I have to put my cat down soon. I don't know how soon-I am taking it day by day. I have metacam for her to ease her pain-she has terminal cancer. I want to know if anyone's put their cat down, do you think I should be in the room with her? My mom offered to do it for me when her time comes, and I have to think about it. Anyone stay with their cat/dog while they were put down? Any help greatly appreciated.
2006-11-16 08:32:30 · 19 answers · asked by Love 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thankyou...
2006-11-16 08:38:43 · update #1
Absolutely you should be with her---your cat will feel no pain anymore and you will feel good that you ended her pain. You won't regret holding her cat, petting her and talking to her as she goes to her final sleep. I have been with all my animals as they died and have never regreted it. Yes its sad, but thats life unfortunately. Good luck to you sweetie.
2006-11-16 08:37:51 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe all the answers posted are great. I just wanted to give you a little insight from a person who has had to put cats to sleep. I worked as a vet tech for several years and have been there through countless euthanasias and what I saw was that the people that were actually in the room seemed to do better than the people that weren't and sent there pets off with us. Even though the good techs care ( I cried EVERY TIME) and owners would feel good about their decisions the ones that weren't there suffered more. I think there was no closure for them and those last moments are truly special in a sad way. It was almost like they felt they missed out on those last few seconds and handed over a very special gift to us. If you can do it I'd say you should. Also I don't want to be graphic but I don't want you to get a sad surprise, when animals pass away their eyes don't close. That was the #1 surprise for people. It is very peaceful and it's like they fall asleep. My best wishes to you.
2006-11-16 17:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by chombli72 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my cat Smokey for 19 years when I had to have her put down. I found her when I was 11 years old and she went through life with me. All through school, when I got my driver's license, when I graduated from high school, when I got married. How could I not be with her when the time came? She deserved it. I didn't want her last moments to be in a strange place with strange people so I actually held her while they put her to sleep. Yes, it was hard but there was no other way to do it. The whole time I kept telling her I loved her. Even today I'm so glad I decided to do it that way. The last face she seen and the last voice she heard was mine. I don't mean to be blunt but don't keep your kitty around just because you can't let go. Now is not the time to be selfish. If she's suffering, let her go. I know it sounds strange but I loved my cat enough to put her to sleep because I didn't want her hurting. My pain wasn't going to last as long as her's.
Do the right thing and be there with her. You've always been there for her so why not when she needs you the most? Take care. It'll be alright.
2006-11-16 17:37:30 · answer #3 · answered by November 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear that you are at such a sad time with your kitty. I've been where you are and it is hard and terrible and sad. My cat had a stroke and was very sick after that and about 4 days later I decided that the only humane thing to do for her was to help her go to sleep so she could stop suffering. (She was at the point where she couldn't really walk or eat or control when or where she went to the bathroom.)
I took her to the nicest vet who was very helpful and supportive. The vet did a little check on her blood pressure, etc. and then wholeheartedly agreed that it was time. I knew I had to stay with my cat - she had always been there for me - how could I leave her when I knew she would need me most. I certainly didn't want her last moments to be with strangers when I knew that my presence was very calming to her and would help. So I held her as the vet gave her the injection - it was very quick and very peaceful and I have always been glad that I held on to her and supported her until the very end.
It's not easy and it's not for everybody. Whatever you decide to do is what is right for you.
I'm so sorry for the sadness that you are feeling and going to be feeling, but it's your turn to be there for your cat now.
Best Wishes.
2006-11-16 16:43:40 · answer #4 · answered by ms_know_it_all 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the pain you're feeling. I've had to make that decision a few times in my lifetime and it is NEVER easy. And, no one can make the decision, to put your friend down, except you. You live with her; you look into her eyes.
For me, at those times when I knew I made the right choice, I chose quality of life over quantity of life. And, I am an advocate for pet owners to be with the pet when it's euthanized.
I had a step-dog, Sheba, and at 15 yrs old, I could see in her eyes that it was time to let her go.
The night before her vet visit, my husband drove her around the block several times so she could hold her nose out the car window and smell the world around her. Then we had a quiet party for her; we took pictures, gave her treats, lots of pets, and love.
