Ok please remind me

[abbydp]

Those of you that strongly believe in it - please remind me of the "better a day too soon than a day too late" . I have the sweetest cat on the planet and am finally able to see that it's time. She's eating and drinking, but her arthritis is so bad she is having trouble moving around. Any support would be most welcome. :(

[Dad Said Not To]

*hugs* A dignified, humane death is the last gift we give our animals and the most unselfish thing we can do for them. Thank you for thinking of your cat and sparing her further pain.

[Pancakes]

If you can see her quality of life isn't what it used to be, then it's time. The kindest thing you can do is let her last day be a wonderful, pain-free one with your love, attention, and sweet words. She'd appreciate that more than one more day of food or drink. No one could ever begrudge your decision that would be made in her best interest.

[MistyBlue]

Agree with the two others...and it seems as if you already know it's probably time. Which is never easy to accept or admit to, is it? :no:

My condolences...for having to make the decision and for the future loss of your kitty. :cry:

[lcw579]

I know exactly what you are going through. We just had to put our oldest cat down in June. Mr. Worf was almost 18, had many health issues and had been steadily losing weight but was still eating and drinking and coming over for scratches. But he was getting wobbly in the back end and sometimes just seemed to be disoriented. I knew it was time - but it was so hard to pick the day. :no:

Finally, our vacation was looming and I knew that the girls coming to look after our other kitties couldn't cope with him. Nor, frankly, did I think he'd last the 3 weeks we were gone. I made the appointment and after we gave him a breakfast of his favorite foods and all spent some time with him, I took him in. :cry: It was really sad but I knew it was time, probably a bit past time, my vet was caring and gentle and he went peacefully. :sadsmile::sadsmile:

It was difficult yet at the same time not. I knew I was doing the right thing for him and that it was the final gift I could give him. He was with my husband and I from the first and had witnessed all our milestones. The house is emptier without him. But, we buried him in the back yard and planted some flowers over him. They were the first thing I went to see when we got back from vacation. :sadsmile:

Anyway, I know how you are feeling. It stinks. But it is the right thing to do and awful as it feels at the time it is a decision you won't regret making. I'll be thinking of you and your kitty...

[kmsf]

Sorry to hear about your kitty. Having euthanized many dogs and cats, I can tell you that I never had a client who felt that they decided too soon. It sounds like your kitty had a good loving home with you. You have always taken care of her, and this is just another way to help her.

[jetsmom]

If NSAIDS no longer help, then not letting them suffer is a kindness. You have tried pain killers I assume.

[JoZ]

I am going through the same thing right now. I just don't know!

My old guy (Desmond, will be 19 in August) developed -- quite rapidly -- a mass beside/in his rectal area. It is a lump but also is an open sore. I took him to the vet this past week; cytology revealed that it was a carcinoma. He is so freakin' healthy he actually would have been a good surgical candidate but carcinoma does not have a good prognosis with either surgery or chemical treatment. So I did not have to decide how much to put him through or how much to pay.

My vet has me looking for three key signs: trouble breathing, pain while pooping, or frequent vomiting. He is on an antibiotic right now because the open sore had gotten a bit of infection, and he is on pain killers.

He is purring LOUDLY on my chest right now. He can get around fine, loves his mealtimes and cuddles and sharing McDonald's takeout. I assume the vet believes he is in pain -- she prescribed painkillers. But he has so much life left in him! :sadsmile: I don't feel I am keeping him alive just for me. But I also don't know if I am thinking or seeing things clearly.

If he shows any of the three indicators, he will be put to sleep immediately. In the meantime... well, please jingle for both of us, for his health and for my decision-making clarity...

Thus I cannot really help the OP except to say that if you think it is time, I am sure you are right. I don't think that's the direction we animal lovers tend to err in. Jingles for you and your kitty!

