I had to put my cat down today

[cbsboyer]

He had a few long term health issues (liver shunt, seizures, blood pressure) for pretty much his whole life, and when we brought him to the vet to see about treatments for his seizures they told us that he probably would only make it to 5 years old. That was 11 years ago, so he was on borrowed time for the last 5 years and did pretty well considering. Over the last few weeks he really took a nosedive 'tho, with mini-seizures, losing weight, periodically not being able to walk without falling over, incontinence, and so on, so we knew it was time for the last drive to the vet. The vet completely agreed and basically said that even if we took drastic measures, it really wouldn't give him any more time and he would just be in misery during the process.

Even when you know what's going on and why, when you watch everything just stop it's still rough. The hard choices always suck.

 

[koralis]

He had a few long term health issues (liver shunt, seizures, blood pressure) for pretty much his whole life, and when we brought him to the vet to see about treatments for his seizures they told us that he probably would only make it to 5 years old. That was 11 years ago, so he was on borrowed time for the last 5 years and did pretty well considering. Over the last few weeks he really took a nosedive 'tho, with mini-seizures, losing weight, periodically not being able to walk without falling over, incontinence, and so on, so we knew it was time for the last drive to the vet. The vet completely agreed and basically said that even if we took drastic measures, it really wouldn't give him any more time and he would just be in misery during the process.

Even when you know what's going on and why, when you watch everything just stop it's still rough. The hard choices always suck.

Yeah, it's heartbreaking. My wife's cat went that way. I couldn't look at the cat without tearing up. had to forgo the vet visit personally because it wouldn't have been doing anyone any favors.

Not looking forward to the day when our dog gets there. More mine than anyone's and that shouldn't be an option.

 

[dodger]

Sorry for your loss of your kitty. Mine's 17 years old now and doing fine but I feel that clock ticking more and more.

 

[nutcrackr]

Sorry to hear, I know the feeling all too well. It's a tough choice but generally the best choice you can make for them, even if it doesn't feel like that right now. I'm glad you were there to help him for the 11 years. I bet he was too.

 

[Riptide]

Even when you know what's going on and why, when you watch everything just stop it's still rough. The hard choices always suck.

I'm sorry you had to say goodbye and let him go. It's been almost 4 months since we let our girl go. I can finally sometimes get through a day without the grief for her pushing past the surface. I think about her all the time and would do almost anything to get her back if she could be healthy enough. Watching her take her last breath, and the decision to end her suffering, is one of the hardest experiences I've endured. Many people know how this is. You are definitely not alone.