Have to put my cat down tomorrow

marycat

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I'm new here and am having a hard time. I have to put my beloved tabby Abby to sleep tomorrow morning. She's 5 yrs old and we knew she had a heart murmur when we got her as a 5mth old kitten. She had been a stray when I adopted her through the humane society. To make a long story short she has developed an arrythmia and also has a neck leison on her one tooth. The vet would not do any dental on her til at least 4-8 weeks to make sure the heart meds had taken affect. So we've been giving her atenol(transdermal) for her heart, pain meds for her tooth and an appetite stimulant to keep her eating. Well she hasn't been eating well and is losing weight. She's always been a picky eater and would only eat dry food and yogurt. She has always loved to eat yogurt when I would have it but now she doesn't even want that. The vet said the she would have to have an ECG to see if she could undergo the anthestic and even then she has a higher risk of dying because of the heart problem. I looked at her tooth this morning, it's the big tooth on the left front bottom, and it looks like it has broken off so no wonder she is in pain. I hate to see her in such pain and so I've made the deceision to have her put down and end her suffering. I'm going to miss her and I'm sure our other cat Callie, a domestic longhair calico, is going to miss her too.



UPdate: Abby got a reprieve this morning when we took her to be put down. The vet looked at her tooth and said she would like to remove it first, before we put her down. They had wanted her to wait4-8 weeks before doing any dental work to see how the heart meds would work. But the tooth has broken off and she is in alot of pain and that was part of my reason to have her put down because I didn't want her to suffer anymore. The vet wants to do it monday and if Abby should die during the procedure, because of her heart, then at least we have tried. The vet said they would eat the cost of the dental if she doesn't make it through. I am happy if she can live longer but also scared if she doesn't make it through but at least I will have given her the chance. If she does make it through I am going to switch her to another vet near us because she was made to suffer so much by the vet we are now using. I think it was cruel and mean. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts.
 

katachtig

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I'm so sorry that you have to face this awful decision. Many of us here have been where you are at now and understand how difficult this decision is.
 

rosiemac

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I'm so sorry for both of you
I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow, but maybe after you've let Abby cross over you could put a thread in the bridge with her picture so we can see her?
 

melissaw

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I'm so sorry, its an incredibly hard decision to make especially for a kitty so young, but you are making the right decision taking away her pain
 

farleyv

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It is such an impossible decision to make. But you will take away her suffering.

God Bless you and Abby. You and her will be in my thoughts.
 

rapunzel47

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That decision comes to all of us at some point, and it's very difficult. I'm so sorry you and Abby are dealing with this, and will keep you in my thoughts as you say your Goodbyes. By taking on the pain of letting her go, you release her from her pain. This is the most loving thing you can do just now.


And, stick around, OK? There are lots of people here who know only too well what you are going through and will hold you in their hearts.
 

kailie

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It is the most unselfish thing you can do for your baby. She is obviously incredibly well loved. We are all here for you hun.
 

jcat

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I'm so sorry that circumstances have forced this decision on you. May Abby cross peacefully, feeling all the love you have for her.
 

darlili

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I'm so sorry - you truly love Abby to release her, and prayers for you as you grieve for her.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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My heart hurts for you. I understand how it feels to not want to watch them suffer anymore. Please know that we are all thinking of you. May you find peace and may all your memories of her be precious in your heart forever.
 
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marycat

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Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I'm so sorry for both of you
I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow, but maybe after you've let Abby cross over you could put a thread in the bridge with her picture so we can see her?
I would love to put a photo of her on here but don't know how to do it. Is there any way I can do it from my pictures on my computer or do I have to do it through photobucket, etc?
Thanks.
 

rosiemac

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Originally Posted by marycat

I would love to put a photo of her on here but don't know how to do it. Is there any way I can do it from my pictures on my computer or do I have to do it through photobucket, etc?
Thanks.
Photobucket is what most of us use, but if you have a problem just send me a pm and i'll sort it out for you


Heres a link that will help you

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14474
 
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marycat

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Okay I'm going to try this and see if it works



This is my beautiful Abby taken just a few days ago. She was enjoying the sunshine.
 
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marycat

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Sorry the first photo was so big. Hopefully this one will be better. This is of Abby and Callie(The Calico).
 
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marycat

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Originally Posted by Rosiemac

That's ok, you have enough on your mind as it is


Awwww look at them, do they get on ok?
Well I wouldn't call them best buds even though I got them at the same time. They tolerate each other and will have their little scraps now and then. Callie tries to mother Abby by trying to wash her face and after a few licks Abbys says enough and walks away. I'm going to miss that and I'm sure Callie will too.
 

bunnelina

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Well, just to play devil's advocate since it's such a terrible thing to lose a young cat... and Abby is such a beauty.

Have you and your vet determined whether her lack of appetite and weight loss is due to the dental issue or her heart disease?

And have you talked with the vet about your decision? If dental surgery could restore her appetite and quality of life, would she be able to live comfortably for months or years on heart medication?

I assume you've discussed your decision with your vet, but if you're having a hard time, as you say, perhaps you might talk to another vet before you take this step. Vets will differ, not only in terms of how they'll treat a condition and manage pain, and in what surgical routes (and risks) they will take, but also in how they assess a cat's chances of survival. You might find there's another way to handle this that isn't so final at this time. You might find some hope.

But ultimately, if you feel, in your heart of hearts, that it's time, and that Abby is telling you so, then continue to be brave and free her from her pain. It's an awful thing for us to have to go through, but it's also the greatest, most merciful gift we can give the animals we love.

I'll be thinking of you, and please keep us posted.
 
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