My kittycat is dying and i don't know what to do

[latebloomer]

My 15-year-old sweet feisty tomcat, Bunctious, has been getting very
skinny and was diagnosed last week as having 2 masses in his chest
and abdomen. In the last week he's gone downhill rapidly and is now
lying down-- his breath seems labored.

I wish he would just pass away peacefully at home, but I don't want
him to be in pain. I can't tell if he is or isn't -- he's not
making any noises. He hates going to the vet so much-- I don't want
to traumatize him by taking him there for his final visit. I am
just sitting here crying, waiting to figure out what to do.

[wildhorses]

1. I am so sorry to hear this...

it is expensive but, some vets do make house calls

[Madrone]

2. Oh god.

I'm so sorry. My first ever cat has kidney failure - I can't imagine life without him. I know how you're feeling. :hug:

If it helps at all - there are many vets that will do a house visit to put your pet to sleep. Something to think about if it comes to that. I, like you, want mine to go peacefully (and unassisted) at home, but if it has to be any other way I will have a vet come to the house and do it here - where they're comfortable.

:cry:

[motely36]

3. I am so sorry

I hope he goes peacefully. It's amazing how attached we become to our pets.

[peekaloo]

4. Place something with your scent on it near or under his head.

It helps to comfort them.

I've been there so I feel for you.

[latebloomer]

13. Thanks for that suggestion!

I put my T-shirt near him and now I see he's using it as a pillow.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. Madrone is right.

Lots of vets will now travel to your home to euthanize a sick animal in its own familiar, comfortable environment. It's a very compassionate, humane service provided by good vets. We had this done when one of our dogs was suffering with cancer a few years ago.

:hug: Latebloomer, I am so sorry your poor kitty is ill. :hug:

[miss_american_pie]

6. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[MadHound]

7. I'm so sorry to hear about your cat

It sounds like it is that time to say goodbye. I would recommend that you call your vet and see if they'll make a housecall, most will. If not, find one who does. I fully understand not wanting your kitty's last minutes spent in a place he hates, and most vets do accomodate such wishes. Call your vet, keep your kitty comfortable, and say your goodbyes.:hug:

[Orsino]

8. I am so sorry.

We lost a couple of kitties last year who in their final hours were in such a state. It was tough to take them to strangers, but we wanted them to pass peacefully, and give them a few last painless moments.

There are vets who will make house calls for just this reason.

Cry all you want.

[jukes]

9. your vet might provide a mild sedative

like "tranxene", a diazapam derivative, to ease the trauma of the visit.

sad to say, you need to deal w/ this fairly quickly. cats don't express pain as we do, and there's no telling what level of discomfort he's experiencing.

during euthanasia, i hold all of my animals while the vet administers an IV sedative; they sleep peacefully in their dad's arms before the final drug is injected.

it hurts so bad to lose an animal friend, but we owe them the best life and the most peacefull end possible.


i'm so sorry. just remember his life wd have been very bleak & short w/o you and your love has filled his days.

:hug:

[retrospective66]

18. Yes, that would probably help

if your vet will do it. I'm sorry. Losing a pet is SO hard.

[Beausoir]

10. Phone your vet and explain your wishes.

They are there to help. They may prescribe some pain meds to make kitty more comfortable and relaxed. Or, the vet may even make a housecall. I know my vet would in that situation.

So sorry about your kitty. It's such a terrible thing to face the loss of our loved ones.
Hang in there.

[latebloomer]

11. Thank you so much, everyone!

I knew you wonderful Duers would be there. I have a call in now to a "mobile vet". Bunky seems to be relatively peaceful, sleeping lightly.

This kitty was born a few months before my firstborn child, and has been part of my kids' lives always. We are all so sad. A precious chapter of our lives is ending.



"Love is pure gold, and time's a thief."

from the song "Speak Low"

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. I'm so glad you got ahold...

of a mobile vet -- they can be lifesavers. I had my last cat euthenized at home and it was as good an experience as something like that can be. So sorry to hear about Bunky -- to lose a friend who has been with for a good portion of your life is so very hard. :cry: :hug:

[auntAgonist]

12. I've never lost a pet

So I have no experience with what you're going through.. I do know love though, and your love for your kitty shines through.

My thoughts are with you .



:hug: :hug: :hug:

aA
kesha

[IdaBriggs]

15. Call an "at home vet" to help.

No trauma for the car trip, and privacy for your feelings....

[Haole Girl]

16. I don't know what advice to give

Wish I could think of something to say to help. Hopefully, your vet will know what's best.

Hugs to you...:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

17. This is so sad

I'm sorry, latebloomer. I'm so sorry. :cry: :hug:

[riona]

19. This is a hard choice to make

Go with your instincts. You know your kitty best.

[LostinVA]

20. Some vets will come to your home

So he can cross the Rainbow Bridge in his home, around familiar smells and people... feeling you pet him...

I'm really sorry.... I have three of my own.

[Harley Quinn]

21. As a pet parent of three

You have my deepest sympathies. I'm grateful your baby has a parent who loves him enough to see him go peacefully.

I'm glad you found your answer.

Keep your chin up.

[RevCheesehead]

22. I can't offer much, except "follow your heart."

Obviously, it's already there with your fur-baby. :hug::hug::hug:

[Samurai_Writer]

23. I just went through this last week

Same thing, cancer in chest and abdomen, fluids building up, labored breathing. My cat was still getting around well though, eating and drinking, until Monday when he had a stroke, leaving his hind end paralyzed. I had to put him to sleep.

Some vets do make house calls for this type of thing. Sounds like your kitty has had a good, long life with someone who really loves him. My thoughts are with you.

[Kashka-Kat]

24. Just being with him is all you need to do

He knows you are there. If he's quiet he's probably OK and I don't think you need to do anything but maybe be in touch with a good vet who would be ready to make a house call if/when the time came when your cat was in obvious distress. A "good vet" is one who can be there for YOU as well as for your cat-- who can talk with you, give you honest answers to questions like "is he suffering" and help you to decide what to do. A not so good vet is one who berates you for hesitating with euthanasia and insisting it has to be done right then and there.

Also btw a lot of local humane societies have grief groups w/ volunteer therapists to help people w/ their grief.

When my 16 yr. old girl cat died of feline leukemia, she stopped eating and drinking and just got progressively weaker and more like a skeleton. Whe it came time to die, she seemed kind of upset-- not crying but just kind of agitated. The odd thing was, she wanted to be with me, just like when she had had kittens. It was very touching and I mean I cried buckets... for days and days... but you know I learned SOOO much from that cat... about love and loss, when to hold on to life and fight and how and when to let go....

Don't automatically think you need to euthanize -- but just be ready in case that seems like the right thing to do. The advice that was given to me was that the cat will let you know. I think there's a lot of truth to that.

PS editted to add-- Im not disputing what others have written about cats hiding their pain-- yes they can do that, but on the other hand if you know your cat very well as you probably do after many yrs. you are VERY in tune with them and their body language and I believe you CAN rely on this type of intuititve knowledge to tell you when the time might be right (if/when it comes to that) for euthaniasa.

In any event, I am very sorry , wish both you and cat well as you go thru this difficult time.