[Cindyg]

Another me too. I have a 17 year old cat and a 14 year old dog. I know this is going to be the year for both of them. It's just a matter of when. :(

[shakeytails]

I'm sorry you have to go through this. It sucks big time. I'll spare you the story, but suffice it to say that DH and I let one dog suffer far too much before the last trip to the vet because of our own selfishness. It was awful and I'll never make that mistake again. In the past couple of years I've had to put down two old dogs that were in failing health. It was hard, but not as hard as waiting too long.

[abbydp]

Thanks you guys. For those also either recently or soon to go through this I am thinking about you as well. Jetsmom, yes we have tried meds. She won't eat canned food, so the only option is a pill I can give her, which limited us alot. She has been on Prednisone for a while. It has bought us more time, but she is increasingly immobile. She is "down" in all four, the front two don't stay straight anymore, but bend back a little. Her hips also have a lot of arthiritis going on. She has had almost four years more than anyone expected. She had something going on back then and wouldn't eat. The vet I worked for had never put in a peg (feeding) tube and offerred to do it for less money. None of us thought she would live through the surgery, and I didn't think it would be worse to die under anesthesia, so I agreed hoping to help someone else. Well, she made it, and woke up feeling great and wanting to eat! She never seemed to even notice the tube and was back to her old self immediately. She kept the tube till it fell out 6 months later and was completely normal for this long. She's been quite a fighter. The experience my friend got has saved several dogs and 2 cats since then. So think of us this afternoon.

[Pancakes]

abbydp, you have gone above and beyond for your girl, all the time keeping her best interest and quality of life in mind. It is clear you love her so very much, and that includes choosing a pain-free way for her to leave this world. We are so lucky we can give this to the ones we love the most. My thoughts will be with you and your kitty this afternoon.

[2DogsFarm]

For me, making the decision is always the hardest part.
Once made, I know I'm doing what is best for them even if it is painful for me.

Dog, cat, horse - once I've given them peace & release I've been able to feel some relief myself.

Animals live for the moment, they do not agonize over missing the next day or meal as we do.
Likewise they accept their pain and it is up to us to say when enough is enough and thankfully we can do so.

Wishing for you some of that relief & peace now when you need it most.
{hugs}

[SMF11]

Once you know that the animal's situation is only going one way, i.e. it is not something they have a hope of recovering from, then you can give them a peaceful death before they suffer or after they suffer. Before is better, obviously.

Until I waited too long for a sick cat of mine I didn't know in my gut that the saying was true. But it is, and it took me a long time to forgive myself for letting that cat suffer . . . euthanizing is designed to avoid suffering.

Talk to your vet, they will often have words of wisdom especially if they know your cat and you.

I am so sorry you are having to do this, it is never an easy thing.

[Equine Studies]

You made the right choice. My old newf/lab lived with my mother his lab friend for a few years when my husband and I bought a house with stairs he couldn't do comfortably. She hid it from me that he was yelping when he got up from laying down and was making a mess in the house because he couldn't get up to go outside-I finally caught her cleaning up after him one day and she confessed. I think she knew I'd take him to the vet immediately and just wasn't ready.

So I made the call and off we went. He somehow heaved himself into the car with my help, tried to prop himself up in the corner of the back seat where it was least painful for him and cried at every single bump and corner of the 5 minute car ride to the vet. It was awful. Poor thing-I felt terrible. So trust us when we tell you the saying is true.

[Rhyadawn]

You are making the right choice. *HUGS*

[abbydp]

Thank you so much you guys. Sammy was freed from her pain last night. A vet friend saw her in the morning and thought the "downness" (don't know what else to call it) could be caused by diabetes. I didn't really believe him, but it helped get me through the day of work. I took her in last night and the vet who has been through everything with us saw her. As soon as she saw her walk the look on her face told me everything I needed to know. She suggested an x-ray just to see. The arthiritis in her knee was so bad she couldn't be totally sure it was arthritis and not a tumor. It was so significant the only option for stopping the pain would be amputation, which would not have been an option I would have considered, even a few years ago. None of her other legs were good enough that you could consider a viable solution. She wasn't suggesting it, merely explaining the extent of the damage and subsequent pain. She said I could take her home and medicate her if I needed more time, but that just wasn't fair. I thought of all of you and remembered this decision was not about me, but about her. I also remembered someone's quote that it is taking their pain away and making it ours. I do not for one second question that it was the fair and right decision. I am sure some would think it was late, but she had not gotten to the "I can't do this anymore stage" only on her way. She had a plate full of chicken on Sunday night and hours of brushing. So sweet Sammy,thank you for everything. You are and will always be the most honest, truly sweet soul I will ever know.

