Sensitive:heart failure in a cat

pinkdon

Sorry to say but I also agree that it would be kinder to let her go, cats are brilliant at hiding pain and we don’t usually know until it gets too much for them. If you can tell then I think it’s a sign that it’s too much for her. It’s horrific for us cat parents, but - for me at least - there was comfort knowing he didn’t suffer. Sometimes the hardest thing is the right thing. I’m so sorry that you are going through this and having to make this tough decision. Sending hugs 

elsien

kezzygirl said:

Katiehound said:

I am with the better a day too early than a day to late brigade.

if she is struggling to breathe then I would say please let her go, we have the gift to let our pets depart with dignity & not suffer (not humans 'though!) I would also say that a long weekend is approaching.....what happens if you need a vet suddenly on Sunday or Monday?

If she is clearly not herself are you doing her any favours? Why are you keeping her alive? for your sake?
No, I am not trying to be controversial but I remember a friend saying that to me over a dog- that was very brave of her and it made me think. So I sadly 'did the deed'

It's a very hard time for you. Thinking of you.

I have asked myself that: are we keeping her alive for our sake, not hers, and you're absolutely right, it's for ours but also she is still quite perky, despite increased resps.  

She has perked up a bit today and has laid in the sun in the garden, which was lovely for her. She has given a few friendly miaows but is obviously tiring easily as she is laying down lots. She even came out to us today while we hoovered the car and laid watching. I hate the thought that she has no idea that her life is almost over, I doubt she realises, which upsets me. 

Il update you in the coming days x

But that’s you, not her. 

Animals live far more in the moment than we do, and I think that’s a good thing. No panicking for her about what’s going to happen  tomorrow or the day after. Just taking each day at a time and making sure the last day is a good one, or as good as it can be.
It’s far harder on us than it is on them. 

sheramber

It may not be a gradual decline at the end. She may suddenly get in distress and instead of having a calm, peaceful send off it is a distressing episode for both her and you. 

It is the hardest thing see have to do as a pet owner but it is the  last kindest thing we can do  to show our love.

sheramber

MAY I GO NOW? 
by Susan A. Jackson

May I go?  May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye 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 so 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 good-bye
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.

Mrs_Z

sheramber said:

It may not be a gradual decline at the end. She may suddenly get in distress and instead of having a calm, peaceful send off it is a distressing episode for both her and you. 

It is the hardest thing see have to do as a pet owner but it is the  last kindest thing we can do  to show our love.

This is so true. As humans, we are in a privileged position to be able to give/faciliate a good death to our fellow non-human companions.
We had a cat diagnosed with a liver tumour, he was put on palliative care as at 15yrs he was considered too old for surgery and the vet said he'd have weeks rather than months left. He was given steroids and the vet said that they would eventually stop working for him.  The steroids did an amazing job, the cat got a new lease of life and was very happy and bright in himself. I thought about when the time would come, I expected him to gradually go back to how he was pre-steroids and that I'd then know the time had come. At this point, we were about 8 weeks in from the diagnosis.
Then one night, we don't know exactly what happen but I heard him howling downstairs at 2am. I went to investigate and found him behind the utility room cupboards. He had messed himself on his way there, and was paralysed from the waist down unable to move (liked he'd been driven over). OH had to unscrew the cupboard doors so that we could get him out of there (dusty and covered in poo), then frantically phoning round emergency vets. Most didn't answer, or could not get anyone to do a home visit in few hours.  One would have been open but half an hour drive and we were scared to move him too much as we didn't know if that'd cause him more distress. It was horrible. Cat's howling, agitated and in distress and so are we.  Luckily, we had some very strong pain relief medication that we were able to give him which worked and kept him stable until the morning when we took him to his usual vets to be PTS. It never occurred to me that it could go this way. We were lucky that it was a weekday and the vets were open in the morning. 
This probably comes too late for the OP, but anyone else out there in a similar position - don't leave it too late.

kezzygirl

Mrs_Z said:

sheramber said:

It may not be a gradual decline at the end. She may suddenly get in distress and instead of having a calm, peaceful send off it is a distressing episode for both her and you. 

It is the hardest thing see have to do as a pet owner but it is the  last kindest thing we can do  to show our love.

