How do you get the nerve up to have your Cat put to sleep?

[corarose]

Ramona is very sick and I need to find a way to get the nerve up to have her put down.

I don't know what to do because I have never put any of my pets out of their misery.

She is 17 years old and she has hyperthyroid disease. She weighs around 3 pounds at the most. She has a huge sebaceous tumor on her head that the Vet cannot take off and something is wrong with her throat.

She eats massive amounts of cat food and when she drinks water she scratches at her dish.

The last time that she was at the vet was around 6 months ago and they told me that she was dying at that time.

When she goes to the bathroom she has diarrhea. I phoned the Vet and she said that there is nothing that he can do for her.

I don't know what to do.

[proud patriot]

1. No one can make that decision for you

I wish you strength :-(

[WillParkinson]

2. Think of your friend...

If she's suffering you have to do what's right for her. It might not seem like it but it's also right for you because you don't want her to suffer.

[kodi]

3. do what your love for her tells you to do.

you know.

[MuseRider]

4. Honey, if she is miserable

then you just do it. Think how much you would possibly want that if it was you? It is the MOST difficult thing but the kindest thing if you think she is suffering. I am so sorry she is sick and so sorry you are facing this decision. Please keep us up to date and we will help you. If she does not seem uncomfortable then do not do it. I have been there and on both sides, twice my doggies did not seem to suffer and quietly died at home. It is difficult either way.

[Padraig18]

5. You must be strong.

You're her friend now, and you must do what's best for her, love, hard though that may be. She knows she is loved, and hard though it may be, it is the final act of love for one who cannot get better.

Be strong. :hug:

[Catshrink]

6. It's terribly hard to do

I wanted to be there when the vet put my Susie Girl down. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done -- I was sobbing, the vet was sobbing, the tech was sobbing. I held her while the vet gave her the shot -- it was very peaceful and quick.

She was so sick and suffering. I felt it was the humane thing to do. I have her ashes in a small container and a picture of her next to it. I miss her terribly -- I have other cats that are precious in their own right, but they aren't my little Sunshine Princess.

Best of luck to you. She will help you make your decision.

[ezgoingrl]

7. This is a hard decision to make.

I had a dog from the time I was in the 8th grade until my son was 2 years old, a span of almost 15 years. When he reached the point that I knew he was suffering, even though it was hard I knew that I had ease his pain and let him go. I'm sure that I could have put off the inevitable a few more days, at the same time I knew that I was hanging on for selfish reasons and that I had to let him go.

Think of all that Romona has given you over the last 17 years, the love and the laughs. She deserves to move on with dignity and as pain free as possible. Grab a close friend, one that you can cry on and one that understands how hard this is and do it together.

And remember that your friend, Romona won't hold this against you and that no matter what, the bond that you share with her won't be broken it will just be a little different.

I'm sorry that you're going through such a hard time, hang in there. You will come through it.

[corarose]

8. Her eyes keep spinning around in her head

She keeps falling down and we have to pick her back up.

She has a huge appetite and she drinks tons of water but she is in horrible pain.

[TankLV]

38. I think you've just answered your own question.

From this post, it is time to ease her suffering and let her go. You don't want to remember this time of suffering, do you?

Take a friend or a few with you. Feel free to grieve. I am so sorry to hear this.

[xJlM]

9. It's hard to give the living up to the unknown.

But if the cat is suffering, you know it will be at peace.

Christians don't believe animals have souls. I'm not a christian, and I believe in the force of life. Every living thing is a part of my God. You can let a suffering animal go, when you know it's part of something a whole lot bigger than itself.

[Panda1]

10. I'm so sorry.

I know exactly how you feel. :-(
I had to do this with one of my cats a few years ago. Totally arthritic back legs, completely deaf and refused to become an indoor cat. (She had always been an outdoor cat since she adopted me.)
I helplessly watched her pain for one winter but I couldn't let her suffer for another. The vet was very kind. I fed her a can of tuna (her favorite) and took her in. She just went to sleep. I was very sad and I still miss her. But it would have been so selfish of me to keep her around when she was in such obvious pain and so frightened by her deafness. But she had been a well loved, fed, groomed and absolutely adored kitty. In the long run she had a good life and it was the best thing for her.
Good luck....I know how hard a decision it is.

