Cat Euthanasia

[MobilityCat]

My neighbour had an old Cat and it came in dragging it's back legs. She took her cat to the vet and was told that it was not in pain so he didn't think it should be put down.
It's condition worsened until after several more expensive vet visits I told her she needed think about insisting on euthenising the poor creature and that it seemed to me the vet was milking the situation.
She took it back to the vet when it was dragging it's lower body sideways and it's front paws were being injured and finally got the vet to end it.
I love animals, particularly cats and it hurt me to see this poor thing dragging itself around. She took her loss very badly and I'm not sure I was wrong to encourage the ending of it's life.

What kind of time line was this ?
On the face of it it sounds like the vet was out of order but can you be absoulty sure it was not you nighbour telling the vet not to put the poor thing down .
I know vets can not insist a animal is pts but ime they are very honest about the animals prospects in situations like that.

If the vet was keeping it alive they ought to be ashamed of themselves.

You did the right thing on telling your neighbour to have the cat pts. It's a horrid decision to have to make but it sounds like the poor thing was hit by a car so it's the best thing to do.

It took four vet visits over about a month. I don't know what was said at the vet but my friend was very upset by its condition

All vets take an oath to uphold the welfare of the animals in their care and every one of my colleagues take this very seriously.
Honestly I would take what your friend is telling you about the consults with a big pinch for salt, I suspect the consult went like this.

Vet 'unfortunately I can't do anything for poor puss'
Friend ' oh I don't think I can make the decision'
Vet 'well puss is not currently in pain, but you should be making the decision in the next few days'
Friend ' okay I will go and think about it'
Rinse and repeat.

It is not uncommon to have to have a veiled threat of involving animal welfare legislation where by yes a vet can insist that an animal is put down. To often owners delay making decisions for themselves.
Very rarely now does an individual vet financially benefit from an increased number of consultations in fact most practices are so busy we work hard to reduce the number.

@Lonecatwithkitten

All vets take an oath to uphold the welfare of the animals in their care and every one of my colleagues take this very seriously. Honestly I would take what your friend is telling you about the consults with a big pinch for salt, I suspect the consult went like this.

Vet 'unfortunately I can't do anything for poor puss'
Friend ' oh I don't think I can make the decision'
Vet 'well puss is not currently in pain, but you should be making the decision in the next few days'
Friend ' okay I will go and think about it'
Rinse and repeat.

It is not uncommon to have to have a veiled threat of involving animal welfare legislation where by yes a vet can insist that an animal is put down. To often owners delay making decisions for themselves.
Very rarely now does an individual vet financially benefit from an increased number of consultations in fact most practices are so busy we work hard to reduce the number.

Thank you for your response. I'm not sure what was said but the fact that the cat was in worse condition each visit should have been considered. My present concern is that my friend is now depressed and worryingly is saying she's "seen" her cat since it was put down. In the garden, in the passage, I've seen her walking around looking for it. I feel guilty as hell for encouraging her to end the cats life and in so doing damaged her emotionally.

Please don’t feel guilty. You were right to say why you did and stop the poor cat from
suffering. I say that as long life of owning various animals.
As for your friend - very sad. Hope someone has some advice for you soon.

@MobilityCat from what I see I don't think you should feel guilty I strongly suspect you backed up what the vet was saying. We often find that owners who are struggling with their mental health are those who also struggle to make the final decision and separating their needs from their pet's needs is really difficult. Whilst your friend is now struggling you will have had their pet's best interest in your intentions.
There is a free pet bereavement support from the Blue Cross here . Helping your friend access specially trained support would be a good idea.

[quote Lonecatwithkitten]@MobilityCat from what I see I don't think you should feel guilty I strongly suspect you backed up what the vet was saying. We often find that owners who are struggling with their mental health are those who also struggle to make the final decision and separating their needs from their pet's needs is really difficult. Whilst your friend is now struggling you will have had their pet's best interest in your intentions.
There is a free pet bereavement support from the Blue Cross here . Helping your friend access specially trained support would be a good idea.[/quote]
Thank you for your link which I read and emailed to her. Should I pop around a bit later and ask her what she thinks about it or just let her read it and decide for herself.
I've tried suggesting she call her doctor and she's agreed to but keeps forgetting to.

I think it's quite common to think you 'see' your cat after they pass away. I had my last cat put to sleep, and quite a few time I thought I saw her at home, on the sofa, walking through the kitchen etc. Only for a brief second.

I also really, really thought I heard her. Obviously it was just my imagination but I was convinced I heard her scratching at the back door like she often did. It's the mind playing tricks.

At some point your neighbour would have had to go through the grief regardless of whether or not you were involved.