When do you say goodbye to a pet?

[mpal2]

My cat was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer a couple of weeks ago. In fact, I'm wondering if he will make it past Christmas. I'm trying to decide when it's the best time to let him go. I don't want to lose him too soon; he's my figure skating buddy and it won't be the same without him. At the same time, I don't want to let him linger too long.

It's a hard choice to make and I don't want to make it. He has been a special buddy for me during some frustrating times.

 

[Antilles]

mpal, I've been there and it is so rough. I feel for you. I had a dog once with cancer, and we decided to try to hang onto her, and she went through two surgeries. She was in such bad shape afterthat , soI personally wouldn't put an animal through that again. However, if you're not doing anything that radical, it's going to depend on how your pet feels. If he's really suffering, the best thing to do is let go. If he feels ok, then you can let nature takes it's course. Just my two cents. I'll be thinking of you.

 

[guinevere]

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat! It's a terrible decision to have to make about a family member - especially one who can't tell you themselves when it's time.

I think most vets say that the deciding factor is whether the pet is still eating and seems to be getting some enjoyment out of living, despite any pain they are feeling. Once they stop eating, or appear to be in so much pain that there is no pleasure left for them , it's time to let them go. Hopefully your vet can help you determine when that time comes.

Many sympathies to you and your furry friend

guinevere

 

[mpal2]

Thank you for the advice. I had to take him to the vet tonight for a steriod shot to reduce inflammation. He is quite the ladies cat. I had taken them to a male vet when I moved here but I couldn't get in to see him this time. I setup the appointment with one of his associates and Mijo loves her. For the first time ever, he didn't want to get back in his carrier to come home. I think she will be the new vet from now on and her hours work better with mine.

I have already decided against surgery. I would have to drive him 2 1/2 hours away to a univeristy. They would have to remove part of his jaw and they probably wouldn't be able to get the entire tumor. Even if they could get the tumor, the cancer has a high repeat risk. All that trouble to get 2 or 3 months more and he would just be miserable the entire time. I'm going with the comfort route. All the canned food he wants since the dry is now too painful for him.

He felt much better after the steriod shot and has even started playing with the laser pointer tonight. So that makes me feel better for now.

They also told me that they would work with me on setting up a house call when it's time to let him go. I don't want to put him through the trauma of a car trip and vet office for his last moments. Yeah, it'll be more expensive, but he has given me a lot in the way of friendship and love so I owe him that much.

It'll be hard but I'm determined to give him as much comfort and love as he wants as long as I have him.

 

[Blue Bead]

Having just had to have one of my older cats euthanized yesterday afternoon, I can really sympathize with your situation, mpal2. I think it comes down to a question of quality of life for the cat. If the animal is no longer able to do the things its has always done, if the look in its eyes is more often one of sadness, if it isn't eating well, if it doesn't feel up to playing a little bit, then it is time to "put the cat down". Of course you will miss your companion dearly. We always want them to live at least as long as we do but that isn't possible. When I decided to euthanize Doodle I knew that I wouldn't need to worry about her when I wasn't home in case she had a seizure and fell of the windowsill or the counter again. I know that wherever she is she's fantastic right now, and that's all that matters to me.

Blue Bead

 

[BronzeisGolden]

It is very difficult to make such a decision. Not only because you love them, but you want to be absolutely certain there are no other options. We put our dog to sleep two weeks ago and it was a house call. The event itself wasn't the difficult part....it was deciding to do it. She was old and had terrible hip problems, etc. Her overall quality of life was poor and I felt we were only trying to keep her around because of our emotional attachment. I was quite sad that day, but I feel the right decision was made. So, we are actually looking into buying another dog and I'm looking forward to it. LOL! Which is somewhat strange, I can generally be counted on as the emotional trainwreck!

 

[Ladskater]

mpal2:

Your story brings tears to my eyes because the same thing happened to my boyfriends' cat three years ago. In fact, his cat Ziggy (who he had for fourteen years) died on my birthday (Dec. 18th)! He had been terribly ill for about two weeks and we were just watching Ziggy shrivel away day by day. My boyfriend took Ziggy to the vet's, but it was too late - they had to put him down. My boyfriend grieved for two years - we still talk about Ziggy and feel his presence from time to time. I now have a tradition of buying my boyfriend a Tabby cat calendar every Dec. It's "uncanny" how many pictures remind us of Ziggy.

 

[Suzy]

We were in a bind a few years ago. Our dog came down with liver disease and became very ill. She loved to eat and play but she would throw up EVERYTHING she ate. Could keep nothing down but water. She moved real slow and was only about 5 years old.

We had to make a decision in 2 days whether to put her down because my daughter had a dance competition on the other side of the country that we had to be at for 8 days. The vet said if we borded the dog there, she might very well die before we got back. So we had her put down the day before we left, even though she still seemed to enjoy life and all that, but how long could one go without food? We didn't want her to think we abandoned her at the vet's because she was ill. She had separation anxiety as her previous owner abandoned her.

Needless to say, it wasa miserable trip for me and one of the saddest days of my life.

Prayers are with you.

 

[dlkksk8fan]

mpal2-
I just wanted to say I'm sorry about your kitty. I know you will make the best decision for him.

 

[mpal2]

Has anyone given their pet baby food in this type of scenario?

They found the cancer because of an abscessed tooth and the vet reccomended watered down canned food or baby food. He won't eat the canned food if it's watered down but it's almost too solid because of the tooth cavity. The vet said baby food would be even easier for him to eat than the canned food so I did a Wal Mart trip today. He loves the chicken and turkey but of course it's in the smallest jars and is the most expensive for it's size. He won't touch the canned cat food for now and is begging for more baby food.

 

[Blue Bead]

You might try pureeing cooked chicken in a food processor with just enough chicken broth to make the mixture a bit soupy. Make certain the chicken meat is nearly mush. If he likes it more liquidy add more broth. This works for beef too using beef broth. I used to give this to very ill cats when they were just starting back of solid food after a serious illness. The chicken needs to be so well cooked that it's in a "falling off the bones" consistency.

 

[peachstatesk8er]

For everyone who has lost, or will lose, a beloved pet (Kleenex alert!):

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

This one came after Sept. 11:

http://www.petloss.com/welcome2.htm

Books on pet loss:

http://www.cyberhideaway.com/RainbowBridge/petlossbooks.html

 

[show 42]

Mpal........I'm so sorry about your pet. I think we probably have all been there. Keep us updated..................42

 

[kzarah]

Mpal2
I am very sorry for you and your situation. 3 & 1/2 years ago, we were faced with a simular situation with our then 16 year old kitty, Zarah. They told us she had a 5 percent chance to survive. It was the sadest situation I have ever had to endure. She stated in the hospital for a couple of days. Then, we brought her home to die. I don't know that we made the right choice but rather a selfish choice. You love them so much that you don't want to let go. I found that prayer helped. We'll keep you in our prayers.
Daniel in Little Lulu

 

[mpal2]

Thank you everyone.

I appreciate all your kind comments and help.