Cat put to sleep

[SpikeyBush]

I can't sleep, hence my posting at this hour. My elderly cat that I have had since a kitten is very frail, unstable, weak, incontinent and no longer 'with it'. This deterioration has escalated significantly in the last few weeks, so I am starting to realise that the hardest thing may be the best. What is in the lethal injection, how does it work and what will my beloved black tom feel?

[Eastender]

Spikey I feel for you, we have had 3 put to sleep over the years. Our last being our lovely cleo, who ended her dear life with all the symptons that you have expressed in your post. Still miss them and think of them dearly, for all the joy they brought us. It is a very hard decision to make, let her or him go peacefully, its no life for your cat to be suffering like it is. Be strong. Wendilla thank you for your post, it was lovely. x

[mdenning]

I read all the answers to your question SpikeyBush with tears in my eyes, but agree with everyone - it is the hardest thing to do but best for your beloved cat. We are all here for you SB so feel free to share it with us as I am sure we can all help you through this sad time. I really do believe there is an animal "eden" and that they go there after death.

[tinpotLizzie]

We recently had to say goodbye to our 23 yr old cat. She had gradually become thinner, deaf & frail with dementia, with all the usual things the elderly eventually succomb to.
I cuddled her whilst our vet gently sedated her (an injection she did'nt seem to notice). Once she was asleep on my lap the vet gave her the final injection & she was gone within 30 seconds. I know she did'nt suffer in any way & firmly believe it is our responsibility as pet owners, to make sure that the end is swift & painless whatever the cost to ourselves.
Many tears have been wept by the family as we all loved the old lady dearly, but she is buried in the garden she walked in all her life, so is still with us in spirit. Kindest regards, Ann.

[SpikeyBush]

He went to sleep with dignity on Saturday and I gave him a nice burial by the pond where he spent many an hour antagonising my fish. I have spread many wildflower seeds on his grave to bring in the bees & butterflies that he liked chasing.

Went for a run afterwards to take my mind off it. Before I knew it 20k had passed. Still away with the fairies.

[calicosrcool]

Well, I only have minor experience with cats, but if it's the same deal with dogs, it's a pill that stops the heart. The cat feels nothing. When my dog was put down, I stroked his head till the vet said he was gone. Please know I feel very sorry for you and if you need support, I care.

[welshlibranr]

he'll just go off into a peaceful sleep spikey, you'll be able to be there to reassure him, and he'll just drift away, very peaceful, no more pain for him,......bless!.......I know it's hard!.........but don't let him suffer any more!.......it's time for you to let him get away from suffering!...........

[DTCwordfan]

So why is it we let our animals go that way but not ourselves??

I wish I could chose this exit way.

No disrespect to what you are going through, spikey. It's never a nice decision but they do not feel a thing. You do not have to watch if you do not want to.

[Mamyalynne]

Spikey, you know it was the right thing to do, cherish all the happy memories.

Take care ♥

[SpikeyBush]

The memories are cherished, and I still have video footage of his more peculier activities on my phone that I'll burn to CD for posterity. Pity I don't have any footage of him as a kitten back in 1997 when he want haring around in high summer, and came back panting like a dog.

I remember the first Christmas with him. He was getting in the way trying to play with the tinsel as I was decorating the house, so I said to him "go out and catch me a mouse". Half an hour later he was back with his first ever kill, a bank vole. OK it wasn't a mouse but a rodent is a rodent.

[welshlibranr]

Oh spikey!.......lovely memories of him!.......worth everything!.....

[ttfn]

Hi Spikey - sorry to read this, but well done for giving your cat the greatest gift you could. What a lovely anecdote too x

[Halifaxmum]

wendilla - i've just read your rainbow bridge - it was so beautiful, it made me cry!

our beautiful bert, a very old man who was a white long-haired retriever, went to sleep 3 years ago and it still hurts now. the vet gave him the injection in his leg and he fell asleep very calmly, then promptly let out a smelly trump! just like in life...it was peaceful and we still talk about him now.

now we have peanut, a 3 year yorkie nutter who thinks he's a cat, lol.

dogs (and cats) work their way in to your heart and stay there forever :-)

[SpikeyBush]

Should have mentioned too that the veterinary clinic was fantastic. I'm in a rural setting and the vet himself was out dealing with a herd of bullocks at the time but his receptionist took my cat in and called me later on when his remains were available for burial. I'm not sure I would have liked being there when the deed was done.

His body was still warm when I collected him and I cuddled him for about 20 minutes before placing him in the coffin I made and laid him to rest.

I would like to thank you all for your kind wishes and advice. It has made this difficult episode much easier for me.

[welshlibranr]

halifaxmum, my little friend Ollie went to the Rainbow bridge 18 months ago!......will never forget him!..........loved him!..........he'll be there waiting for me!..........can't replace him!.....would love another dog in some ways!.........but can't think of replacing him!...........

[Carakeel]

Hugs to you Spikey. We all understand how you must be feeling. I love the rainbow bridge story too. It seems to help a little when we have to say goodbye to our beloved companions. You had the courage to do the right thing, Spikey and that shows just how very much you loved your special tom cat. Well done!

[starone]

Our cat had cat leukaemia (she was 18 years old and according to the vet a very old lady). We tried hard to keep her with us and in the end my husband asked if we could just let her drift away. The vet's answer was that we would not be doing her a favour, and it would be a kindness to give her the injection. She would just go to sleep and not wake up. So of course we let him put her to sleep. I cried, and am full of tears now but it was the best for her, and that is what you have to think of.

[Halifaxmum]

welsh - ollie and bert are there now, running around in that beautiful lush meadow, then bert will lay down on his duvet and cuddle up to ollie while they have a rest :-)

i know what you mean about another dog - we were heartbroken, swore we'd never get another. but we went to see pea and his brothers and just fell in love - i think bert sent him to us, because he's so much like him, i'm sure he's half human. we have bert's pictures all around and talk about him a lot, pea is just gorgeous and bert will love him when they do meet x

[Halifaxmum]

doc - it's just beautiful isn't it - i'm not religious but do believe in the afterlife and the image this puts in my mind is so comforting and so beautiful

starbuck - *big hugs* i'm filling up myself, they really do stay in your heart don't they x