She's 16 years old, and has a (now very large) tumour on her forearm. She seems happy enough, and the vet told me there's no treatment and I just have to wait it out.
She limps now, and never puts weight on the offending front leg, but - being old - her back legs are arthritic too, so she sort of 'hobbles' around.
She's eating and sleeping OK. But how will I know when it's time to call it a day? It breaks my heart to even think about it. ******************************************************** 08-18-02, 07:07 PM kittypal Oh hesacat, I'm sorry about your kitty, that is the hardest thing to do. I guess when she is having a lot of pain and you can usually tell by the behavior. You know kitty best, has her eating habits changed, does she want to be left alone, etc... We put our two year old Tommy to sleep because I KNEW he didn't EVER feel good (he had kidney disease) I could tell because even though he always had it a once playful kitty would only watch the play, he barley ate and only had to pee about every other day and when he did he would cry, he also clung to me all the time and mewed pitifully, so I figured it was the best thing to do for him. I have his ashes though in a nice wooden box. Good luck and God bless you and kitty!
08-19-02, 06:43 AM Texan-In-Exile Hesacat - I too am sorry about your cat.
When the time comes, you will probably know. I went through the same thing with my poodle, only it was his heart. He reached the point where I knew it was time: Medicine no longer worked; fluid built up all over his body so he couldn't lie down; and he couldn't eat at all.
As long as your kitty can handle his ordeal, just give him all the love you can and make some happy memories!
And remember - I'm here any time you need me!
Godspeed!
08-19-02, 12:38 PM Lydia you will know - it is amazing, but our beloved pets have a way of letting us know....you will just "feel" it. It's not easy and it is so disheartening....I feel for you. If you don't have a strong feeling that it is time, then it is not.
When your cat no longer wishes to be around anyone, spends its time alone, stops eating and no longer can enjoy its surroundings, they will most definitely let you know. You will just feel it in your heart and you will know that is what is best.
I wish you luck and my thoughts are with you. It is a very difficult decision.
08-19-02, 08:05 PM Gin I finally let my Bonnie go. I had asked the vet when I should put her to sleep. She had gum cancer. Each morning she was happy, by evening she was weak. I didn't know when to do it and the vet wouldn't make a suggestion. All I know now is I waited too long. As I look back I see she suffered way too long. It is a hard decision and I hope you will know when the right time to say good-by.
[This message was edited by Gin on 08-19-02 at 08:16 PM.]
[This message was edited by Gin on 08-19-02 at 08:17 PM.]
08-20-02, 04:33 AM Jelp01 I don't have cats of my own, but I can remember when my mom had to put a kitten to sleep. It was born with a defect that caused paralysis in its back legs, and when the day came that she couldn't drag herself to the food bowl, that was the end of the road. My mother's vet was so kind--she called ahead to the nearest pet store to see if they had any kittens available. So my mom ended the day having to say goodbye to one cat and hello to another. As she says, she cried all the way to the vet's and the new kitten cried all the way home. And, happy to say, nearly seven years later, she still has that ornery cat! smile
08-20-02, 02:25 PM Georgia85 the tears are flowing. I feel your pain. Other than the loss of a child, the loss of a pet is right up there. My cat just turned 13 this past Sat so I know his day will come.
As for knowing when that time is near your cat's habits will change drastically. She will stop grooming herself, stop using the litter box, stop eating, and will probably become lethargic and might have incontinence accidents in the house. Once a cat (or any animal) reaches that stage the end is usually near. When this starts happening take her to the vet who prob will give her fluids and might have some pain meds to get her through the final days. You're vet will help you make the decision...
But in the meantime, hug her like there is no tomorrow and enjoy each day with her! Her attitude will depend a lot of what she senses from you. And I'm here to talk with you anytime. I am a fellow cat lover!
08-24-02, 10:01 AM hesacat Thank you so much (I can hardly see the screen for tears). Your words are so touching. I will let you know.
