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.

[China Doll]

Awwww... We had a couple of ours put down over the years, you can hold them while they give the injection and it's very quick, they just go to sleep and sort of stiff.

[pericat]

Barmaid - i am so sorry - i completely understand what you're going through - I had to do the same when my 17 year old cat went. I had to go in with her and I was dreading it - but its over so quickly and it is extremely peaceful and im sure she would be better off with you cuddling her. Im crying now . She is not only a cat - she is your family and a much beloved pet. Good luck xx

[thetruthhurts]

I had a cat put down, It was very peaceful and i cuddled her until she was gone, which was very quick. It was horrible letting her go but the kindest thing.

[Gail_Fawcast]

Very sorry Barmaid. Our vet gave us a few minutes to say goodbye to our rabbit as he recognised that some people need closure. They may be just animals to some people but as you say she was your baby.

[B00]

Oh bless you barmaid, my heart goes out to you, horrible decision isn't it? I know exactly how you feel, and if its any consolation im even softer, I couldn't even bring myself to take my old hamster to the vet when he was dieing!

And yes, they do just drift off to sleep, it's all very peaceful.

[sara3]

I'm sorry Barmaid, that's so sad. I had an old kitty put down a few years ago. the vet warned me that she might yelp, but she didn't. we had a cuddle, and then I stroked her after the injection but didn't want to hold her. she just closed her eyes and was gone in about a minute. the vet said they usually do that but he had to warn me in case she yelped, so I guess it can happen. it was all very quick and peaceful, and I cried like a baby for a long time x

[carrot99]

I'm so sorry BM. When my smokie was helped on her way, she was just laying on the vet's table and the vet waited until I was ready and had finished talking to her and cuddling her and then just quietly injected her and she slipped away within seconds. Don't worrry about crying - I'm crying now and my smokie went about 15 years ago. I've got Pickle now and he's eight and I know it'll all happen again but we wouldn't be without them would we? Thinking of you xxxxx

[brenda]

I am so sorry BM, it is all over so very quickly .Hold your pet tell her you love her and the end is so painless.I sat on the floor with Bruce my GSD, had my arms round him, told him I loved him , and to be brave.Then wept buckets.Still do , the worst day of my life.Have lost parents and famiy members in the past , but nothing prepared me for this loss.I wish you well,I really do and will be thinking of you. Sincerely Brenda.

[woofgang]

I have been with two dogs when they were PTS at different times by different vets. Its a gentle ending, the vet encouraged us to hold the dog and both just fell asleep. Yes DH and I cried but afterwards, we held it in for the sake of both of the the dogs who would get upset if we did.

[Barmaid]

Thank you all very much for your kind words and advice. I know I am doing the right thing for her. I always said she would not suffer and if I had anything to do with it, the last thing she will hear is me talking gently and quietly to her. If I can cuddle her to the end, I will.

Not sure what is upsetting me most though - the thought of eventually losing her after approximately 26 lives (and it was almost 5 years ago to the day that I was told that I would be lucky if she lasted 2 years) or the thought of explaining it to my 11 year old severly autistic step son who absolutely dotes on her. He has never been really interested in animals but he adores this cat (and she him for that matter). He talks to her and seems to relate and empathise with her in a way that he doesn't with any other living thing. She responds to him in a totally different way than she does to anyone else (even me - and she makes it known to the other cats that I am hers first!) First thing he does when he runs in the house is look for her (even to the expense of the beloved X box). He will be even more distraught than I am.

I am now ever so slightly pissed, so I apologise if I descend into total pathos.

[boxtops]

Barmaid, I'm so sorry, I too am having a weep as I reply. They will let you be with her. You are doing the right thing for your baby before she starts to suffer, and she will trust you to do the right thing for her - but I know how hard it is and how devastated you will be. We will all be with you in spirit, and sharing your sadness.

[woofgang]

If it would help your son, ten tell bim that lots of people are thinking of him and his cat.
Would he understand the Rainbow Bridge?

[NoMercy]

I'm so sorry, Barmaid. I'd been inconsolable if I were in your position. x x

[boxtops]

^ sorry Barmaid, your post crossed with mine. It will be hard for you, and for your boy - cats have such an empathy with people who are troubled. All I can suggest is to think of a way of explaining to him how poorly she was - but I have no experience of autism or how he will grasp what you are telling him. I feel for you.

[DrFilth]

sorry to hear about your cat barmaid , please have someone with you when you go.

[paddywak]

When I lost Ché my first GSD, he was nearly 15 a very good age for a shepherd, and I had the vet come to the house. He lay in his basket while I stroked him and just fell asleep, As for the it's only a dog/cat brigade tell them to B******S even after 15yrs I've still got a tear in my eye just typing this

[Barmaid]

I don't think he would understand the rainbow bridge. He doesn't cope well with anything other than the bare facts and the bare facts are so very painful to him. I've only coped with autism on this severe level for 9 months, so I am completely out of my depth. My BF had to go to a meeting tonight (before I had the phone call from the vets) so he doesn't know yet, but I am thinking that I will talk to him when he gets in and suggest I (NOT the bf!) telephone the little boy's mum tomorrow and talk to her and between the three of us we can think of the best way of explaining it to him so it doesn't upset him any more than is necessary. We have the children tomorrow night, so I am going to talk to the vet tomorrow about what is best for the cat and best for the children. If it is possible for her to come home for them to say goodbye that might work - but only if she will not be in any way distressed or in pain.

Dr Filth - I am lucky. My bf adores this little cat. I really didn't feel able to go round to the vets tonight and have her put down alone which was offered tonight as an option. Firstly because I didn't feel I could do it alone and secondly because my BF needs to have the opportunity to say goodbye too. I know he will come with me and hold me while I hold her. The vets suggested trying to flush her through which might give her a little while longer, but I actually think it is time to let go sooner rather than later. My gut feeling is she wants to go and I should let her.

[dothawkes31]

Barmaid the vet put my dog Max on a drip because o similar problems but it turned out Max had liver cancer and would have suffered more if the vet had tried to carry on treating him, it is quick, very peaceful for them, especially if they are already sedated for the treatment the vet has been giving, it's sad and it's final but as everyone says, definately the best thing you can do.

[mrs.chappie]

So sorry BM. Thinking of you. xxx