Did he suffer?

I have read all the posts and know I am not alone in my sadness, but I am having such a hard time accepting what I had to do to my nearly 15 yr old cat. I am not sure the vet did the proceedure according to what I asked I don't want to explain to fully on here as may upset people but I need to find out if the proceedure was the norn, I wanted to hold him while he fell alseep was didn't cos the vet said it may hurt a bit at first as the musel is injected. is that true? I thought it was like going for a op, then when alseep they inject to stop the heart?

I am so sorry but your kitty is free now.  Many vets don't want someone to hold their kitty while they are giving the shot.  There are often small tremors and spasms that a distraught owner may interpret as pain.  They aren't painful, the cat is unconscious or has passed, they are just part of the process.

Sorry I should explain better, I asked the vet to put my cat into a gentle sleep while I held him (heard others have done this) then once asleep I would leave the room while they did the 2nd injection to stop the heart.

But vet said it would be better if I did it other way round.eg: wait outside while they put him into deep sleep then I could watch them stop the heart. Weird now I think about it!

I was told I could stay for 1st part I wanted but he warned me that the 1st injection to make him sleepy would go into the mussel and he may find that a bit painful for a few seconds.

Being in the state I was at the time, I took his word for it.  (was not told this by other vet or anyone else).

I couldn’t bare to see him in pain, after all I thought I was doing it to prevent him dying in pain from his illness.

I waited outside when paranoia within me wanted to make sure he was not just going to make my cat suffer to save money on is part. (this was the 1st time at that vet, I'd gone for 2nd opinion)

I knocked on the door which opened and I see my cat sitting up but licking inside his mouth as if there was a horrible taste.

The vet said he will be asleep soon so I asked for them to open door so I could see he was asleep and unaware before they stop the heart beating.

They did this but I was so disturbed seeing my helpless cat fast asleep I didn’t look to c if his heart was still beating.

Now I am having thoughts 24/7 that he suffered. That the vet gave a poison as 1^st injections, just spoke to my doctor who thought I was describing the final injection.

If that vet has make my cat suffer I want to expose him, and I know now it wasn’t really the 2^nd opinion I wanted, as I found out afterwards that he phoned my old vet to discuss my cat before I went into vet room.

I feel sick to the stomach.

The way your vet did it is how it is normally done.  The first shot is done without the owner being there.  Many vets also put a catheter in a vein when they give that first shot.  That way they know they won't have a problem finding a vein while the owner is there.  If the owner isn't going to be present, which is fine some want to be others don't, then they probably skip the part about having a vein ready.   I know some vets are insensitive but most vets do all they can to make it easy on the owner as well.

I don't understand he said it goes into the mussel not the vein?

why was he licking inside his mouth like it taste horrible? wot was it? I was going to look it up online but afaid I might get pics and horific details.

Marie, I'm so sorry for your loss, and while I haven't experienced losing a pet yet personally, I can empathize with your feelings as I have had people close to me pass on and was with them near the end.

Please know, that in the passing of all species, including us humans, the body will often make movements which not related to pain, but are simply automatic nerve related muscular movements.  The vet sounds like he followed protocol.  I hope you can take some small comfort from knowing those two things. I also think it is normal human nature to second guess yourself in these kinds of matters, so be gentle with yourself.

It would be lovely if you feel up to it, to memorialize your kitty here, we'd love to see photos and to hear about what a special pet it was to you.

Healing thoughts and hugs sent your way.

I am very sorry.  DH and I have had to have several of our cats put to sleep, but I have never been in for the procedure.  I wish you comfort.  

Some medications used in anesthesia/euthanasia can cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth. I believe what you saw was a normal response.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear kitty.

I'm sorry for your loss. Try not to over think it. Your baby isn't in any pain now. You did the right thing. Big hugs to you.

I'm so sorry about your little one. Fifteen years is a long time to have had a special kitty, but it's never long enough.

You did the right thing and please don't worry about that. He is at peace now.