Putting a pet down

[Kaolccips]

Just today I had to get my cat put down. He wasn't very old, maybe 5 months or so. But a little after we first got him he was badly beat up by a neighborhood cat, which we had removed because he was trying to kill both of our kittens and was the neighbors cat. What kind of grown, large, cat would try to hurt little kittens like that? But anyways, he did something to the kittens spine and over the period of a few weeks he started not being able to use his back legs properly, stopped eating and drinking, and started getting very thin. We were unable to take him to the vet because of money problems and if we did, I'm pretty sure he would have needed surgery after some googling around about things like that. I think he had severe spine damage, though I'm not a vet so I'm not 100% sure. We tried to wait till someone got paid so they could take him to the vet because he was a really really good sweet cat. Everyone started getting really attached to him and hated seeing his condition get progressively worse. Eventually we decided it would be best for him to not have to suffer, though.. he didn't appear to be in any pain. But towards the end he couldn't hardly walk with any of his legs, it was extremely sad to see.

My question is, Was that the right thing to do since his condition was getting worse and worse? Chances are he would have needed surgery to ever be able to walk again (which we could not afford), even though he didn't seem to be in any pain.. I still think it was extremely demoralizing to him as a cat, and he seemed to be very depressed. Should we have just let him die naturally, or put him down?

I tried it wait it out for him to die naturally because I thought that was the right thing to do since he wasn't in pain. But he started drinking more water and it seemed like he was really trying to hold on. Probably because of me, we became very attached towards the end since he couldn't walk anywhere. I would carry him, and like I said he was a very caring cat. (Yes cats can be caring for all you cat-haters out there ) But he started drinking more and it really seemed like it would be drug out longer than it really should.

Thoughts? (The reason I'm asking this is because when I got home today, he isn't here and I know he was put to sleep. I'm feeling pretty bad about the whole thing since we couldn't do anything for him.)

 

[TwiceOver]

It sucks to have to put a pet down but you need to consider YOUR's and THEIR quality of life after an expensive/invasive vet trip.

 

[rasczak]

I would have brought him to the vet immediately. Most can work with you regarding payment. I'm sorry to hear about the little guy.

 

[tidehigh]

I understand how you feel. I think you did the right thing.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm sorry your kitty didn't make it. It's never easy when we lose a pet. As owners, we have the responsibility to decide when our pet's quality of life is so poor that the right thing to do is put them down. There are so many pets at shelters and humane societies that need looking after. When you feel like you're able to, check out the local shelters. Again, I'm sorry and for what its worth, I've had to put down pets in similar situations.

 

[Jugernot]

Sucks man

 

[Capt Caveman]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

If you can't afford vet care, I suggest keeping your cats indoors to reduce the risk of them getting injured going forward.

 

[Gooberlx2]

It was the right decision. Even with surgery, spinal related injuries in animals can lead to terrible and costly complications in the future. Sorry for your loss. I cried like a baby when we had to put one of ours down a few years ago.

What kind of grown, large, cat would try to hurt little kittens like that?

Cats are very territorial, especially males. Capt. Caveman is right; the cats should be kept indoors.

 

[jman19]

 

[V00DOO]

It's never easy. I had to put my dog down for dying of Prostate Cancer. If they ask if you want to see your car after being put down, JUST SAY NO. I made the mistake of viewing my dog one last time after he was put down. I can never get the image of my dead dog off my head. It makes me sad everytime that image pops up.

 

[Kaolccips]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Sorry to hear of your loss.

If you can't afford vet care, I suggest keeping your cats indoors to reduce the risk of them getting injured going forward.

We do, but kittens still like to go outside to play every once in awhile. They always sit in the window and look out. I didn't think there was some insane kitten-beating cat running around, I live pretty much out in the country with a big yard for them to play in.

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Cats are very territorial, especially males. Capt. Caveman is right; the cats should be kept indoors.

I realize this but I've had many cats over the years and we have other male cats around the area. I've never had any problems with them hurting small kittens though. Sure they fight for dominance with other male mature cats who have reached the age to where they feel threatened, most even get along and never fight. But a kitten? Thats never happened and I think something was a little off with that cat.

But anyways, thanks for the replies everyone. I feel a little better about the whole situation now.

