When to Put Down?

I'm a bit late in responding, but I thought I would add one more thing. I had an old cat that would get so tramatized over going to the vet, and it would take her days to recover. I then found a vet that would come to my home. It was just a little more expensive, but well worth it. She would do the exam, vaccinations, etc. here in my home. Her name is Lynn Snodgrass, DVM, and her company's name is Animal Tracks Vetinary, ###-###-#### (Leawood, Kansas). She is very nice! I was in a similiar situation with my 2 cats, 15 yrs old. They couldn't control their bladder or bm's anymore, and I couldn't afford to test and medicate. My house was smelling and didn't seem sanitary anymore, and with two small children that I had to think of as well, I eventually chose to put them down, putting them in a better place, too. Good Luck!

Suzi
I am also an animal lover. I would say to bring the cat to the vet and let him know up front that you don't want tests done because of the expense. There may be some very resonablly priced tests. And/or if the cat is in pain, it wouldn't have a quality life with anyone no matter how quiet. Not saying to uthenize the cat would be the easy way out but the more humane way to keep her from continuing to live in pain.
S. M

Good Morning Suzi,No hon your not being insenitive. I went through the same thing with our Sammi few yrs ago. She was about 16-18 yrs old. Loved her alot neat cat. She would howl, couldn't get on the chairs easily anymore, starting wetting on the floor or furniture, it was crystalized so i new she had a urinary infection. Her fur was starting to get very dull and oily to the touch. I couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer. After asking my hubby numerous times to take her to the vet, he went out of town on business and I couldn't take it anymore.
I called the vet and asked the question, then bundled her up in a towel and Bawled like a baby all the way to the vet. Was the one time I prayed to get pulled over for Speeding, I was planning to ask the cop to take my precious Sammi to the vet for me... Drats didn't happen;) They knew who I was when I walked in, Sammi in my arms purring and me a Mess. That's why can't bring myself to get another cat.

It is your decision Suzi and it's not an easy one to make, if she is ill and getting moody, it is probably time.
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez louise, I am dew dropping again, and it's been 3 yrs.

God Bless you my dear.
K. Nana of 5

I don't believe it is fair to your cat to put her down because of how busy of a household you have. The only responsible thing to do is take her to the vet to get a thorough check up. If she comes out all clear then she deserves to live. If and only if she has a terminal and painful disease is it right to put an animal down. Do not try to play God. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I am a complete animal lover, and if we don't stand up for them who will?

Hi Suzi!
You could try to give her away, but most elderly people wont be able to keep up with her either. Personally I would let her go. I got rid of my dog to a friend of a friend because she was pooping and peeing in my brand new house. The girl that took her was completely aware of why I wanted to get rid of her, because I happened to be complaining to her about my dog and she said she wanted it! Thank goodness! I thought about putting her on craigslist for free to good home, but found out they advise against doing that because creepy animal abusers that these free animals and torture them. You can just try to spread the word about finding her a home. But it sounds like she probably doesnt have much time left and her condition will just get worse and worse, and not a lot of people are going to put that much money into a cat that age. I could be wrong!! But sadly, I wouldnt feel bad if I were you. Since Iv had children, Iv been a child person, not an animal person! Good luck!

Hi Suzi. First of all I would like to say I am so sorry that you have to even think about this and that you cat is not doing so well. Speaking from experience it is the hardest decision to make. We had to make it with our cat and our dog. I kept asking the same question you did. How do I know? What is the best solution? The thing is that they will tell you when they are done. If your cat has more bad days than good then I am sure you will know the answer. I can't tell you yes or no but I can tell you that they generally let YOU know. Good Luck!

oh gosh this just breaks my heart. I love animals and am a huge cat lover. I think it is time though to just put her down. It sounds like she is ready and preparing herself for it anyway...I dont think I would prolong the pain she seems to be in and would just take her in. I had a cat that was 18 years old and we had to put him down, he just would not groom himself anymore and was just a mess and did not get around very well anymore. I would not prolong the pain for her and would say goodbye. I dont think that having someone else take her in would make things better...it could actually make it worse on her since it would be different surroundings she is not used to. Poor thing, and poor you...

I, personally, do not believe in putting an animal down just because - just because they're old, just because they've become a nuissance, etc. Isn't there a place in your home that you could put her that is child and animal free - a room in the basement, etc. where only you could visit her? Any room has potential with food water, a nice pillow and bedding. And, of course, do not make her think you do not care. Just some suggestions.

K.

I work in rescue. You should keep the cat or put it down. The cat is too old to be moved. Of course my preference is you keep the cat until her time is here.....A pet is part of the family. Leaving the family would be tramatic.

