Being "Put Down" (Euthanised)

My heart goes out to you. When Abby passed she didn't struggle. They gave her an injection, wrapped her in a blanket, and handed her to me. When she fell asleep they gave her another injection, the one that would stop her heart. Her passing was more peaceful than the passing of any human I have witnessed. She may go to the bathroom when her heart stops. I think it helps to have her covered in a blanket for that reason. We were allowed as much time with Abby as we needed after her passing and they allowed us to leave out a backdoor and just sent us a bill for the euthanasia and cremation.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you today.

Cats have recovered from kidney failure even at the eleventh hour. Then body, if given what it needs-will recover from even the most dire disease. And yes, it can be managed successfully at home.

I think since we are not there, do not have the labs, the vet report, we need to respect the decision this member has made. Yes, there are things that can be done depending on the stage of kidney failure - I know that well since I have two cats dealing with this - but advice on how to treat this was not asked for she's asked for support in dealing with the decision already made.

I posted to make this member aware( in case he/she isn't) that there is a choice between two options - not a choice of one. Too many people have said, after the fact, " I wish I'd been aware that there were alternatives". Whether or not this member chooses to avail herself/himself of this is up to him/her. I thought, before the fact, that this member should be aware of this and know that such things are available. That's choice.

I am so sorry you have to go through this. Even though we know in our hearts it is putting an end to a loved one's suffering, it is never easy.
I went with my sweet Leo when he was succumbing to FeLeuk. They shaved a little spot on his leg and gave him the meds. I seemed very peaceful. I held him and thanked him for being such a good little friend, and he was gone in just a few short seconds. It was very hard, but not as hard as it was seeing him suffer that last day. He went downhill very quickly once he began having symptoms.
So many of us will be with you in spirit when the time comes. I hope it gives you some comfort.

Originally Posted by June

I posted to make this member aware( in case he/she isn't) that there is a choice between two options - not a choice of one. Too many people have said, after the fact, " I wish I'd been aware that there were alternatives". Whether or not this member chooses to avail herself/himself of this is up to him/her. I thought, before the fact, that this member should be aware of this and know that such things are available. That's choice.

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June, this member is doing the pts today...it's a bit late to bring this up, and perhaps will only cause un-needed pain. As I said, I think we have to trust that she and her vet made the best decision...they are there with the cat.

I don't disagree with informing of options, just that in this case, support for a decision made was asked for, not information.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

June, this member is doing the pts today...it's a bit late to bring this up, and perhaps will only cause un-needed pain. As I said, I think we have to trust that she and her vet made the best decision...they are there with the cat.

I don't disagree with informing of options, just that in this case, support for a decision made was asked for, not information.

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Im going to agree with Pat&Alix, your post even though perhaps was well meaning, is kinda unwarrented, and frankly could be seen as unwanted.
If you had read this entire post, you would have seen, that treatment wasnt really an option.
And IMO is was kinda not really tactful to bring this up at this point. Yes...with treatment cats can bounce back from serious illness, but usually that is not the case.
The poster of this thread has made the most mature and caring decision she could, and if I was her, would not take kindly to someone posting that my cat could have been saved if only I had tried. Especially on the day!
How would you feel if the roles were reversed?

Tabby, you and your kitty are in my thoughts tonight

My heart goes out to you - Thank you for sharing this with us. We will all be thinking of you and praying for you while star crosses the bridge. I believe you are doing the right thing in not having this precious Star of yours suffer any longer then already may have. We will miss Star too.

Originally Posted by June

Cats have recovered from kidney failure even at the eleventh hour. Then body, if given what it needs-will recover from even the most dire disease. And yes, it can be managed successfully at home.

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you make it sound like all cats will recover if treated for whatever their illness is, unfortunitly this isnt the case.
Most of the time, the animal and owner are put those needless suffering.
The original poster already mentioned she understood that her cat could have been treated, but though it would be more human to put her to sleep.
It sounds like this cat was quite sick and even aggressive and expensive treatment wouldnt have made a difference.
And to top it off, all she wanted was support, not to be told something she already knew.

