Euthanasia - what to expect

[Barmaid]

I had to take my sweet little 13 year old girl cat to the vets today. They have telephoned me tonight to say her urea levels are very high (she has had renal failure for 5 years). They have said she is in no pain. They suggested a drip and fluids for 48 hours to see if they can flush out her kidneys and get them working again, but also said that she is old and at the end and I should consider having her put to sleep.

I know now that the right thing to do by her - if there is no improvement over 48 hours (and to be honest, I doubt it, she looked quite poorly today and was not herself) - is to ask them to put her to sleep. If not in the next two days, it will happen shortly.

I want to be there because (being the soppy old sod that I am) I want her to hear how much I love her and how she has always been my baby girl. I've never done this before. Do they just slip away? Will I be allowed to cuddle her? How long does it take?

I know there are some folk out there who will be horrible at such a question. "She's only a cat, blah blah". Please don't. I've spent the last hour crying.

[DrFilth]

barmaid do you have nice picture of her, if you do you can turn her into an avatar like my lad.
he was blind but loved to sit in the garden so long as he could here my voice every so often. he knew he was safe and loved the sun .
at approx 18 years he had two tumors so i had to let him go.

http://s655.photobuck...0618sonypicts0004.jpg

[mrs.chappie]

That's a lovely picture Dr.F.

[snags]

Hey BM... big hugs x

[wolf63]

She may be a cat - but I prefer to think of mine as people in little furry bodies.

I find that the Vets are really good at such a time. It is never easy letting a little furball go even when you know that you have no option.

Think about whether you want her cremated or will you take her home and bury her with a little headstone?

Cats are amazing little animals - you either want to cuddle them or strangle them.

Best wishes for you and your step-son (and your boyfriend!)

Susan

[karenmac60]

When I had to take Shelley in last year I held her in my arms the whole time and she gripped onto me and cuddled in - all the while staring Mr mac in the eyes. I never even saw the needle and within seconds she was asleep and gone. The vet let me hold onto her and cry as long as I wanted, then when I was done he took her and tucked her back into her cat box for us to take home and bury, and he arranged her body so she looked comfy and sleeping soundly. Would it maybe help if your stepson came with you, or at least got to be there if you bury her? Maybe if he doesn't understand the explanation he may have a deeper understanding of actually witnessing it and it is so peaceful and he could say goodbye to her. My sympathies to all of you and I hope your little cat goes quickly and painlessly x

[Barmaid]

Thank you all of you.

Bm x

[welshlibranr]

Oh, barmaid, so very sad for you! I had to have my lovely little dog put to sleep a few months ago, (still miss him so much!) but the vets were so caring! He just drifted off to sleep, and then he was at peace, I was so very sad at losing him, I loved him very much, but I knew that it was the end of the road, I cuddled him as he drifted away, it was sad for me, but peace for him, the only way......................I'm thinking of you.........

[ttfn]

Oh dear barmaid - I am so sorry. I have had to take all of my pets to the vet to be put to sleep (over 20 of them). I always stayed with them - it was always the least I could do for them. I have never had any trouble staying with my pets. The important thing is for you to try and be as calm as you can for your cat's sake. It really doesn't take that long. The slipping away is very peaceful. Your vet will advise you that there may be some 'movement' after your cat has gone - you should not be alarmed by this - it is quite common. I always made sure my pets were facing me as the injection was given - poor things, as if they hadn't enough to worry about. I am sure you are making the right decision for your little girl. I shall be thinking of you barmaid,

[Meg]

Barmaid, can't add to anything that's been said. Flipping awful time, will be thinking about you. She isn't only a cat, she's a much loved family member, let us know what happens, thinking of you, Wendyxx

[Panic Button]

When I took our little cat to be put down, I elected to stay with her.

The vet warned me - a little late - just how quick it was. If I had known I would have been more ready to support her head. I had expected her to look tired and want to go to sleep.

Instead she just went within seconds of the injection and went totally floppy (not stiff as in the first answer here)

The assistant then took her from me to put in her carrying box, and I left the room. I don't mind admitting I went outside and sobbed my heart out.

[jedimistress]

Dear Barmaid. My dog was put to sleep 5 months ago and I am crying as I read your question and replies.

