My 17 yr old cat has oral cancer. Is euthanasia wrong?

Question

I know no one can tell me what to do. I nd to make the decision myself. I just need some help. I feel like I am killing him with the euthanasia- not putting him to sleep. I feel God might not understand. I need to do the right thing for him.
Anybody gone thru similiar situations/struggles?

Thanks

Answer 1

I am so sorry to hear about your cat.

You love your cat. And you have had 17 years together. Hopefully you have filled his life with love and he has filled yours with love as well.

I know this is a hard decision, but your not killing him. Killing him would be because of a senseless reason. Your kitty has to be suffering and if the vet has assured you that he won't get better, putting him to sleep is the best thing for him. It shows how much you love him by not continuing his suffering and not keeping him alive for selfish reasons.

If the vet suggests that euthanasia is the best thing to do, they have made that decision with your cats best interest in mind.

All my life I had wanted an orange tabby cat and in 2004 I got him. He was so full of life. But last December he started breathing very shallow and did that for a whole day. I took him to the vet and he had a heart problem and that would not get better. I could keep him alive for another month, but he would be on a lot of medication and in the end he would still pass away. I knew the best thing for my cat (who was so young) was to put him to sleep. I stayed with him while they did that, and the last thing he saw was me being there for him, and making sure he was comfortable.

I know it's hard, but you have to put your cat's best interest to heart.

And God will understand. You would be putting your cat to sleep because you care and LOVE him and don't want him to suffer anymore.

I really hope I have helped you feel better about this. I know it is SO hard. Just be there for you cat right now he needs you. And I know you love each other.

Answer 2

I'm very sorry to hear about your kitty. Actually this past Saturday (6-16) I just put my 14 year old cat to sleep. Just a little insight. When the vet puts the cat to sleep it is very painless for the cat. All they think is they are just getting very sleepy. They have no idea.

I also want you to know that I stayed in the room while the vet did the procedure and I was very glad I did. You are able to talk to your cat and pet her and just be there to comfort her or him, whichever yours may be.

All you can do is be happy about the times you had with your kitty and be happy that she/he had such a long good life!! You must have taken very good care of your cat or it would't have lived this long! Right now it is best to stop the suffering and God understands. God will take great care of your kitty!

I would also suggest taking some pictures of you kitty, just to remember her and to keep close. And don't let any one tell you that it is "just a cat" and you should get over your sadness. Your cat was a friend to you, and don't let any one tell you differently. This may sound weird but while you are so sad about losing a pet, once the procedure is complete your cat looks so peaceful and you know that she is no longer in any more pain, and right now that is what it sounds like you want. You want your cat to be done with pain. Good luch with your decision and in time you will heal and move on, but you won't forget.

Answer 3

That is such a tough situation to be in. I think God would understand, as he forgives us always. I have had to put down pets before and it is the hardest thing in the world. My rule of thumb is to put them down when they are having a considerable amount of more bad days than good. Yes, your cat is old, but cats are living longer and longer. If euthanasia is what the vet recommends then well, that's probably best, as much as I hate to say it. Your cat will let you know when it is time. You will be able to see that look in his/her eyes and you can just tell. Good luck and I am so sorry you have to make that decision.

Answer 4

I had to put my 17 year old cat down last August. It was the hardest hing I have ever done, because I loved him so much. He was blind but he still got around ok, and he was hyperthyroid on medication, but his quality of life was slipping away. I was keeping him for me not for him, he was in pain and I should have let him go earlier, I waited until he got a really bad infection in his tooth I spent $500 on an operation and than the next week I had to have him euthanized. I have no problem with God on this because I loved him so much and I know God knows love.

I missed him so much but I believe that animals come back again in a new body. I got a lot of confirmation that this was going to happen, but I couldn't believe it. My mind kept on getting in the way. I got an insight that all my pets had come to me, and I wouldn't have to look for him, also that he would come for christmas. I had a weird encounter with a fellow at work and surprisingly, we ended talking about cats, he was cat crazy. The next day he asked me if I wanted a kitten!!! I was a little nervous (it's a 20 year committment) but knew I had to say yes.

