Being "Put Down" (Euthanised)

My cat Star,(7 years old) has just been diagnosed with kidney failure and we've made the desision to put her to sleep. We take her to the vet tomorrow at 4pm.

I'm really scared, and I have a bunch of questions if anyone can help. It would be most appreciated.

First, does it hurt the cat at all? I mean, I know the shot pinches, but is it a really paingul death. I've heard from people that it's very peaceful, but I'm having a hard time grasping that death can be peaceful.

Second, is it better to go in with the cat? I would really rather, because I'd feel it would make her more comfortable than a bunch of starngers surrounding her. I don't know if your not supposed to touch or hold kitty though after she has the shot.

Last, how long does it take? Will she be sitting there for a while or will it happen quickly?

I know I sound really relaxed and formal but I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks. This is a really hard time and any help on this subject would be greatly apreciated... thanks.

I have honestly not dealt with this yet, my old kitty is still going strong, but I have heard about it. Hopefully someone will come along and explain better because I mostly understand it from the shelter.

The shot will be painless and as I understand it, very quick. The cat is gone in minutes.

If you can handle it I think you should go in with the kitty. You do want her last moments to be in your arms, and not in a room with a stranger. Some people cannot handle it though, and I can understand that - I've never had to do it myself. The vet will take very good care of your kitty in that case.

Good luck,and I am so sorry you have to deal with this.

from what i understand its very peaceful.. Like they're just going to sleep. Most vets will let you go in and hold them while they go.... Im not sure how long it takes.. Im sure someone who knows more will be along to answer that. My friends dog had cancer and i know they let her husband go in with him while they put him down. We were too upset to go.

its very quick and painless, and theyre usually gone within a few minutes.
im sure if you cant go in, the vet will take great care of your kitty, but if you able to, go and be with kitty.
Im so sorry you have to go thru this, but youve made a mature and caring decision, and my heart goes out to you.

First of all, I am very sorry about your cat.

We just went though this in November. I was too emotional and could not go in. My husband did and pet her while it was being done and was with her until the end. He said she felt no pain and it was fast. They gave her a shot first to relax her and then once she was relaxed gave her the second shot. She was gone within a matter of minutes.

My dear, this is one of the most selfless acts of kindness you can perform for your beloved companion ... I like to think that, in essence, we are taking their pain and suffering from them and bringing it into ourselves so they no longer have to experience it - we will take that burden from them and carry it in the form of our grief.

I am told that the shot itself does sting just for a second ... the drugs stop the heart and breathing and the cat quickly seems to drift off into sleep. It is very, very fast.

As far as death being peaceful - I am not sure than any of us among the living are really qualified to answer that but I think it is more a perception thing than anything else. You can choose to believe it is peaceful if you really want to believe that it is. If you choose to believe it is something other than peaceful, then for you, it will be. Does this make sense? Your kitty will be at peace afterwards, there is no question in my mind about that - but it is you that must go on and it is you that will need to try to find that peace within yourself.

If you want to be with your kitty during then you should be. And yes, you can absolutely hold her and be with her even afterwards if you want to be. Just ask the vet to accomodate you and I am certain they will position her in your arms in such a way as to still be able to perform the procedure.

My heart goes out to you during what I know is a difficult and painful time for you. But know that no matter what else, your kitty will be pain-free and if your faith allows you to believe this ... you may see her again someday.

Healing light and hugs,

Gaye

Once the needle is in they go very quickly. The drug they are given is a fast acting anaesthetic drug.

The drug first acts on the brain sending your pet off to sleep.

Stage 2 of the process involves an exititory phase where the pet is asleep and totally unconcious but may vocalize or appear to struggle. This phase is very brief and most often times isn't noticable.

Stage 3 is called a surgical plane of anaesthesia. It is in this plane that surgery can be performed as the animal is unconcious and unable to feel pain.

During euthanasia an overdose of anaesthetic is given sending the animal "deeper" into anaesthesia until his/her heart stops.

The way I have described it, euthanasia may seem to be a very long process but I assure you that it is not. Most animals are gone even before the injection is finished. Occasionally an animal will have some muscle twitches or gasps even after their heart has stopped. These are just normal occurances where the nerves are firing spontaneously. Most vets will warn you of this before they start the procedure.

IMO the owner should be present if at all possible. I think that pets are comforted greatly by the presence of the ones who they have come to trust. You should be allowed to pet and possibly even hold your kitty in her final moments.

My condolences

I am so sorry to hear about Star. My prayers will be with you & your baby tomorrow. What you are doing is very hard but very humane to Star.

I had a 15-yr. old cat that had kidney failure and towards the end, I also decided it would be best to put her at peace.

Although, I was absolutely hysterical, it was a very peaceful experience. My vet allowed me to hold her while he gave her the injection and let me stay with her alone in a room for as long as I needed.

Hopefully, your vet will allow you to be with Star if you are emotionally able to deal with the whole thing. Emotionally able?...I don't know many who really are but I do feel it is best to be with Star through the experience. I felt a sense of closure because I was with mine before, during and after her last breath.

Again, my thoughts & prayers will be with you during this very difficult time.

I am so sorry that you are going thru this. You will be in my thoughts tomorrow.