08-24-02, 10:40 AM LVLF I am so sorry for you and the tough decision ahead of you. I have been there myself. My brother and his wife just had to put their two dogs down after being a part of the family for over 16 years. You'll know when the time is right, in your heart, and in your cat's eyes. All I can say is be brave and count on us to be here for you.
08-25-02, 03:24 PM hesacat Thank you for the kind words - you don't know how much it means to me to know that you know what I'm going through.
02-23-03, 10:44 AM hesacat It is with unimaginable saddness that I have to tell you that my Smokey died this morning.
I don't know why I'm here now - I just remembered all the words of kindness and support I received from you.
Now, reading them again, my heart is so heavy. I miss her so much. I wish we didn't get so emotionally attached to our pets.
02-23-03, 04:05 PM Gin hesacat, I know what you're feeling and how much it hurts. Lord, the way we get attached to our pets. They are always forgiving. They love you no matter how you look. I wake up in the morning and I look a wreck but Clyde doesn't care how I look. He still loves me. Smile I think sometimes they don't see our physical appearance...they just see right into our hearts. That unconditional love. I have learned, hesacat, who to talk to and who not to talk to when you lose a pet. Don't show your heart feelings to the ones you know will laugh and say it was "just a cat". And if you do make that mistake, just think to yourself what pity you have for that person not to have known the love for a pet. You'll be in my thoughts, hesacat.
02-23-03, 04:46 PM Lydia oh hesacat, I have tears in my eyes and in my heart for you. Although it is one of the most difficult things to go through, know that Smokey was as emotionally attached to you as you were to her. She knew you probably better than you knew yourself. You were both very lucky to find one another. You will always remember your loving friend no matter how much time goes by. I know you say you wish you didn't become so emotionally attached to your pets, but something tells me that you wouldn't have had it any other way.
My heart is with you!!!
02-23-03, 04:49 PM rocketsigntist This particular website will give you quite a bit of information.
We provide euthanasia and cremation service at our shelter, so I see people and their decision almost every day. It is a very difficult one, but like others have said... you will know. Just don't let your fear of loss delay the decision beyond the best interest of your pet.
When it comes time, there will be two major decisions to be made. Do you want to stay with your pet during the procedure? Do you wish to have the pet privately cremated with the ashes returned?
Make these decisions ahead of time, so they are not made blinded by emotion. This will prevent you from looking back and wishing you had done something differently.
And it's ok NOT to stay with your pet if you don't want to. Many pet owners wish to have their last visual of their pet while it was still alive.
If you do not want the ashes returned, but are worried about what happens to the remains, contact your vet ahead of time and ask. They will be happy to help you.
It's a really personal and painful decision. I wish you the best.
02-23-03, 06:03 PM Gin I saved this site http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm from someone who posted here a while back. I'm sorry I can't remember who, so as to give you credit. This is a really nice site for someone who has lost a pet.
02-23-03, 07:56 PM WhiteRose Oh my.. I am SO sorry. I had a bunny that died a while ago, but it can't be anything like what you're going through. I'm so sorry, I can't imagine living without my cat. That's so sad.. I hate when things die..
02-24-03, 12:18 PM Rita Marie HESACAT I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty cat. My cat is 6 years old and alot of people just don't understand that they are apart of your family just like having another child. I know when I had to leave mine at the vet for a week when we went on vacation I called 2 or 3 times a day to check on him, they probably thought I was crazy. I'm really sorry you have to face such a hard time ,I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
02-25-03, 02:24 PM hesacat Thank you all so much.
Gin, I went to that site, but it's all a bit too raw for me to finish reading it yet. I'll revisit another time.
03-10-03, 09:44 AM gizmogram Hesacat...I'm afraid I haven't visited the Pets forum in awhile, so missed this thread somehow.
I've lost many pets over the years, and it's always hard. I just wanted to tell you that I'm thinking about you....you will always remember Smokey fondly, and what he brought to your life.
Take care
04-05-03, 08:24 AM hesacat Thanks Giz.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
Posts: 782 | Location: Sortid, Manchester | Registered: 06-04-02
