I'm putting my cat down

[LittleblackMorgan]

My 5 year old Sphynx is in the last bit of heart failure.
His heart is 2x the normal size and his abdominal cavity is filling with fluid.

The appointment is Monday. I’m not sure how I feel.
The vet mentioned a cardiologist, but the only thing is meds that
Will make him a little more comfy for who knows how long, and make him urinate more. He is already peeing everywhere (no uti).

I’m beginning the process of a divorce with a one year old child all at the same time. I feel like I should be feeling more about my cat.

But I think I’m just numb.

Wisdom?

[Kryswyn]

A cat doesn’t know how long it might live. It only knows hunger, thirst, cold, heat, and pain. When pain becomes the overwhelming thing they feel above all else, it is time and it is your duty as a loving owner to remove the pain.

Perhaps the meds would work, perhaps not. But that would only serve YOUR need not to say good bye.

I think you have enough on your plate. Delaying would only increase your anxiety and guilt. Make him comfortable and loved until Monday, then send him across the bridge with loving hands.

I am very sorry you’re having to go through so much at one time.

[paulaedwina]

You’re in my thoughts, Littleblackmorgan.

Paula

[cowboymom]

I’m sorry to hear about the divorce-I hope you’re doing ok with the baby, this is a lot to deal with at the time.

Cat is not something you should be fussing about. He has terminal problems and you will do right by him, then you’re going to have to move on pretty quickly. I’m sorry for him and you.

Take care of yourself and the baby.

[dressagetraks]

Sorry so much is going on for you right now. It does sound like you are making the best decision for this one. Thoughts and prayers to you.

[shea_smom]

Aww. I am so sorry. I do think sometimes we get all sensible and say… yeah, I’m going to put my cat down monday,… but in reality it will still be hard and you are just coping the best you can. I am sorry you have so much going on. I will be thinking of you.

[Louise]

You are doing right for the cat and your family. No need to feel any sort of guilt. I understand the numb thing. I think it’s your mind’s way of helping you to cope with everything right now. Hugs to you.

[SquishTheBunny]

Im sorry you are having to go through this. Its such a hard thing when finances get in the way of what you want to do and what reality allows you to do. Don’t feel bad. Ultimately, heart failure it not a painful disease to have but the end stage effects can cause distress. A cardiologist is your best bet to increase survival time with maintaining a quality of life - however its not cheap and there are no guarantees on survival time. Medications can slow the process, but ultimately in a few weeks to years you will be faced with the same decision. Like we have all heard, better too soon than too late. It just makes it that much more difficult when they are so young. I think you are making a very reasonable decision. Im so sorry.

[CVPeg]

So sorry you are having to do this, but doesn’t sound like he’d have a great quality of life otherwise. You’re doing the right thing. With all you have going on, (((hugs))).

[Hermein]

It’s a sad situation all around. I’m sorry.

I recently (about a year ago) waited till the last possible day to euth a horse that had a congenital defect that would be fatal, no matter what. I should have done it sooner, but I kept trying to manage it because I’d had the horse since she was weaned & it was so hard to let her go. In reality, all I did was prolong her suffering.

Send your kitty across the bridge.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Jingles to you and your kitty. Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, the body and mind’s defense mechanisms default to “numb,” which is probably where you are now. You care about your kitty enough to do what is right for him, and that’s all that matters. As Squish says, cardiologists are expensive and in the end, there’s no guarantees.

Love him, cuddle him, and then do what you know is right.

[mvp]

Yow that sucks.

It makes sense that you are feeling numb. My preference for euthanasia is to not do it that way. It opens things up to monday-morning quarterbacking. JME.

A solution? You make monday (or at least part of it) a Designated Kitteh Day. You give yourself permission to tell other people and issues that they will have to take a number. You do that in your own mind, too, and think about doing the right thing for Catness. You show up 100% as best you can.

I think telling other people out loud that you have an important Cat Thing to do on monday will go a long way to helping you feel present with your cat, your decision and the process.

I don’t think you’ll regret putting kitteh down if you really show up for it.

This is what I learned recently with Old Lady Cat’s euthanasia. Best of luck to you.

[LittleblackMorgan]

Thanks all. He just pooped right in front me in the kitchen and it seemed painful for him. I do believe he losing control.
I know it’s the right thing to do, I’m just so devoid of emotion about the whole thing.

[Feliz]

Aww, LittleblackMorgan, I’m so sorry to read this.

Don’t worry about feeling numb, you can just get through this, do the best for your kitteh and you can greive later.

[oliverreed]

So very sorry you are going through all of this right now. You are doing the right t hing for your kitty. I lost a beloved, beloved cat to heart failure at age 7. It sucks. Hugs.

[LittleblackMorgan]

It is done. I wept a good one. The vet was shocked at the size of his abdomin given the fluid.

Thank you all for your kindness.

[macmtn]

:sadsmile: hugs

[dacasodivine]

I’m so sorry. Sometimes vets keep encouraging you to try new things even though the best thing for the pet is to let it go.

I think the hardest and most compassionate thing we can do as pet owners, is help them across the bridge when it is time.

[stolen_virtue]

So sorry, I know it is painful but heart failure is terminal. I have heard of a good many cats that have heart failure early, I am sorry. Hope your divorce goes as well as possible, sometimes our lives just suck at times. (((Hugs)))

[mvp]

Kittee!