Our 19-year-old cat - the time has come, but the vet wants to keep treating him
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Anonymous
| Our cat is almost 19 and has thyroid and kidney disease. Over the past couple of months he's been eating less, crying more, missing the litter box and throwing up a lot. During the past week he has been throwing up several times a day, and it's not a small amount. The vet wants to keep treating him, but, frankly, I'm tired of cleaning up the puddles of vomit. I adopted him when he was a kitten and I love him dearly, but I really think it's time to say goodbye. What can I do? Find another vet? |
Anonymous
|
The poor thing sounds miserable.
Tell the vet you want to talk about the end of life options now and go with one of them. If he won't have the conversation, find another vet. Some will come to your house to do the procedure. |
Anonymous
| It sounds like your vet is more in it for the money rather than the well-being of the animal. Do the humane thing and put the poor cat out of its misery--either with that vet or with another. |
Anonymous
|
Call: 240.460.9642
http://dcmetrovet.com I can't believe a vet is doing this. Sorry OP. I haven't used these guys , but the website looks decent...maybe someone else on here can give you some first hand experience. |
Anonymous
| I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Making an end-of-life decision is definitely one of the hardest parts of being a pet owner. I just wanted to write to say that you are the best judge of your cat's quality of life and if you think it's time, then go with that gut feeling. Don't let someone talk you out of it, particularly when there is no chance that he's going to make a meaningful recovery. |
Anonymous
| I would find another vet. It does not sound like your vet has the best interests of your pet at heart. Putting a pet to sleep is hard enough. Your vet should be supporting you in this process. |
Anonymous
This. In this situation I found a house call very helpful. Broiled my 21 yo cat a lamb chop; she ate some of it; the vet arrived and it was all done. |
Anonymous
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My experience is that vets always suggest continuing to treat. They always have another option for you to try -- another supplement, another pill, another procedure.
I got very cynical. I had a dog I loved, and I wanted desperately for him to live longer. But I realized that he was in pain and his quality of life was not good. The vet kept throwing more options at me, but my dog wasn't eating, could barely sleep comfortably and was obviously in pain (despite increasing pain meds, which were difficult to give to him because he wouldn't eat). Finally, I just called the vet and said it was time, scheduled a home visit. End of discussion. Afterwards, friends and family told me that they thought it was well past time, but they didn't want to upset me. The vet had to know it was time, but I think that they'll keep treating until you say you're done. It angers me because, honestly, they have to realize that most people feel tremendously guilty when they make the decision. It would be helpful if the vet opened up the discussion and actually said, well, we can treat X condition, but at this point, due to his age and condition, it might be time to consider... Sorry about your cat. and sorry to go on, but my point is that the vet will never say it's time. You usually have to tell the vet that that is what you want. |
Anonymous
This is exactly what I was going to write. I feel for you, OP. We were in your position with our elderly dog last year. It sucks, and that is WITHOUT a vet getting in your way of moving forward with a tough decision. |
Anonymous
Your story made me tear up! |
Anonymous
| So sorry for you.We just went thru the same thing with our 18 year old cat. We'd had since he was a kitten. We had been treating him for thyriod issues but when we could see the end was near we spoked bringing him to the vet. Our decision was if we felt he was in pain we would put him to sleep but we were going to let nature take its course and stop treating. Its a good long life and I felt that had he been younger I would have tried more options but the writing was on the wall, we weren't going to extend his life by much and I'm currently unemployed so the vet bills were adding up. I had a very frank conversation with our vet and they finally backed down. They also gave me a name of a mobile vet that will come to your house and put your cat to sleep. We had used them for his sister when she was ill. Nature did take care of itself and he died naturally at our home. Personally I feel that the vets use too much a guilt trip when it comes to our pets. Don't get me wrong I loved him dearly but the practical side of me just couldn't spend all that money when he was 18 years old. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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OP here - Thank you everyone for understanding, sharing your stories, and all your advice. You've all been a huge help. I was feeling so bad after talking to the vet - she was making me feel so guilty - I really don't want to do this, but I know it's time.
I didn't know about the vets who will come to your house. I think that's the way we'll go. |
Anonymous
| Call Cherrydale vet in Arlington. I live in dc but driving there was worth it. When our cat was dying we went through the same thing...A vet who seemed more interested in charging us for additional treatment than the humane treatment of our beloved 17 yo cat. A neighbor recommended Cherrydale and they were terrific. |
Anonymous
Me too! |
Anonymous
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I went through the same thing recently with our ailing dog. Be clear with the vet or just find another. It's hard enough without the guilting by the vet. It is the vet's job to offer options and they're not there to see your cat living day to day unhappily. Go with your gut and do what you know is best.
This is one of the hardest parts of being a pet owner. Hugs! |