Have to put a cat to sleep today

For the last 10 years, a neighbor's cat would come come into our yard and hang out. He was very affectionate and a connection grew with him. He was known by the name of Mooch, named by my father who  came over and just called him that one day. I know the name doesn't sound nice, but, my dad thought it was cute in his own way and that it fit the cat because he already had a home but came to us begging us for attention.

My family and I came to love Mooch. He was so nice and friendly. But, the last few months he went from being the healthiest cat in the world to the sickest. His owner dumped him and he has gotten seriously ill. We couldn't allow him to suffer and have taken him to the vet a few times. They still haven't determined the exact issue (they say it is likely FIP/cancer/kidney problems.) We had bloodwork done on him yesterday but he just has quickly deteriorated and is suffering now more than ever. We have had to make the painful choice to put him to sleep even before the results are returned because it has gotten so bad and he would have to suffer severely at least another day.

I've lost 2 cats in life. One was when I was a child and the cat just disappeared one day at 15 years old. The other had feline leukemia and died during surgery. Thus, I've never had to make this very hard choice. I just feel the need to vent and know that this is the right thing to do.

Cara

cc0000 said:

 
For the last 10 years, a neighbor's cat would come come into our yard and hang out. He was very affectionate and a connection grew with him. He was known by the name of Mooch, named by my father who  came over and just called him that one day. I know the name doesn't sound nice, but, my dad thought it was cute in his own way and that it fit the cat because he already had a home but came to us begging us for attention.

My family and I came to love Mooch. He was so nice and friendly. But, the last few months he went from being the healthiest cat in the world to the sickest. His owner dumped him and he has gotten seriously ill. We couldn't allow him to suffer and have taken him to the vet a few times. They still haven't determined the exact issue (they say it is likely FIP/cancer/kidney problems.) We had bloodwork done on him yesterday but he just has quickly deteriorated and is suffering now more than ever. We have had to make the painful choice to put him to sleep even before the results are returned because it has gotten so bad and he would have to suffer severely at least another day.

I've lost 2 cats in life. One was when I was a child and the cat just disappeared one day at 15 years old. The other had feline leukemia and died during surgery. Thus, I've never had to make this very hard choice. I just feel the need to vent and know that this is the right thing to do.

Cara

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Though it is one of the hardest decisions to make in cases like this it is the only one that can be made. Unfortunately life really is full of suffering but at least sometimes we have the power to limit the time that must be spent suffering which is what your doing and well that is an act of mercy.

cc0000 said:

 
For the last 10 years, a neighbor's cat would come come into our yard and hang out. He was very affectionate and a connection grew with him. He was known by the name of Mooch, named by my father who  came over and just called him that one day. I know the name doesn't sound nice, but, my dad thought it was cute in his own way and that it fit the cat because he already had a home but came to us begging us for attention.

My family and I came to love Mooch. He was so nice and friendly. But, the last few months he went from being the healthiest cat in the world to the sickest. His owner dumped him and he has gotten seriously ill. We couldn't allow him to suffer and have taken him to the vet a few times. They still haven't determined the exact issue (they say it is likely FIP/cancer/kidney problems.) We had bloodwork done on him yesterday but he just has quickly deteriorated and is suffering now more than ever. We have had to make the painful choice to put him to sleep even before the results are returned because it has gotten so bad and he would have to suffer severely at least another day.

I've lost 2 cats in life. One was when I was a child and the cat just disappeared one day at 15 years old. The other had feline leukemia and died during surgery. Thus, I've never had to make this very hard choice. I just feel the need to vent and know that this is the right thing to do.

Cara

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Mooch is a very cute name and it sounds like it was given to him in a very affectionate manner. There's nothing wrong with that. 

Mooch is very lucky to have friends like you. I'm so sorry that you are going through this but what you're doing is the ultimate act of kindness and friendship. If he were out on his own with no one to care for him, he would suffer terribly for who knows how long. Helping an animal who is in pain like that find peace is the most compassionate thing you can do. it's a horrible decision to have to make but they rely on us to do that for them since they cannot speak for themselves. 

You are doing the right thing. Mooch knows this and he knows you love him. He loves you too and he always will.   

Thank you for your kind words. The vet called and said they are actually going to be able to get Mooch's results back before we have him put to sleep today. I ultimately know that putting an animal to sleep is the kindest thing to do when there is no hope and it is suffering. I just hate having to take an animal's life, but, I know when it is suffering and there is no quality of life left it must be done. It also makes me sick to know that this was not a stray cat who had no one. He had an owner who left him when he needed him the most. I don't know how people can have an animal for so many years and not, at the very least, put it to sleep when it is suffering. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I just threw out my cat and let him die alone somewhere.

cc0000 said:

 
Thank you for your kind words. The vet called and said they are actually going to be able to get Mooch's results back before we have him put to sleep today. I ultimately know that putting an animal to sleep is the kindest thing to do when there is no hope and it is suffering. I just hate having to take an animal's life, but, I know when it is suffering and there is no quality of life left it must be done. It also makes me sick to know that this was not a stray cat who had no one. He had an owner who left him when he needed him the most. I don't know how people can have an animal for so many years and not, at the very least, put it to sleep when it is suffering. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I just threw out my cat and let him die alone somewhere.

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Those people were never Mooch's family. You and your family are. He knows who loves him and who doesn't. 

