our cat is reaching the end of his life

[Monsieur Remings]

We went through this last year, you have my sympathy. We gave him a little while with some pills to see if he would pick up but his time had come. What you have to consider, and I'm sure you have, is how much more suffering you may be causing the cat by letting him or her slip away at home. If the vet thinks the cat is in pain then maybe it is best.

Both my partner and me held our cat when he was given the injection by the vet and we brought him home and buried him in the garden in the rose bushes where he loved to lie down in life.



We made a bit of a ceremony of this and remember all the good things like him wailing like he was a baby when our first came along, pooing in the tumble dryer, and falling asleep on my head.

 

[buggi]

there are probably lots of ways, but most would involve a prosecution.

I'm sorry to say but really the vets its the only practical (and probably legal) solution. They will probably come out and do a home visit for a nominal fee, but if you have to take him then you really shouldn't worry. The vet won't hurt him, i've seen animals being put to the sleep and it's unbelievably quick. They are "asleep" before the injection is even over.

Do the sensible thing Dell and take him to the vets. It's the most painless and kind way.

 

[Archie_tect]

I can appreciate you wouldn't want to travel far on a bus with your cat in a basket.

Our cat was 17 when we took her to the vet. She was given her injection in a separate quiet room [less sanitised and more homelike] where we could sit with her before and after for a while. We had the choice to take her home but had agreed beforehand not to. It was painless and a peaceful way to die- if I could choose to go like that I would.

 

[quassleberry]

Sorry you've reached this stage of being 'owned' by Thom, it is never an easy thing to do even though you know it is the last kindness you can show to Thom.

As others have said before if you can't face taking him to the vet on the bus - much, much harder than going by car, a lot of vets will do home visits.

 

[pubrunner]

Probably the most appropriate thing to do, would be to get the Vet out to your house.

Whether cat, dog or any other pet, this is never easy; obviously, we all want to hold onto our pets for as long as possible, but not for so long that they are suffering in any way.

Getting the timing right isn't easy; but in letting him have a dignified departure, you will have done the best for both of you.

Afterwards, when the sadness has subsided, you will know that you did the right thing. You had him for many years in a environment where (I'm sure) that he would have been very content. He was actually a very lucky cat.

 

[SquareDaff]

I just had to have my cat put down (last Friday - that's one royal wedding I won't forget). It's not easy so definately get a professional to do the job. I'm still upset and miss the little furball now - but it was for the best. I couldn't have prolonged her pain anymore!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

there are probably lots of ways, but most would involve a prosecution.

I'm sorry to say but really the vets its the only practical (and probably legal) solution. They will probably come out and do a home visit for a nominal fee, but if you have to take him then you really shouldn't worry. The vet won't hurt him, i've seen animals being put to the sleep and it's unbelievably quick. They are "asleep" before the injection is even over.

Do the sensible thing Dell and take him to the vets. It's the most painless and kind way.

 

[her_welshness]

I don't think its unreasonable sentiment involved Dell, its because you love them! My cat George is one of the most precious things in my life and I don't even want to think about that bit in the future when we have to say goodbye. 16 years is a long time to have a mogster, its great that you have had that time with Thom

 

[CharlieB]

I'm sorry to hear that, Dell. Our vet did a home visit when we were in the same position a while back, and I'm sure any would.

 

[dellzeqq]

well, in the end, I couldn't get a vet to come out. The Bank Holidays have created a kind of backlog of sick animals, and the practice nearest to us wasn't even answering the phone. I went round there, described the problem, and the vet agreed it didn't sound good, but said that I should, if at all possible, bring him in...

which I did. Box on the back of a Brompton, ridden very, very slowly along the footpaths and walked across the roads. The slowest half mile I've ever cycled.

There's hope. His general condition is very good for his time of life, but he does have an infection, but (this is the good bit) the vet doesn't think that the leg that has been held together with metal pins for the last fourteen years has re-broken. So he's had an injection, and I've got some monster pills to slip down his throat, and he'll get painkillers if his kidneys will take them. When the infection is gone they'll take a good look at the leg and see if there's sufficient bone to allow him to be repaired again.

I'm a bit suspicious of vets - some of them are a bit gung-ho (sorry Becs) - and this young man exudes that kind of can-do spirit, but he did agree that if Thom's quality of life couldn't be improved then he would, as he put it, 'be taken to a better place'.

It's odd to be treated like some kind of cat-doting simpleton, but, then again, I've always known that I am, at heart, a cat-doting simpleton. When Catseyes Affleck went a-over-t I'd have employed the pearl-handled Derringer without a second thought if I thought that his injuries would have rendered him fit only for a Cervelo, but contending with three and a half kilos of fur and eyes I'm reduced to mush.

Thankyou for all your kind thoughts. I'll probably burden you with further bedside bulletins. Right now, though, it's prawn time........

 

[Archie_tect]

Hold the prawns, I'll be round with my home made cocktail sauce ....and a tin of Felix for Thom!

 

[ttcycle]

Simon the best people are cat doting simpletons!! In fact, the worrying thing is that after a short period of time they quickly become a very loved family member. Sounds like he's a fighter and there's a good chance that Thom may be around to demand fluffing of cushions, prime cuts of meat, you getting off 'his' bed and such like. Type away Simon, cc is full of animal lovers who can offer good support.

Hope our one, Cass is fine too- he's been checked out for heart murmur issues this Friday-fingers crossed it's good news for the little fella.

 

[GM]

Just got our one back from the cattery, been there for the weekend. Don't know what they've been feeding her with, but we've had to have the windows open all afternoon.

 

[Headgardener]

Just got our one back from the cattery, been there for the weekend. Don't know what they've been feeding her with, but we've had to have the windows open all afternoon.

Thank you thegreenman that has cheered me up after reading this slightly morbid thread which has reminded me that my dog is not as young as she used to be.

 

[Becs]

I'm a bit suspicious of vets - some of them are a bit gung-ho (sorry Becs)

No need to apologise - it's why I never went into small animal practice!

Hope all goes well, good luck giving the tablets!