Waiting until I thought the time was right, and knowing that her time was coming was so hard. But I did know when it was right, and so did my little girl (dog). She never flinched at the needle, just lay there as if she was ready. I cried all the time, even when she was being put to sleep. People say to keep calm else the dog would worry but I just cried. I had been crying for days as she struggled on. She was pretty deaf by then and couldn't hear me say "I love you".

I was going to ring the vet and have her PTS at home, but in the end I could not face doing that and waiting for the doorbell to ring, so I took my 5 year old daughter to her holiday club, and told her to say goodbye to Shana as she was going to heaven. They said goodbye and I went to the vets who is in the countryside and overlooks a valley. I did not want to take her in so asked the vet to come out. We lay on her blanket that morning and looked across the valley. The vet came, yes I wept, and he put her to sleep. She only arched her neck towards me once she had passed away. I did not even know the moment she had gone and even asked the vet if she had gone. It just felt as though she was asleep and it was so much more peaceful than I could have imagined.

Sorry for what you are going through. My thoughts are with you. xx

[society]

Just read your OP post Barmaid and it made me all teary-eyed. Poor, poor pussy :(

[lorracash]

Hi, so sorry to hear about your little girl, not just a cat but your companion over the last 15yrs, I have had to have several animals over the years put to sleep, and one with the same thing your little girl has, well, now's the time to let her go, don't do what some would by giving her flushes tablets etc, because at her age it really wont help, only make her more uncomfortable, I am so sorry.
They ask if you want to be there with them for the first relaxant shot, or be with them minutes later to help them slip into deep sleep and no more pain, yes it is upsetting but it has to be done not only for her sake but yours too, let her go, stay as long as you like they will let you stay till you have said all your farewells, I will be thinking of you, oh and one last thing, thing long and hard about bringing her home with you or leaving her there, I left one of mine there for them to takecare of, and do I regret it, thinking of you, L x

[boxtops]

BM, please take heart that everyone here has been so lovely in their responses in your sadness - your mates here are shaaring this with you, reading it all, and sending you mental hugs. My best boy is staring up at me as I write, wondering what's the matter - if only they could talk! Your little one has shared so much with you over the years, but you are right in what you have to do, and you are being strong in front of her, with only her best welfare in your heart. We're with you over the next couple of days - thinking of you. xx

[lorracash]

All the best, we will be thinking of you tomorrow x

[LoftyLottie]

My love to you Barmaid. You are doing exactly the right thing. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and as others have said, it's a very peaceful ending. She will just go to sleep and remain soft and cuddly (not stiff at all). I have been there at the end for all of my babies over the years and it is lovely that they go feeling secure and loved.

xxxxxx

[marval]

It is never an easy time to say goodbye to a loved one. A pet is no different, you love them and they love you. I wish you all the best for tomorrow, and know that your cat will be at peace.

[jules77]

Sorry to hear your sad news, the first time is not easy, not that it gets any easier, but she will know you love her, and she will always be with you. x

[caslass]

Barmaid I am very tearful for you. I have been where you are now. Try to be strong even if it is only for your stepson. Take Care.

[shivvy]

Hello Barmaid. I have been following your post and am wondering how you are doing?

I agree whole heartedly with everyone else. We had to take my big rescue dog to be put to sleep a few years ago and it was tough. We were in a similar situation to you whereby she should have been gone years before then, but she just kept on going - a bit of a miracle girl really! I was really dreading it but have to say that the vets were just great. They explained everything really well and gave us plenty of time. They shaved a patch on her leg and injected into her veins. It didn't bother her a bit and she just got really sleepy. She was gone within minutes - just fell asleep. It is hard to deal with (I felt guilt for a while befor and after she went) although we strangely felt nearly 'relieved' after she had gone. We knew that she had been on 'borrowed time' but more importantly that she would never be in real extreme pain.

What a great stepmum you are to consider the degree of impact it might have on your stepson. Perhaps in his case it might be best to explain every single step to him in some detail? If he deals with things in a black and white way then maybe it would make more sense for him to be as involved as possible? (Although obviously his mum and dad will know best)
Good luck to you. I (and all the other pet lovers on here) are thinking of you every step of the way. Come back on if you need to chat.