When to let go - euthenasia (eating, vomit, carpet, kidney)
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Our pets are our life. But their deaths are devastating. Over my last couple posts, I've been thinking about the ones we've lost. We've had a lot of 4-legged children.
I let two of our kids go too long before I made a decision. One cat died alone of kidney failure, because I couldn't let go. It dragged on for weeks and I was at work when he passed away. I knew he was dead, but I still took him in because I needed to know that he was truly gone. Why didn't I just take him in and not let him suffer?
I let one dog suffer too long, because I couldn't let go. I brought her to the vet, paid for the services, and backed out. It was 2 more days before I could return to the vet for her final visit. She held on just for us - she was ready to go, but I wasn't.
All our kids are happy and healthy right now. I guess I just want to remind myself to make the right decision when the time comes.
Location: Greater Los Angeles area (unfortunately)
177 posts, read 757,691 times
Reputation: 173
My heart goes out to you. I know what you mean about how difficult the decision can be. We recently put down our elderly cat, Jack. He had been sick off and on for months, but still seemed to have some quality of life. When he stopped purring and really decreased his eating, I felt it was time.
I had to say goodbye to my beloved Cheerio last June, he was 15 1/2 years old. I have had many cats, but Cheerio was the first that I had for such a long time. I adopted him when he was less than a month old. He was such a darling!!
I had always been diligent about my pets health; it is so important to have a skilled talented team of veterinary providers to assist a pet parent with the lives of their animals. My Cheerio had been through a few health issues. When he was about 11 years, he developed a hyperhtyroid condition, and there was no question in my mind that he deserved the best treatment I ciould find. He recovered after iodine treatments. He then developed an apparent IBD condition, and that is when his health really began to decline. I had really begun to notice that he was slowing down as he approached his geriatric years.
Last summer, he suddenly developed an issue where his vision began to fail and he could not close his mouth to eat. It was painful to experience!! He was in intensive care for a few days and an MRI was done, and it was eventually determined he had a tumor at the base of his brain. The specialist had informed me it would be possible to shrink it, but his age was a bit prohibitive and it may not have done a whole lot for him. I knew that I had explored every avenue in determining what was best for him in getting Cheerio the best care. The final decision to say goodbye for me personally, was the most loving thing that I could ever do for him and let him go. I hestitate to indicate the most "unselfish" thing that I could have done, but it was--for other owners it may not be; I am not suggesting that to anyone. We must search our hearts and our minds with all of courage to let our beloved pets go when they are being called.
Anyway, I hope that my experience has given anyone some insight as to how these crucial decisions come about. It wasn't easy, but I do know that Cheerio had the best life that I could offer. I miss him so much!!
When he stopped purring and really decreased his eating, I felt it was time.
For our purry cats, that has always been the indicator. We had an older cat with IBD that projectile vomitted 5 to 7 times a day. Then she would look at you with those big blue eyes and purr like crazy. She was thin, but happy. She was not ready to go.
So we bought papers towels by the gross and covered the carpet with plastic. We learned to give sub-cu fluid to keep her hydrated.
She eventually had a seizure and they believe that she had a brain tumor. And with her age, the options were bleak. She was pretty much comatose. She stopped her purring and it was time to let go.
It was hard, but we were comfortable with the decision.
Hmm - sounds like she wasn't the only one with the combo of IBD and a brain tumor. I wonder if there is some connection there?
I had to say goodbye to my beloved Cheerio last June, he was 15 1/2 years old. I have had many cats, but Cheerio was the first that I had for such a long time. I adopted him when he was less than a month old. He was such a darling!!
I had always been diligent about my pets health; it is so important to have a skilled talented team of veterinary providers to assist a pet parent with the lives of their animals. My Cheerio had been through a few health issues. When he was about 11 years, he developed a hyperhtyroid condition, and there was no question in my mind that he deserved the best treatment I ciould find. He recovered after iodine treatments. He then developed an apparent IBD condition, and that is when his health really began to decline. I had really begun to notice that he was slowing down as he approached his geriatric years.
Last summer, he suddenly developed an issue where his vision began to fail and he could not close his mouth to eat. It was painful to experience!! He was in intensive care for a few days and an MRI was done, and it was eventually determined he had a tumor at the base of his brain. The specialist had informed me it would be possible to shrink it, but his age was a bit prohibitive and it may not have done a whole lot for him. I knew that I had explored every avenue in determining what was best for him in getting Cheerio the best care. The final decision to say goodbye for me personally, was the most loving thing that I could ever do for him and let him go. I hestitate to indicate the most "unselfish" thing that I could have done, but it was--for other owners it may not be; I am not suggesting that to anyone. We must search our hearts and our minds with all of courage to let our beloved pets go when they are being called.
Anyway, I hope that my experience has given anyone some insight as to how these crucial decisions come about. It wasn't easy, but I do know that Cheerio had the best life that I could offer. I miss him so much!!
Well I mention "apparent" IBD (yes, irritable bowel disorder) because it was never confirmed only suspected. He definitely had pancreatitis. What happened is that he did have an issue with not being able to keep some of his food down, but a 1/4 tab of antacid would alliviate that eventually. Cheerio was going to have exploratory surgery to confirm IBD or lymphoma, but he had an unfortunate incident with the anethesia and the vet decided to abort the surgery.
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