[dflprincess]

11. This is a horrible decision to have to make

Is Ramona getting any enjoyment from life? If she is, then you can put it off a while. Listen to her, she'll tell you when she's ready - not that that will make it any easier on you, but you might find some comfort in knowing she knew it was time.

[Dookus]

12. corarose....

This is so hard. You get the nerve to do it by loving your cat so much you don't want her to suffer any more.

My advice: don't schedule it far in advance. Call the vet NOW or tomorrow morning, tell them you need to euthanize your cat, and go. I once made the mistake of scheduling it 7 days out, and it was the roughest week of my life. I'll never do that again.

I had my beloved old girl put down three weeks ago. I called the vet and said I was bringing her in NOW.

So you know, it's a quick, easy and painless process. You can hold her in your lap and whisper in her ear while she goes. I know it's incredibly painful to even contemplate it, but she TRUSTS you and relies on you to make these decisions for her.

As harsh as it may sound, you just buck up and do it because it's the right thing to do. You and your cat are in my thoughts.

PS: Both times I've had old cats put to sleep, I immediately went and adopted a kitten. I know some people need more time to mourn, but I can mourn AND love a kitten at the same time. Plus, it's hard to get really depressed when you're playing with a kitten.

[proud patriot]

18. Wise words from Dookus

I'm a long mourner , I lost Jake
my 19 year cat . I still am not ready :-(

[meti57b]

13. corarose, you have loved your kitty so much. ......

You know that the time has come. Make the appointment with your vet and feel free to go because you understand that even after you get there, you can change your mind and take your kitty home again. But also understand that once you are there, you are also free to let your kitty go. Hold her close in her last minutes. It will be okay.

[WilliamPitt]

14. I've had to do it three times

and there is no easy way. In fact, it was unbelievably hard. But if I were in the position my cats were in, I would want someone to pull the plug. I took them in, petted them until they were purring, and held them as the vet gave the shot. If it is any consolation, it is fast, like throwing a light switch.

[corarose]

16. Three Of Them Will?

I should have done it when my Dog had a stroke and lived for one week after she had the stroke.
I didn't have the nerve and Ramona was her best friend. They were like litter mates except Lulu was a Golden/Sheppard mix.

I have to take her in on Friday.

[WilliamPitt]

27. Yeah

We had a rampaging case of feline leukemia tear through my house. Took down three of the kitties before it ran its course. Doc, Oreo and Rasta.

[corarose]

28. OMG

My heart goes out to you. Three at one time is a major loss and it would tear my heart out.

Sorry to hear about them going all at once.

[WilliamPitt]

32. It wasn't all at once

The burn took about a year. Oreo was first; he came in one morning with two massive tumors above his eyes that popped out of nowhere. Doc we found deathly ill on the stairs some months later. Rasta we found on death's door under the Christmas tree on Christmas eve. He was just a kitten.

[grasswire]

15. Is this the poor animal...

...that you scathingly described several months ago as a "dirty" cat? I have to tell you that thread made me really mad. Even back then you said the animal was having trouble walking and its eyes were "spinning around in its head."

If you can't do this yourself, get someone else to take the poor suffering animal where it can be put to rest. It is cruel to keep this animal in misery. You know how it feels to be the object of cruelty.

Just do the right thing.

[corarose]

17. She has always had a bad habit

She use to mark everything with urine but I love her or else she would have been put down a while back.

[Dookus]

19. corarose...

it's time. In fact, it sounds like it's past time. Don't wait until Friday, even. Call around first thing tomorrow. You may even be able to find a vet who'll come to your house and do it. That's the nicest way - saves kitty the stress of a final car trip.