[BuddyRoo]

((hugs))

I'm sorry. It's never easy.

[Laurierace]

The vet is coming at 6 tonight for my lab. The hole is already dug at the farm, her favorite place in the whole world. I feel your pain. Actually I was considering starting a thread myself but this thread said everything I needed to be reminded of so that was enough for me. Godspeed to both of them.

[SkipHiLad4me]

*Hugs* to you. I just went through this several months back and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The decision was painfully obvious in all previous situations I'd been in but for my Lola kitty, it was definitely a choice about her quality of life. She was just not herself and I could not let her go on in life without the dignity and spark that she'd always had. It was the kindest decision to make for her rather than to watch her go downhill and waste away to nothing. Take comfort in knowing that many of us have been where you are and understand the situation you find yourself in.

[abbydp]

Oh Laurie I am so sorry. I will be thinking about you tonight. I wish for a swift, painless journey for your girl, and for you the peace I have found knowing I did what was best for mine.

[Laurierace]

Thank you. She went very easily and is now permanently at rest at her favorite place in the world. We buried her behind the manure pile aka the all you can eat buffet, overlooking the pastures.

[abbydp]

Aww I was just coming on here to let you know I was thinking about you now. I am glad it went smoothly. It sounds like a beautiful place you chose for her. Nothing better than the all you can eat buffet. Neither of them will have another moment's pain. Now it's all ours. Kind of our badge for having them in our lives. Hugs to you.

[Larksmom]

I have been there, and done that. Never plesant, sometimes necessary. I still have 3 elderly pets. One has been at vet for a week w/upper resp problems. I am sorry for the big hole in your hearts. Unfortunetly, there are plenty more out there who need homes.:sadsmile:

[RiverBendPol]

I'm sorry for you guys too. It really is part of the responsibility we take on when we take these critters into our lives. The thing I have found to make a big difference is to call the vet and make a date for a week or so away. During that week, you can really study your dear old thing and make a logical assessment. By the time the appointment time rolls around you will know it is right and you will have had the time to get your head around it and your emotions somewhat under control.
Best of luck and Godspeed to the lovelies.:sadsmile:

[PhoenixFarm]

Man, bad day yesterday. We sent Mr. PF's 14 year old lab over the Bridge last night as well. Lots of good ones having a romp right now.

It's tough, and this year has been especially horrid for us--current 2009 count: One mare, one foal, one two year old, one goat, and one lab. I'm ready to be done. For real.

[abbydp]

Oh PF I am so sorry. That is way more than anyone should bear in this short a time. I was lucky. I have known for a while it was coming. I kind of hid her from my vet friends because I didn't think either of us was ready. I decided Saturday so I had a few days and then when I got the diabetes possibility Monday it let me get through the day with just a hint of maybe. Deep down I knew, though, and am so much more ok about it than I thought I would be. Life is going to suck for a while - one cat that is 15, dog is 12, horse is 18. Yikes. Larksmom - how is your old one doing?

[Laurierace]

Wow what a tough year. It is tough to have so many at one time. I have gained some serious perspective into the whole euthanasia thing lately as I started a job for a private ambulance service. We do lots of hospital to nursing home and hospice transfers. Some of those people are so pitiful it makes me ill. If you were to let an animal suffer like that you would go to jail but since its a person you just have to bide your time. Its truly disgusting if you ask me. It makes me value the incredible gift we are able to give these animals all the more. It does come at an extremely hefty price in terms of a heavy heart but it is worth it. Godspeed to all of those we have lost.