having a cat put to sleep

[k8bailey]

I'm in the awful position of having to have my cat put to sleep....I feel terrible about this but he's been losing weight for a couple of months, and has stopped cleaning himself in the last 2 weeks. The vet initially thought it was kidney failure, but after some blood tests they tell me that he has some form of leukemia, he also has mouth ulcers, severe anaemia and dehydration. Vet says that they can treat the symptoms, but its terminal and even with treatment he'd only have months left at best.

When he is put to sleep, can I stay with him? is it quick? I'm going to take him in on Thursday.

He's only 8, I 'aquired' him as a very young kitten, he was stray and his mother and siblings were killed on the road. I nursed him back to health only for him to be hit by a car aged 2, he dislocated his hip but by the time the vet realised, it was too late to pop it back, so he has lived with it like that ever since. He goes wild at christmas acting like a silly kitten again. He was my constant companion during my long labour with my 1st daughter, and he has been incredibly patient and caring towards our 2 young children....he seems to have a 6th sense about illness and is always around when one of us are ill. His full name is Elvis Charlotte 'fatty-fat' Jones Bailey-Davies. I know i am doing what is best for him, but it doesn't make it any easier.

[kat1]

Thinking of you k8. x

[k8bailey]

Well, it's all over. I cried bucket in the vets, but they were brilliant! It was very quick and peaceful....I held him til the end, couldn't speak but didn't need too...that's the great thing about true friends.

Thank you all so much for your kindness, it's lovely to not be judged for being so soppy over a moggy.

We will get another cat at some point redhelen, but we're in the process of selling our house/buying a new one, so now really isn't the time...but when we do, it'll be from the RSPCA as my mum is a part time volunteer there, and I always regretted buying our other cat.



Sleep well Elvis Charlotte 'Fatty-Fat' Jones Bailey-Davies <3

[kat1]

Hes at 'Rainbow Hill' now & will be making friends with all the other cats.

[pussnboots]

Elvis Charlotte'fatty-cat' Jones Bailey-Davies, is free now and playing with Puss and Boots. x

[quizzer01]

a very sad day for you today -I know exactly how you feel I had to have my dog put down 4 mnths ago through cancer. I have another dog now a blue merle sheepdog called Blue as he has very blue eyes ,he is gorgeous but could never replace my other dog xx

[ttfn]

k8, your dear Fatty-Fat was lucky to have you in his life. You have done absolutely the right thing for him, for which I applaud you. Enjoy your happy memories of him in all the years to come. With kindest thoughts xx

[wolf63]

We are lucky that these little bundles of fur (and teeth and claws) deign to spend their lives with us mere humans.

k8 - serious though the topic is I smiled at the cost of having "Elvis Charlotte 'fatty-cat' Jones Bailey-Davies" engraved on a gravestone.

Keep talking about him - look at pictures and cry if you need to.

We, on AB, have been there and we know how much it hurts. ;-)

[mumsie_wumsie]

Sleep peacefully Elvis. k8bailey,it is so hard to let a loved pet go, but you have done the right thing. I have been through it many times with my pets and it doesn't get any easier. I have two quite elderly cats at the moment and I know I won't have them for too much longer. Also an elderly rescue greyhound,who has a few health problems. The poems were beautiful from other ABers, and they brought tears to my eyes. Elvis is at peace now and free from his pain, that shows lots of love on your part. Take care xx

[sue11]

K8bailey, I too have been shedding tears as I have read your posts and the comforting responses from everyone. I am so sorry, but anyone can see the love and care you gave to Elvis throughout his life, I am sure that he paid back that love in buckets. It is so terribly hard isn't it, when a much loved pet goes.
Thinking of you.
Sue

[k8bailey]

you wouldn't believe how much it means to me, all these kind messages.

I'm feeling surprisingly positive today, I think in the end it was a relief to see him go, I don't think he had another week left in him anyway, but what a nice way to go....in the arms of someone you loved/loved you, it could've been much worse.

I've been looking through some photos of Elvis from happier, healthier days (that's him in my avatar) I'm surprised by how bad he actually looked in the end.

Finding it hard to deal with my daughter's questions - this morning she wanted to know if Elvis was having fun in Nana's garden, also can't face cleaning the bath or his bowl.....he'll be really gone when I've done that.

[pussnboots]

Elvis looks like a real handsome boy, I know what you mean when you say that Elvis had changed latterly. My old cat went from being a real bruiser, a really bonny cat (he's my avatar) to being thin and his coat was messy. It was time to go for Elvis, his life was happy and he was loved by you. That's all we can do for our pets.