My family has had a cat for my entire life, first we had our beloved Pepper. Our current cat, Patches, came to live with us when my brother was a baby 6 months I think. We watched her and my brother grow up together. She is my sister's cat, but the whole family loves her like crazy! :heart: She is now 20 years old and in poor health. She went nearly blind last year, is going deaf, and in the last year has gotten very skinny. Well, she has now started having seizures and is having trouble caring for herself.
She just had a horrible seizure today that easily lasted five minutes. After her seizures, she becomes voraciously hungry and mean. She has always been a sweet tempered cat so its scary how it totally changes her behavior. We were orignally planning on waiting to have the discussion with my sister until a few weeks from now, because her birthday was Saturday. We didn't want to ruin her birthday by dropping the news on her that her cat is getting bad and needs to go to the bridge. I'm bawling my eyes out just thinking of it. But, my mom and I are going to have to encourage my sister to let her cat go this week.
It is going to be an extremely hard time for all of us in the family. I will try to update as soon as a decision has been made, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. If no one hears from me in awhile please understand I am greiving and will be back when I can. I have lost pets before and it has been horrible, but Patches is so special to us, it will take a long time to get over.
I'm sorry to hear this, dog/cat doesn't matter they quickly become family members.
My one concern is this.
If..big if... the cat is suffering, then your sisters needs become secondary. Euthanasia is an act of love, beleave it or not, and you have to be selfless enough to follow through. It seems to me that the hard part about it is knowing "when"' to do it. When I sent Simon-Angel to the bridge there was no doubt that it was his time. But I'll tell ya now, if I knew then, what I know now, I would have done it 2 days earlier...but he had to reach "that point" first.
It's always sad to see an animal suffer. We are fortunate that we can ease it. You will do what's right, have a good cry, and grieve, but in your heart you will know it had to be. Take Care
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. This is such a difficult decision, but from your description of Patches' condition, I think it is time to help her cross the Bridge.
Hugs,
Annie
Thanks for the support. We are talking about it with my sister this evening and going to let her make the decision. She brought up the other day that it wouldn't be long for Patches. I'm sure she'll make the best decision for Patches. Thanks for all your kind words. I'll post if there are any changes. Its so hard since Patches has been literally at death's door and we thought about taking her in, then the next morning she was full of life again. I know she will most likely not get any better, it just helps to keep hoping for that.
Our prayers are with you. It is never easy to lose a loved one.
:comfort:
:pray: :pray: Prayers to you, your sister, family and Patches :pray: :pray:
I'm sorry. It is a hard decision to make, but one of the responsibilities of having pets is doing what is best for them even if it's not pleasant for us. I hope that things go smoothly whatever is decided. HUGS and rays are coming your way from KY!
Well, nothing has been decided yet. Since it is my sister's cat, we have to wait for her to make the decision. It really frustrates me, because I know its time. If my husband and I had the money, I would take her in myself. Unfortunately, we're not in a position to be able to do that right now. Hopefully, the decision will be made by Friday when my sister gets paid. I'm trying to be patient with my family since I know we all love her so much, but I don't want to see her suffer. It is horrible watching Patches like this!
On the positive side, Patches is doing much better today. She is eating fine and hasn't had any seizures. She had been having one every morning. I'm almost wondering if she could be diabetic or something?? :dontknow: Since her seizures have been happening around the same time every day, it makes me think maybe her sugar level gets too low or something??? I'll keep everyone posted on this. Thanks for all your supportive words and prayers!!
oh ya know I just don't mince words on an issue like this.
I know personally how hard this decision is to make, and how it affects you afterward. I feel for anyone in this postion.
here we go
It's the primary care givers responsibility to see that this act of compassion is done. IF..BIG IF....it's your sisters cat, but if your the primary care giver, then guess who gets the unenviable task of sending this poor creature to The Bridge.
I'm surprised your vet charges for this service. My vet does it for free...The Humane Society of America picks up the tab for the drugs used. Heck, HSOA even sent me a Sympathy card afterward.
I'd send ya some dollars if I could, right now I'm saving for vet bills that are coming up. Time to have Lucy and Wilson's teeth cleaned...there goes 4-500 dollars to do the job right...and safely. K-9 senior blood work is 70 bucks alone...
Hugs and Rays for ya, I know it's in ya to do the right thing.
