I want to have my cat put to sleep

[Anonymous]

He is 17 years old, and has had chronic renal disease and hyperthyroid for the past 2 years. He is on thyroid medicine; we tried several prescription kidney diets, but he would not eat them and was starving himself.

He has lost a lot of weight, and just generally seems miserable. He has started urinating in the house, and if he is awake, he is caterwauling. No, he doesn't have a urinary tract infection (urine checked by vet).

We just want to have him put to sleep, but the vet keeps making us feel guilty. Honestly, I don't want to give this cat sub-Q injections and such. Enough is enough.

[Anonymous]

Get a new vet.
Seriously. This is a quality of life issue for your cat, and if I was speaking with my vet with a cat with similar issues, they would offer treatment or putting to sleep as two equally viable options, with no pressure to do one or the other.

[Anonymous]

We have gone through this with older pets also. It is a very sad time for you, and the vets will keep piling on. We had an ancient (14+) older big dog in constant pain -- all the vets were more, more. My DH finally had to say, "I am dropping him at the pound if you won't help me" Empty threat, but that is what it took. He went to three vets altogther, and was a bit of an emotional wreck afterwards. I wish it were easier. 17 is VERY old for a cat. Good luck and keep looking.

[Anonymous]

^^PS Your cat does not sound very happy or comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP, your vet should not be making you feel guilty under these circumstances.

Letting a pet go is wrenching but your kitty sounds like it's time, quality of life does not sound good at all. I went through this with my 19 yr. old Maine Coon Cat several yrs. ago (inoperable tumor) and it was devastating but we knew it was the right thing and had a compassionate vet who helped & supported me along the way.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. I feel like this vet wants us to keep squeezing the last months of life out of him, like he's a tube of toothpaste or something.

I also feel bad for our other cat, who is 15 herself and deeply bonded to the 17-year old. This will be tough on the old gal, too.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for a new vet.

Mine offered treatment options when our dog was older and sick bc he could tell how upset I was. But he also gently told me whenever the time was right for us to let her go, to make an appt.

[Anonymous]

Agree, time for a new vet. How is this vet going to react when the time comes for your other cat?

Your cat cannot ask you to put him to sleep. He cannot ask you to end this pain. He sounds miserable, and this is absolutely a quality of life issue. I'm so sorry that you are struggling with this and that your vet is not being helpful and compassionate. You need to do the right thing by your cat, who is so fortunate to have such a caring owner who will gladly accept the pain of euthanizing her cat, so that your cat will no longer feel the pain of life.

[Anonymous]

Take him to Friendship Animal Hospital. They are very pro euthanasia.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely trust your own instinct on this, over that of a vet who a) spends four minutes at a time with your cat, and b) stands to profit from the cat's continued (and assisted) life.

Sad for the remaining cat, though. She'll need extra snuggles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take him to Friendship Animal Hospital. They are very pro euthanasia.

This was not my experience with them - you might want to say which doctor you had specifically. Also OP - say where you are and who your current vet is and you might get suggestions for one who is more understanding with this.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry, OP. we lost both of our elderly cats this year, and our second one was in similar shape to yours, but swap liver for kidney. It was terrible for everyone, but most of all, out beloved cat was miserable.

We were seeing an internist at Southpaws in Fairfax, Jennifer Geig. She was wonderful and really helped us when it was time. No judgement, no guilt. She just agreed that our sweet kitty's life had deteriorated so far that the choice was ours, but that she fully supported it.

Please, find a new vet. Anyone pushing you to prolong this is not someone I'd want to see as a vet.

[Anonymous]

Get a new vet. You are trying to be humane! Your cat sounds miserable, and I'm sure it's not easy on you either.

[Anonymous]

Your vet is being ridiculous. Your cat's suffering. Putting it to sleep is the humane thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Look the vet in the eye and tell him/her they are making the decision harder, and that you believe this is the best for your cat and your family. I'd be surprised if the doc doesn't back off.