When is it sensible to put a cat down?

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When is it sensible to put a cat down?

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sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 1:37 pm Post subject: When is it sensible to put a cat down?

We're not there yet, thankfully, but poor old Hagl is getting increasingly creaky, and we're trying to think sensibly about the time when its not going to be kind to him to keep him going ad infinitum.

We came back from a couple of days away to find him dribbling and distressed about something, and whilst he's ok for the moment, he's losing his sight steadily and clearly isnt rallying well from little upsets. Mostly he just wants to spend his days welded to my lap or shoulder now.

He didn't have a good start in life, and we've always promised him we'd do the necessary when the time came, especially as his terror of boxes means that frequent vet trips aren't something that necessarily helps him.

My current feeling is that whilst he still eats and drinks easily, can get to his litter box on his own, and can get up and down the stairs, he's ok, but as soon as any of these functions go, its probably time.

Would welcome any thoughts on any other signs that enough is enough. Hopefully he still has a good few months in him, but I suspect its not vastly more than that

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 1:39 pm Post subject:
It seems to happen quite quickly - you suddenly see changes that make things difficult for them. Is it worth asking your vet before-hand whether they would be prepared to do a home visit, to save him the distress of the box?

Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 2:12 pm Post subject:
I think you�ll just know. I think Chez�s suggestion is a great one.

Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 2:12 pm Post subject:

It is so tough with a loved animal. I agree that while they can perform basic functions normally and seem happy with life then the time is not quite yet..... but once certain qualities go....

We had to have our old collie put down inthe autumn. I knew the day was coming and the last week before I took her she had been going really down - stopping eating being a big one.

I had pretty much decided the day (& told family) and then the sun came out and she wandered out to her fav spot in the field to watch the horses. She sat there most of the day and wobbled back in..... I was pleased she got one last day out as it were...

However it was still right she go, because she was all skin/bone and swollen belly (some tumour the vet thought) at the end.

The home visit is probably a good idea, but failing that perhaps they could give you some sort of pre-med thing to ease the terror of the journey in?

Finsky

Joined: 10 Sep 2011
Posts: 847
Location: Notts.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 3:10 pm Post subject:

If you can still see your pet gets pleasure of something...food..little play...watching wold go by..or just a cuddle and they are relatively comfortable with their health..I think they've got all going for it.
All my past friends have clearly shown with their behaviour or lack of it when they've had enough.
Its never easy to make these decisions..but trust you feelings about it...you will know when its time. Until then..enjoy his company

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9891
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 3:32 pm Post subject:
a hard choice to make and generally you cannot get it exactly right - either you are a little bit over and they have been unhappy a little bit longer than necessary, or too soon to avoid being too late. So accept you cannot get it exactly right and try your best - a home visit is a good idea -either for a checkup or when you choose to put them to sleep, if the vet trip causes lots of stress.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 3:40 pm Post subject:
I also have a most beloved cat and will have to face this too. I think as said before, if they can eat, drink, s**t and generally get around without any obviously awful pain then fine. If this changes then you need to think about doing the right thing. My cat jamie has dribbled since we got him when he was two - I think this is just him...

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 3:41 pm Post subject:
As has been said, he'll probably suddenly go downhill: stop eating, that sort of thing. Mrs P stopped eating and then couldn't jump up, so we took her to the vet. Perhaps a sedative to get him there? As you say, he's OK at the moment, but there's not much flesh on him. Give the vet a bell: see what she suggests.

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 4:09 pm Post subject:

Lorrainelovesplants wrote:

I also have a most beloved cat and will have to face this too. I think as said before, if they can eat, drink, s**t and generally get around without any obviously awful pain then fine. If this changes then you need to think about doing the right thing.
My cat jamie has dribbled since we got him when he was two - I think this is just him...

Generally agree but be wary of assuming the above.

Our Minty was, we thought, in fine fettle until the morning of her being put down. She was a bit scraggy but at 18 we put this down to advancing years.

She didn't loose any of her faculties, not once messed in the house, then one morning she started coughing. When we took her to the vet to be looked at, it turned out she had a large tumour that simply didn't show itself externally or in her mood but the vet said straight away it was incurable and she would start to suffer.

I hope she was never in pain but I can never be sure.
Even though it hurts like hell to lose them, any animal has the right to be put first.

EV

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2585
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 13 9:15 pm Post subject:

Better a day too soon than a day too late. But it is an agonizing call for any of us.

Someone once mentioned the 50 / 50 rule - if they seem to enjoy at least half their days (and since the end is nigh spoil them rotten with yummy treats of usually forbidden food, etc ) then life is still good.

We cannot explain to them, just try to make the best and kindest choice. Remember that animals most likely live in the now, don't anticipate things will get worse / better.

Last edited by Jam Lady on Wed Feb 06, 13 1:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

unlacedgecko

Joined: 21 Nov 2009
Posts: 32

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 13 2:56 pm Post subject:
Dont have cats, but someone once said to me of dogs that it is better to be 6 months too early than 6 months too late. Re fear of vets, do you not have a gun? Or someone friendly in the area who could do it for you? This is what we have always done for our dogs...

powerjen

Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 44
Location: Argyll & Bute

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 13 5:12 pm Post subject:

unlacedgecko wrote:

Dont have cats, but someone once said to me of dogs that it is better to be 6 months too early than 6 months too late.

I have to agree, I have seen many people with animals who are still 'alive' when in my opinion should have gone to 'animal heaven' a long time ago. Many people seem to want to keep their animals alive and fill them with medication etc so they can spend more time with them (I'm not saying that's the case here), regardless of the state they're in purely to prevent the persons own distress.

I had to euthanise an old cat of mine, she was beginning to get a bit confused, her kidneys were going and one of her legs was starting to give way if she got a trot on. I spoke to my vet who agreed that it was the best time to send her on her way and he came round to the house and we managed to do 'it' whilst she was still curled up on her favourite chair purring with me giving her tickles with the least amount of fuss. I sometimes feel that I did it too early, but of course I didn't. Her quality of life was starting to take a turn for the worse and it was time to not let it progress any further.

If only our animals could speak then it would make things much easier but we have a responsibility to do what is best for them, even if it is going to bring us heartache. Just my opinion.

Liz in Ireland

Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 1287

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 13 6:50 pm Post subject:

Do you need to check out your vet. Mine is the most wonderful man when something needs its life saving, but sometimes he doesn't know when to stop.

I used to have a dear little grey stray,who I hoped would die peacefully curled up in the cat mint. But he didn't - so decision made I took him to the vet. Vet decided that there was one thing we should try first. I spent the night holding an unhappy, restless, dying animal, guilty and cross with myself that I didn't stand up to him.

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