Actually, I'm not the primary care giver, my parents are. I do totally get what you are saying though Jet. I agree that it needs to be done immediately. Like I said, though I have zero funds to do it right now. I wish our vet could do it for free, but around here we don't get that kind of funding. I appreciate you telling my your opinion, and not mincing your words. :grin: As I said in my post, I am beyond frustrated that we aren't helping her to the bridge today. Thanks for your offer of sedning funds if you could, but I could never expect someone else to do that, it is ultimately our responsibility and no one elses to remedy this situation.
Normally, my husband and I would have more than enough funds for such things as this, but with all Porky's allergy problems this last summer, we are pretty much tapped out. Basically, I have to wait for my parents and sister to come up with the funds to have her sent to the bridge. Sadly, that's the best I can do right now. I'm trying really hard to talk them all into taking her Friday (pay day for them).
I'm thankful for everyone's opinions and welcome them. I did post this topic expecting to hear your input. Please don't feel bad stating how you feel. I feel that this is the ONLY option right now for us. I DON'T like it or think it is best for Patches, but can't see any other possible way to resolve this. If you think of a better idea, let me know. I hate to see Patches suffering like this.
God Bless you and keep ya safe.
Sounds like your doing your best and thats all anyone can ask. I hope things are resolved for you very soon. On the Plus Side, it doesn't sound like the cat is in any real pain so thats good.
Wished I could do more for ya.
Sounds like Patches is very loved. And if her quality of life isn't that great anymore, the most loving thing you can do is help her go. Its never, ever easy. Its especially hard when you have to "plan" to let them go. I understand totally. Take care, and you can always talk about it here.
I am so sorry you are all going through this, it is such a hard decision, no one can make for you, I will be praying for you and your sister and your whole family especially Patches. She is a very lucky kitty that she has so many who love her and won't put her down just because she has become an inconvenience as too many do. But also won't be letting her suffer needlessly. You are doing the right thing. Please let us know what your sister decides.
Thank you Patty and Dee Dee! You guys are the best!! :heart: Patches has had two seizure-free days in a row, and has been getting around much better. My sister wants to get her tested for diabetes, etc... before we make the final decision to help Patches to the bridge. She is going to ask the vet his opinion and then if he's says he thinks it would be better to let Patches, go we will. I think that is the best for Patches. We don't want to be unfair and keep her around if she's in constant pain, but also don't want to euthanize her if its a managable health issue. Once we talk with the vet, I'll let you all know what he says. My sister is going to have him do blood tests and check if her arthritis is getting worse or staying the same.
That sounds like reasonable plan of action. I'll keep y'all in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
My heart goes out to you. This is no easy thing. Encourage your sis that the best expression of her love that she can give her kitty right now is release from poor health and pain and seizures.
Sounds like you are on the right track. A couple years ago, I brought our cat Suzy into the vet so he could look at a cyst on her neck. Turns out it wasn't a cyst but a very aggressive cancer. I trust my vet 100% and he told me that even if money was no object, he wouldn't advise doing anything but letting her go. I hope you have that much trust in your vet as well. And please let us know what happens. This sort of thing is always hard, especially when they perk up and seem better. Its an emotional roller coaster ride, and no fun. Take care, we are here for you.
Well, we took Patches in first thing this morning. The vet checked her over and said she seemed to be okay for her age. He was concerned about her seizures and instructed us to watch and see if she has more. He did some blood tests to rule out diabetes and other diseases that could be causing the seizures. She has only had four and they were all four days in row at the same time. She hasn't had any seizures since we started giving her some milk with a little sugar in it, first thing every morning. :dontknow:
He was also concerned about her weight and instructed us to feed her as much as she wants when she wants it. We are also supposed to makes sure she gets milk every time she eats to put on some extra weight. Her arthritis was doing better and only affects her front paws. Her sight loss has stayed the same and not worsend.
We asked him what he though about her quality of life and he stated that unless we find something major from her blood tests, he would reccommend just havng her at home until she goes to the bridge on her own. He stated that it could be days, or years before she passes on and he couldn't justify putting her down yet. Her heart and lungs sounded great and her other organs seem to be functioning fine. She is not in any pain since she takes medication for her arthritis. We are thrilled about the news, but still worried about those test results. We will get them Monday. :xfinger:
That is great news! Mega rays still on their way to Patches for good test results on Monday... :pray: :pray:
Great News.
Just what we wanted to hear.