One of our cats has to be put down....

I can't believe it!!! DH has had Sid and Nancy for 14 years - since they were babies.

For about 3 weeks, Nancy hasn't been able to walk (she has developed a variety of problems)... It's so sad to see her laying in her bed ALL day long. She lost a pound in less than a month. We've tried different meds and nothing is working. This week is our last ditch effort to give her a longer life. We're trying steroids for one week and if she doesn't miraculously recover, we have no alternative. She can't live this way.

I just don't know if it would be easier to put her down *before* Peanut comes, or after. My family is saying before, since Peanut's arrival will help DH's and my grieving, but that would mean NEXT week!!!!! I don't know if I can handle that....

Has anyone gone through this? Any advice?

Hi Kathi........so sorry to hear this I went through this 3 years ago. I had my dog Pepper for 16 years, she was my 7th birthday gift. She was very fluffy and one summer we had her hair cut and we discovered a huge tumor on the side of her head (which had been hidden by all the fluff!) She got so bad that she literally had to be confined to the kitchen because she would go anywhere, could barely walk, barely see....it was no way of living. Our hearts were broken, she was one of the family. We decided that we did not want to see her in so much pain anymore. We picked a date to have her put down and made the best of the time we had left with her. My mom and I drove to the vet ( OH Jeez I am getting all choked up now ) and when the vet came to get her from me I did NOT want to let go of her. After he put her down, my mom and I went in the room to see her ( we couldn't bear to watch it being done) and let me tell you.....she looked so peaceful and serene. My mom and I were crying a river but it was for the best. I know it is so hard but it is for the best. I think it would be better to do this before the baby comes along....I wish you the best and know EXACTLY how you are feeling now....feel free to FM me if you want

Thank you so much for your response, Jen. So sorry about your dog.

I've never been through this before. I had no idea I would be this sad when their time came... I've known them 3 years and, quite honestly, I've never been a cat 'lover'... but she's our baby girl.

In my heart, I know what has to be done, and I know that it should be done sooner than later, but, it is so heartbreaking!!! DH is so sad and I'm a big crybaby.

I just can't believe it happened so suddenly. I keep telling myself that she's an 'older' cat... she's lived a long life. It's not making it any easier. UGH.

What a downer on the Parenting board... sorry, everyone.

ohh Im so sorry. Im such a big cat lover. That must be so hard, when you have had a pet that long

Oh Kathi... I'm so sorry!

I don't think it's ever going to be easy to say goodbye... it's best that YOU choose the right time to do it.

I'll be thinking about Nancy and hoping for the best.

I'm so sorry Kathi that at a time in your lives that you are so happy that you have to go through something as painful as this Does the vet think you should put her down? If the vet thinks so I would do it before the baby comes, you may be so overwhelmed when the baby comes that having a newborn and having to deal with your kitty may be too much for you! Whatever decision you make we are here for you

Aw! I'm so sorry. I had to do it with my childhood cat, Whiskers, when he was 11 years old. He had cancer that was spreading very fast. I had a very hard time with actually doing it. It was about 10 years ago. I wanted to keep the cat because I didn't want the cat to go but it was for the best because the cat was suffering. Still that doesnt make it easy. I dont think there's any easy way to do it, you will definitely shed alot of tears no matter what but that's because you love your pet, a natural response. Once the Peanut comes you will need to focus on him/her so maybe before is the best time.

{{{HUGS to you}}} I really feel for you or anyone who has to do this. I have 2 cats now, one is 12 years old and one is 8 so I'm quite attached.

You ladies are the best. I feel selfish being so happy about our Peanut when Nancy is suffering so much.

To answer your question, Stacey, yes... the vet thinks we should put her down. Her quality of life is literally zero right now. We wanted to try this steroid for a week (day 2 now and no change, whatsoever).

The decision has really been made for us... she can't live this way and we can't let her. I've been praying that she goes on her own so I don't feel the guilt and responsibility of 'ending' her life.

I know we'll have to do this before the baby comes - it's just so hard, since it's so soon - I truly think that the joy Peanut brings us will help us heal.

Oh Kathi, I'm so sorry.

Kathi....

Harry and I are so sorry to hear about Nancy!! I understand that you want to do everything possible to save your cat but sometimes there is nothing that can be done but to put them down. The recooperation is sometimes more painful than the disease for animals.

Im here if you need to talk!!!

Kathi

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I've been through it twice with two of our cats (one I had for 13 years - he had a brain tumor).

Its hard, but you know you're making the best decision for Nancy.

So sorry to hear about this My dog was put down yrs ago - she was a part of the family, and it was so terribly sad. But it was so painful to see her suffering, and knowing she was uncomfortable. When animals age like this, it's even worse to continue their suffering if there's nothing else that can be done. It's such a hard decision though.

Believe me, I know what you're going through

awww - I feel your pain. Anyone who has had to put a to sleep a loved pet knows it is one of the hardest things. Just remember - and I know this doesn't help - but it's for the kitty's best interest. Poor thing suffering just doesn't feel right either you know?

Good luck

I am so sorry about your Nancy.
I am not sure what 'time' is best. Your Vet may be able to offer you some advise on what is best for Nancy. I will also say that Sid will be going thru his own pain.Perhaps being available to help and comfort Sid, before your time is needed by baby, is also a big help.I know when my sister had to put down one of her two cats, the other cat really needed her attention for a while.
I hope your little one is not in any pain and your heart heals.

I had my 2 cats for 13 years. Last August I felt a lump on one of the cats mouths. I called the vet who said to bring her in, it was probably an absessed tooth. So, I brought her in and as soon as they opened her mouth, they knew it was cancer. She had bone cancer, and they did not feel operating on her would do any good b/c of her age and the size of the tumor. (and if we did operate, it would be taking off 1/2 her jaw and she would have had to have been fed through tubes the rest of her life). Needless to say, I decided not to go that route. They gave her about 3 weeks to live, this was 8/17/02.
The vet called about a week later. She spoke to an oncologist about the cat and they have been experimenting with steroids for things such as this. It will not cure the cat, but MAY prolong her life with quality. It may slow down the progression of the disease and help with some of the effects. So of coarse, I tried it. She got 2 pills a day. I mixed it in with her food (I had to switch her from dry, she could not chew it so good, to the wet, can food). Anyway, it was working, she started to gain some weight, went back to her normal personality, and it was wonderful to keep her around as long as I could. My Tasha, who was going to only be with me for 3 more weeks, stayed with me until 12/27. Over 4 months!!!
It was so hard when we lost her, but I was so grateful for the extra time with her.
I hope you have as much success with steroids as we did

I am so sorry to hear about your cat.
I would talk to the vet and see what they think is best. Maybe you could try another vet as a second opinion. No words I could say could make this any easier. Our pets are part of the family and its very difficult when they are ill or when we lose them.
If the cat is suffering,then you are doing the right thing.

I'm so sorry