Euthanasia - what to expect

[Barmaid]

I had to take my sweet little 13 year old girl cat to the vets today. They have telephoned me tonight to say her urea levels are very high (she has had renal failure for 5 years). They have said she is in no pain. They suggested a drip and fluids for 48 hours to see if they can flush out her kidneys and get them working again, but also said that she is old and at the end and I should consider having her put to sleep.

I know now that the right thing to do by her - if there is no improvement over 48 hours (and to be honest, I doubt it, she looked quite poorly today and was not herself) - is to ask them to put her to sleep. If not in the next two days, it will happen shortly.

I want to be there because (being the soppy old sod that I am) I want her to hear how much I love her and how she has always been my baby girl. I've never done this before. Do they just slip away? Will I be allowed to cuddle her? How long does it take?

I know there are some folk out there who will be horrible at such a question. "She's only a cat, blah blah". Please don't. I've spent the last hour crying.

[Barmaid]

Thank you to all of you for your help and support. I spoke to the vet on Wednesday and she was amazed at how my baby had responded to a simple drip. She was eating everything in sight and miaowing for attention. I visited her Wednesday afternoon and she was bright and responsive and loving.

Wednesday night we talked to the children and explained how poorly she was. My step son appeared to take it reasonably well.

On Thursday, the vets suggested she was well enough to come home, although they anticipated it would be weeks if anything.

She came home yesterday and deteriorated rapidly. This afternoon, she went outside and decided to sit in the sun. She spent the afternoon with me doing what she loved most - cuddling in the sun.

[Barmaid]

We talked to the children again and gave them the opportunity to cuddle her and say goodbye. We took some photographs with her. At 5pm I took her to the vets because she was so weak and poorly and I felt she was not enjoying her life anymore.

Shorly after 5pm she slipped away. The last words she heard we me telling me how much she was loved and cherished. I brought her home and buried her in her favourite spot in the garden overlooking the lake. We have lit a candle on her grave. We then popped a bottle of champagne and raised a toast to one of the sweetest cats that ever lived.

I am hurt beyond words, but relieved that she looked so peaceful and is now at rest. She was my soulmate for 13 years. I've told her I'll see her at the Rainbow Bridge.

BMx

[NoMercy]

Thinking of you, BM. And pets aren't just "animals"... they're our little babies. XX

[slark]

Sorry to hear your sad news.

[mrs.chappie]

Thank you so much for posting to let us know, BM. xxx

[DrFilth]

think of all the good times you have had and she will suffer no more. feel for you barmaid as i have been there

[shivvy]

Oh Barmaid I am so sorry.
Make sure to remind yourself that you absolutely did the right thing for her when she needed you most.
Best wishes to you and your family.
xxx

[ayabrea38]

Your cat is a member of the family,so please do not feel bad about'feeling bad'
I wish that all animals could tell us what they want instead of us having to rely on what they can portray to us.
She will know you loved her
All the best
love Aya xxx

[Mamyalynne]

You did everything right and what a send off, wish everyone got the same respect. Take care ♥

[boxtops]

BM, how wonderful that your little cat rallied enough to come home and to share those last sunshiny hours with you. That's such a blessing and something you will always remember. Thinking of you all, and puss at rest. ♥