Where to get my cat PTS?

[Ekona]

Sorry about the length/rambling nature of this post too, it's very hard to write succinctly about this.


As I've mentioned elsewhere, one of our cats has terminal cancer in her face and we're getting close to the point where I'm going to have to make the hardest decision, before she starts suffering. I've never done this before, so I'm trying to work out what's best for both her and our other cats. My own feelings don't come into it, I'll be a wimpering mess regardless. It's just a "What would you do?" kinda question, just to gauge what others think.


Geldof is a bit of a nervous cat, and doesn't really like other people but is more shy than violent. My first thought was to ask the vet to come to our house and do it, so that I don't have to put Geldof in the cat box and put her through a car trip she doesn't really like. However:

- I'd have to shut her in the bedroom where she normally sleeps, and then stay in there whilst the vet puts her to sleep. She hates being trapped, and is very unlikely to be remotely relaxed or comfortable with me shutting the door behind me, picking her up and holding her tight whilst the vet goes to work. This will definitely stress her out, and I can't see that being a nice way for her to go.
- Geldof's brother, Zelda, also lives in this bedroom during the day. I'd have to kick him out of the room, stressing him out, or leave him in the room while it happens. I don't think he'll appreciate either option, but he'll be okay long-term I hope. At least this way, I can show her to him after she's gone, so he can understand what's happened and move on.

OR

I take her to the vet, and have it done there. As above, Geldof won't like being cornered to be caught and put in the cat carrier, and she hates the car journey and waiting at the vets, however once she's there and out of the box on the vet's table she's actually very chilled out. Has a little sniff, bit of a walk around, doesn't mind it in the slightest. However:

- That's not her home, and it's a lot of stress just to get her there.
- I'd then have to take her home again to show Zelda, and then bring her back for cremation. That seems a horrible thing to do, to carry her body home just to show her brother. Would I be better off just not showing him, and hope he's okay?


I have no idea. Part of me says obviously have it done at home, but then I know how stressed she'll be and that just makes me feel awful. Thoughts, suggestions, ideas, anything always appreciated as usual.

[Ekona]

Thanks Bex, it's good to know that doing it at the vet is something that other folks have done too. I mean, I just read a lot about it all happening at home these days, so it's hard to get the experiences from the other side. I'd not really considered how I'd feel if we did it at home either.

We're off to see the vet on Friday for a steroid jab, and they are very good down there so it's definitely something I'll discuss with them. I didn't realise that a sedative might be an option to, sounds like something worth looking into perhaps.

[Ekona]

If only, I've been buying and cooking her everything under the sun, but she's just not interested. I've tried:

Tuna (steamed)
Salmon (steamed)
Chicken (grilled)
Lamb (grilled)
Ribeye (pan fried)
Ham (from a packet)
Sardines, mackerel etc (in a tin)
Cheese (cheddar, she used to love this as a snack!)
Applaws (various flavours)
Various random poncy cat foods from Pets At Home

The only stuff she's remotely interested in eating right now is, would you believe it, Go Cat cheapy biscuits. Even when I'm trying to treat her with everything just to make her happy, she only wants the cheap crap

Bless her, she's always been a bit odd. Had a good feel of the masses round her head last night, they're getting really close to her throat and ear. I think I already know what the vet is going to say on Friday.

[Ekona]

Mobile Chicane said:

But when you know, you know. Rather a day too soon then a moment too late.

That's the bit I'm really struggling with. Apart from not really eating or drinking a whole lot and losing weight, she seems fine. She's chatty, incredibly loving at night, still runs around as normal etc. The only difference in the last week is that she's started to get very aggressive towards our new kitten, to the point where I've had to separate them as I'm not convinced the fighting would stop naturally. I just wonder if she's now starting to suffer with pain a bit and won't stand for the kitten's antics, where she used to.

This is so, so hard. I'm in tears before I go to sleep at night when she cuddles up with me, and I'm in tears when I wake in the morning as she jumps up for another cuddle. I now realise I've been so lucky in the past when my other pets have died naturally and quickly in their sleep. Bloody well in tears again just writing this.

It just seems so wrong to even be considering putting her to sleep when she seems so active and alive, but your sentence has really stopped and made me think again that I'm doing the right thing. Thank you

[Ekona]

Clinical maybe, but it's probably the right way to look at things from the POV of what's best for her. She certainly fails at least one of those, that's for sure, and possibly two if we include the eating/drinking and maybe three if the first one applies as well.

Thanks for that Moorx, it's appreciated.

[Ekona]

The vet and I both agreed, it's time to let her go. She's booked in for Monday, so we get the weekend together at least.

There are quite literally no words for how I feel right now.

[Ekona]

I did, or at least I tried to through the tears. I asked about what to expect, where it happens, what happens during, and where she goes afterwards. Sadly I can't bury her due to various issues, so I'm going to have her cremated then I'll put her in one of those cat-shaped caskets and pop her in her favourite room, the one that gets all the sunshine.

I think she'd like that.

[Ekona]

Well today hasn't been much fun. Every time I see her I just keep thinking it's the last time I'll see her play with her toy, or give me a weekend lay in cuddle, or eat her tea, or anything really. Absolutely dreading tomorrow.

I assume I can feed her before we go to the vet? Appointment is 5:20, be nice to give her a treat before I take her.

[Ekona]

She passed away at just before six. Very peaceful, she just fell asleep with her head in my hand. I know I made the right choice, but it still hurts like crazy right now. I'm going to miss her so much.

Thank you all for your words and advice, it really has made a massive difference to me.



Night night, little one.

[Ekona]

Sorry for your loss, I know exactly how you feel right now. That sounds a harder decision than I had to make, although I believe you made the right decision.

I still feel absolutely numb, and spent the day in bed yesterday. I had Geldof's brother laying next to me most of the day, except when the kitten was being a pest to him. I don't think he understands where his sister is yet, but he was a bit whingy this afternoon. I just can't believe I'll never see her again.


Thanks for the kind words all, it does mean a lot to me.