Blood test before euthanasia

I brought my moms 17 year old cat to the vet it has always been indoors. He started to loose alot of weight to the extent is tailbone was showing and he was very bony. He had not eaten for days and defacate he would try anyhow even though there was nothing there.  I went to the vet with intentions of putting him down as I figured old age my mother is very ill and cannot properly take care of him. The vet looked at him and said lets do blood tests. Which in a way I guess would give me peace of mind rather than not knowing. BUT question is is that protocol at vets. They cannot euthanize a pet unless they do blood tests and know why? I have had Many Many cats through the years and years. I feel it was his time But perhaps not we'll see I guess. I went to a vet with a feral my mom fed outside for 12 years. He then was fixed and remained outside until a few months later he suddenly got very thin and his tongue was out a bit and got very friendly. I trapped him brought him to the vet. I said he needed to be put down so instead he did Blood tests/ another rabies which he just had  a few month prior and a shot of covenia. and FIV which he had. What was odd the cat got very friendly. He took the cat in the back and did all of these things without my knowledge. Blood tests okay. Anyway to make a long story short I took the cat home he was so happy but the blood tests said he should have been dead, the vet agreed with me that I was right in putting him down. We had a great week together . I guess knowing he was that ill  and putting him down was the right thing I still question the protocol.of vets esp when strapped for money?

I am not sure why the vet asked for a blood test for a 17 year old cat prior to euthanasia. If your cat was maybe 10 or 11 yes I would see why. I know my vet will not euthenize for and owners convenience, I think this may have been a CYA for the vet by documenting the need for the euthenasia. The examination should have been enough.

what does CYA mean. Is it a way to cover themselves

Sorry "cover your a**" is what CYA means, the vet probably needed to "document" his medical file to justify the Euthanasia so he or she can't be later questioned as to why it was done.

I would bet it means "cover your a---!" I think like any animal lover, the tests were done to exhaust any chance of putting an animal down that could be saved. I would want to know if there was ANY chance of recovery, the guilt is bad enough without adding that to the list. Most vets can look at an animal and know right away if there was any chance, I've brought in several that no questions were asked, there was no decision to be made. I'd be glad that your vet is that caring. I would have given the world to have a week with my Chrissy, you are lucky to have had that. I am so sorry you had to go through all that, money should be the least of your worries at a time like that. Bless you for caring so much.

batrice said:

what does CYA mean. Is it a way to cover themselves

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Yes.

The vet may simply have wanted to ascertain whether the cat had a condition that could be treated, like diabetes or hyperthyroid, to buy him more time.

First, I am sorry for the loss of your cat.
Yes, CYA is a way of covering their *ss. Though I agree that (1) a pet should not be euthanisized solely for the owner's convenience (which kind of was not the situation in this case, in my opinion) and (2) a physical exam and talking to the person(s) who take care of the cat [not necessarily the owner] should have been enough, especially given the age of the cat, not the blood work.

also perhaps the cat has never had a blood test since 1998 he was always an indoor cat and has been fine. also perhaps for my own closure? esp if i had regrets at least the test justifies euthanasia

That's odd.....I had my brothers dog euthanized without a problem. Healthy dog but she was a deaf, OCD, Australian Cattle Dog with aggression who had already attacked a couple animals in the home, killed one and was a risk to children/my grandmother. I couldn't take her in myself, ACD rescue refused to take her because of her aggression (regular shelter said they would kill her once the leash was handed over but I opted to pay and be with her) and I wasn't about to place her in a strange home, not that I didn't seek out an experienced caretaker just to exhaust my options. (With no luck) I caught serious hell from one client in the waiting room about what a horrible person I am but that was about it. Funny how he was so quick to put me down for "killing the poor dog" but wouldn't take the leash from my hand and walk out with her to "save her". But I suppose that's a rant for a different day.....An old animal like that with an obvious medical problem, adding on your mothers inability to care for/afford care for a sick cat; I'd have just pushed for euthanasia even if it meant going to a different clinic. I'd rather a needle than the inability to care for/afford the treatment and let the poor thing die slowly. And after 17 years there is no way re homing would be an option imo. That alone would likely kill it with stress.

If the cat wasnt a regular and hadn't been seen in 15 years I could see why the test was needed now. It is probably still some CYA on the vets part but you are right you knew for sure it was the right decision.

He has not been put down yet she'll let me know the results Tues. He is quite a cat very bony weighs 5 pounds bowels are odd then vomits afterwards siliva, sits in the potatoe position barely eats but got him to eat something new after the vets. He loves my mom and sits with her and purrs.. He feels light as a feather and does not complain he is quite a guy. It wasent like he had seen the cat recently probably since 2001 and just to bring a cat that is so thin and sort of ask if he should be euthanized I guess is a bit much. I left it to her and in the end I will feel better knowing what he has once the tests are back. Its just so hard as my mom does not realize anything is wrong with him due to her illness and I worry about this cat everyday if she feeds him properly to the point of sleeping over for over a week. But its in gods hands and I will see what the results are tommorrow.

results are in. Nothing really terrible. CBC normal   Liver enzymes elevated protein off could be from dehydration, Conclusion: its old age or he may have cancer. I think its just old age. So now I'll see when I'll put him down, he walks around with a happy grin on him and as long as he eats a bit I'll go day by day

I'm sure the vet just wanted to see if there's something that can be treated to give him maybe a little longer. In the future, if you're really positive you want to euth and not see what other options might exist, you can just tell the vet "no, it's time to put him down" and just stick to that. They can't do tests without your consent.

well you're right but I think deep down I wanted to know. A 17 year old cat and to do blood tests even though we could not afford many more tests and meds works two ways I guess. For the blood tests to be not bad considering the way he looks and the dehydration something is going on and blood tests are not always enough. But he lived a good life. We all should be so lucky. Even humans in nursing homes. I have seen so many who refuse to eat or there is no hope and the kids just say let her go. They starve to death. They have no choice at least we have a choice with pets.

Well I put our beloved cat down yesterday. He could not go to the bathroom anymore and was just bones. He'd always walk around as if nothing was wrong thats how cats are. He showed me he could not have  a bowl movement and he was just wasting away. I feel horrible but he's in heaven with all of our other kittys. Rest in Peace.

So sorry for your loss. [emoji]128546[/emoji]

batrice, I'm so very sorry for your loss, even knowing that it was a decision made out of love, it weighs on the mind. Try to keep your mind away from the death and rejoice that you had 17 years with such a beautiful and loving companion. My heart goes out to you, I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers and pray that he will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. It helps to share your sorrow with people that understand what you are going through, it's a burden that is best shared to allow your heart to heal. Take care....... RIP beautiful boy!

You did a kind thing, don't feel bad. Some owners aren't that strong or have beliefs that go against euthanasia and the animals suffer for it. He had a good, long life with people who obviously loved him a lot.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You know that he is no longer suffering. You are very loving.

Thanks everyone. I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest it hurts so bad and yet my mom due to her illness I cannot break down in front of her. The cat was all bones and yet walked around even when he could not defacate for a few days. His last day he purred alot when I was not near him and he came down and ate a little, looked out the window and was going to lie down in  his Potatoe position. If a cat doesnt  poop and strains to over and over and tries to vomit, how long can that go on. But this cat just kept on truckin.  He was put down so fast at the office and yet in the carrier he seemed weakened. I know it was best for him but another week or two who knows?  I have done it before but this was so hard. Plus cremated him but his body not being taken for another week then another week to return. That bothers me but some vets only have once a week pickup. Perhaps I'll feel better when I have him back. Never done cremation always buried my cats in my yard.