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

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:
Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 11/03/2020 14:45

Today he seems happy again, he followed me through to the kitchen and begged a piece of ham and devoured it enthusiastically!

I think it is going to be taking it one day at a time, the stress of watching and waiting is seriously stressing me out though.

OP posts:
PenguindreamsofDraco · 11/03/2020 18:00

It's what we owe them in return for their years of devotion. Your daughter is, unhappily and understandably, being very selfish. Please let him go before you regret not doing it sooner.

poorbuthappy · 11/03/2020 18:08

This thread has made me cry.

viccat · 13/03/2020 13:11

My experience with my 17 year old cat was mostly quick but not as peaceful as some accounts I'd read. She was given a sedative first, which unfortunately made her nauseous and she was sick a couple of times. She became relaxed and sleepy within about 3-5 minutes, I was left alone with her for this time. I do have mixed feelings about this middle bit as I feel my cat was probably confused and didn't feel well, and it's not exactly the final memory I would have wanted to have. Sad I believe not all pets need the sedative first but my girl was known for being feisty and not staying still during normal consults either.

After about 5 minutes, the vet and vet care assistant came back in to the consulting room and prepared the final injection. That one worked very quickly, within seconds. The vet listened to her heart and nodded to indicate she was gone. I was then given some time to say goodbye on my own in the room again. All the staff was very kind throughout, the vet care assistant who knew us from previous visits gave me a hug as I left. The vet herself went onto have other consultations right after but in a different consulting room so I had as much time with my cat as I wanted to.

Toddlerteaplease · 13/03/2020 13:38

My cat didn't have sedation. They tried the cannula once with me holding then took her through to the back for one of the nurses to put it on. The worst but for me was when. Her head flopped back. I wish I'd thought to support it. But apart from that, it was perfect for her and me.

redwoodmazza · 13/03/2020 14:11

We had to do this with our beloved cat. He contracted cancer from having his annual inoculation FFS!!!! I had never known this was even possible.
The vet came out to the house. I cuddled the cat and the vet injected him. it was all very peaceful - although terribly sad. The vet, assistant, me and DH were all in tears. BUT the cat was not stressed at all and that was the most important thing. He literally just slipped away and the vet checked that there was no heartbeat. Poor Mitten. Sad

LittleCandle · 13/03/2020 14:18

A very difficult decision, but the right one, I am sure. Both of mine went within a couple of months 2 years ago. One unexpectedly and the other when the time had come. I sobbed piteously both times, but the cats both purred right up until the end. The most important thing, if you decide to do this, is that you stay with them. It is peaceful and you will know you have done the right thing. Our vets (they were both about 12...) were wonderful with both the cats and me.

HuggedTheRedwoods · 13/03/2020 18:19

When the final minutes come it might feel impossible but try and take a deep breath and keep your voice calm for him, talking gently to him so he knows you are with him even when his eyes have closed. Our old boy went 1 year ago today, still remember talking to him at the end and a few minutes afterwards. Sad

Re letting your other cat see him, thats a tricky one. The vet said it can go either way with some distressed, some indifferent. I took old boy home and placed the basket where our little cat could see him but she hid upstairs for a couple of hours until I left to take him to the pet crematorium. Whether she was upset by sensing he was gone, sight of the carrier and thinking it was a cattery or vet trip for her, or she just reacted to my distress I'm not sure. She did grieve for some weeks afterwards though, off food, crying, appearing 'depressed' and sleeping at times she'd normally be pottering around so you might see some of that behaviour. Or not - some cats can blossom as Toddler says above or not appear to notice.

Flowers
chocolatespiders · 13/03/2020 18:30

My 21 year old cat was out to sleep 3 years ago.
Dd came with me and they took her out the back to insert cannula and then brought her back. It was all very quick and my heart broke as she was such a friend to me. I miss her dreadfully.

We brought her home and a pet cremation lady picked her up the next day.

Snog · 13/03/2020 20:54

My beloved gentle and beautiful cat was put to sleep this afternoon.
We had the vet come to our house and this was definitely the best thing for us.
It was gentle and peaceful, I have no regrets. I stroked her and talked to her the whole time and it was over in a few minutes. Have an old towel underneath your pet in case of emptying bladder/ bowls although my cat didn't.

We are all in bits, miss her so much but it is a blessing to be able to give an animal a good death to follow a good life and at the right time.

She was the bestest girl.

Snog · 13/03/2020 20:59

It is stressful OP to watch and wait but you will know when it is the right time and you feel that his quality of life is not there or that he is suffering.
Hugs to you, it is a difficult time.

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 14/03/2020 17:04

viccat Sorry your cat had the experience of vomiting making it a much harder thing for you too.

Snog sorry you lost your cat yesterday, you must be devastated.

My boy is doing amazingly well again. We had the advice to give him 1/4 of a tramadol, it doesn't seem to affect him much and he purrs his head off with it. He is still happy and enthusiastic and no signs of pain but getting thinner really quickly despite eating loads. I wonder if the fact he was a fat cat is helping keep going as he had a lot of reserves.

