I have an appt. to put my cat to sleep 2day but not sure if I can =(?

Question

Would you?

He is 19, almost 20. He has diabetes n I have to give him insulin 2x a day for the last yr and a half. Thats not a prob, but he also has allergies and is always got a snotty nose and that cant be great for him. He also starting blinking both eyes sporadically, like he has something in his eye but he doesnt.

The thing that makes me think its his time tho is that recently he started having seizures, shaking like a fish out of water while squirting pee. First the seizures happened monthly, then weekly, now more frequent. He is really shook up afterwards, but the thing that throws me is that after he seems ok eats and drinks normally, can walk around, purr, etc.

What would u do? Vets and people that work at a vet, and people who have had to put down a pet encouraged to answer.

Answer 1

If he is still eating and drinking and seems to be pain free there is no reason to do it yet, though his time is coming. I have found that cats let you know when it is time. I also have a cat who seizures, and my vet says that it is far more upsetting for me than it is for my cat. Your cat will let you know when he is not enjoying life anymore. Good luck with him. I had to put my two old timers to sleep in the last year so I know how you feel. One of them was 19 too.

Answer 2

If he's having seizures it's probably the kindest thing to do.

I myself have had to help many cats and dogs over the years to the Rainbow Bridge. I have a 22 year old cat of my own that I think I may have to help within the next few weeks too.

I had a dog who was my world that I had to help over almost 4 years ago. She was having seizures too. She would seem much better after a seizure too, but they started coming closer and closer together. It was just not fair to let her suffer so instead I took her pain. I still miss her terribly.

You have to weigh up the quality of life the cat has. If he's having seizures it's probably not that good. No one knows your cat like you and your vet though. he is the best person to help you decide along with your family.

Only you can make the final decission. You just have to figure out what is best for your cat at this point and not yourself.

I will say a prayer for you both. Enjoy what time you have left as I am with Lucky.

Answer 3

I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I work at a vet hospital and deal with this daily. I have also been through it personally. It is never an easy decision.
19+ years is a wonderfully long life for a cat. It never seems long enough, I know, but just remember that you gave him the best 19 years he could have asked for.
When you go to the appointment I would definitely ask to have a consultation with the vet first to review his chart; however, it sounds as if it may be time to do what is best for him and say goodbye.
My heart is with you.

Answer 4

I had to put two down in the same year. My 15year old and my 20 year old. The Vets office was really cool about it, they explained everything, step by step, gave us a moment alone, and gave us the option to watch or not.

I'm not gonna lie... i cried for 3 days!! But the support of the vets office, reminding us it was for the better, and the boys were playing without pain now, and that stuff... believe it or not, actually helped. They even sent us a card a few days later. With my cat that died suddenly, they took a plaster cast of his paw print for us to keep. I thought it was creepy at first. 6months after the fact, i do appreciate it.

Answer 5

I'm very sorry... That's such a difficult and personal question. And I don't believe there is a right answer. Talk to your vet, ask him a lot of questions, take your time to think about it. And follow your heart. I did 3 clinical rotations at emergency vet hospitals as a vet tech student. I saw cats being put down because they scratched the furniture, because the treatment was expensive etc. You are being extremely kind by thinking about your cat's life quality and well being. Don't let anyone push you in either direction. Do what you feel is right.

Answer 6

It's a hard thing to decide, but if your cat is having seizures, that alone would not be enough to put him to sleep. It's his quality of life, can he still feed himself, walk, go to the bathroom without pain? Usually, a pet is put to sleep if their condition is unmanageable, but Diabetes seems to be under control. How often does he have these seizures? once a day, once a week? Is he alright the rest of the time? If he is, I myself personally would not put him to sleep. Usually, the time for that is if they cannot manage the ordinary activities of living by themselves, for instance, have to be carried to the litterbox or is in constant pain.

Please ask yourself these questions first. This may help you make up your mind. You only put an animal to sleep if that is the only way you think his life is better/or pain-free.

Answer 7

It is sad to lose a pet however, the cat is not well. Next thing will be life support. No,seriously, it is hard but your cat has lived a very long life and something tells me that it's lived a great one! I also had a wonderful cat which I had from the 5th grade to after the birth of my first child (at 21). My cat became very ill also. The best thing or most humane thing to do was to put her to sleep.

Answer 8

My goodness you are a fantastic pet owner. Ask yourself this question, do you believe that your cat's quality of life has diminished to the point where you believe he is no longer comfortable? The eating and purring part aside, is your cat happy! What do you think?
I've always felt that euthanasia for an old dear friend is the final act of kindness a pet owner can do.
A quick consultation with your veterinarian will assist you in your decision if you are still having difficulty.

Answer 9

I know it is heartbreaking, but part of owning a pet is having the courage to say "enough". 19 is a hell of an age for a cat and you have a duty to yours to say that now is his time, if you wait then not only could he start to really suffer, but it is inevitable that this day will come pretty soon anyway. The seizures indicate an underlying problem which can only get worse. I really feel for you, but please do the brave thing, it is the right thing and you need to take comfort from that. xx

Answer 10

Oh how sad for you and your cat! I think you need to forget about your feelings right now and only think of him. I believe when a pet's life has become more of a pain, when the joy's gone, it's time to let them go. He's frightened because he doesn't understand what's happening to him, maybe in pain, think about what's best for him.

I had to put my cat to sleep many years ago - he wasn't eating right and I took him in thinking it would be minor. The vet called me back at the end of the day and said he had liver cancer - his liver was destroyed and he didn't even let me know anything was wrong until his last day. It's so hard, but you have to do it for him.