The new kitten came in a cat carrier and when were alone I asked him if he was my honies babies pooh pooh's he came out and kissed me on the nose. Since than I have seen so many of my cats old traits coming out, (he hops in the bathtub and licks the water after my shower) not all and some new (he likes to fetch). When we are quiet and sitting together I can feel my old cat, it is so difficult to explain, but I am learning so much about the nature of soul through this experience.

Answer 5

I put one to sleep with feline aids. I struggled and struggled with it the thought I was killing it. But look at it this way, you are taking the poor baby out of pain, (animals suffer in silence and can't always tell you they are in pain). After talking to an animal psychic and a pastor, put the cat to sleep. You're not killing a healthy cat, you're being a caring person and helping it pass over to the other side. I think God would understand that in this situation, you are trying to help.

Answer 6

Lots of people have gone though something as hard as this.
Can you afford to treat him?
God understands. Don't worry about that.
If you can't afford to treat him, then putting him to sleep will help him. No one wants their cat to be in pain.
Before you put him to sleep, just try around at a few different places to see if they have any programs to help you financially with this. If not then you have done all you can.
Don't feel bad. these things happen. you will miss him for a while, but you are doing the right thing for him.

Answer 7

As a loving pet owner, this is the most difficult decision to make, but it is also the final loving act of compassion that you can perform for him.

Euthanasia is releasing him from his suffering, and what God would not understand that act of kindness.

You are not alone, all loving owners do a lot of soul searching before reaching the decision to euthanise their beloved pet, but when you love them that much, you really don't want to see them in any pain.

You might find the article below, about over-coming guilt helpful. I know I did when I had to have my 19 year old cat put to sleep.

http://rainbowsbridge.com/stories/Lynn-BreakingThePowerofGuilt-632963483160948750.aspx

Cherish whatever time you have left with him. Remember that even when he has gone from your life, he will always be in your heart.

Answer 8

You are exactly right...NO one else can tell you what to do...
However, I usually tell people that deep down they will know when it is time. Eating is a big thing for a cat, and when they stop eating, usually that means they are really not well, also when your cat stops doing the things is always does i.e. sleeping with you, meeting you at the door, hiding all day and sleeping (breaking the normal routine), it may be time.

We are lucky to be able to make the decision for our pets before it gets to the very bitter end....the worst think that you can do is slowly watch your pet starve to death...Make sure that your decision to keep him alive is whats best for him and not just your selfishness in not wanting to let him go...

Answer 9

I feel for you -- I just had to put my 14-year-old baby to sleep yesterday due to cancer, and I miss him terribly. But it was time, and we both knew it. He had reached the point where he could no longer even walk (though he still wanted to cuddle with me, and would literally crawl into my lap). It broke my heart to let him go, but it was quick and seemed painless. I've had a few cats die at home in the past, and it was painful to watch. I couldn't let my baby go through that. It was a hard thing to do, but I know he didn't suffer.

You will know when it's time to let yours go. If he's still alert and doesn't seem to be in pain, if he's still bonding with you, then it may not be time yet. This may be a good time to bond with him and to make his last days as comfortable as you can. You'll know when he reaches the point where he's ready to go. Then it's up to you to decide whether to let him go naturally or whether to get the injection. (It's essentially anesthesia to put him to sleep -- and then an overdose once he's under.) Either way that you decide (and as you said, you need to do that yourself), you can be there to hold him and love him until the end, knowing that you did everything you could to help him.

You definitely have my sympathies.

Answer 10

I do not believe that euthanasia is wrong. Ask yourself whether or not the cat is in a lot of pain? Is the condition curable. I think God would understand that you did the humane thing. Lots of luck to you