Cats now on methadone...

[feorag]

Originally Posted by nets

I look at some terminally Ill people suffer drugged up and still in pain and totally out of it but kept alive

Totally agree. My father suffered a brain haemorrhage and was diagnosed as brain dead, but his heart wouldn't stop beating. he lay on a hospital bed for 5 days while his body literally broke down in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it. I would never put an animal through that and it broke my heart to see my strong, proud father so helpless and I know he would have hated it.

I said to the nurse at the time "I wouldn't do this to one of my cats" and she agreed, but there's nothing they can do - at least with our animals we have the choice.

[freekygeeky]

Originally Posted by feorag

The thing is Gina, very few people ever get that scenario. It's happened to me 3 times in 50 years of having a multi animal household and 2 of those were my rats! The one cat who died was only 3 years old and died of heart failure while I was at work - that took me years to get over, because of the guilt I felt at not being there. I worried that I might have saved him if I'd been there, but much worse was that he might have died in pain and fear and I wasn't there to comfort him - that may sound arrogant I know, but it's not mean to be - it's how I felt because I loved him so much and he loved me.

I came to the firm belief that I would prefer to choose euthanasia and know that my animal died a peaceful, fear free, pain free death and that I was there with him/her at the end and that they really had no idea what was happening to them.

I asked the vet to come to the house to euthanase Sorcha (my Avatar) as she was truly my soul mate and I just couldn't take her away from our home to do it. The vet came and she sat peacefully on my knee while he gave her the sedative and she fell asleep. Then we laid her on the coffee table while he gave her the fatal injection. It was very quiet and peaceful, I saw him to the door, came back, put her on my knee and cried for hours, then I took her upstairs and laid her on my son's bed and sat at my computer and started writing her story and just looking at her. She looked so peaceful, sleeping there while i waited for Barry to come home so we could bury her. I can't believe that happened over 5 years ago cos I'm sitting here now crying for her, but I know without any doubt whatsoever that the time was right for her and I loved her to the end and gave her the right end.

If Ginger was mine, that is what I would do. At his age I wouldn't put him through any more tests or invasive surgery, I would make the decision and give him my final gift of love.

Balled my eyes out reading that... me and lewis had the chat yesterday, and he said hed sit with him, and look after him, whilst he was put to sleep if and when it happens. I couldnt do it, beacuse id be crying, and not just a few tears but a full on can't breath cry, and he'd get upset if i were crying. Hes my baby, who's been here all my life, I cannot imagine life without him, at all.. I sort of believe my my battle cat won't ever die... ...

[xXFooFooLaFluffXx]

hope everything comes alright in the end Gina. Spaghetti died at 2 of kidney failure, we caught it too late, i hate myself for that.

Our other cat fang, got hit by a car the other week, he didnt come home at night, which wasnt unusual, when i looked over the fence and shouted him, he dtagged himself out of next doors stable. i ran him to the vets in my dressin gown cryin my eyes out. Even took him to Vic's work for her to say goodbye to him. The vets did wonderful work though, hes got 3 breaks in his pelvis and was allowed home on 6 weeks cage rest. they worried he wouldnt be able to poo or wee but he has been doing so fingers crossed. he hates bein in the cage though. We are so scared when we let the other cats out but its not fair to keep them in. I suppose what im tryna say is we have to make hard decisions and decide whats best for our animals that we may not feel are right for us. Fang cost £510, no insurance, but it was worth it. if he ever goes out hes gettin a hi viz jacket!!!

[feorag]

Originally Posted by freekygeeky

Balled my eyes out reading that... me and lewis had the chat yesterday, and he said hed sit with him, and look after him, whilst he was put to sleep if and when it happens. I couldnt do it, beacuse id be crying, and not just a few tears but a full on can't breath cry, and he'd get upset if i were crying. Hes my baby, who's been here all my life, I cannot imagine life without him, at all.. I sort of believe my my battle cat won't ever die... ...

You see, that's where we differ then. I cry buckets, but there's no way I would let Barry be there without me. It has to be me or both of us, so most of the time it's me because he's at work. It is an absolute obsession with me that I have to be there to say goodbye. It may seem to be indulgent, but I have to know that they know that I'm there for them.

[freekygeeky]

Originally Posted by feorag

You see, that's where we differ then. I cry buckets, but there's no way I would let Barry be there without me. It has to be me or both of us, so most of the time it's me because he's at work. It is an absolute obsession with me that I have to be there to say goodbye. It may seem to be indulgent, but I have to know that they know that I'm there for them.

im just worried id scare him by crying, i couldnt not cry you see.

[Evilshiddenclaws]

Originally Posted by freekygeeky

im just worried id scare him by crying, i couldnt not cry you see.

i balled my eyes out each time ive had to do it, i dont think it would scare them, it happens quickly and i think just having you there would reassure him

[freekygeeky]

Originally Posted by Evilshiddenclaws

i balled my eyes out each time ive had to do it, i dont think it would scare them, it happens quickly and i think just having you there would reassure him

ive luckily never ever had to put one of mine to sleep, two kittens in my care have, but they were taken off of me to do it... Ginger (if and when it happens) will happen at home for def, with me dad lewis jack etc ...

[feorag]

I don't think it would scare him either - have you never cried at the vets when they've given you bad news, yet brought the animal back home with you? I know I have.

Anyway, as a sentimental old fool, all my animals are well used to seeing me crying, for another animal, an animal on TV, even after an argument with Barry or my children. Sadly, I cry a lot!

[freekygeeky]

Originally Posted by feorag

I don't think it would scare him either - have you never cried at the vets when they've given you bad news, yet brought the animal back home with you? I know I have.

Anyway, as a sentimental old fool, all my animals are well used to seeing me crying, for another animal, an animal on TV, even after an argument with Barry or my children. Sadly, I cry a lot!

hehe, to be honest thats very true, i cry all the time too!! and hes deaf now so he wouldnt know!!

[feorag]

Most of my animals fall asleep with my lips on their forehead and my silent tears dripping on their head! Then my very tactful vet asks if I'd like to be alone with them for a bit and I say yes and when they've gone out of the room, I blare my eyes out! Then I pull myelf together to face the waiting room - say thank you, walk out, get in the car and start again! *shrug*.

I have been known on many occasions at my previous vets who had a back door, to be allowed to go out that way cos of the state I'm in!