Witnessing the procedure is a very emotional experience, but I feel that I owe it to each one of my babies. If you get overly anxious, they will sense it and you should try to remain calm for their sake. Crying, screaming and mourning can come later. Being with them is the ultimate selfless act of kindness.

Be strong!

Oh, I am very sorry you are going through this. In the past year we have euthanized a dog and a kitten with FIP. The kitten went very quickly and quietly, and layed peacefully after, as my friend and I cried. We spent some time petting her after, but she was obviously gone. It was a little slower for the dog. He was big, and very old. He too, looked very peaceful when it was over.

This is the right place to share your story, as many have been through the same thing. I can't tell you how hard it was to let the kitten Mattie and the dog Logan go. You try to wait until it is inevitable, but not let the animal suffer too much. When it is time you know.

I suggest you have a friend or family member come with to cry with you. It does help! Again, I am sorry you and Star have to face this tomorrow.

Thanks so much everyone! Your posts made me cry, but warm tears filled with the knowledge that I'm doing whats best for my pookie-kins. Your posts have given me great information, as well as a great feeling that I'm doing whats right. Thanks again, I think you all have given me a new outlook on this whole thing. Star is pretty comfortable right now due to a fluid shot, and hopefully this comfort lasts till the end.

My thoughts, prayers, and thanks go out to all you kind people and your furbabies.

Thanks again,
Steph

Everyone has given you great advice. It is an overdose of potassium that stills the heart. If you can stay strong during the time the needle goes in, the cat will usually not struggle. You will have plenty of times for tears later trust me. But if this is going to stress you out then you need to pass on being with her because she will sense your distress and act on it. If your vet makes house calls or farm calls, it might be better to ask that they come to your home so she doesn't have any stress at all.

It really is a peaceful way to pass. I just was with our german shepherd as she was euthanized and it was a peaceful ending for a noble dog. It is not easy to do, but in this case it is the right thing to do and shows the world that you truly do love Star enough to let her go.

www.endingpain.info might help you find your way-

Hugs to you during this difficult time-

Just do the best you can...my thoughts will be with you tomorrow. Fwiw, when we recently put our Joshua to sleep, they wrapped him in a warm towel, I held him, and he purred to the very last..knowing I loved him, feeling me kissing him. It hurt horribly, but it was the last thing I could do for my sweet boy.

My thoughts will be with you tommrow. It is hard so very hard to let them go. But it is what we as the care givers must do, and I agree with the way it was put, we do end their pain and take it on ourselves. and it is selfless. I have faith we shall see them on the other side.

I let my beloved dog Scamper, my farm name sake go back in 1999 She had been my friend since 1985, I was two when we got her. But she could simply not get around anylonger, My parents had me make the choice. and I did what was best for her. And I was also with her at the time she went to sleep. It was very hard, so very hard. I cried. but i kept myself as calm as I could. I knew she wanted me there, and just before her incection she looked at me and licked my hand. Than she went peacefull asleep. it was very quik.

My prayers are with you, even as i type this to you i am misting up. It took me a long time to allow another dog into my heart, I got the cats...and just this last october for Steve got a puppy. And than...March..I got a puppy of my own. She wont take scampers place, neither will. But I was ready to open my heart. I have made the choice for sleep for two horses in my time as well.

Bless you for your ablity to make this choice. And you will see your beloved girl again.

I'm very sorry to hear about Star.

I am so sorry to hear about poor Star. If she is going to be suffering (have never had a cat with kidney failure, so dont know a lot about it), then you have totally made the right decision, even though it is extremely hard. I have had to have 2 cats pts this year, and the second was very unhandleable, so the vet gave her a mild sedation first, and waited till she was practically asleep before giving her the second shot, which was a lot better in my opinion, the only prob was it took longer. When Snowy went in Jan, she went before they even finished the injection, i was holding her so knew exactly when she went. It was very quick and did seem peaceful. I always try and be with mine, normally in tears, but at least they are with someone they know and love.

I'm sooo sorry for what you and Star are going through. I've kept up with your posts and was hoping so much that your kitty would be alright. I've never been strong enough to stay with my babies when they were put to sleep. It's one of those times where you don't know how you'll handle it until you are there. I wish you much strength on whichever way you choose to handle it. My heart goes out to you both and I'll say a prayer for your Star.

Steph,

I am so sorry about Star , both of you will be in my prayers tomorrow.

I think you have made a very brave decision to put Star to sleep, I also had to put my cat Fluffy to sleep because of Kidney failure. Although it is difficult to go through, don't every doubt your decision. I do believe you will see Star again.

When I held my Sheba she was gone in seconds - I couldn't believe how fast it was and I asked the vet. The best thing was that her dreadful panting breath stopped, and I knew she was at peace. I think it is good for hte cat if you go with her, she will be more relaxed as long as you can hold yourself in - it is very hard, I know.

my heart goes out to you and i know it is not easy saying goodbye to a loved one i to had to have my cat koko puff put to sleep last july 13th/2004 she was 15yrs old and had kindey failer for the pass three years before that it got to the point where she was skin and bones
we did everything we could to make her happy i just couldn't put her through the IVs anymore with the fluid as for myself i wasn't strong enough at that time to sit with her while she went to sleep but i had lost my Dad one year ago on that same date
but if i had to do it all over again i would of held koko next to me and rubbed her little head and told her how much i loved her
i will say a little prayer for you and your cat (Star)
take care