We had to put down our cat spot today. He was 14 years old and lived a great life of just lounging in the sun relaxing. He didnt seem to sick until about 2 days ago. He was having trouble breathing and couldnt sleep on his side. Three years ago the vet said he might have heart disease. The xrays were normal then. Today we couldnt even see his heart there was so much fluid in his body. I felt guilty because it might have been too soon to put him down. On the other hand I feel happy he lived a great life and we ended his suffering. Was it the right time to put him down:(?
2006-10-01 12:39:31 · 18 answers · asked by Jhouston 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
If that much fluid had accumulated in and around his heart, he was very uncomfortable and would not have lived too much longer without excruciating pain. At the ripe old age of 14, I'd say you gave him a long and healthy life.
You were very unselfish in your decision to euthanize him. You considered his quality of life before your own feelings.
2006-10-01 12:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by trusport 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the wonderful world of being a responsible pet owner. We all go through the very same emotions...did I do the right thing? Was it too soon to put it down? This is very normal...believe me, I've gone through it 4 times already (2 dogs, 2 cats) and I will have to go through it again and again. But you know, it's worth the heartache. The love we share with our beloved pets stay in our hearts forever. He was 14 years old...that's a long life for a cat. There was nothing you could do to prolong his life without him being in pain. In time it won't hurt so much...but you will know in about two weeks that you did the right thing (at least that's how long it takes me). Grieve for the loss of your beloved pet and have peace in knowing that you did the right thing. (((hugs))) I'm so sorry to hear of your loss...I went thru similar circumstances a few weeks ago. She was 8.
2006-10-01 12:55:18 · answer #2 · answered by auntcookie84 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Greg
Making the decision to put down the cat is the hardest thing in the world. Don't double guess yourself, but I know that it is hard. We had the same thing with our 16 year old earlier this year. She was under the bed when we got up which was unusual but because it was my niece's 16th birthday and she was in the hospital after having spinal surgery, we went to visit her. When we got home we pulled her out from under the bed and took her to the vet but he said she had a number of seizures and the couldn't do anything for her. For many many months we blamed ourselves for leaving her under the bed and not taking her to the vet first thing.
Why don't you go and list your deadly departed kitty on catster, www.catster.com so we can all see him and you can get some support from a lot of caring cat lovers, unlike some of the wankers in here who will applaud you for putting down a cat.
2006-10-01 13:23:11 · answer #3 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing. If he had that much fluid on his heart, he couldn't have gone much longer, and you let him go before he was in pain. Don't feel guilty. There are so many cats who don't have anyone to care what happens to them. Your kitty had a long, good life with someone who loved him. Many people don't have that much. Remember your kitty with love and think of him young again, lying in the sun.
(((Hugs)))
2006-10-01 13:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Nightlight 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are several things that can cause fluid to build up in the body cavities of cats, and they are all pretty tough diseases. if your cat had heart failure, there are medicines that we can use to try to control the buildup of fluid, and there are procedures we can do to drain fluid from around the lungs, BUT in the end, we don't have any treatment to reverse or repair a failing heart. some heart failure cats live for awhile reliant on medicines to keep them alive, but you really know your cat and your family best. if that's not the life you want for him, you made the right decision. it's a very tough decision, but releasing our pets from suffering is the last and best gift we can give them. it's very brave of you to think of him first.
2006-10-01 12:47:33 · answer #5 · answered by docal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More then likely it was the right time for him to go because he was so sick and suffering! It is better that he not suffer! My cat disappeared and I was told that he was run over but I find that doubtful since I could not find him and when I looked in the evening when he was supposed to be run over I did not see him in the road nor any evidence of him!!!!! I think someone done something to him-He liked staying on the porch! So I am sorry that you lost your cat I lost mine just yesterday!
2006-10-01 13:12:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well to start off I am sorry about your loss but it was the right thing to do. He was suffering it would only get worse. Take comfort that he had a wonderful life and was very loved member of the family (I always think of my cat as my son). Again I am sorry for your loss.
2006-10-01 14:49:00 · answer #7 · answered by jaspers mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't feel guilty for allowing Spot to go. I lost my cat to cancer when she was 16. Six months before I had her put to sleep, I decided to pursue radiation and it was an emotionally exhausting and depressing experience I will never repeat. I watched her suffer and deteriorate after the treatments and the guilt I still feel almost 3 years later for putting her through that still eats away at me. So don't feel bad for doing it "too soon." Sometimes when animals go quickly that's almost a blessing. Watching them in pain when they can't tell you what's wrong...it's just horrible for them and it's horrible for you. Talk to Spot, tell him why you did what you did. Forgive yourself. And know he's in a good place. He knows he was loved.
2006-10-01 12:57:13 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa R. 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
he had a long happy life with people that truly loved him..i read this and cried i had to put down my moms cat down 4 years after she passed away he was 18 me and my brother petted him and kissed him held him as the vet put him too sleep he passed away purring in my brothers arm.. its never easy...just rember your kitty knew u loved him..and if was having trouble breathing and couldnt lay on his side ..and he had lots of fluid you did the right thing...you will always rember him ..im really sorry..huggs too you and family..dusty
2006-10-01 13:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by little_outlaw_angel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I am so sorry, that must have been so hard for you but yes I think you did the right thing. Spot was suffering and in pain and you were brave enough to let him go.
2006-10-01 12:50:31 · answer #10 · answered by Rosalind 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