I'm not sure how my other cat will react, part of me thinks he will love being an only cat but he came as an 8 week old kitten so Shadow has been there his whole life so he might not be happy after all.

OP posts:
Snog · 14/03/2020 17:11

Thank you @Gingerkittykat I truly am devastated, it is such a painful loss.

Very pleased to hear that your boy is doing well on Tramadol and that you can both enjoy time together. He is in good hands, have confidence in your decisions as you know him best.

skinnymarshmallow · 14/03/2020 17:22

My mum took her basket with them so she thought she was going home. Cat got in and the vet gave the injection. My mum and my sister stroked her until she went 'to sleep'. It was very peaceful but it is massively upsetting

nettie434 · 14/03/2020 18:32

So sorry you had to make this hard decision snog but it sounds as if you managed to create a very peaceful and loving environment. I hope that helps you with your loss.

ListeningQuietly · 14/03/2020 18:36

I've had cats die "naturally"
and I've had cats euthanised
the latter is MUCH kinder
its VERY fast and they know nothing

Snog · 14/03/2020 19:42

@nettie434 thank you for your kindness, I tried to make my cat's passing as calm and loving as possible and buried her in my back garden which did bring me some comfort. I feel that I did my very best for her but am still in the deep grief stage. RIP my beautiful and gentle ginger girl Thanks

ListeningQuietly · 14/03/2020 19:56

I have three of my cats buried in the garden - each under a big rock just the right size to take a bottle of wine and two glasses while we chat to them about the world Smile

Snaptheirfingers · 14/03/2020 20:31

My beloved dog was an old girl, the vet suspected cancer, but I wouldn't have wanted to put her through an operation. She went on to enjoy 3 more months of happy and slowly active life. She and I were so lucky, one day after a walk on the beach she went out in to the garden and just lied down. We brought her back into the house, next morning she got up went out for a pee but didn't want to eat - first time ever, I took her to emergency vet, they checked yes cancer, she could have a heart attack at any moment. It was a Monday, the vet said she wouldn't last until the weekend when the kids could get back home.
Decision made, the vet gave me a fleecy blanket for the floor I got down, took some last photos. while the vet got ready. I called my dog to me, we cuddled she laid down on my legs and the vet injected her with an overdose of sedative. The vet checked her heart, she was gone. I stood up and took some more photos of her. When I look back on those photos, I see the last ones of her happy, doggy smiling, in the ones after her death she is different, she is not asleep, she had gone. The vets and receptionist were very kind. I was in bits BUT 4 days later I had her ashes back and I felt whole again. I miss her, I love her, I still talk to her, I'm crying now BUT she had a great life and a great death.
I don't know if it's different with cats or other pets in terms of the process, what I've written is about the owner's experience.
Do what you think is right, when it is time, you will know. You will have the strength to do what is right for you're loved one.

madcatladyforever · 14/03/2020 20:41

I've had to do it 5 times over the years.

I advise you to take a cosy blanket or dressing gown with you so your cat doesn't have to lie on the hard examination work top and it will also smell of home and of you and reassure the cat.

Take someone with you because you will be very upset.I've cried like a mad person each and every time.

Make sure the vet gives your cat sedation first - one of the vets just shoved the main stuff straight in and it was awful as the cat was fighting all of us right up to the end.

Sedation will make your cat peacefully drift off to sleep and that gives you a precious few minutes with him to tell him you love him.

That way when they put the medication in your cat will just die within a few seconds peacefully and with no panic.

One minute they are peacefully sleeping and the next gone, as soon as they are gone there is nothing there any more. I believe in the afterlife and it's immediately obvious their soul has left their body and moved on.

I wish this end was available for us too as it's so lovely and peaceful. It really is the kindest thing we can do for them at the end.

Snog · 15/03/2020 19:54

One thing to add from my painfully recent experience, the pain of loss is very acute but even 2 days later it is much more manageable and less intense.

There is a hole in my life but it doesn't feel nearly so raw and I'm surprised about that. Life does go on and things will be good again. I am now able to look at photos of my darling girl and enjoy them rather than burst into tears.

Be very kind to yourself at the moment as this is a very difficult time. Enjoy the time you have left together, it matters.

susandelgado · 15/03/2020 20:03

Don't look at videos 😔 I've been through this about 6 times and it never gets any easier. It's very painless for them , I wouldn't mind going myself like that. Just keep talking softly to him and smoothing his head if that's what he likes . It'll be over in seconds.
I really feel for you Thanks

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 15/03/2020 21:04

I'm in tears reading through all of your stories, it is obviously a deeply painful time for us owners, but happily seems mostly painless for our animals.

My boy had a good weekend.

Hugs to all of you. Daffodil

OP posts:
madcatladyforever · 18/03/2020 11:50

Mind you I was advised to put old girl to sleep early last year after she had a bad experience with general anaesthetic and was in a dreadful state, she is 19 this year.
I couldn't do it because I'd just lost my husband and my job that week and felt suicidal and she got better. She's still here. Prancing about like a kitten.

HuggedTheRedwoods · 18/03/2020 17:22

Lovely that your boy is rallying a little, hopefully he'll be keeping you on your toes for a long while to come! Give him a ruffle from us.

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