Cat Put To Sleep?

Question

My cat caught a bat and got bit. I got bit too and I have to get shots every week for a month so I don't die. The Health department gave me two choices with my cat. Either I could keep her locked up for 6 months and watch for signs of rabbies or I could have her put to sleep and then they would adopt another cat for me that's already fixed and vacenated. My cat was an in and out cat. She could not stand being kept inside and would always dart for the door and it very HOT in my apartment because I don't have conditioning. If she snuck out she could give it to another cat or a kid if she had it and it's more torture I think to watch a kitten be prisoner for half a year and emotionally suffer. So I decided to have her put to sleep and they're getting me another cat. Do you think I did the right thing? I am a little depressed but haven't cried. She was only about 4 or 5 months old.

Answer 1

im not sure why these people are comparing a cat to your life saying that would you rather be locked up or put to heaven cause its not the same. for a cat 6 months is like 3 years and the cat doesnt know if its going to be let out ever again does it ??? it would probably destroy the cat to be locked up for 6 months in the sense that when it would of been freed it would not be the same cat it would be anxious and depressed and such. obviously you had a cat who loved to be outdoors and it would of hurt the cat alot to keep it locked up for so long, at least this way it went to heaven peacefully without having to go through that and it was up to you... i dont know what i would have done because i would hate to watch my cat suffer.i really dont understand why these people are comparing you to a cat though, its not like you would sneak out and bite someone??!

Answer 2

Aw, I'm sorry.. : (

For an indoor/outdoor cat, half a year is an awful long time. She'd survive I'm sure (well, without rabies), but that would be awful hard.

Our former stray (so still an indoor/outdoor) twice had to have a cone on her head from an ear thing she got and had to stay in for two weeks each time, and that was hard enough as it was.

If she was actually able to catch a bat, chances are it very well may have been sick, which might only have lead to her deterioration and suffering, so ending it now before that happened may unknowingly been the best choice.

Makes me wonder though why they don't come out with a series of shots for them like what you have to have now, and a temporarily prescribed muzzle in case they do get out or get taken out with supervision.

Answer 3

You could have had the bat tested for rabies...did you not save the body or was the bat released alive?? The bat may not have even been infected in the first place. As for your cat..this whole thing could have been avoided if you had your cat vaccinated against rabies. If you are going to let your cat roam loose outside the least you can do it get it vaccinated. I am sorry to hear about your cat...but I hope this is a lesson to you in the future if you do get another cat. If you seriously were not responsible enough to physically keep her from getting outside you may have made the right choice...although I do not think it would have been cruel to keep her in the house in any way....millions of cats are indoor only pets.

Answer 4

How sad. I am so sorry. I thought animals only had to be quarantined for 10 days. I must be mistaken. I think under the circumstances you did the right thing.

I'm sure you will enjoy your new cat. I know it's not the same as having your kitten, but you'll soon find out all the fun you will have discovering an entirely new and different personality.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Message to Elaine.
The 14 day quarantine is for the biting animal. If it is shedding then it would die rather quickly. So that would have been for the bat not the cat. If you had the bad and got it on ice quickly they could just dissect the brain to determine whether it was necessary. No cat should EVER be let outdoors anyway.
In my city it is a misdemeanor to let the cat out.

Answer 6

The quarantine period for rabies in pets is 14 days, not six months. If they show no sign of symptoms, they're ok. If your cat was vaccinated for rabies prior to being bit, then he'll be ok.

I don't understand why anyone would tell you six months, that's ridiculous!

So is your putting a potentially healthy cat to sleep when standard quarantine is done at the vets for any suspect cases. What is going on in your city????

Answer 7

How could you do such a terrible thing? You've spent your life with that cat and hopefully formed a trust between you to. How can you think of that kitten being "put to sleep" because you didn't want to keep her quarantined. Think about you! Would you choose death over being "locked up" for 6 months. I can't believe your killing your cat. I wish that you could see that cat die begging, pleading with its eyes to you for help, AND you let it DIE. Your extremely cruel, and i wish you knew what you were doing.

Answer 8

No, I don't think you did the right thing! Would your mom have you put down because you also got bit? Can you see where I'm going with this? Since you had to keep your kitty confined for 6 months this was your opportunity to spoil her and teach her to NOT want to go outside. I'm sorry but I side with your kitty!

Answer 9

So sorry for you loss, it is very difficult to lose a pet, they become such a big part of our lives. Venting is part of the grieving process, and will help you and your husband while you are finding your way through this loss. Know in your hearts that you made a difficult decision for the well-being of your cat, and he went to the Rainbow Bridge knowing that he was well loved. God bless you.

Answer 10

Sometimes it hurts to make the right choice, lets say your cat had it and some visit your house and got bit? You did the right thing