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Original poster

My cat was PTS today

34 replies

Airdustmoon · 25/08/2023 19:00

I am so devastated. It was so sudden and such a shock. He was 12, a beautiful boy and so good natured.

He has had recurring urine infections for the last few years, every 6 months or so requiring antibiotics and anti-inflammatory injections. We got back from a few days away yesterday and he seemed fine and happy to see us. This morning, noticed he was straining to go and his litter tray hadn’t been used since we got back (we just assumed he’d been going outside). DH took him to the vet expecting another routine round of antibiotics but it turned out to be much more serious, he had an obstruction with risk of rupture.

The only options were to put him through a stressful operation to relieve his bladder and try and clear the blockage - but with no guarantee that this would resolve the problem long term, the vet said it could happen again in another 6 months, especially given his history - or PTS. It was an agonising decision and I feel so guilty for deciding to PTS. We just didn’t want to put him through all that stress with no guarantee of a resolution.

DH decided he couldn’t stay in the room. I didn’t really want to either but didn’t want him to be on his own so I stayed. I feel utterly bereft. DH has put all his things in the garage so we don’t have to look at them. I lost pets as a child including our childhood cat having to be PTS at 15 but I thought I’d have a few more good years with my boy and I haven’t had to be the one to make the decision before.

He will be so missed. 😥

OP posts:
gabagrowl · 25/08/2023 19:00

I'm so sorry.

Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals · 25/08/2023 19:03

Ah that’s such a tough decision - I’m so sorry. As a younger adult, I had to make the decision to do the same, but I knew that we’d left our adored cat a bit too long and I’ll always regret that. You made a tough decision for the right reasons. I feel for you.

Fourlegsandatail · 25/08/2023 19:09

My heart goes out to you. It was the kindest thing to do and he felt loved by you always

Original poster
Airdustmoon · 25/08/2023 19:49

Thank you for the kind words. I’ve cried so many tears already I’ve given myself a headache. As much as I know that it was the right decision, the guilt is very real. I am seeing him everywhere!
My 7 year old is thankfully taking it all in his stride, but I don’t think it’s sunk in for him yet.

OP posts:
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 25/08/2023 20:38

I’m sorry, it’s an awful experience deciding to pts. You know it’s the right thing to do but feel guilty.

Clarich007 · 25/08/2023 21:32

Aww I am so sorry about your beautiful boy.
I have been through this 3 times, it's never easy but I always stayed with my cats at the end.I always found it comforting to be with them My husband has to go out too.He can't cope.
You did the right thing and are saving him from further pain and struggling.
💔💐💐

catsandgardening · 25/08/2023 21:37

They're family, our cat friends. It's the same as losing a family member

Original poster
Airdustmoon · 25/08/2023 21:46

@catsandgardening it really does feel as awful as losing a family member, right now at least. Walking out of the vets with an empty carrier 😢

@Clarich007 I’m glad I stayed with him at the end, as upsetting as it was. I’m sorry you’ve been through it so many times. It hurts so much because we love them so much.

OP posts:
Cowlover89 · 25/08/2023 21:46

So sorry about your kitty. ❤

PriamFarrl · 25/08/2023 21:49

We stayed with our girl while she was PTS. It was so hard but I’m glad she wasn’t alone. It’s dreadful, they are a member of your family and loved.

Unicorn34 · 25/08/2023 21:50

I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our 18 Yr old girl 2 weeks ago and it's heartbreaking and painful. What you did for your boy today was selfless and done with pure love. Cry asmuch as you need to. He was part of your family and should be grieved as such. A huge hug to you all x

vipersnest1 · 25/08/2023 21:54

@Airdustmoon, it's an awful thing to have to do, but at least we can. As PP have said, pets are family. This is something we do for our pets out of love, as difficult as it is for us. Flowers

Pudmyboy · 25/08/2023 22:05

So sorry for your loss, so glad for him that you were with him, hard though it was for you, it meant someone who loved him and who he knew was there till the end 💐

socialdilemmawhattodo · 25/08/2023 23:10

I am sorry for your loss. It is never an easy decision to make but you made the right decision at the right time. I had to make that decision for my beautiful adoptive Siamese in Dec 2019, when he was just 10. He had been just fine until the summer - still outside but seemed to get thinner. I started a new stressful job, my DC was expelled from school, so all that autumn I was dealing with external factors. The cat continued to go out, eat and do their business as usual. The vet wasn't that great when I took him initially, but then it became clear there was a problem. The vet finally operated, removed a lot of liquid and found tumours. I arranged an appt for the following week and brought him home. He purred, loved being with us, but became incontinent. It was clear physically all was not Ok. When we took him back to the vets and I was clear that I owned the decision - I knew what I had to do - the vet was so relieved. We cried buckets - loved that babe - we still do. Taken too soon. But it was the only right decision to protect and love that cat. We were offered adoptions (of rescue Siamese) within weeks - I always wondered if it was too soon, but now we have 2. Love them both - but perhaps not quite in the same way. They are indoor only - so their their exit will either be as above or natural. We will do the right thing for them. As you did for yours.

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2023 13:15

So sorry, mine was three weeks ago. It's fine to cry as much as you like. I took a lot of comfort from knowing I was there for hers she was on my knee.

TheShellBeach · 26/08/2023 13:17

Very sad. I'm sorry about your lovely cat.
You did the right thing for him, without question.

Fallingthroughclouds · 26/08/2023 13:23

catsandgardening · 25/08/2023 21:37

They're family, our cat friends. It's the same as losing a family member

Really? You'd feel the same level of grief losing your child, parent or partner as you would your cat?

I appreciate this must have been really upsetting though, sorry for your loss OP.

Rainbow1901 · 26/08/2023 13:29

So sorry to hear this! You have made the right decision and you know that he was a very much loved member of your family.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 26/08/2023 13:51

💐

Igmum · 26/08/2023 16:33

So sorry, sending love. I've been there and it's utterly heartbreaking ❤️Flowers

Shady23 · 26/08/2023 16:37

@Fallingthroughclouds it depends on relationships
With my horse she was always there. If work, relationships, anything went wrong I would go to my horse. She was a constant for over a decade. Then she died, and my legs went from under me when I found out, and all I wanted was to go home which was her. She was my home and now she was gone
I grieved her way more than my mum because my mum wasn't my home and wasn't a safe place and never showed she loved me. Also my horse was sudden, my mum wasn't

dontchaknow · 26/08/2023 16:53

Sorry for your loss. You know you did the right thing, you were saving him from suffering, but is awful to have a loved pet PTS; having lost 3 cats that way, I can sympathise. If you're like me, you'll never get over it, but you will learn to live with it. In time it won't hurt so much and you'll look back with fond memories of him.

Tiespin · 26/08/2023 17:32

You made the right call. Your cat was lucky to have owned you x

EmmaStone · 26/08/2023 17:40

I'm sorry, it's such a difficult decision to make, but I've no doubt you did the right thing. Take care 💐

FasciaDreams · 26/08/2023 17:53

So sorry for your loss OP. He's now over the rainbow bridge with lots of treats and tummy rubs. Be gentle on yourself over the next few days.