There's no way of knowing how you will perceive the situation, but in my experience the pet has seemed to be finally settling down to relax after a very long journey. By my estimation the moment of passing goes extremely quickly and the euthanasia procedure is the least unpleasant way to deal with a very difficult situaton. Since I think it happens very quickly, I have already said my "goodbyes" and merely hold or touch the pet during the moment.

My heart and thoughts are with you right now I just can't think of anything else to say except that were all here for you

My heart goes out to you. I know this was very difficult, but you have made the right decision. We had to do this for our dog who was 16, had heart and lung problems, and after 4 years of medication and the last few weeks of suffering this was the best thing we could do for her I think. It's really quick and we knew that it was the best thing for her.
We had her cremated and she came home a week later My thoughts and prayers are with you, and eventhough Star will not be physically with you, she will always be with you in spirit.

Tabby, I said a prayer for you to help you get through this difficult time. My brother's dog was euthanized due to kidney failure. She had experienced a lot of pain and suffering but a few minutes after they gave her the shot, she looked like she was sleeping peacefully. When Star crosses the rainbow bridge all of her pain and suffering will be over.

My heart and prayers go out to you and your sweet furbaby. I have had to put 1 cat and 2 kittens down in the past year, and I did go in with them, and hold them and carress them, and talked to them. It was very quick and painless for them, but my heart was broken. Be strong for your cat, and I would go in with her if you feel up to it. I think it helps them relax. My vet 1st gave a shot to cal them, then the euthanize shot. They all went peacefully. It was the hardest decision to make, but I did what was best for them.My 15 year old cat's health was failing. The 2 kittens had wet FIP.

Tabby, as you can see, many here have walked this path. Some of us more times than we would like to. A dear friend once told me that being with them at the end, is like a gentle nudge. You are pushing them gently toward the other side, while someone else in pulling gently to accept the soul. It is a journey, I believe they never make alone.

All my best-

I just wondered how you were doing after putting Star to sleep today? My heart goes out to you! I will keep you in my prayers!

As long as there is reason to hope I will continue to offer hope, even at the eleventh hour if I only become aware of it at the eleventh hour. I think Tabby109 knows the spirit in which I posted. If information is available that can help I will say so. But I will not offer it unless asked . It's up to the individual who started the original thread to decide whether or not to inquire further. Some do. Some don't . It's really not up to anyone else to decide whether or not that individual should be offered any kind of hope or choice .

My heart is with you too!

Oh my gosh! I never expected to get that many posts! I joined this site five days ago and already I'm seeingwhat a sweet and wondeful communtiy this is... just wish it could be under better circumstances.

It's been 4 days since we put Star to sleep. My family has been really supportive. I actually feel better now than I did when she was alive and suffering. Her memories still make me cry, but I think it's in a happy way. I miss her so much but I'm so glad she's at rest.

I went in with her for the euthenasia. I did my best to hold in my tears but it didn't work well. I hope I didn't frighten her, but she was purring so I don't think I did. She died before they were done with the injection. The hardest part I think was watching her fall over, I didn't expect it, but her muscles just gave way in that tiny body of hers and she just fell, and I remember seeing her eyes go dark. My mom was with me and she started crying too. I didn't stay long with Star, the vet said "Take as long as you need" but I got out of there pretty fast because I didn't want my last memory of Star being the limp lifeless thing I saw on the table, because I know the body was there, but her spirit his still around. She went somewhere better, to the rainbow bridge, I'm not sure, but I know she lives on elsewhere where she is happy like she deserves.

Just typing that brought me to tears again. I guess She is still with me.

There has been question as to weather I would have treated her. The vet had said her BUN numbers were far too high to do much treatment. She could lower them, yes, but never to a healthy enough state where Star would be completely comfortable again. So I know that I made the right choice. I know that if Star knew what was going on, she probably would have done the same thing.

I'll always miss her. Always. She was my baby girl.

Thanks again for all these posts. I'm shocked and amazed.

After a couple weeks I'll have enough guts to go through some of my pictures of her, and maybe post her for you guys just to show you what a wonderful cat she was.

Thanks, I can't say thankyou enough.

Steph