You just need to put your pain second to hers. Don't let her suffer. If her eyes are rolling in her head and she's having trouble standing, it's time. I know how hard it is, but it's all part of the responsibility of keeping pets. They give us so much, and expect so little in return. But one thing they DO expect is that we'll alleviate their pain.

[corarose]

21. I have a class at 7:00am

It's a cooking class and I would love to miss it but I can't.

I have to gather the money up to have her put to sleep and It will take a day or two.

I want her ashes back and I don't want her little kitty body to be put in with all of the other animals when the cremate her.
I always have my pets cremated and If you ask them to put your loved on in a separate box they will do that for you otherwise they toss them all in on top of each other.
I have been at the Pet Cemetery and I have witnessed what they do.

I had a funeral(My Sister and I went to it) for my baby boy Garfield and they cremated him afterwords. They showed up how they cremated pets and they tossed all of them in on top of each other and they divvied up the ashes into separate urns so you kind of get your pet back.

Garfield was Ramona's papa.

[Dookus]

24. class won't last all day

seriously, Corarose. No excuses. Stop her suffering ASAP. If you can't afford cremation, bring her home and bury her.

OR... most vets will bill you if you need a few days to pay. No vet will turn you away if it's a matter of two days.

Again, I know how difficult this is. I had my favorite old girl put down three weeks ago, and last week I attended the death of my neighbor's old cat who practically lived at my house. We sort of shared her.

To be honest, the thought of having them put down is more painful than the actual process. It's quick, easy and painless. It's surprising how fast it is. There's no suffering at all - they just go limp.

Please, I'm begging you: do what you know is right. Don't let the poor old girl suffer any more. You owe her that.

[devilgrrl]

20. Our cat started wandering off...

That was a sure sign that he knew his time was limited. He had developed a stomach tumor, he couldn't poo anymore, lost all kinds of weight, hair and his teeth were falling out. It got to the point where we just couldn't watch anymore. He was 12 years old, he was my little friend, I still miss him. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Corgigal]

22. In one year I had to make that decision twice

for my dog I went to the vet and put her down. I was so chicken that I couldn't stay in the room and I asked a young female tech to stay with her and she said she would. I cried all the way home. While my old pup might not have known what was going on around her I felt I let her down by not being there. But I couldn't do it.

My cat, Oscar was getting old. I didn't take her to the vet. She was in a diaper at the end but I kept her in a shoebox next to my bed. I kept the TV for her 24-7 and she went in her own way. It didn't appear painful for her.

I guess it depends on how brave you are. Whatever decision you make will be the right one.

[corarose]

23. Thanks for all of your messages

It's a hard decision to make and I am praying to God that he takes her in her sleep tonight.

[Dookus]

25. I'm sorry...

but it's not a hard decision. It's a painful decision, but an easy one.

Praying won't solve the problem. Please, if you have any love for this cat at all, end her suffering.

[corarose]

26. I have to do It and I get out of class at 4:00

She is suffering and I can't let her go on like this.

Even tho she urinated on everything when she was younger and all through her life I still loved her no matter what.

[pop goes the weasel]

35. Take her to the vet

Ask them to keep an eye on her while you are in class, and let you know what they think the prognosis is. Maybe she still has several good months in her, or maybe she's down to just a few hours. The vets have the experience to tell. When I took my cat in the last time, I knew that there was no other choice, that he was dying, and painfully, from an inoperable tumor. I wasn't doing him any favors by having him live a few more hours of vomiting blood. I cried all the way to the vet, and was depressed for months afterward, but it was the kindest thing I could do right then. I gave the vet permission to do an autopsy, so I have hope that what she learned has perhaps saved other cats.

[Maine Mary]

29. I know it's tough

But ask yourself, "Am I keeping Ramona alive for my sake or hers"? My vet presented me with that question while I was contemplating what to do about my beloved dog Max. It was still painful but helped put things into context for me.

