Euthanizing my cat myself. Please help

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jmslx

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Hello,
I hope I'm not breaking any rules or upsetting anybody by making this post, but I'm desperate and have nowhere to turn. My cat of 13 years is suffering terribly by a very large cancerous tumor in his mouth, underneath his tongue. After this diagnosis from my vet, he recommended to my mom that we put him to sleep, but she wouldn't do it and we brought him home. I have no way to take him to the vet myself. I can't drive and there isn't a vet anywhere near here that can make house calls, and even if there was my mother wouldn't allow it. He is having so much trouble eating and drinking, even though he's clearly very hungry and thirsty. He can't even close his mouth, and he's been bleeding from it ever since we took him home. My mom said we'll put him down when the time is right, or when he's unhappy, but I know there is no way he can be happy right now, and I don't want to wait until he's suffocating on that tumor or in horrible agony to finally let him have some peace. 
I have one 1mg Xanax, a great deal of Morphine the vet sent us home with, some Vistaril and some Propranolol. I know in my heart that ending his suffering would be the right thing to do, but I am so terrified that I'll somehow botch it and he'll go into seizures or choke on his own vomit or die in some other horrible, miserable way. Or that it simply won't work at all. I am in tears as I write this. I just can't stand to see this sweet cat suffering anymore, but I don't know what to do. If I were to give him the medications I have, would he just go to sleep and not wake up? Or is there a real possibility that I would just cause him more suffering? Please help. My mom won't do the right thing for him, but I want to. 
 

eck1kaylie

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I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. Is there no way to convince your mom that he's suffering?



I do think you should find a way to take him to a professional, but if anyone does respond... It's definitely a bad idea to have at-home euthanasia instructions floating around on the internet. If anyone has actual info on this, maybe they could PM you instead of responding to this thread? :/
 
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jmslx

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Tomorrow when my mom wakes up I'll try again to show her how miserable he is and convince her to take him in, but I'm very unsure that it'll work. PMs would be fine.
Again, if doing it myself would just make his suffering worse, I won't. That's the last thing I want to do. Our vet is very close friends with my mom, which I suspect is why he let her take him home like this at all, so I doubt calling him would accomplish much. I am disabled and have no way to take him to a shelter. I wouldn't even be considering doing something this dangerous at all if there was any other way. 
 

Columbine

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Death by drug overdose can be a very slow, very painful business. I really suggest you speak to your vet. I know how awful it is to watch an animal suffer like this, but the strongest likelihood is that you'd increase that suffering. You at least need to take veterinary advice on this.

See if you can get you mom to read this article. It may help put things into perspective.
 
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jmslx

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I understand. Tomorrow I'll try to convince my mom again, and if she won't take him in I'll call the vet and talk to him about it. Sadly I don't have much hope that he'll be of much help, considering he let her take our cat home in this condition in the first place, but it's worth a shot. Thank you to everyone who's replied. I'll update soon.
 

donutte

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My mom tried that with a Chihuahua we had once, tried to give her a bunch of Xanax (I didn't know she had done this till after the fact). I don't remember how many she told me but enough to put a human in the hospital for sure. Hua had the best long sleep of her life and woke up like nothing happened.

Just wanted to give my take on it. It could have turned out so much worse than it did with Hua. And it could turn out a lot worse if you try it on your own as well. Please try to make your mom understand this kitty is suffering now, and you don't want to wait until it's an emergency situation.

And let her know how much more expensive an emergency euthanasia will cost financially. Because if it becomes an emergency in the middle of the night, it will end up costing a LOT more. I don't know if that is why she wants to wait or not, but it's something to consider trying.
 

kittens mom

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 I sense your heart is in the right place but trying to overdose the cat will likely cause even more suffering. There is a reason the protocol for euthanasia is used.  Understand that if you tried and failed you could end up with an animal cruelty charge should the vet or anyone at his office/clinic choose to report it.  Some cat owners can make the decision on the spot. Others need time to process the information. It sounds like your mother is very attached to the cat. If you try and take this into your own hands you risk making the cat suffer more and causing a lifelong rift between you and your mother.

Even if you could take the cat in only the owner of the pet can make that kind of decision. Which is why the vet sent the cat home with your mother. You mother may be stuck on her feelings and fear and needs empathy to help her see clearly.
 
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jmslx

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Thank you all for your responses and guidance, I really appreciate it. We took him to the vet's today and he died peacefully in my arms. I'm glad I waited and convinced my mom. I hope he's happy, wherever he is. 
 

kittens mom

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Thank you all for your responses and guidance, I really appreciate it. We took him to the vet's today and he died peacefully in my arms. I'm glad I waited and convinced my mom. I hope he's happy, wherever he is. 
I"m so sorry you lost him. But happy you were able to help your mother see his needs above hers. Not easy for either of you. Thank you for the update.
 

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I'm so glad you were able to convince your mom. I've been in your position a few times, so I know just how hard it is :hugs:

I'm so sorry for your loss.

:rbheart: Rest in peace, gorgeous boy :rbheart:
:angel: [emoji]128062[/emoji] :heart3: [emoji]127801[/emoji] :rbheart: [emoji]127801[/emoji] :heart3: [emoji]128062[/emoji] :angel:
 

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I'm so sorry for the loss of your kitty.  Your situation is heartbreaking.  It's never easy to lose a beloved pet, especially when you aren't in complete control of the situation.  I want to PM you a few more thoughts that I can't say here.   Hugs to you.  
 

betsygee

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On behalf of the TCS Team, we offer our condolences for the passing of your kitty.  We will lock the thread now out of respect for your loss.  Please consider posting a tribute to your friend in our Crossing the Bridge forum.
 
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