would YOU put your pet to sleep?

****FYI: I am typing this on Wednesday at 2:25 am. We have a scheduled visit to put my cat to sleep on Thursday at 8:30 am so if you're reading this thread after this time, I won't be checking for replies because I am most likely going to put her down then....but I still do have doubts.

I guess I want YOUR opinion on what you would do in my particular situation:

my cat is 11 years old and in November, we found out she had a mass in her colon. January 2nd, we had it removed and had a biopsy done which came back a few weeks later with it being cancerous and also finding out that its spread to her bloodstream as well. The surgeon said its "bad" cancer.

January was a tough month for her. Weeks after the surgery, she wasn't doing well at all and I thought it was time to put her down. We saw her straining (the initial symptom that caused us to bring her in and find out she had a mass), vomitting, crying weird, not eating as much, etc. When she wasn't doing well, we brought her in and the surgeon seemed all for putting her down. I almost called my mom to discuss that we were going to put her down I mean we were THAT close to making a serious decision. THEN the surgeon asked a few more questions and she said we could try one more procedure where we put her under and try to remove the hardened feces. We did, and she was GREAT afterwards and has been for the past month and a half.

Well, sunday was a bad morning. She was crying weird, straining in her litter box, threw up a few times and when she was walking around, she was crying the whole time. It was very apparent she was uncomfortable. we have syringes of pain med we used to give her constantly via mouth before and weeks after surgery that we still had. Sunday was the first time in about 2 months where she visibly seemed in pain that we had to give her her pain med.

Monday, I brought her to the vet. The mass we removed from her colon is back. She did not feel any noticeable feces in her and said she is not backed up/constipated. She said she is 100% positive its a mass she felt and instead of being able to fit an index finger up her rectum, she can only fit her pinky finger. She said it is time to put her down. She said any vet could do it there but she would like to do it and wouldn't charge us for euthanizing her. She said she would be available on wed or thursday. I'm pretty SURE she said the sooner the better (i was in much distress).

THE THING IS SHES ACTING FINE! She's playful, wide-eyed, has been eating well since the end of january. Even is running around at times. BUt... sunday was a BAD day for her and my mom and I dont want to see her go through that again. The mass has grown back - everything is set in motion - the only thing that needs to happen next is her health starting to decline.

When we found out about the mass, my mom and I made an agreement that we DONT want her to suffer. She is currently NOT suffering and something bad has come back and very much grown so it seems like a perfect scenario when it comes to putting a pet down. I mean, she's NOT in pain that we know of at least, but we do know something bad is there and it can only go downhill from here. We found out mon and have it scheduled for thursday so it gives us time to spend with her and we can say our proper goodbyes while she peacefully goes to sleep.

Instead of things getting really bad one day where we have to rush her to the animal hospital... or Im at work and she dies or NO ONE is home and she dies or just something terrible where its too late and we regret it.

I dont know... I guess its psychologically messing with my mom and I VERY much that she seems to be her complete normal self (again except sundays episode).

It seems messed up to put her down when she is fine and it also seems messed up to wait until we visibly can notice she is uncomfortable and in pain. NO option sounds like a good one.

Please give me your advice on what you would do or maybe what you have done in the past with a beloved pet. Did you put it down at a good time or did you wait too long and have regrets?

I think you need to follow your vet's advice. In my experience, they don't suggest euthanasia unless it really is the best option. Obviously it's in their interests to pursue long term treatment if possible and in hers...But the fact that they have tried treatment and are now saying it's time makes me think that it's probably time and she may be at risk of more episodes of pain and suffering, and like you said, it could be while you're at work. Cats can also mask their pain quite well. When my cat was last ill we noticed that she would be fine around us, then when we left the room and peeped around the door, she'd be hunched and restless.

I'm so sorry. I know you only want to do what is best for her and you have been amazingly strong. I bet she was glad of that extra bit of time with you. I'm here on PM if you want to share the pain...I'm a cat lover and have grieved a beloved friend. It gets easier and it's always good to think you've done what's best for her xx

this is a terrible situation to be in. Much sympathy to you. Your cat is fortunate to have so caring an owner..

When I was younger, I had a dog who was having some problems, so we took her to the vet. She turned out to have liver problems, and didn't have long to go. She acted fine, but it was like she knew what the vet was saying. Over the next two days, she let herself go, so after the second day, yeah, we took her in to be put to sleep. It was hard, and I still remember that morning very vividly, but it was the best thing for her.

As L&H said, pets can mask pain very well, especially around their owners. Your little furball has had a great life, surrounded by people who love her. This way, she'll go to sleep with no pain, and the last thing she'll see is the face of someone who loves her more than life itself. We should all be so lucky.

I just want to say I'm really sorry about your cat and for what you're going through right now. I haven't had to put a pet to sleep since I was little, but my friend went through it recently and I know she really struggled with deciding whether it was the right time to do it or not. understandably, it's an incredibly difficult decision, but she said she felt relieved after, knowing that her dog wasn't in pain anymore and also not having it weighing on her mind constantly. all the best to you during this difficult time. <3

My mom called our surgeon a few hours ago to give her an update on the fact that she's been playful, eating and still pretty active and asked if its an urgent matter and we NEED to do it tomorrow.

She said no not if she's still acting like her normal self. she also said this kind of illness will slowly progress and not come on suddenly.

she said we can call her whenever even during the weekend and she will take care of spaz when needed.

jaus tail wrote:Good to hear, that your cat is playful.

btw is it the same cat that's jumping in your avatar.

Thanks Jaus Tail,

nope. thats not me or my kitty. thats just a cute avatar that reminded me of my relationship with Spaz!

I would. Although I love my pets, I don't get terribly sad like I would if I was abandoned. It takes a while to sink in then I miss them.