sad story-mixed feelings?

Question

I have a cat who I just took to the vet today, because he hasn't been eating or drinking for 3 weeks. They said that his liver was failing, and that he had to be put the sleep the next day! He purrs, and acts perfectly normal, and seems very happy, but he has lost 5 pounds in about a month, wich is not good at all. We are still deciding wheter we should put him to sleep or not, because who knows-he might just die from liver failures the next day! But I can't afford to be separated with him..........It's just too hard. I've had him ever since a was a baby little kitten, and I saved him from an animal shelter. I have mixed feelings about all of this, and it's just so hard to lose him........I have been crying all day, and i've been to depressed to even eat. I've been thinking about all this so hard, that I have a terrible headache, and I feel very light headed and noicious. I really need some advice. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make........ PLEASE HELP!!!!!

I have a cat who I just took to the vet today, because he hasn't been eating or drinking. They said that his liver was failing, and that he had to be put the sleep the next day! He purrs, and acts perfectly normal, and seems very happy, and the vet says that he feels no pain. We are still deciding wheter we should put him to sleep or not, because who knows-he might just die from liver failures the next day! But I can't afford to be separated with him..........It's just too hard. I've had him ever since a was a baby little kitten, and I saved him from an animal shelter. I have mixed feelings about all of this, and it's just so hard to lose him........I have been crying all day, and i've been to depressed to even eat. I've been thinking about all this so hard, that I have a terrible headache, and I feel very light headed and noicious. I really need some advice. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make........ PLEASE HELP!!!!! I have to decide by tommarow! ;-(

I have to decide tommarow, because that is when my mom scheduled the appointment to get him put to sleep! This is a VERY hard time for me, and I need all the help I can get........The vet says that he feels no pain, so he is not suffering, but he still needs to be put to sleep......

Answer 1

Nicole -
I can So identify with your problem. I had one of my cats put to sleep this morning. He'd had some chronic health problems, but behaved normally, until the last couple of days. This morning, it was obvious he was terribly ill. It's such an awful decision to have to make.
My advice to you is to follow your heart. You love him desperately. He's acting fine. But you need to know that cats will hide how they are feeling until they are terribly ill.
Take the weekend with him. Hold him, talk to him, tell him how much you have loved him and how special he is. Get pictures of him, and of the two of you. Then make the decision. Maybe making peace of a sort with him will help. I truly believe they know how we feel, and they know they were loved.
I'm so sorry about what you are going through. Ask your vet if they will make a plaster paw print for you to keep.
You don't say your age, and I don't really think that matters anyway. A broken heart is the same at any age.

Answer 2

One of the hardest responsibilities that we as humans have is making decisions like this.

Assuming the diagnosis was correct - and if there's any doubt, by all means take your cat to another vet and get a second opinion - your cat is going to die fairly soon. You aren't going to get a choice about whether to be separated from him. It's going to happen anyhow.

What you do have a choice about, however, is the quality of life up until he dies and whether he has a pain-free death.

I don't know whether liver failure and the ensuing complications are painful for animals, but I encourage you to find out. I also encourage you to think about whether you wish to prolong your cat's life for minutes, hours, or days if he's in extreme discomfort. If he isn't in discomfort, isn't in pain or extreme hunger or thirst, he may very well be better off dying at home with those who love him. Otherwise, please consider giving him an easy death.

As I say, this is a horrible responsibility, the sort of decision that makes tears come jerking out of one's eyes and makes one gasp for breath. How can you even contemplate killing a creature who has been your friend for so long? But on the other hand, how can you not?

My mother-in-law had a dog who she loved very much. His kidneys failed. He was in extreme pain. And yet she couldn't bear to part with him.

He suffered, howling, for a day or so before he finally died, all because she couldn't bear to make that final decision.

Answer 3

I have been a vet assistant for awhile and have worked on a cat with liver failure and he had to be put down. It may not seem like your cat is suffering but he is, first liver failure causes anorexia and since he isn't eating his body is eating his stomach lining, as time progresses he will begin having fluid on his abdomen, which is very painful, epilepsy is also a concern(seizures), jaundice and internal bleeding can also occur. There is no cure for liver failure in a cat, if you keep him alive he will be in misery for the rest of his days, I know it is hard I have been through this but think of your pet, he will not feel nothing when it happens if you never seen it done it really is like he goes to sleep, it is quick and painless for the animal.

Answer 4

Well sweetie, I hate to hear about that. You are obviously as much of an animal lover as I am and I can't imagine having to make that decision about my dog. All I can say is that of course you dont want your pet to suffer needlessly but its too hard to let them go!! Well, get a second opinion if you think it would help. I probably would. Maybe if you heard it from another vet you would be more convinced that that was the right thing to do or not to do.
Good Luck to you and your cat!!!!

Answer 5

Sorry to hear that your cat is so ill.

You have to take in consideration the quality of life he'll have with a failing liver and probably kidneys too. This is a very difficult decision to make, but ultimatley its your decision to make with the best intrest for your cat at hand. You have to look at it this way, if he continues to get worse, you gave him a wonderful life, of love and devotion, and if its his time to go, what better way to go, knowing you had the best of love from your owners.

It would probably be a good idea to get a second opion as well, especially since you are faced with such a grim outcome, and the second opinion may shed some more light on the situation, and may even offer alternate methods to a better quality of life if your kitty keeps fighting to survive.

I wish you the best of luck and all the best for you and your kitty.

Answer 6

It is heart breaking to lose a pet, but better to let him go now while he is happy than to wait until he is suffering. If his liver is failing, the end will be very near. And who is really important here, you or your beloved cat? It is the selfless thing to do.

One word of advice: Consider rescueing another cat soon. There are so many that need you, and it might help you too.

No cat can ever replace your special friend, but you may find that there is no limit to the capacity of the human heart.

Answer 7

You have to think about what is best for the cat, if the vet suggested he be put to sleep, I would. I know it's hard to lose a pet, but you don't want your friend to suffer. With Liver or kidney failure cats can decline very quickly, and it will become very painful for him.

Please, think of your kitty and do what is best for him.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

Answer 8

It is a very sad situation when a time comes to have an animal put to sleep, but you have to remember that this is the best thing for the animal in order to prevent and/or stop their suffering. It would only be for your benefit to not put the cat down. Please don't be selfish and make your cat suffer, do the right thing.
Sorry there is no better answer for you.

Answer 9

I know how hard this is for you but the cat must come first and the vets advice is the way. It will be painless for your cat but i know it wont be for you. You've got to think of him and putting him to sleep is the best way for him. He will decline fast and you don't want to go through that! Ive lost pets, grieved and finally let it go. I have 3 cats now and if anything happened to them I would heed my vets advice. Please let him go to a better place without pain. Its not fair to him. My heart goes out to you. Good Luck

Answer 10

I'm so sorry that you have to face this. It is the hardest thing to say good-by to a beloved pet.You know this is the best thing for him, he is very ill and is not going to get better. you must stop thinking about how you feel and think about what is best for your friend. The very first Vet that I worked for told me something that has stayed in my mind . He said "If you have them to love you also have them to loose" Be brave and do what is right for your kitty. Help your kitty now, he needs you more right at this moment than any other time in his life.