The next day, we stayed with her as her life gently drifted away. Euthanasia is gentle and kind. The animal just goes to sleep. I look at it this way--I'm going to cry, Hell, I'm going to sob with snot running out my nose, anyway, why not accompany my beloved companion while she makes her last journey.
Honestly, I was comforted being with her, as painful as it was emotionally. I felt Sheba and I had made the circle of our life together.
And, I would ask your mom to be with you and your cat. The more support you have the better.
The most loving action you can take toward your Kitty is to let her go before she suffers.
I am so sorry for your pain, and the loss you'll experience. You can't escape it, but you can have closure and peace in time.
2006-11-16 17:09:37 · answer #5 · answered by metaphysical_kitten 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always been in the room with my pets. I do not want the last thing they see to be strangers. My last kitty I put to sleep I held his head while they injected the solution and we looked into each other's eyes. It was sad, but he and I both knew it was time. It was peaceful and I am glad I was there for him. When I take on the responsibility of a pet I know that one day that time will come and I have to see it through to the end. I'm their momma, I should be there. So sorry about your cat...
2006-11-16 16:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by Didi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First and foremost, I'm sorry that your cat has this illness. I don't know if you've already gone on with it, but I was there with my sister when my dad's cat (basically my lil bro) was put to sleep. His liver was completely messed up. Cancerous, the vets said. So nothing else could be done for the guy. I feel anyone who has loved that pet should be there, to comfort the pet and to comfort each other after it's over. Please remember that you'll be doing your last act of love for your pet and it's a kindness that he'll/she'll surely remember.
2006-11-16 16:41:30 · answer #7 · answered by cloudy_angel03 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry for what you're going through. I've been there many times before so I can surely sympathize.
If you'd like to be in the room with her you can be. I'm always with mine when that time comes.
It is very simple and painless for your cat. I'm always with mine because I don't want them to be alone or with a stranger. You'll be upset and the doctor will understand that. It will be up to you if you want to take them home to bury or if you'd like to have the ashes back, think about that before you get there so that you'll know exactly what you'll want done.
It's extremely sad - but you may feel better being with your beloved baby, even if you're just petting her and telling her you love her, she'll go feeling that love.
Prayers to you....
2006-11-16 16:48:59 · answer #8 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no right or wrong thing to do. If the thought of being there as your cat dies bothers you, or if you think it will bother you negatively in the future, then take your Mom up on her offer. If you feel you can handle it and you'd like to be with her during her passing, that's good too. The death will be painless and easy so you won't see anything traumatizing - it's only your own emotions that will be the issue.
2006-11-16 16:41:09 · answer #9 · answered by greyanemone 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been with many family pets when they have been put to sleep.
Being present is very emotional, but it will help your cat handle the stress of being at the vet's. After all, your cat is not well and probably does not like going to the vet as much as she likes you.
You need to discuss this with your vet beforehand, because there are some vets -- not many, though -- who don't like the practice.
The one situation in which you might consider not being present is if your cat is overly aggressive with the vet. My family had a male cat who could not be handled at the vet's without long leather gloves, and he had knocked a syringe from the vet's hand once. When he had to be put to sleep because of advanced diabetes that had gone undetected, my mother and I were not present because we, and the vet, thought our presence might make the cat feel worse or leave my mother and me with a terrible memory of his last minutes. (Afterward, the vet told us our cat went peacefully because he had lost all fight in him.)
2006-11-17 00:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to put down my 14 year old dog Keswick this year. He had cancer, too. I stayed home from work with him all day and just let him be with me; I fed him his favorite treats and took him on a drive because he loved being in the car. I also talked to him about that being his last day here... and he seemed to understand that it was a "letting go" process for both of us (even if he couldn't understand my words).
In the late afternoon, we went to the vet's office, and I stayed with Keswick through the euthanasia process. It literally took just seconds for him to pass, and he sort of "melted" in my arms.
It was sad -- I cried all the way home -- but I wouldn't have passed up those last moments with him for anything in the world.
2006-11-16 16:47:58 · answer #11 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