eating, was being sick, couldn’t get in and out of the door. It was time. The vet came to our house to do it, which was wonderful, and so she fell asleep for the last time on her bed in front of the fire. I was so worried she’d be scared or upset. She didn’t have much energy, but she greeted the vet, and we all each gave her a big cuddle and kiss. The vet was so gentle, there was no fear or pain, she quite quickly just fell asleep. It was so peaceful and right. It was the best gift we could give her, a good death. Hugs OP, I know it’s hard. If the vet will come to you at home when it’s time then I’d recommend doing it that way.

TheMemoryLingers · 10/03/2020 19:27

I don't know if this is typical but my experience was -

The vet takes you into a special room and you can have some time with your cat. A little patch is shaved on the front leg to allow the injections. There are two injections and when the time comes, your cat just drifts off after the first injection - you can see their eyes go filmy and distant - and then the second injection is given, which completes the euthanasia. It is very fast as the pp said. You can have time with your cat's body afterwards if you need to.

The vet will need to know whether you want a standard cremation for your cat (communal) - a cremation with ashes (which will be from all the animals cremated at the same time) or an individual cremation and ashes. I have never asked for ashes so I don't know how that works.

It is very painful (for you, not your cat) but the vet will do all they can to make it a peaceful and gentle goodbye.

ChibiTotoro · 10/03/2020 19:34

I just stroked my cat whilst the vet gave her the injection, the vet then left the room for a few minutes to give us some time together. It all seemed very gentle and peaceful.

Igottaknowyounow · 10/03/2020 19:35

Our very poorly cat went a few years ago. as above it was about 30 seconds, they gave a sedative injection first that made him dopey and then the last one and he just stopped breathing.

The only thing I would say is ask for advice re- starving before.
My lovely boy vomited just before first injection (he hadn’t been eating and was very ill, but had taken upon himself to steal a last meal without us knowing!!) which was stressful for him and upsetting for us.

I regret that he went on too long. with hindsight we should have let him go weeks before. My husband was so optimistic, but really the writing was on the wall for a while.

for you, it’s a hard thing to go through, but the last kindness you can give him.

DamselInTheStress · 10/03/2020 19:40

As others have said it is very peaceful. First a sedative and then the second injection.

Our vet came to my house and my cat was comfortably curled up on my lap. No pain, no stress, no fear.

No need to watch videos IMO, you’ll only upset yourself more. It’s very sad for us, but very kind and peaceful for our beloved pets.

yatapina · 10/03/2020 19:44

Not a cat but our 13yo dog was PTS 3 years ago.

I was a mess walking in to the vet with her because I felt so guilty but I'm so glad we sat with her, we went into a small room and we invited to sit with her on the floor. We stroked her as she was given her injection. Within seconds she laid herself down gently and began to drift off to sleep.

There were no signs of fear, distress or discomfort and I swear to this day that her eyes caught mine and it was like she smiled. Almost relieved. We were allowed to sit with her until we were ready to leave her.

It was a very calm process and I was less upset afterwards when I saw how peaceful she was. Doesn't stop the years writing about it now though 😭

juneybean · 10/03/2020 19:48

As others have said it's a very calm process. Take a towel if you want to have a cuddle afterwards as they will empty their bowels/bladder! My little miss peed all over me :) but I asked for her ashes so I had to sign a form and then her ashes were returned to the local branch of the vets for me to pick up.

Original poster

Gingerkittykat · 10/03/2020 19:53

Thanks for all of your responses, I'm glad it has not been an unpleasant process for all of your beloved animals and hope it will be the same for mine too.

It's so hard to judge when the time is right, especially since cats hide their pain well.

We have already decided on cremation and ashes to be returned to bury and plant a tree over them.

OP posts:

DobbyTheHouseElk · 10/03/2020 19:56

It’s very peaceful. My boy put his head down on the table closed his eyes and was gone. All before the needle came out. It was so so quick. He was ready though. He was very poorly. I stroked him all the way through.

