A tough Decision about My Cat.?

Question

Today I had to take my Cat thats been with me for over 8 years to the Vet .In the last 2 months he has lost all control of his Kidneys.I noticed this mostly by the strong Urine smell in my apartment(First I just thought he was spraying(but not likely as he is fixed and hasnt done so before)The Vet did some test and found out he has got Tumors on his KidneysHas anyone ever heard of this)basically was told I need to put him down in the next few weeks as with his age and how far gone the tumors are ,it would be best.I am just devastated over this.Is this the right thing to do.He is like a family member so its a hard decision.How do I make this decision.To make things easier would it be wise to get another Pet right away(My 4 year old son will be lost without his Kitty)They have been inseparable .What should I tell my son when Kitty isnt here anymore.Anyone gone thru this and how do you handle.

Answer 1

Oh.. I know exactly how you feel.. I had to put down my well loved cat of 16 years due to diabetes and then kidneys and then tumor in /on the brain.. It was so sad because he was my best friend. There are no words to express sorry at having to PUT DOWN a beloved animal. One can only say that he had eight years of great love. It is difficult to explain that to a child but to say that he was sick and that there was nothing that could be done medically and that before he has to go, we ill give him all the love we can.

Answer 2

I sympathize with you and I would hate to be in your shoes. I think you have to think about your furry friend instead of how it will affect your family. Take a couple of days with your 4 yr old son and explain to him that the kitty is very sick and has to go away. That the place it will be going the kitty will be much better but that the kitty has to stay there and it won't be able to come back. Not sure if you have ever spoken to your son about heaven but if you have you could mention that the kitty is going to kitty heaven. I wouldn't get another kitty until the mourning process is over with as this is all part of the healing process. How could your son get all excited about a new kitty when he would still be so very sad over the loss of his best furry friend. Again I feel just awful for you but you have to do what is right for the cat.

Answer 3

Oh, man, my heart goes out to you!

Cancer has become the number one killer of cats, and when cancer gets into a vital organ there's often nothing you can do.

Sometimes, though, there is something you can do. With all due respect to your vet, general practitioners aren't always up on the latest cancer treatments. That's why there are specialists. If at all possible, I suggest you get your kitty to a veterinary oncologist. You might find that there is still a reasonable hope for successfull treatment.

Whether there's an oncologist available to you depends on where you live. If there's one near you, you can probably get a referral from your general practitioner. You might also get leads from your state Veterinary Medical Association.

I hope there's still a chance to save your kitty!

If not, I personally recommend getting another cat soon. I lost my beloved Rusty in April and it was a real shock. He was a five year cancer survivor, and five year survivors of vaccine-associated sarcomas are rare. I was just about getting used to the idea that he might live out his life and not die of cancer when without warning he fell over dead from a heart attack! I was crushed, and I still am!

He wasn't even back from the crematorium when his doctor, who is also a dear friend, called me about a feral rescue that someone had brought to her practice. I went to meet him and had to take him. I knew I wasn't ready, but I couldn't leave him to be sent to a shelter.

Now, three and a half months later, I'm still not "ready," but Scamper has brought me incredible joy! While I'm still devastated over Rusty's death, I've seen that I can be crushed with sadness about one thing and thrilled with joy about something else all at the same time. That's a lot better than having only the sorrow!

I have never had the sad duty of explaining the loss of a pet to a young child, so I can offer no advice. But if you Google the term "petloss" you will find many sites devoted to the subject, and some will have advice about that.

Answer 4

Oh my, I am sorry for such a hard decision you need to make. First off, yes, I think you should put the kitty down. It's for the best for both of you. You'll know that he won't be going thru any pain. As for your son, just let him know that the kitty was sick and so he didn't have to suffer any longer he had to be put down. (How ever you want to say it ie: He had to go to kitty heaven. or something.)

As for getting another pet, maybe ask your son if he'd want one right away. Also you'll be a part of that decision as well, whether you feel you can have one right away. Best of luck with your decisions. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Answer 5

I've had to put a cat down before and believe me, it's not an easy decision to make. My cat had cancer, and he was terminally ill. I knew that putting him down was the best thing because I didn't want him to suffer. That is what you need to keep in mind while makeing this decision. I know you don't want the cat to suffer. Kidney tumors can be painful because it can prohibit him from using the bathroom. This is why his urine is so potent. I know it's hard but sometimes we need to listen to the Vet, because they don't want to see the cat suffer a slow and painful death. Just give it some thiought. Good luck.

Answer 6

I highly recommend a second opinion by another vet just to make sure that what you are being told is your only/best choice for the animal. I completely understand about pets being part of the family as all of mine are like my "kids"but while missing them is hard to comprehend, having them suffer and not have a good quality of life is something to take into consideration. You wouldn't want a human family member to suffer so i am sure that you would not want your feline to suffer either!

Answer 7

oh iam so sorry .your son is going to miss the kitty so i would get a kitten before you put him to sleep. i have worked for vet for 22 years and this the only part of my job that i hate. you have to be strong for your son and your cat. have some one watch your son when you euthanise the cat . your son does not need to see this done nor does he need to see his mommy crying. the cat is very sick and he will not get better so please do not wait to long to say good by.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous renion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent fron your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 8

i went through this recently. i had my cat for 10(she died at 19 was a stray) years when we had to put her down for the same reason and trust me it's better to put your cat down because it can become very painful. I've been working at a vet for almost 2 years now (I'm 15) and i have seen many family's having to do this but you have to do whats better for your pet. and i know you consider it a family member because so did i. think about the pain you would be sparing him. email me and tell me how it goes.
good luck

Answer 9

/ooooooohhhhhhh! poor kitty! if you really love your kitty you should put him out of his missery. i would for my kitty and i love her more than anything. oh god, tell your son that the kitty is very sick and cant live anymore. god, i dont know what i would do if my mom told me that. i am soooooo sorry that this happend to you. god i feel so bad. oh im gonna cry now. i hope the vet finds some kitty to do a transplant.i wonder if that would work. poor kitty. im gonna go give my cat a hug now.

Answer 10

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