Being part of the family you should take her to the vet. You are assuming it is expensive without finding out. If you have a good vet they would recommend the best course of action.

Hi Suzi! I know you already have a solution, I just wanted to let you know I think it is a good one. I too had a cat with the same exact problem. She was 20/21 and had a tumor on her chin/lip. It got worse everyday it seemed. It would swell and bleed all the time. I would find her sitting by her water bowl with her chin soaking it the water. I felt so horrible for her but I couldn't be the one to say it was her time to go and take her to the vet to do so. It was to the point where she was suffering so I was going to have to take her and have her put down and then a couple of days before that she oddly wanted to go outside...I didn't let her out very often b/c she was also deaf...but that day she insisted on going out so my husband let her out. I went to let her back in when I noticed it was raining and she was nowhere to be found. I searched for her for awhile cuz I didn't want her to be alone and cold...but I think that's the way she wanted it. Animals tend to not want to die infront of their owners. So I hated that she died...but knew she wasn't in any pain anymore and that I didn't make the decision that it was her time to go. I also didn't have to see her lifeless body...that helped. I still miss her to this day...I had had her since I was 10ish and I was in my 30's at the time that she died. So just give your cat some quiet time and she might just be able to relax and go to "sleep" and you might not have to make the decision to put her down.

this is a hard decision so I would not presume to know what is best for you. however age 16 is very old. if she is in pain you have to keep in mind. this is a horrible time to find homes. all the shelters seem full i believe from housing criss and abandoned pets. we were able to make our one cat a blood donor cat at the vet's as she was peeing alll over the house. but we got lucky. my first cat was in pain at 17 and half years old. we put her to sleep. hardest decision I ever made. best cat I ever had. good luck

Suzi, I just wanted to let you know there is a Vet Clinic in Savanah, MO that only charges for the meds and tests (NOT VET FEES). They are a rescue facility as well. They WILL NOT put down your pet (EVER) but if she needs medical care, that is by far your most affordable option.

I have used them multiple times for my dogs and they have been an absolute godsend! My dog had a fatty tissue growth on his back and any other Vet would have charged me around $500 for it's removal. I got out of Angel's just under $200 and that included having it sent to the Lab for testing for cancer!

The downside is that they do not take appointments, so it is a first come first served basis. Most times you don't wait more than 45 minutes to see a Vet though which can still occur if you have an appointment at a Vet/Dr's office anyway.

Here's their info if you are interested: http://www.mshoogys.com/spayneuter.htm The website says their hours are from 12:30-5:30 but you may want to call and double check it. Most of the staff are volunteers and so sometimes the website is behind on updates. Hours generally are based on the number of Veternarians they have on staff (which are never as many as they need...LOL) and morning hours are generally reserved for surgeries.

First of all you know your cat and if it's near the end for her. But I would take her to a vet and just ask them what they think. If you are in the Washington, MO area I can recomend a great one that just helped us through this a couple of years ago with our dog. He is one that if the animal is old and suffering you do the kindest thing for the animal, not you. And for us it was putting the dog down. But in my opinion if the cat is suffering then you should consider putting it down. It is very hard to do I know, but if you consider how unhappy it has to be then for the cat, it's best. Try the human socitey, they usually have low cost vet.

Suzy,

I have not read your other responses so I may be replicating something. I am sorry for your cat. One of my concerns is that sometimes annimals can have diseases that can pass over to humans so I do suggest you get her treated or have her put down so the your daycare kids or your family does not come down with something. Good Luck

Check with local nursing homes and/or "assisted" living type communities. Some allow residents to have a pet. Put up notices in the ones that allow pets and see who responds?

I think if you think it's time it's time. You don't want to see her suffer anymore.

We know our animals better than anyone else. No one can tell you that. My cats have all died on their own BUT they are outside animals. And I found them in the garage. I would have hated finding them in the house.

Call the vet ahead of time and see if they will take payments or know of an in-expensive place you could have her taken to.

Then Find a freind or family memeber who can take her in to put her down... YES, it is hard....That is why I know I have to have someone else do it.

Hi. I am a nurse, I live in the county. I feel badly for you. I had to put my cat out when my daughter was 10 months old. The cat started messing in front of the shower, EVERY time my husband was in the shower. It was like he did it on purpose, and was angry about the baby. He lived about a month outside. Something ate him, probably a coyote. It is a hard decision. My husband has had to put down 2 wonderful family dogs, both were in too bad of shape to go to the vet. They are buried here on our farm, and I feel happy that they are at peace and didn't have to be hauled away from their home only to be incinerated at the vet. Plus they charge 60-100$, a 22 shell is about 20 cents! I guess once you have a baby things change. I love my animals, don't get me wrong, but enough is enough!