I'm sorry you are facing this difficult decision...

We recently went through this, and to be honest, I felt very pressured to have my kitty put to sleep... but it was not what our cat wanted, and we didn't do it.  Sometimes people make me feel guilty for not ending her life... Our cat had chronic renal failure, and through life did get tough on her, she taught me a lot her last few years.  Alex is the one who decided when it was her time to go, not us, not the vet.  One day she just quit eating and drinking... but I know she loved us as long as she could, and we loved her even longer, we love her still... that cat certainly got her moneys worth out of her nine lives!

Its a personal decision and you alone know if you are doing the right thing.  I can honestly say though that if they had euthanasia clinics for humans, it would be easier for me to have my mother put to sleep than it would have been for me to put that cat down.  My mom cries for it... the cat just wanted us to love it, and to be there for it.  My mom is crazy, the cat wasn't. 

Whatever decision you make, I am sorry your thoughtless neighbors put you in the position to make it - but take peace in knowing you made the best decision you could, and with good intentions.  Sometimes life isn't fair, and the tears we cry are testament to the love we feel, and love is the greatest gift... If you believe in life after death, in heaven or in reincarnation, in something beyond just ceasing to be, you are relasing the cat to continue its journey, and if you don't believe there is anything beyond our final breath in our current bodies, then when death occurs it ceases to matter, when, where, why or how.  In either case, it is what it is.  There will come an answer, Let it be.

Good thoughts be with you this day.

I have never had to make that decision but I have held my cat on his deathbed while he passed. I wasn't able to get him to the vet but if I was, knowing he was suffering and there was no chance for him to live a full life then I would have had him put down.

As @MollyBlue  said, this is a personal decision you will have to make. You know in your heart what needs to be done for Mooch (love the name). He will also know that any choice you make will be what's best for him. 

On the subject of strange names; My sister had a cat she named Squatter, because she said he was living on her property without authorization, like a squatter would. He stayed with her for many, many years. No name is bad if it is given with a kind heart and out of love.

It is a hard decision to make and it is always difficult and painful saying goodbye to a loved one but take comfort in knowing it is what's best for the cat. You don't want him to suffer anymore and I'm sure he'll rest in peace and you'll always remember him and you were there for him when he needed you.  

Above poster said it best.

I had to let him go. I couldn't wait for the results and had to take him to a different vet to get him in sooner as he just declined rapidly. There was no other choice. I hope to God he is in Heaven and I see him one day again.

Cara

cc0000 said:

 
I had to let him go. I couldn't wait for the results and had to take him to a different vet to get him in sooner as he just declined rapidly. There was no other choice. I hope to God he is in Heaven and I see him one day again.

Cara

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I'm so sorry. You were his true friend when he needed one most. I'm sure he transitioned over the bridge quickly and gently. He will never forget the love, kindness and compassion that you showed him and I have no doubt that you will meet him again one day. 

Your love and his legacy lives here with your words. I expect that you two will meet again someday. And I know that any doubts you have now will be replaced by unmeasured love.

Bless your heart.

I'm so sorry for your loss; I love the name Moochie too!  You gave him the ultimate gift of love- rather than letting him suffer, you released him from his pain. There is a post written by Garreth called When The Moment Comes, that I read about a million times.  It helped me so much when I had to say goodbye to my precious princess Tiger.  Fly free sweet Moochie and land softly- you were so loved! 

I'm very sorry n your loss. Take comfort that he is now in a better place.

I am so grateful that you are such a caring, affectionate and loving person, @cc0000  .. Mooch is definitely in Heaven and will be waiting to see you again, too.. Your souls have paired through all those years. Be sure of that.. 

I just hope his previous owner (owner, not parent), pays for his actions, if there was even the slightest hope for Mooch to have a chance, had they took him to the vet, instead of kicking him out.. I am sorry if I sound cruel. But if there's a God up there and watches our actions..? He can step in anytime now!

Bless you, @cc0000  .. I hope life rewards you for your kindness, down the road.. I really do 

 

Thanks again for the kind words. It was very hard to have to let him go after having him around for so long, but much harder to see him suffering. I could not leave him in such a horrible state and am glad that he's free from pain now. I wish I could have saved him but he was much too sick.

You will be blessed for ending his pain, there is no reason to prolong the suffering if it is in your power to make it stop. He was so lucky to adopt you as his family, the other was not his family or his friend, he saw in you the love and care he so desperately wanted. My heart goes out to you, sometimes a burden shared is a burden halved. I hope it gives you comfort to know he is no longer suffering and is secure in the knowledge that he was greatly loved and will never be forgotten. Please accept my condolences on your loss, and my prayers to bring peace to your heart. RIP dear Mooch, you will be held forever in a loving heart!

The vet called back today with the results of Mooch's blood test. She said that signs pointed to FIP so, if that is truly what he had (obviously further testing couldn't be done), nothing could have been done for Mooch. I still never will know for sure what he had, though, but I am so glad he is no longer suffering, especially if he had this horrible disease.

Mooch was so lucky to have you to turn to, both before and after he became ill. He obviously knew whom he could depend on for love and help. My condolences.

I am so sorry for your loss.  Mooch was a very fortunate cat to have met up with your family.  He knew true love and had a real home where he was loved and wanted.  A cat, or a person for that matter, couldn't ask for more.