My sincerest condolences. I wouldn't wish what you are going through on anyone. But just remember she knows you love her and always will.

[NashVegas]

30. A Better Question:

How do you work up the nerve to let her misery continue?

Putting my former 16-year companion to sleep was an easy choice; the pain that accompanied it was excruciating.

I'd cut down to maybe 1 or 2 cigarettes a day .. well that didn't last.

Don't allow yourself to get caught in the trap of feeling guilty for "playing god." Don't beat yourself up. And keep a lot of tissues nearby.

[Mz Pip]

31. What an awful decision

to have to make. Consider this. She cannot make a living will. You have to make that decision for her. Please don't let her suffer any more. It's hard to let go, but it will be harder to watch her suffer.

She has had a long and wonderful life thanks to you. Give her a peaceful death.

MzPip
:dem:

[corarose]

33. I delivered Ramona

Ramona's mama was my very first Cat. Someone tossed Dinky out of the car widow as they were driving along the street in front of our house.
When we picked her up her hair had been singed off and we took her to the Vet immediately.
I thought that Dinky needed a feline friend so I went out and bought a Red Tabby Persian male cat and I named him Garfield.
One weekend my Sister and I went to the Cat show in Milwaukee WI to sell my hand painted cat lamps and Garfield was only 6 months old at the time.
When we came back my Mom told us that Gar and Dinky had been "doing it". We thought that a 6 month old kitten couldn't make babies but he did.
One night while I was asleep Dinky laid down on me for protection from out dogs and she had her first kitten right on top of me. My Mom woke me up because I was dead to the world in a trance like sleep and I noticed that Dinky was having trouble delivering her baby kitty. I pulled Ramona out and we ended up keeping both kittens.
I am the one that opened Ramona's eyes when she was old enough for them to open up. She had trouble getting them open and I rubbed them softly with a cotton ball dipped in saline solution.
She was a perfect little White Kitten with red and black markings.
She use to come down our stairs in our old house head first on her back and it was so funny to watch.
When our Dog went blind she led her around and stood by her side while our Dog ate her meals and done her business.
We use to call Ramona the Seeing Eye Cat because she led that dog around for 5 years and she didn't leave her side unless she had to go to the litter box or eat.

[forgethell]

34. She's suffering

Do it.

[TankLV]

36. When you are keeping her alive for YOU instead of

putting an end to HER suffering.

Always think of her first.

The fact that you are now grieving and contemplating this is no easy task. Be assurred that you are a good person, and do not do things like this lightly. The proper thing is to imagine what is would be like to live like your companion. 17 years is pretty long.

An act of mercy is never easy.

But as others have said, it's you that will have to decide.

My prayers and thoughts go out to you in most this difficul of sad times.

With my last couple pets, my cockapoo stopped eating and drinking one week, and almost immediately was skin and bone. The vet said she was around 19. It still was the saddest thing I could do. She was gone after the shot so quickly, that she was gone before the vet could place her back in my arms. I know I made the right decision.

My golden boy Tank just went very quickly - by the time we took him to the vet after his stomach turned and got him under the operating table less than 5 hours later, there was not enough of his stomach to save so they let him expire on the operating table without reviving him - that was almost a year ago last August. I'm just glad it was quick - still wish I could have hugged and kissed him one more time.

[roguevalley]

37. we did this for our girl, Gretchen, aged 20.

it is the most loving act you can do to release your baby from her pain. She sounds like terminal thyroid. My dogs have thyroid trouble and this is all very familiar.

I think it is hard but the idea that you can hold them while they go to sleep is comforting. They go to sleep and don't feel pain, honey.
Take them home and bury them in your yard. Put flowers on them and talk to them. It gives comfort.

Just know you will do the most merciful and loving thing you can do and it will get better with time. Just allow yourself to cry. Your baby won't hold it against you. They must be so very miserable. You
will be doing a very hard but very, very right and good and loving
thing.

Take care, sweetie.