Hi, I have a 19 year old Calico cat named Lily, and it seems that she has just exceeded her 9 lives (more like 50 in her case) A year ago she had kidney failure, and she was givin antibotics and it cleared up well. Now shes come back with partial kidney failure, renial failure, dehydration, and diherra. Ive asked the vet what she thinks and she wants to put her down. I know she is an old cat and she is not going to get better but i don't feel its right for her to be put down at the vet and since she is dehydrated they said it was going to be hard to find a vien to inject her which would cause her pain. My question is should I put her down now? or wait for her to die at home? Its also a question of quality of life. I don't really know how much pain she is in, and if i really thought she was in a lot of pain or agony i would put her down, but it doesn't apear to me as if she is in pain, just more slugish and feels weak. If I don't put her down is there anything i can give her to make her not feel any pain if she even is feeling some now? like a household medication?

-- Andrew Goldstein (AGriffin11@aol.com), February 15, 2002

Answers

We took our 2 cats to the vet and had him put them down. We were able to bring them home in a shoe box and put them in the back yard under a rose bush near the garden. Much better way to go than let them suffer.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), February 16, 2002.

If she is dehydrated and does not appear in pain perhaps she is not and just let her die in her natural environment as she will eventually go into a coma.If she appears to be suffering then you can ask the vet to intervene. I have a 18 year old cat and dread when I too will be faced with such a decision. But this exactly what I plan to do with her. Good luck, Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), February 16, 2002.

It would be easier on her, hard for you, if you put her down. I think the right thing to do is let the vet do it in a humane way rather than let her die of dehydration.

-- Laura (lauramleek@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

I am so sorry Andrew. It sure is hard when we get to these cross roads. The vets seem to be able to put them down..calmly and quietly. It is just plain hard to finally make that choice.

My thoughts are with you and your cat.

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 16, 2002.

22 to the back of the head

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 16, 2002.

I went throught the same thing 6 years ago! Hardest thing I have ever done but I knew what needed to be done and I have a wonderful vet. I trusted him to do the right thing. I am sorry for your pain! Good luck

-- debbie T in NC (rdtyner@mindspring.com), February 16, 2002.

Stan, I know a lot of your posts are made tongue-in-cheek, and you are often amusing, but sometimes sensitivity is called for. This is one of those times.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

Shannon, I'm with Stan on this one, It may not be easiest for the cat's owner, but to have an old, failing cat sniffing at a few chunks of fresh liver, then bang - gone - is the kindest thing for the cat. No travel, no vet's premises, no injections, no gases - just over.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), February 16, 2002.

Andrew, yes, have her put to sleep, and I have had to do similar in the same situation for my 21 year old beloved housecat just a year ago, she was failing fast from diabetes and renal failure.

Make absolutely sure your vet will give her an injectable sedative BEFORE the euthanasia proceeds to the final injection, cats react very badly to the actual euthanasia injection, it is not a pretty sight, but, with the sedative injected first, and that can be done IM as well as IV, it spares the frantic search to find a vein for the killing dose. Yes, the final shot must be given IV, but by then the sedative will have full effect and your dear friend will be fast asleep in your arms, and the search for a suitable vein can be done with no discomfort to your dear cat.

I have had to put down many, many dear friends in my life, and this is the one way that all of them have gone peacefully and painfree, and you can be right there the whole time with them if you like. It really helps if you have someone there with you to drive you home, it is hatd to drive and cry at the same time.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), February 16, 2002.

My heart breaks for you! We've had Biscuit only about three or four years but she is my constant companion and when she finally gets old (hopefully when she's 25!) it will be devastating!

The vet is the right choice. Here it costs about $19 but it is much easier on the soul and psyche then having to do it yourself to an animal you love.... our thoughts are with you! suzy

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

ANDREW.....I`VE PUT DOWN SOME PETS OVER THE YEARS AND I REMEMBER THE INCIDENTS PAINFULLY.I INTERCEDED WHEN I THOUGHT THEY WERE IN PAIN OR THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE WASN`T ACCEPTABLE.BREEDERS TOLD ME TO PUT ONE DOWN BUT I PUT IT OFF SEVERAL MORE YEARS. GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR AND ASK FOR A PERSCRIPTION FOR INSULIN IF YOU WANT TO DO IT YOURSELF.YOU INJECT THE PET AND IT JUST GOES TO SLEEP VERY PAINLESSLY.[DOCTORS COMMITING SUICIDE HAVE CHOSEN THIS ROUTE]I STAYED WITH ONE OF MINE CONSOLING HIM UNTIL HE WAS DEAD.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU HAVE THE VET DO IT BECAUSE I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE UPSETTING.I`M A MANS MAN YET MY EYES ARE RUNNING NOW AS I REMEMBER THIS.I THINK IT WAS THE WORSE THING I`VE DONE IN ALL MY LIFE.I`M A HUNTER AND DON`T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SHOOTING DEER.BUT I DIDN`T LOVE THE DEER FOR 13-17 YEARS. SHOOTING A PET AND SEEING IT JERK AROUND FROM NERVES WOULDN`T BE PLEASANT.ESPECIALLY,IF THE FIRST SHOT DIDN`T WORK THEN THE ANIMAL MIGHT TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT YOU. THE LETHAL INJECTION WOULD BE PAINLESS AND FOOL PROOF.YOU DON`T HAVE TO MAINLINE JUST INJECT THE ANIMAL.THE SKIN POPPING WOULD TAKE LONGER BUT WILL STILL RESULT IN DEATH. CORDWOODGUY PS:I`LL NEVER PUT DOWN ANOTHER PET BY MYSELF AGAIN