 

[sutahz]

"What kind of grown, large, cat would try to hurt little kittens like that?"
These aren't humans, these are animals. The other cat could be defending it's territory or perhaps defending what it see's as limited resources (food/water).

"I still think it was extremely demoralizing to him as a cat, and he seemed to be very depressed."
Though sad to see a pet in pain, or as you're putting it, a not good situation is bad you are humanizing this animal. Demoralizing him? He looked depressed because of the pain and lack of energy.
My opinion is you did the right thing in putting him down. You don't have the financial means to possibly fix the cats medical problems so you shortened the time it had to suffer.

"he was really trying to hold on. Probably because of me" he was holding on because survival is an instinct that all animals have (except suicidal humans).

"very caring cat" how? I'm sure he cuddled up next to you, you are his parent at that point (as you got him at a very young age).
Don't feel bad, he probably was in pain and you helped alieviate it.

 

[IlllI]

did you kill it yourself or have the vet do it? if you took it to the vet and they recommended doing it, then why ask if it was the right thing to do?

 

[Baked]

That's life for animals, most die of horrific death.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: tidehigh
I understand how you feel. I think you did the right thing.

:thumbsup:

 

[rocadelpunk]

saddest moment(s) of my life so far have been when my pets were put down. If I think about it I can easily start crying...even years after the fact.

 

[Madwand1]

It's a tragedy when pets are put down / don't receive medical care because it's too expensive. Getting pet insurance ahead of time can help.

 

[alkemyst]

a lesson that pets belong indoors 99.99999% of the time.

Also WTF not taking him to a vet. You don't have to have surgery, but at least they could have probably made it better for them.

This qualifies as animal neglect in most states. As a pet owner you are REQUIRED to provide proper care even if that means having a pet euthanized.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
It's a tragedy when pets are put down / don't receive medical care because it's too expensive. Getting pet insurance ahead of time can help.

Pet insurance is for those that would already have spent the cash for anything but major events. The OP didn't even get the pet checked out.

Pet insurance is not a money saver, like any insurance it costs you a bit more but provides for that rainy day.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Pet insurance is for those that would already have spent the cash for anything but major events.

Most people who can afford Internet access/etc. can afford the periodic payments for pet insurance, and it helps in this sort of case -- when things go very badly, and there's some hope and question that medical treatment would have a positive outcome, but the direct cost is too high. Hospitalization can be very expensive, daily, even while the problem is still being determined.

Pet insurance is not a magic solution to all health problems, but when you consider experiences like this, it becomes something to think of in advance. Like all forms of insurance, it's a money sink when you don't need it, but when you do, it can be really nice to have.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Pet insurance is for those that would already have spent the cash for anything but major events.

Most people who can afford Internet access/etc. can afford the periodic payments for pet insurance, and it helps in this sort of case -- when things go very badly, and there's some hope and question that medical treatment would have a positive outcome, but the direct cost is too high. Hospitalization can be very expensive, daily, even while the problem is still being determined.

Pet insurance is not a magic solution to all health problems, but when you consider experiences like this, it becomes something to think of in advance. Like all forms of insurance, it's a money sink when you don't need it, but when you do, it can be really nice to have.

You are very wrong in saying if someone can pay for one thing they can pay for another. Sadly most put things like internet and cable access prior to pets and even kids. If you don't have another dollar to spend you don't have it.

People talk pet insurance but few really understand it. You are looking at about $300-400 per year for it to be worthwhile, you will still pay about the same as you do for everything else that's basically routine.

Most don't want / have the first $300-400 for their pets.

You are not going to really save any money with pet insurance unless you have a catastrophic event. It was never intended to be geared towards those just struggling to make ends meet.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
You are not going to really save any money with pet insurance unless you have a catastrophic event. It was never intended to be geared towards those just struggling to make ends meet.

Yes, it's exactly for the serious cases that you'd want insurance.

Yes, some people don't want to spend any money on their pet, and their emergency medical treatment plan is to kill it.

Neither of these change the fact that insurance is available; prices will vary, and be affordable to many though not everyone, and that it can help significantly for those catastrophic cases, which do arise sometimes.

