Putting my cat down - WW R3v Do?

[rturbo 930]

Here's the story. I was about 4-5 years old when this cat showed up at my grandparent's house (who were our neighbors), and long story short, I begged them to keep it. They did. Fast forward to now, my grandparents have both since passed, though we still have their house (long story). She's about 18-19 years old. I take care of her food and water now, but no one lives there (again, long story). I feel terrible about that, but my family has three cats of our own, and they would kill her in minutes if we took her in. If that was an option I'd have done it years ago.

She is deaf, and completely blind due to hypertension, she moves pretty slowly, and likely has moderate to severe arthritis. She has no concept of using a litter box anymore, either. She used to spend 90% of her day outdoors, but hasn't shown much/any interest over the past year or so. I wouldn't think of letting her out at this point since there's quite a few wild animals around here and she's pretty vulnerable.

However, she still has an appetite. Whenever I feed her, she'll always get up (I always find her sleeping) and find me. She's still pretty affectionate, and she'll purr if you pet her.

So I'm kinda torn as to whether or not putting her down is the right thing to do. I was pretty sure of that decision until today, and now I'm having guilty second thoughts.

As of now, we've got an appointment for 9AM tomorrow to have her put down. Both my parents seem to agree that she should be put down, but, what would r3v do?

[10Toes]

Inb4f34r

[noE30]

Been in a similar situation, i say if the animal is no longer having fun (suffering) then it's time.
Just put my 10 year old German Shepard down on the 27th of December, had auto immune disease so I know how you feel.

[jdirty]

Bring her to a shelter? They can help find somebody who will adopt her.
There's a lot of cat ladehz out there looking for the right cat for them.
Putting down your dog or cat or any animal is always tough..
Sorry dude. Can't even imagine doing that.. I have 3 dogs and 1 cat.

[JasonC]

As a cat person myself, i'd say the right thing to do would be to put her down.

[evandael]

Inb4f34r

beat me to it.

[homegrone30]

Id say put her down. But I honestly dont have any experience with putting down one of my pets. The one dog we were considering doing it with decided to take her own life with a huge bag of chocolate. It sucks but if something needs to be done it needs to be done.

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[rturbo 930]

Bring her to a shelter? They can help find somebody who will adopt her.
There's a lot of cat ladehz out there looking for the right cat for them.

Eh, I don't think anyone would want to adopt her. I'll be honest, she's kinda disgusting. Her fur is a mess, and she's got a little odor.

As for the shelter, I'd rather keep her here. She knows her home (remember, she's blind/deaf), and I wouldn't want to put her in an unfamiliar and possibly cruel environment.

[rcsoundn1]

while I have had many cats, I feel if her life is as you say, put her down. I have had to do it. Its not easy. But it seems this may be where you are at. Adoption is not an option, she will be put down long before she is adopted, if any shelter would accept her or try to adopt her out.

[Vtec?lol]

She's at the age. I don't really like the idea of killing animals unnaturally but if rather not let them suffer v

[jdirty]

Eh, I don't think anyone would want to adopt her. I'll be honest, she's kinda disgusting. Her fur is a mess, and she's got a little odor.

As for the shelter, I'd rather keep her here. She knows her home (remember, she's blind/deaf), and I wouldn't want to put her in an unfamiliar and possibly cruel environment.

I dunno how other shelters are but I've been following our local shelter on facebook when i was looking for a bunny for my sister to adopt. And i would see similar cases. And they actually get adopted. unless all those success stories are a hoax.

But at the same time i agree with what people said, that if the animal is suffering..

[2761377]

I'll be honest, she's kinda disgusting. Her fur is a mess, and she's got a little odor.

(remember, she's blind/deaf),

these signs, plus the litter box thing, were the determining factors when my wife decided Percy's time had come.

basically, he was no longer a cat. as the resident dirty job doer i felt it important to be there when the needle went in. the vet told me very few owners had the guts to honor the pet this way; i didn't like the idea of the cat in a strangers hand at the end.

hth, and good luck

[rturbo 930]

She's at the age. I don't really like the idea of killing animals unnaturally but if rather not let them suffer v

But at the same time i agree with what people said, that if the animal is suffering..

Agreed. But I'm not entirely sure she is. Cats hide their pain pretty well.

Tomorrow, I'll see if the vet thinks she's in pain. If she is, we'll let her go.

[SubDad]

It's time. If she's not having fun and is in pain, it's time.
I put off the horrible day for a long time for our arthritic 19 year old cat but it was the right thing to end her life.

Cats will purr even when you, the vet and the cat know it's the end.
Cats hide pain very well, said our vet, looking at the x-rays of horrific bone spurs that would cripple a human.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Redfox]

I may or may not be much help, but I was a veterinary assistant for a year.
18-19 is a very long lived life for a cat. Most we would euthanize wouldn't make it passed 12-16. If you do not have the dedication or are able to care for her at all times and she is unable to clean herself/walk/urinate/or have regular bowel movements, chances are she isn't very comfortable. How are her stools and urine? If her urine is extremely strong/yellow her kidneys are probably starting to fail and that is extremely painful for any cat. If she still has an appetite, but has all the other ailments at her age, I would take a weekend and spend as much time loving on her as you can, and give her a big hearty tasty meal. Make her very comfortable, snuggle and pet her, and just love on her. If one of my dogs were in that situation, I would do exactly that. I have seen thousands upon thousands spent on animals trying to keep them alive while the animal suffers. She is an old girl and lived a very long and productive kitty life. I do ask though, that when you take her to be euthanized, you stay with and pet her and let her know you are there. (Your scent is enough, you mentioned she is deaf and blind?) and she will be more at ease. The worst part of my job was seeing owners leaving the room and the animal cries, whines, and shakes, because they know what's coming. The best thing you can do for any animal is be there when they are put down.
I will never forget a very masculine country back woods grown man sobbing and looking his Shepard in the eyes as he was being put down. It is extremely hard to do, but the dog was much more at ease with his dad there, verses when he considered leaving the room and walked away. I am sorry for having to go through this, as its extremely hard.

We always had a "rainbow bridge" poem to give each owner. It's comforting to read (you can google the poem.)

If you wanted to make things a little easier, there are doctors that will come to your home for the euthanasia. It's definitely something to consider.