Yesterday morning I had my cat Alex put down. The tumors in his leg had spread to the point where he couldn’t walk properly and couldn’t lay comfortably in any position. I had had surgery done on the site in March - any visible tumors removed at that time - and after that they started popping up like weeds, so to speak.
Sigh.
Selfishly, I didn’t want to have this done - he was still a bright and energetic companion at 13 years old, and had gotten friendlier every year of his life. Within a month he went from jumping up on my bed at night and sleeping on my chest to being unable to walk up the stairs without great difficulty. His appetite was good, his eyes were bright and he still loved to be cuddled - but I knew that he was suffering. So we had him euthanized. And I will always miss him. The other cats are looking for him now…
I’m so sorry, but be glad that you did the humane thing and thought of Alex’s happiness. A few months back, I unknowingly waited too long to have one of my ferrets put to sleep; she’d been having trouble walking too, but then her health unexpectedly plunged downhill, as some intestinal trouble she’d had came back with a vengeance. I came home from work that night to find her alive but in horrible shape. I had to tearfully rush her to the vet to have her put to sleep. I know how hard it is to let go of a pet, but in the end, realize you were a good and kind owner.
The vet who performed the euthanasia told me about how our pets rely on us for so much, and extended pain and suffering is just confusing for them, so euthanasia is often an extremely merciful act.
Hug your other kitties, they can be quite a comfort.
Several years ago I had to put my 14 year old cat down for a liver problem. It was clearly the hardest thing I had ever done and understand your pain. He was also bright eyed and aware but uncomfortable and in pain every day.
I didn’t have the courage to stay with him. I was so upset that I could only drop him off at the vet and leave. As I was walking out of the vet’s office, he turned and looked at me in a way I’ll never forget.
Thanks for the kind words - I’ve been snuggling all kittens in reach! Wish they could live for ever, even if it left us up to our eyeballs in kittens That’s not necessarily a bad thing!
Venoma, I am so sorry. You have made one of the hardest decisions to make, and it was the right thing to do. Alex couldn’t speak for himself, and as a loving caregiver, you helped him to end his suffering. It takes a Big Person to take that step.
You have my sympathies for your loss. Give your other kitties a hug for me.
What a lousy week for everyone. You definitely did the right thing, though, putting Alex down. It’s painful as hell losing a pet, but in the end, it’s even more painful to watch them suffer, or know they died in immense pain. I wish I could have given Giuseppe that gift, a painless way out.
I’ll be thinking of you, along with welby, who, as we all know, lost his dog, too. My condolences.
Our dearly beloved ginger tom had to be put down a couple of years ago and my older brother was heartbroken. Our old kitty had a tumour in his stomach and it was getting worse and worse. Then one day he rapidly went downhill. Our kitty was taken to the vet and was given only a week. That night old kitty was crying out all night in pain. My brother stayed all night with old kitty on the couch. My family could not bear to have old kitty in so much pain that the vet was called the next morning (and was surprised at the rapid deterioration overnight) and put poor old kitty to sleep. When I got home (I’d been at a friend’s overnight, unaware of the drama) poor old kitty was on the couch like he was just sleeping.
There were a lot of tears that day. It’s hard losing them to illness, but having them put to sleep is even harder.
I’m so sorry for your loss. As with other respondents I have had this done to other pet friends, and even though I know it’s the humane thing to do I feel guilty. Maybe one of your other kitties will start lying on your chest. I had a cat that did that, and he sometimes drooled a little. I would look up and see the tiny drop, ready to fall. Sorry for the hijack. I will keep you and your cat in my thoughts.
Baker, don’t be sorry, that made me laugh! (Alex snored, didn’t drool much, his chin was far too fuzzy to drip…) Our other kitties are too young/hyper to settle down anywhere for one night perhaps in the future…
irkenDoom, Giuseppe is beautiful. He looks as if he had a very sweet temperment (Donut looks like a sweetheart too!) I’m sorry you had to lose such a wonderful companion so early in his life.
ninevah, Poor Tom! I’m sorry you didn’t have a chance to say goodbye, but I think death was a mercy for your suffering friend…
{{all kittens and their keepers}}
[sub]I think its very obvious that cats and other animals are definately my soft spot.[/sub]
Thanks, Venoma, and thanks for signing our guestbook. Putting up a memorial site has helped my fiancee and me, and it gives everybody a chance to see what we lost. Perhaps you should do the same for Alex.
[hijack]Giuseppe liked to sleep on my neck. Well, my throat, to be more precise. Didn’t help me sleep too well, but if I could have him back, my throat is free for him…[/hijack]
That’s not necessarily a bad thing!
perhaps in the future…