When to know it's time to make that final vet journey?

hunnycat

Thank you for all the lovely replies, he is currently up on the bed where he is now allowed having a cuddle with the cat!

I have started the diary and the kids are adding to it. They are prepared for this as I have had them preparing for about a year, they have both experienced the loss of a pet when the cat had to be PTS quite suddenly which means they know what will happnen.

Thank you all again, you have made me feel a lot less guilty for my thoughts. X

zaksmum

Such a very hard decision to have to make.

When my old girl Lucy reached that stage, I prayed it wasn't yet time. But she got less mobile till in the end she couldn't go for a walk at all. It was too painful for her.

I had her to the vet umpteen times, on all kinds of medications, till in the end I had to listen to the vet and realise that my girl had reached the end of the road.

It truly broke my heart.

If there was any consolation, it was that she was free of pain, and she'd had the very best life I could possibly give her.

Thinking of you at this time OP

Murphybear

sheramber wrote: »

Is he still enjoying lie or is life tiring or difficult for him?

How do you want to remember him?

My 15 year old dog was very weak on her back legs and would spend some days dull eyed and in her bed. Other days she was alert but would stumble and fall going down the step at the back door collapsing in a heap. I was worried she would break a leg one time and her end would be remembered with her screaming in pain. I decided she had struggled on long enough. She would not get any better. How much worse could we let her get?

The vet agreed with my decision that the time had come.

It is never a easy decision but it is the last kindness you can do for your pet.

May I Go Now?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go
I really do.
It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

- Written for a beloved pet & friend, by Susan A. Jackson

That is so wonderful and anyone who is in this position should read it. Unfortunately I am crying my eyes out, OH is concerned as I have been happy recently. Our little cat is getting on now and I know that one day she will have to go. :A

cattie

sheramber wrote: »

Is he still enjoying lie or is life tiring or difficult for him?

How do you want to remember him?

My 15 year old dog was very weak on her back legs and would spend some days dull eyed and in her bed. Other days she was alert but would stumble and fall going down the step at the back door collapsing in a heap. I was worried she would break a leg one time and her end would be remembered with her screaming in pain. I decided she had struggled on long enough. She would not get any better. How much worse could we let her get?

The vet agreed with my decision that the time had come.

It is never a easy decision but it is the last kindness you can do for your pet.

May I Go Now?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go
I really do.
It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

- Written for a beloved pet & friend, by Susan A. Jackson

This is just so beautiful & as with previous poster, has left me in tears. It's nearly 2.5 yrs since the vet told me it was time for my boy to go & the pain of that loss is still with me each day. Reading this makes me view things in a different way. Thank you.

hunnycat

quick update,

again thank you for all the messages.

July is here so thats him 16 this month!

he is struggling a little with the heat so having to deal with that, have made arrangements with the vet to do it as a home visit when the time comes. we are at the vets with him in 2 weeks for an assessment then take it from there.x

Kim_13

hunnycat wrote: »

quick update,

again thank you for all the messages.

July is here so thats him 16 this month!

he is struggling a little with the heat so having to deal with that, have made arrangements with the vet to do it as a home visit when the time comes. we are at the vets with him in 2 weeks for an assessment then take it from there.x

Our 13yo had a home visit last year. Definitely the nicest way.

As it would be a home visit, you may wish to take some time to consider whether you'd prefer a home burial (if that's feasible.) If not, would you want to keep his ashes?

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

adandem

I lost my beautiful boy last year and I still grieve for him, he was 10 and full of life. He was diagnosed with cancer and he crossed the bridge 4 weeks later as he deteriorated very quickly.
I read up on the final stages and I was determined for him not to have to go through them, the first sign and we made the call.
The vet came to our house which was so much better, even the cat seemed to understand what was happening. It was very dignified and peaceful.
It's better a week too early than a day too late.
I feel for you, it's heartbreaking but also the last kindness we owe our pets.

hunnycat

Kim_13 wrote: »

Our 13yo had a home visit last year. Definitely the nicest way.

As it would be a home visit, you may wish to take some time to consider whether you'd prefer a home burial (if that's feasible.) If not, would you want to keep his ashes?

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

We do not have a garden, we have a roof terrace and the canal is our front garden. We would have him cremated and then have to sort out the ashes we alReady have waiting to be scattered/buried. I have 1 dogs and 3 cats ashes in the cupboard waiting to be put to rest!

I am thinking a huge ceramic pot with a bush or something.

I feel having the vet come to the house will allow my cats to understand what's happening. They all love him so much and look after him, I think if I just took him away they would struggle especially the kittens (just over a year old)

charlies_mum

I had to make this decision two days ago and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do

Charlie was a rescue dog who we were told was 1 1/2 when we took him 13 1/2 years ago. He had some issues so could never be trusted as he would snap. I adored him and he survived cancer and major surgery on a leg wound.

Recently he started passing blood but the vet couldn't find a reason and prescribed increasingly strong anti Biotics and we thought it was clearing the infection

On Thursday morning he went for a walk and his legs gave way. That's when we knew it was time. We stayed with him and I held hi when he went to sleep

I feel so very guilty but know it was the best thing for him

dippy3103

I have had to do both. One cat had a stroke in the night- prior to that she had been fine. The vet said she could try treating her but at 16 we were delaying the inevitable. So she was pts. So a short illness.

My other cat had cancer. My vet said I would just know when he was ready to go. He had lost a lot of weight suddenly which was why I took him. The vet was right - one day he stopped wanting to eat or go out and sunbathe. So I took him to the vets that day.
I also tend to agree that better a bit too early than allowing them to suffer. Euthanasia means gentle death. It the final act of love