-- CORDWOODGUY (cordwoodguy@juno.com), February 16, 2002.

I've always gone the vet route when cats have reached their end, but a few years ago we had a cat with cancer that was dying. She was always terrified of the vet, and my DH thought it was cruel to make the 45 minute drive to a place she hated. She didn't seem to be in obvious pain, so we just let nature take her course. In the end, she curled up by the woodstove and passed on peacefully. I decided that that probably was the best thing we'd done for her. But each situation is different. If the cat is clearly in pain, I think I'd opt for the vet. I'm sorry for you; losing an old friend is tough.

-- Katherine in Ky (KyKatherine@Yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

Andrew,

Stan has managed to express himself in his usual hamhanded way but what he suggests is a viable option if you want to pursue it.

The vet can put her down for you if you like but as you said they may have to poke her a bit to find a usable vein. If you have a firearm and are capable of using it then a single shot behind one ear aimed to exit through the eye on the opposite side will produce instantaneous death. The bullet cuts through the reptilian cortex and the cat will feel no pain. It does require a steady hand on your part and no flinching when you fire the shot.

If that isn't doable then I recommend letting the vet take care of the problem for you as the other *sure* methods are likely to be more traumatic.

I'm sorry about your loss.

........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), February 16, 2002.

The shot used on my cat who had been hit by a car was quick & painless she just went to sleep in my arms.

but the shaving w/ the electric trimmer to prep a place to inject her in scared the wits out of her and she struggled & fought, shattered bones or not.

No matter how ms. lilly dies there will likely be pain but it sounds like you will stand by her & give her comfort. sorry for your burden.

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), February 16, 2002.

I agree that a .22 can be humane and effective, but Stan was still kinda harsh in the way he suggested it.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

When my cat -- my buddy who slept almost every night with me for 16 years -- was very ill and having trouble breathing, and I had done all I could with homeopathy, I took him to the vet. She gave him a shot of phenobarbital, and he just lay his head done as if to go to sleep. There were no convulsions or anything of the sort. It was a kindness, because his brain was not getting enough oxygen -- imagine how it would feel to you to be suffocating slowly. As the vet pointed out, in all likelihood, he was probably in & out of sanity, like a person half in a coma, because of the lack of oxygen and who knows what other chemical functions shutting down. He was sluggish & weak, too, as you describe. Go to the vet.

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), February 16, 2002.

Some vets will come to your place [ alot of farm vets will] and then she can be at home and feel safe as it happens.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), February 16, 2002.

You know, every time I've made that ride to the vet with a dear pal, I swear that I'll never care for another animal! And guess what! I always open my heart to another dog or cat and know that someday I'll cry all over again.

Please know that I'm thinking of you and I hope that you have the strength to make that drive.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

Had a cat with feline Leuk. Had a friend who works for a vet let me in on a secret,,,, Tylenol given to a cat will kill it. My cat just went to sleep. I gave her 2 every four hours till it did its job, meanwhile it helped with the pain. Being a nurse and not a vet I havent yet to figure out how this works when I have been giving to my dog for pain(( Ordered by the vet)) He will not tell me how or why it kills cats. I am so sorry to hear of this and wish you the best of luck , this will be a trying time for you .

-- sue (suelpn30@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

I dont know if it was the right thing to do at the time I had no choice my son had a cat named catfish, the cat was hit by a car on a sunday no vet, we put him into a box and my son who was eight at the time fretted over that cat all day finally comming into the house crying because the other farm cats were not upset anr were not even comming to visit catfish in his box under the apple tree. I sat him down and told him as gently as possible that the cat was boing to die and sent him on an errand for a rock tombstone we could paint together. this occupied his mind temporarily, I had no gun my son wouldn't have let me use it if I had so I took some strating fluid (either)sp. and soaked a rag with it put it by the cats nose and he went peacefully to sleep. worked for me at the time I was desparate YOU HADD BETTER CHECH THIS OUT WITH SOMEONE WHO KNOWS BETTER BEFORE TRYING. Good luck ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), February 16, 2002.

