I am completely overwhelmed with life right now. Not sure if I can take care of my cat anymore.

[Anonymous]

It's time, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put her to sleep with no regrets. The cat has had a long and wonderful life with you, and her quality of life is now diminishing. You can say goodbye knowing that you did not wait until she was suffering horribly, which is a real blessing.

Take care of yourself and your children and let the cat go. Hugs to you.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of the replies.

I am really surprised that everyone thinks we should put her to sleep.

It seems like it's obvious to everyone, but we have been clouded by thinking that we only want to do it because of the stress she is adding to our lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all of the replies.

I am really surprised that everyone thinks we should put her to sleep.

It seems like it's obvious to everyone, but we have been clouded by thinking that we only want to do it because of the stress she is adding to our lives.

I meant it seems like it's obvious to everyone else that we should put her to sleep. We have been thinking -- okay, she's eating, she seems alright over all. And I don't think it's that she "can't" get into the litter box, she goes in there to pee.

Anyway. Lots of food for thought. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the thing is, the vet thinks the vomit and poop issues could just be IBS, so treatable if we want to give daily steroids. So I feel like I would be putting her down for IBS and for overloading our already crowded plate.

Who knows what is going on with the cancer though.

17 year old cat? I love, love, love my cats. But, in that situation - I dont' think you are doing anything wrong by putting her down. That said - have you tried steriods? They are a wonder drug. If they don't work then you'll feel less guilt. Steroids can also manage cancer pain so win-win.

In my experience, steroids only work for a week at most, then they continue to decline rapidly. The poor cat is vomiting and pooping blood! Time to let her go. Sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seventeen years is a long, good life. Cats don't have the same perception of time as we do. She is not looking forward to Christmas or to seeing a new grandbaby, or hoping for reconciliation with a loved one. She is vomiting daily and unable to use her litterbox. Let her go.

Cats also don't fear death.

[Anonymous]

Pull out a picture from last year and compare to now. Does she look drastically different? I went through this with all 3 of my dogs and 2 of the 3 were eating totally fine before I put them down. They also showed excitement when seeing me. But they were old (17 and 16) and their body couldn't keep up with their mind. It happens and even with us humans.

I know it's easier when a vet says it's time but most won't. This is probably contributing to you thinking you should do more. If the cat is already on borrowed time, you need to do what you feel is right. Unfortunately the pets can't speak so we have to rely on ourselves to make the right decision. I hope you find peace in your decision.

[Anonymous]

I would try the steroids and see if that makes any difference. I would feel horrible if
I put down my beloved pet because of an issue that could be dealt with. But sometimes there is nothing that can be done. Steroids got my dog with lymphoma 6 more good months. Then it wasn't working anymore. And then we helped him die surrounded by his family and the vet staff who loved him.

Sadly been down this road more times than I want to remember and will go down it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but here goes.

I've been a loving cat mommy for 17 years. I also have a 2.5 year old, a 6 month old, and job that is currently very demanding.

The cat is sick with mammary cancer. The vet gave her 1 year tops, and that was over 2 years ago.

She shits on the floor for every bowel movement. She vomits all over the house on a daily basis. Both her stool and vomit often have pools of blood in them. She is losing a lot of weight.

The vet doesn't think the above problems are related to the cancer, but who really knows.

I really just want to have her put to sleep, but I love her and that just doesn't seem right.

Something has to give. I am hanging on by a thread.

Quality of life? How's hers? I think the humane thing is to let her go

[Anonymous]

Put her down. Please! Ask yourself if you would be enjoying life with her symptoms. Don't feel guilt, of course it is annoying to deal with...but death will be a blessing for this poor cat!

I would never use that money-grubbing vet again. I had a vet suggest a $3k surgery for my ancient, beloved dog when he had cancer for the third time and his personality changed to grumpy. No mention of euth as an option. I knew exactly what that was....greed, not caring for my dog. I got a new vet.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would also try the steroids. If it works, great. I would not be surprised if, as PPs said, it helped for a short period, like months maybe, and then the cat started to get sicker again. This is what happened with my cat (different illness). But when we did put the cat to sleep we knew we had done everything we could.

[Anonymous]

I had to put down two cats, now that I am older, I keep doubting myself thinking that it was a wrong thing to do, that I should have let them go natural. One had feline panleukopenia, the other what you are describing, bloody poop, stool everywhere, urine with blood.. My kids were very young then and it was just dangerous for them as no amount of cleaning was making any difference. This was the cat that slept in my hair as a kitten. It still breaks my heart thinking about it. Vet had no idea how to help, tried many things. We gave her a proper funeral, and now I am crying even writing this. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

The cat does not want to be a stressor in your life. The cat does not want to be a burden to you or your family. The cat does not want to be vomiting and defacating all over the house. The cat does not want to be losing weight. The cat does not want shots or any more trips to the vet. The cat just wants to be pain-free.

We may struggle with euthanizing ourselves when we get to this stage in life, but it is allowed for animals, even pets who have been loyal and loving members of the family.

But, you have other members of the family too OP. if the cat is interfering with your ability to parent your children, it is time. And really, you are giving the cat a chance to go freely, pain-free, as professionally and dignified as it can be done. A random death at home may be accompanied by a horrible trauma, a lot of pain, a lot of fear and upset - it may not simply be that the cat goes to sleep one night and doesn't wake up. Give the cat the chance to have that

[Anonymous]

Oh my goodness please re-read this part a few times:

"The cat is sick with mammary cancer. The vet gave her 1 year tops, and that was over 2 years ago.

She shits on the floor for every bowel movement. She vomits all over the house on a daily basis. Both her stool and vomit often have pools of blood in them. She is losing a lot of weight. "

Op, it's time. The kitty is very sick! Stroke her head and tell her goodbye. It's really ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to put down two cats, now that I am older, I keep doubting myself thinking that it was a wrong thing to do, that I should have let them go natural. One had feline panleukopenia, the other what you are describing, bloody poop, stool everywhere, urine with blood.. My kids were very young then and it was just dangerous for them as no amount of cleaning was making any difference. This was the cat that slept in my hair as a kitten. It still breaks my heart thinking about it. Vet had no idea how to help, tried many things. We gave her a proper funeral, and now I am crying even writing this. Good luck whatever you decide.

You didn't do anything wrong. Part of our job as caretakers is knowing when it is time to help them pass. Please don't beat yourself up. I have talked to more than one vet who's said it's better to do it a day too soon than a day too late.

I'm so sorry for your loss.