Should I put my cat down?
By beckyomg1
@beckyomg1 (6756)
United States
February 17, 2008 12:42pm CST
I have a cat that is about thirteen years old. He has been a really good cat. But in the past year i think that he has had some strokes. He just walks and walks and walks around. THere is alot going on in the household right now and I feel that i can not put him down as it would devistate me at this point. He does cry like he is in pain or anything. But he has lost some of his sight i think. He does still eat and everything. I just feel like he might be suffering but i am not sure what to do.
12 people like this
30 responses
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
17 Feb 08
thank you for the response. i might have to do that soon. its just that i have been putting it off cuz i think it will be very upsetting.
3 people like this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Feb 08
You are expecting the worst! I have a MaineCoon cat and he was terribly sick. I finally bit the bullet and took him to the Vet...I cried from relief because it turned out to be something that could be taken care of with medication. I honestly thought he was going to die and it was feline flu.
If you love your cat as much as it seems that you do, take him to the Vet. If it is something serious that can be taken care of with medication, delaying having the cat see the Vet could make the problem worse. With the advancements in Veterinary medicine there is more chance of extending the cat's life.
Besides that, it is honoring your companion to worry more about his comfort than your fears. If you were to be in an accident would you want people to delay getting you help because they were afraid of what the doctors would say? I have counseled many friends about taking care of their companion animals. They are a member of the family, and deserve the love and respect that comes from being a family member. Are you avoiding the Vet for the cats benefit or your emotional benefit. If the cat is walking and walking and walking he is in some sort of pain. You could ease the pain by taking him to the vet. I have 6 cats and two dogs and as soon as they indicate that they aren't feeling well or in pain they go to their doctor. It is my honor as their care taker to make sure that they remain in good health. In fact, in the case of my MaineCoon cat, it took my last $100 to make sure that he got well--and it was worth every penny.
Please, please in for no one else but me, take the cat to the vet!! Explain to him about your fears of loosing him right now and he will help you with the situation.
2 people like this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
20 Feb 08
Thank you for your response. i really know that i need to take him to the vets, i think that talking to the vet and explaining everything might help too.
@punlonnjack (1308)
• United States
17 Feb 08
i put my dog down and then later regreted it.if you dont think your cat is in pain she may have a few more years dont take that away from him.
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
17 Feb 08
i know what you mean, he does have his good days where he looks like he is chipper and things like that. i just really dont want him to suffer you know.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
17 Feb 08
If the kitty is in pain you could treat that with medicine. If the kitty is not in distress I would wait before making that decission. Its a tough one to make, but you don't want the kitty to suffer. I have animals too and I know how it is. Take care, you will know what you need to do, follow your heart.
3 people like this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
20 Feb 08
thanks polly for the response. i know in my heart that i should take him to the vets. but he does not seem that he is in pain. your right on following your heart. thanks again.
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
17 Feb 08
As long as your cat is not in any pain and functions normally, you should just hold onto him and do the best you can to care for him. Whatever you do, don't put him down. Doing that will cause you to regret that action for the rest of your life. Take him to the vet for a check-up to find out if the cat has any serious health issues.
3 people like this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
20 Feb 08
he really does not seem that he is in pain. but i can not be totally sure. i think i may have to take him to see if everything is ok.
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Only a trip to the veterinarian would tell you if the poor cat is in pain, or if it's just getting old. There are lots of things that can go wrong with animals, some treatable, and some not. Decisions like this are always hard to make, especially without knowing if there's a reason behind how the pet is acting. The best place to start would be talking with a vet to determine what's wrong (if anything), and then make the final decision as to what care will be needed.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
18 Feb 08
What I would do is take him to the vet. Let the vet check him over and give you his opinion. If the cat is in pain, I would definitely put him down. I know it's hard and the timing might be bad for you right now but it's the best thing you can do for the cat.
We've had to do this several times with dogs and it about broke my heart but had to think of the pet.
1 person likes this
@llecis (109)
• Portugal
18 Feb 08
I really hope you know what you are saying. Take the cat to the vet and do all the best for him. Sometime people want to put their pet to sleep because they don't want to worry too much about them. You must do everything possible for the cat to live. How can you say he had some strokes? Why didn't you go to a vet up to now? Please do something urgently instead of just thinking he is old. I really hope he has nothing wrong and will be able to live for a long time.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I think you shouldn't just yet. You may feel sorry for him, but most animals will show real signs of pain and then you will know it's time. If he's acting pretty normal, eating normal, and being normal, he's probably not suffering as much as you think. However if you start hearing him crying constantly, or he stops wanting to eat/play, then you will know it might be time.
2 people like this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
18 Feb 08
Well you could take him to the vet for a checkup, My Aunt has a cat that is 20 years old and is still fine. It is an indoor cat that used to be outdoor, but they moved to teh city. No sense in putting your cat down if its healthy. Maybe he's pacing around just cause he's bored ;)
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
18 Feb 08
That is hard to decide. The first thing you need to do is get him into the vet so he can be evaluated. That way you can know better what to do. My cat I had to put to sleep a couple of years back. But it was evident that my cat was very sick. She was 17 years old and the vet said that she would not even try to do surgery because she would die during it. That she couldn't see putting me through the expense of surgery when it would do no good. So I had my vet put her to sleep which was a hard decision for me to make. She was a excellent cat but she was in too much pain for me to think of myself and not do what was best for her. Take your cat to the vet and then you can make a decision what is best for him.
1 person likes this
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I feel bad that your cat has not been seen yet! If I started losing vision, I'd see the opt. doc. If I was in pain, see the doc who specializes in that organ. Etc. But main doctor to start with.
Same as us. We can't always tell what it is that we have, and how much can be treated, until we are seen.
I had one cat who had come as a stray cat (poor guy), and he had FIV+. Once, he became blind, and also other setbacks. But we brought him the vet, and then to the big hospital. He was treated with medications, and had still lots of life to live!
Show lots of love and care, so your cat knows you care about her/him. Best of luck!
@camaro68 (34)
• Canada
17 Feb 08
Hey, sorry to hear about your cat, But I had a dog who had a bunch of tomours in him. For a couple of days he was in pain, so we had to put him down. :( But I guess it was the right thing to do, he's not in pain anymore. But the thing is you always want to hold on to him/her and don't let go. I'm not sure what to do. Probably put it down would be better. Your choise.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
20 Feb 08
I think your best bit is to take him to the Vet and let the Vet decide if they can help him or if he would be best put out of his Misery I know that is what I would do and have done in the past
It is not easy but if the poor thing is suffering then it needs help either way
Good luck and I hope it works out that the Vet can help him
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Thirteen isn't really all that old for a cat. I'd definitely find a way to take him to the vet and have him checked out even if I had to beg or borrow for the money to do it if that's an issue. Please don't be offended if that's not an issue; it's just that I know vets cost a lot of money and it can be a problem for many of us these days. I sure wouldn't have him put down if there isn't a serious health concern and if he isn't suffering. I'll keep you and your kitty in my thoughts and prayers, Hon. I sure hope he gets better!
Annie
@showmethemony (43)
• United States
19 Feb 08
If his cries concern you than I would take him in to the vet. It could be as simple as need a change in diet or a need for supplements yes he could very well be in pain causes could be a number of thinds from brittle bones to to his bladder crystalizing or kidney failure. Get him to the vet in any case. Hope this helps. good luck!
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
19 Feb 08
before you make and rash decisions take you cat to the vet and see what they can tell you about the cats condition then go from there .. That way you can be sure of what you are doing !
