Am I over reacting? opinions plz

Last night DH and I went to a cook out at some friends, of some friends. Anyhoo, they have this inside cat(probably about 6 mos old) and apparently when she was born she was in the birth canal too long, so now shes what you would call umm.....pretty much retarded. It is soooo SAD to see her try and walk! I think they are doing her more harm then good keeping her alive. It looks pitiful~when she walks, she runs into things and she gets mad if anything gets in her way. So am I over reacting to think that poor girl needs put down? I just think its sad to have a cat like that, but am I wrong? The owner says its cheaper to get her meds every 6 mos than to have her put down, but I beg to differ. Ok, sorry I will stop rambling now....

Aww, poor baby! I hate seeing things like this. I really don't know how I feel though, if she's not in any pain (at all!) and is treated with love and compassion, then I could see why they may not be sure about putting her down, but if it were my decision, I probably would, the poor thing. It is always such a shame when horrible things like this happen.

If she is otherwise healthy and the owners are willing to give her the meds and care she needs I don't see why she should be put down.

I think every cat deserves a chance; we don't give up on retarded people, do we? They don't choose to be born that way. Some of them can lead good lives. I think that if that is the case - as in, if that's the problem the cat actually has, - the cat could be happy if properly treated and loved. I could be wrong. If there's no way this could happen, and it's always miserable, then I think that the poor thing should be put out of its misery.

I would say so long as the owners are willing to care for the disabled kitten, it is fine. Maybe it has more trouble when visitors are there than when she is alone with the family.

If a kitty has a progressive disease, and is in pain or getting worse, I can see putting it to sleep. But if it is simply retarded, and possibly blind, I would say keeping it alive is just fine.

Kind of hard to say, though, since I didn't actually see the kitten. But I get very defensive of "my" babies, and can totally understand them wanting to keep the kitty alive.

I immediately though the same thing as sweetiecat. Not necessarily if it were a child, but if you had an amniocentesis and they said your kid would have ___disease, would you choose not to have it? Would you think someone else was wrong to have it? I would say, if it were born that way, is as happy as it can be, and they love it and treat it well, then whats wrong with that? I can see myself adopting a cat like that one day when I can afford the extra care!

It would be so very hard to watch though!! I can see where you're coming from.

If she's simply retarded and not in pain or hurting herself and they're giving her meds to help then yes, you are overreacting. Sure, she's not 100% perfect, but that doesn't mean she should be put to sleep.

I have a friend who had a cat like that. She walked like she was drunk... she staggered from right to left and sometimes stumbled. She got frightened easily of sudden movements.

My friend asked the vet and he said that only her motor skills were the problem and she would be fine otherwise. I don't know if she's still around or not, but last I knew she was at least 6 or 7.

It was kinda sad to watch, but she got along just fine. (and she was even an indoor/outdoor cat)

Originally Posted by jeanor

I have a friend who had a cat like that. She walked like she was drunk... she staggered from right to left and sometimes stumbled. She got frightened easily of sudden movements.

My friend asked the vet and he said that only her motor skills were the problem and she would be fine otherwise. I don't know if she's still around or not, but last I knew she was at least 6 or 7.

It was kinda sad to watch, but she got along just fine. (and she was even an indoor/outdoor cat)

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I would DEFINITELY not allow a cat disabled to such a degree to be an outdoor cat, there are just too many dangers. These babies need extra love and care and a little more supervision, so I believe inside would be the way to go!

I think its great that they're able to love the cat and be willing to take care of it.

I have friends, who have a disabled cat, he is just the same and finds it quite hard to walk, but he leads a lovely life and they love him ver much. Good on your frineds if they're willing to love and care for him

Originally Posted by jeanor

I have a friend who had a cat like that. She walked like she was drunk... she staggered from right to left and sometimes stumbled. She got frightened easily of sudden movements.

My friend asked the vet and he said that only her motor skills were the problem and she would be fine otherwise. I don't know if she's still around or not, but last I knew she was at least 6 or 7.

It was kinda sad to watch, but she got along just fine. (and she was even an indoor/outdoor cat)

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-Yes, thats excactly what the cat does! She stumbles around like shes drunk and its so sad. I guess they treat her well, this was my first time to their house....and I finally told her she needed to be put in a room alone with all the ppl there, and she did. I dont think the cats in pain, but I didnt ask. I just thought its awfully sad to watch, thats all. And no, its not the cats fault it was born like that......

If the kitty is generally happy and comfortable and being loved, I would say it's probably fine..

As with any cat, it all comes down to quality of life. If the cat is struggling to do ordinary things in a way she finds frustrating, and seems generally miserable and depressed about it, then no, I would not keep her. But if she seems to know she is loved and is generally happy, even if life is a challenge, then it is good for all for all around her her to have her presence.

I kinda look at this kind of situation like I look at my positive babies, just because they're sick doesn't mean they don't deserve a loving home for as long as they have. If the kitty is being cared for properly, then why shouldn't she get to live her life?

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

I would say so long as the owners are willing to care for the disabled kitten, it is fine. Maybe it has more trouble when visitors are there than when she is alone with the family.

If a kitty has a progressive disease, and is in pain or getting worse, I can see putting it to sleep. But if it is simply retarded, and possibly blind, I would say keeping it alive is just fine.

Kind of hard to say, though, since I didn't actually see the kitten. But I get very defensive of "my" babies, and can totally understand them wanting to keep the kitty alive.

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I have to agree with you Becki!