My cat had a stroke at the weekend, she's 19, she's doing well but got to go to vets again on Friday I'm worried about what he will say. Her back leg went weak and she kept falling down but thats ok now, she's lost some reaction in her right eye but is not bumping into things. What would you do?
2007-03-05 00:11:46 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm sorry to hear about your cat. None of us answering your question know your cat in the way that you do, and only your vet is qualified to give you medical advice about her. If it's your regular vet, then I would suggest that you are guided by their advice. Knowing her medical history and how severe the stroke might have been, they will give you their honest opinion as to whether she will make a good recovery, and if not, what her quality of life might be like. This information will help you make a decision about what to do next.
Personally I have never heard of any vet bullying an owner into having a healthy animal put to sleep so I don't know why some other people have suggested that the vet might do this. To be honest, from watching vet programmes on television it seems more common that some owners want their pet to die naturally to absolve themselves of any guilt about having them put to sleep. (That's just my personal opnion as I appreciate that not everyone is in favour of euthanasia.)
My cat was 19 when I had to have her put to sleep, and though it was a heartbreaking decision to make, I knew I had to do what was kindest to her as I loved her too much to want to see her suffer. Two years on, I still miss her every day, but I don't regret the decision I made as I know that it was the best decision for her welfare.
I really do hope that your cat will be okay and that she will recover enough from her stroke that you have more time with her. My sympathies are with you.
2007-03-05 02:17:19 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I totally sympathise with you.
The vet will suggest what is best for your cat, but you should be ready for the worst.
You need to ask yourself this question, "Would you like to see your cat suffering".
Normal reasons for euthinasing is where the cat has no quality of life.
If the worst comes to the worst, don't dawdle. The vet would be ready to do this there an then. Which would be best for you.
You never know, your vet may say that your cat does have some quality of life, but you will no that you may lose her sooner than later.
When an animal is euthinased, it is very gentle. The vet shaves a leg to access a vein and administers the anesthetic. Yout cat will simply go to sleep.
2007-03-05 09:26:19 · answer #2 · answered by Boris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there,
First of all sorry to hear about your cat I know only to well the painfull descision you have ahead of you. I had to make the same descision last summer for my 19 year old chinchilla girl she had kidney disease and it almost broke my heart to let her go. she was my present to myself for my 20th birtday she saw me through various house moves which included moving country, getting married , having four children etc so its not just a cat but part of your family as I am sure your dear old friend is to you. I think where there is any chance of life without pain I would fight tooth and nail to keep her but if her quality of life will be so poor as to not be a life I would let her go with dignity as you know how independant and proud cats are. I very sadly had no real choice with my beautifull girl as she just deteriorated so fast and was so withdrawn and unwell she could not eat or at the end even wash herself properly which was not fair to her so I had to let her go. I would see what your vet has to say but ultimately the descision will be yours and nobody knows your cat better than you hopefully she will make a good recovery and stay with you a while longer but if that is not to be remember you have done the best you can for her and both you and her were lucky to have each other for so long its always going to be hard to say goodbye to a dear friend. Good luck to you and you will of course make the right descision.
2007-03-05 12:01:44 · answer #3 · answered by Brenda B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my dog was old and started to get problems I held on to the last with him. What a terrible mistake that was, I was just too close to him to be able to see the big picture. I only realised after he'd gone that he was not the dog he was the last year of his life, suffered with poor eyesight and immobility to the point that he had no quality of life and I'm sure that everyone around me could see it was time but I couldn't. I will never make that mistake again.
I am not saying this is where you are with your cat, I don't know, but if she carrys on from this then maybe one day you will be, I can tell you love her loads, promise me you will not let her live on suffering.
2007-03-05 08:30:36 · answer #4 · answered by joe r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hiya, See what your vet say's. You have to give her a quality of life and if she is suffering then there is only one thing to do. I feel for you, i have just been to the vet's with my cat he has an eye infection, and a lady in there had to have her cat put to sleep, she was crying and i was crying i didn't even know her, but i have just lost one of my cats he had cancer and they are a member of your family. I took my cat myself to the pet's crematorium and had him cremated and then picked him up next day, and he his now on my windowsill in a beautiful box, Good Luck i am thinking of you and your family, whatever choice you make, it will be the right one.
2007-03-05 08:22:19 · answer #5 · answered by kevina p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat was 20 when he had a stroke. We came home and he was stuck in our shoe rack (he was blind) and it was then that we decided to put him down and stop his suffering. He was the best cat in the world, but you have to think of the pain and suffering they're going through, and sometimes life can be a burden. I would put her down just for the fact that you love her and don't want her to be put through more pain. The best thing you could do for her is to say goodbye. I wish you luck. You'll feel better knowing that she's painless in kitten heaven.
2007-03-05 08:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by Chelsea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have also had my cat for several years. From the sounds of it you are as attached to her as I am with him, which means you know her better than anyone. I lost my 13 year old dog to cancer a few years back - the vet recommended we put him down, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I have never regretted my decision. The last days were very good for him. He had ups and downs, but I was always grateful that I got to spend what time I did with him. Best of luck with your decision - my thoughts and prayers are with you.
2007-03-05 08:42:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything of this sort is hard.....TRUST me personal experiance hun... you have to ask yourself something, is she hurting?? is she becoming totally dependant on you?? by that does she need you to pick hr up to take her out??does she need you to feed her??does she lose control of her bowels?? If yes then, its possibly the best for you and her that she is put down if no then dont worry... if a person had a stroke I wouldnt say "Put them down"Some recover JUST FINE, even animals. I had a dog that was blind and deaf but she did fine, the vet suggested I put her down remebr YOU can say NO....the vet doesnt get the final say all he can do is make a suggestion he cant follow through without your "Okay" On the matter, all a CVA is is a blocked blood vessel in the brain, parastasis of one side IS Normal in strok victims ie a weakness, in one side... that includes animals, as long as shes back up and moving around you shouldnt have a problem, shes old, she deserves a comfortable life if its her time to go then she will go, I dont see the point in putting her down and shortening her life if she isnt suffering, and from what you have said... it doesnt sound like she is..Hang in there I know its hard but your being a troopr, and remember You have final say in it dont let your vet bully you or "Persuade" you into thinking otherwise
2007-03-05 08:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by Raven Song 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Gosh, what a hard position to be in after 19 years with her. I hope I am as lucky with my cat. In my opinion - I wouldnt put her down if she seems to be coping okay with the differences. I guess its a little bit like puting down a grandparent for bad sight, and a sore leg, after having a stroke.
Good Luck though, I think only you know what is right for your cat, and you have to do what is right for both you and the cat..
2007-03-05 08:16:53 · answer #9 · answered by beetlechickster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Samantha
Oh, I'm so sorry about your cat, you obviously looked after her well, or she wouldn't have lived so long.
If she can't wash, get to the lit tray, or her feeding bowls; then after speaking to the vet, you'll find the time has arrived to say good bye.
Never leave it until she seems to be struggling. As pet owners we have to make that final decision.
I send you my best wishes, that you will have her for a little longer. If not, I am very sorry, but you cared, and that's what counts.
Cassandra
2007-03-05 11:37:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