Yup, that was kinda blunt Stan but I agree. Our old pal/cat Loretta got feeble,started peeing on the carpet and appeared to be in a lot of pain. She hated the vet and detested riding in the car. So when the time came I carried her out in the woods, put her down so she could sniff the plants and when she seemed at peace I used the 12 guage. As they say, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I shed some tears but after some grieving, felt a real connectedness to that life and death thing, it's inevitable. When my time comes I would much rather check out that way than suffering in some hospital among strangers. jz

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

Andrew,

If it needs to be done, do it in the way that you feel most comfortable. Then celebrate Lily's life, don't focus on the end because the end is really the beginning.

In this world, death sustains life and it will always be that way and it is a noble way. Let Lily sustain the scavengers and plants in your woods or the grasses in your pastures. Watch her become part of the coyote or trees or your grazing animals or the red tailed hawk who feeds on the voles who eat the roots of the grasses she becomes part of. Remember her in her wholeness when you look upon those whose life she becomes part of through her final gift. Feel warm knowing that she will always be whole in your mind.

Oscar

-- Oscar H. Will III (owill@mail.whittier.edu), February 16, 2002.

OK - how do we know she is felling no pain???? We don't. But a safe assumption is that if she is depressed and lethargic she is not enjoying life much. Is she still doing the things she enjoys??? Don't wait for her to go gradually, or let her lose her dignity by soiling herself etc (most cats prefer to keep clean)

Re the euthanasia - many vets will do "home euths" if the client is known and lives nearby. I do these and although I feel it does not make that much difference to the pet it does make the owner feel better. Not all euthanasia solutions require finding a vein - some can be injected directly into the chest, kidneys, or liver if the animal is dehydrated and blood pressure not good for a vein. I find euthanasias very hard - especially when it is my own animal, or one I have known over the years as a patient. Somehow for me a bullet just doesn't seem like a dignified/peaceful ending for me (personal feeling) - but if you feel happy doing then go for it - just make sure you get the right spot.

-- Cowvet (cowvet_nz@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

To all of you - we should try to understand our animal friends. Now, in Stan's case, he has this hangup about posting the crucial information in the minimum number of words, and nothing else fullstop. I, on the other hand, am a good deal more wordy - but I don't think I say twenty times as much in twenty lines as Stan does in one. Please allow Stan and I our eccentricities.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), February 17, 2002.

if you are lucky the cat will pass away while you are making the plans i would recomend the either starting ether is avalable about everywhere a soaked rag will put it to sleep or make it groggy enough then place the cat in a bucket with lid or plastic bag and give a heavy make shure dose . the hissing sound of the spray could upset the cat so use the rag first. it is hard to let a good pet go but remember that your companionship was as quality as the pet gave you

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), February 17, 2002.

I let nature follow it's course, if the animal was in pain I comfort and console, and use the ether on the rag or in a bottle at the nose, all of my animals dislike the vet, to them the vet is a stranger adding that fear to their pain seems mean to me.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), February 17, 2002.

If the problem is finding a vein on a dehydrated animal, why not do an intramuscular shot? Takes a bit longer to work, but the results are the same and you have some time to hold and comfort the animal.

-- Nina (Ingardenwithcat@hotmail.com), February 18, 2002.

Andrew...I hope you can keep the wonderful memories you two have had in the forefront. As you know animals still have their 6th sense intack...she will pick up your vibes..it is important that you think peaceful thoughts.

I am sure if you talk to your vet and tell him/her your desire to let Lily die at home they will understand and perhaps assist you with something to make her more comfortable.

There is a wonderful chapter in coping with this death and a dying friend in Dr. Piticarin's book - Natural Health for Dogs and Cats...

I prefer to let mine die at home in familiar surroundings and family. I am with them in spirit and love...

The same way I want to be treated when it is my time.

Remember Lily knows.

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 19, 2002.

I recently had to put my once in a lifetime dog down, and it was definitely the right thing to do,though very hard on me.I had my vet come to the house to do it...spared her the vet trip.It was a very dignified, seemingly painless death.It is the final act of kindness you can give her...if you were terminally ill, would you rather have skilled hands quickly and painlessly end your life or would you prefer a long dragged out death? Why make her suffer? My prayers are with you... Susan

-- Susan, NY (ridgebackmom@statetel.com), February 19, 2002.

By the way...my dog's name was Lilly too...... Susan

-- Susan,NY (ridgebackmom@statetel.com), February 19, 2002.