All I'm saying is that if you want to think of an emergency medical treatment plan beyond killing the pet, you could look into the pet insurance options available to you.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: V00DOO
It's never easy. I had to put my dog down for dying of Prostate Cancer. If they ask if you want to see your car after being put down, JUST SAY NO. I made the mistake of viewing my dog one last time after he was put down. I can never get the image of my dead dog off my head. It makes me sad everytime that image pops up.

You werent in the room?

Our vet let me and my wife stay in the room with our dog during the whole procedure. After the shot the Dr. left and just told us to take as much time as we wanted. I had just assumed it was standard for the vet to let you be there.

And sadly, it will be that time again soon for our other dog.

 

[Kaolccips]

Originally posted by: sutahz
"What kind of grown, large, cat would try to hurt little kittens like that?"
These aren't humans, these are animals. The other cat could be defending it's territory or perhaps defending what it see's as limited resources (food/water).

Like I said, we've had dozens of cats around here before and never had a problem like this. I really dont think it has anything to do with the cat thinking he will run out of water or food. He was very domesticated. (Though apparently not too much because of this).

"I still think it was extremely demoralizing to him as a cat, and he seemed to be very depressed."
Though sad to see a pet in pain, or as you're putting it, a not good situation is bad you are humanizing this animal. Demoralizing him? He looked depressed because of the pain and lack of energy.
My opinion is you did the right thing in putting him down. You don't have the financial means to possibly fix the cats medical problems so you shortened the time it had to suffer.

And yes, cats can be "down". Cats are very instinctual animals unlike dogs. If they are de-clawed, de-tailed (which this cat was, we bought him from the pet store like that.), or un-able to do normal cat things. Such as walk, let alone run. They feel worthless like they cannot protect themselves and will literally be depressed because they feel their natural abilities are completely gone and they cannot defend themselves. I've read a lot of crap on the internet about the mind of cats and their behaviors because I'm a cat lover, though I'm definitely no where close to any kind of expert on the topic so who knows. Though yeah, I do think that we helped. I wish I would have been able to take him to get help, but there was no possible way for that.

"very caring cat" how? I'm sure he cuddled up next to you, you are his parent at that point (as you got him at a very young age).
Don't feel bad, he probably was in pain and you helped alieviate it.

Idk.. animals aren't completely emotionless beasts. They have personalities just like people all have different personalities. Some cats are very secluded, some like to be petted and around people. Some cats hate being touched, some don't. I've had many different cats and they all were different.

did you kill it yourself or have the vet do it? if you took it to the vet and they recommended doing it, then why ask if it was the right thing to do?

My grandfather did it, it was never taken to a vet.




Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot afford? You have no idea who I am, or what life I am living. Some people don't have the money for those things. Yes I do have internet but so what? We get by barely each month with the money we do have for the bills. People come before animals. Besides, I wasn't the one who got the cat in the first place. If it was up to me I would give all the animals away because I don't think we need to have them if I cannot even afford to take them to the vet when they get ill. But they aren't my animals so I cannot give them away, and I wasn't the one who paid for them. I'm just trying to do what I can the best way I know.




And btw, I don't even have insurance, how the hell are we going to have animal insurance lol.

 

[AlienCraft]

Yeah that really sucks. Poor little guy.

The implict deal we make with them is that we expect them to pass first.

And that we will try to make their lives as joyful and pain free as possible.
I know it's a lot of work to keep a cat especially indoors, but it can be done.

When I was in South Carolina, I wouldn't let my cat out, even though my brother's cat came and went. His house was next to some woods and I wasn't having my cat be lunch for some bigger animal out there. Still that way here in suburban Sacramento.
You're the 'parent', it's your responsibility.

Get a book on cat behaviors or do some Intarweb searching. Cats are VERY territorial, and possesive. Ginger will 'share' me with the two males ( Killer and Sammy) but not the other female cat here. Unspayed males will attempt to kill any kittens not of their sire instinctually.



Sorry about your loss. Hope you don't beat yourself up too bad about it.
There are lots of pets being abandoned due to their owners being foreclosed.
Go get one that NEEDS a new home, and help yourself heal while you help save a life.

And look up anthropromorphizing. Try not to do it too much.


Edited to remove foot from mouth.