This is so true. As humans, we are in a privileged position to be able to give/faciliate a good death to our fellow non-human companions.
We had a cat diagnosed with a liver tumour, he was put on palliative care as at 15yrs he was considered too old for surgery and the vet said he'd have weeks rather than months left. He was given steroids and the vet said that they would eventually stop working for him.  The steroids did an amazing job, the cat got a new lease of life and was very happy and bright in himself. I thought about when the time would come, I expected him to gradually go back to how he was pre-steroids and that I'd then know the time had come. At this point, we were about 8 weeks in from the diagnosis.
Then one night, we don't know exactly what happen but I heard him howling downstairs at 2am. I went to investigate and found him behind the utility room cupboards. He had messed himself on his way there, and was paralysed from the waist down unable to move (liked he'd been driven over). OH had to unscrew the cupboard doors so that we could get him out of there (dusty and covered in poo), then frantically phoning round emergency vets. Most didn't answer, or could not get anyone to do a home visit in few hours.  One would have been open but half an hour drive and we were scared to move him too much as we didn't know if that'd cause him more distress. It was horrible. Cat's howling, agitated and in distress and so are we.  Luckily, we had some very strong pain relief medication that we were able to give him which worked and kept him stable until the morning when we took him to his usual vets to be PTS. It never occurred to me that it could go this way. We were lucky that it was a weekday and the vets were open in the morning. 
This probably comes too late for the OP, but anyone else out there in a similar position - don't leave it too late.

So sorry to hear your story. This has too passed through my mind that she could deteriorate very suddenly out of hours and we would have to get her help. Tabby is rallying. Last week I did wake to hear her coughing, but haven't heard her cough since. Also, one night last week she seemed a bit 'off'. She came and sat with me and seemed in pain, licking her lips and breathing had changed again. I thought then it was time and the next morning planned to  call the vets to have her pts. But the next morning, she seemed to rally again. She has lost a little more weight, but is eating. The time is coming though where I will take her. Its so hard when she is still so bright eyed and vocal, despite her rapid breathing. She does not seem in distress, isn't panting and is still eating etc albeit small amounts. 

Happy_Kitties

I really feel for you, I’m very much a cat person and have had many cats in my time. When  I’ve lost each one they’ve taken a little piece of my heart with them.

I had a cat who had a heart murmur (diagnosed when she was very young) who lived with it for years with no effect on her and she regularly had a check up every 6 months. Then at one check up the heart murmur had stepped up a grade but she was still doing great. She lived with the heart murmur for years and I only lost her last year at the good age of 15. But when she started to go downhill and it was suspected to be her heart, I didn’t mind paying for a scan which did confirm but it was the secondaries, she broke out in sores and other issues.  I did say to the vet that I felt I was slowly losing her when the signs started to show. She died at home in the night. The vet had told me what to look for if she had struggled but she didn’t, she died peacefully in her sleep as she had been drugged that day for a vet check up where drugged up they had bathed her skin and she immediately dived in the cat litter to roll around in it. Her last hours were happy ones, I very much doubt if she knew what she was doing as the medication is normally used for another cat with anger management issues towards vets but this time it was used to keep stress at a minimum. But they couldn’t get her stable and once in decline it was a quick freefall, 

Cats very rarely die at home, and I felt that I had almost been robbed of being with her at the end, even though she went peacefully in her sleep. But I was still worried initially that she might not of gone peacefully. The  decline is rapid, especially with an heart murmur and however much you battle to save them, once in decline they go downhill so very quick and  I think in your heart you already now what the answer is. You will know the time  and the only thing holding you back is you wanting her to live but life never lets us have those wishes. 

It’s is the hardest thing in the world but the last and final thing that we can do as an owner for our pets. 

kezzygirl

Update: tabby has been doing well, until today where she has started mouth breathing/panting on slightest exertion. I'm preparing her a litter tray to use in the house for the next couple of days and going to call the vet Monday morning to have her put to rest. Tabby is still eating and drinking, but I can't let her go through the struggle and deteriorate any more now that she is panting, it's not fair and she will only get worse. Going to give her a good last few days , lots of head boops and strokes and love. A tin of sardines and maybe some tuna. Il update again Monday.

kimwp

Sending love kezzygirl xx

cannugec5

My thoughts are with you.
I have to admit I’ve never been through the trauma of having a pet Put to sleep. 

We have had a cat who passed away in a car accident, another that passed while awaiting blood results ( poisoned by anti freeze ) and another that simply curled up and passed in old age (20). 

I totally get that the kindest thing in the face of suffering is euthanasia, but am fortunate that I’ve never yet had to face that issue. 

We now have a dog, rather than a cat, and I know sometime a decision will need to be made. 

I’m also in the camp that would rather euthanasia was available to humans rather than suffering the pain of some illnesses. 

I don’t want this post to seem uncaring. I really do have a lot of sympathy and will be thinking of you on Monday…