BovaryX · 10/03/2020 20:01

The one piece of advice I would give is try to get a vet who will visit your house rather than taking him to the vet. That way he goes in a place he knows and loves which might be much more soothing for him.

Ahwig · 10/03/2020 20:13

My beautiful boy was put to sleep in August. We took him to the vets as we could tell it was time. He had been in the vets for a couple of days where they had tried to fix him. We had one last night at home with him but knew that we had to let him go. As everyone said it was peaceful. My husband held him and I stroked him and he just fell asleep. It was hard but being there with him was the right thing. The vet said animals look for their owners if they aren’t there and us being there reassured him. The vet left us in private afterwards to say goodbye. We opted for a private cremation as we had done with his sister the year before. We got the ashes back and scattered them under the tree in the garden that he had first climbed. It was sad but beautiful.

Original poster

Gingerkittykat · 10/03/2020 20:14

I'll look into a home visit, he hates being in the carrier and in the car so would be a lot happier at home.

OP posts:

ArbitraryNameChange · 10/03/2020 20:16

When we put our old puss to sleep we took him to the vet - he had lots of health issues and was a frequent flyer at the vet. They all knew him and loved him too, and brought the bed he always slept in when he was there overnight so he was comfy for his final moments.

The whole team came in to fuss him and tell him they loved him too, when the vet did it she was so gentle with him and it was all over in seconds.

We were then left alone to say goodbye, it was so hard but made a bit easier by the vet team. They sent a lovely card too, all individually signed by the whole team.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/03/2020 00:14

My girl had a lovely end. They put the cannula on and I cuddled her and she just went off to sleep. Very peaceful and dignified for her.

Want2beme · 11/03/2020 00:32

My experience has been similar to TheMemoryLingers. Unfortunately, my vet doesn't do home visits, so I had the added stress of taking my lovely boy in. That was tough.

You'll know when it's the right time for your boy and your very will help you. It is one of the hardest things to do. I'm so glad I stayed with my boy throughout. It was the least I could do for a cat who brought so much joy to me.

Wishing you well

Toddlerteaplease · 11/03/2020 01:27

I took Maia's sister in as well. She was fantastic. When Maia had finished looking round the room, she climbed in on top of her sister and they sat together until the vet came. Magic sat on the table with her and she knew immediately that she'd died. She never looked for her afterwards.

Original poster

Gingerkittykat · 11/03/2020 05:14

I've heard that letting your other animals see the body helps them, my other cat is 10 and wondering if that is a good idea for him.

OP posts:

BovaryX · 11/03/2020 05:50

Ginger
Both of mine absolutely hate going to the vet and while I hope it is a long time in the future, I am determined to get the vet to come to the house. It must be a really hard time for you, but you clearly love him very much. I hope you find a vet that can do a house visit

Toddlerteaplease · 11/03/2020 08:18

Magic Sniffed her sister and instantly recoiled. She just knew. I'm glad I took her along as it meant I didn't leave completely empty handed. Obviously if she hated travel or the vets I wouldn't have done. But I knew she'd be ok. Unfortunately she was delighted that he bossy sister was out of the way and has blossomed ever since.

Fishcakey · 11/03/2020 08:18

It's very peaceful.

Original poster

Gingerkittykat · 11/03/2020 12:54

I had a rough night with him last night. He got up and growled and started hissing, obviously in pain, and then went and had explosive diarrhoea.

The on call vet said to give him a quarter of a tramadol tablet and it seemed to work well but hard to know if there will be underlying pain he will hide.

I'm ready to let go but my DD isn't.

OP posts:

TheMemoryLingers · 11/03/2020 12:58

It is such a difficult decision to make. I found it helpful to think of the saying 'better a week too early than a day too late' - in other words, it's kinder to let your pet go while they are still enjoying some quality of life than to wait until all quality of life is gone.

BovaryX · 11/03/2020 13:38

I think the key point is whether he is distressed and in pain. If he is, the kindest thing to do is let him go and decide what arrangements you can make to ensure he goes with love and in a soothing environment.

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