When to do it

Willow

I have a cat named Jabba who lives with my mom. He had problems with moving so I didn't take him with me when I moved out the 2 time and last time. About a month ago he was diagnosed with feline leukaemia. The vet told my mom to monitor him which they have been doing. He has his bad days but then has great days. Some days my mom says he sleeps and doesn't eat and other days he inhales food and drinks lots. Some days he lies down all day and pees where he sleeps other days he beats up the other cats like he used to. I just don't know when to draw the line and put him down. I don't want to be selfish and keep him around just for us, but don't want to end his life early.

Not sure what to do !?

swerve

Originally posted by Willow
I have a cat named Jabba who lives with my mom. He had problems with moving so I didn't take him with me when I moved out the 2 time and last time. About a month ago he was diagnosed with feline leukaemia. The vet told my mom to monitor him which they have been doing. He has his bad days but then has great days. Some days my mom says he sleeps and doesn't eat and other days he inhales food and drinks lots. Some days he lies down all day and pees where he sleeps other days he beats up the other cats like he used to. I just don't know when to draw the line and put him down. I don't want to be selfish and keep him around just for us, but don't want to end his life early.

Not sure what to do !?

I feel you man. We had a dog for 16 years and we had to let him go about 3 years ago... he was blind//mute. Ran into walls and basically went off memory i assume. He was very capable of living still but he would have random fits... like spending 15-20 hours walking in circles... pets are awesome companions therefore it really is hard for us to look past the attachment and see how much they are suffering. Our dog had to go sure he could have made it a few more rounds but the fight was over long before we even considered putting him to sleep. Basically it's your own call because no one knows the pet better than the owner.

Adam

Willow

What makes it more difficult is that I have to go by what my mother says. I never really see first hand how he is on a reg day basis.

Ron-P

Sad to here Willow. But I can sure relate. We had a Dalmatian, Angel, for 13+ years. We had to put her down just this past March.

amulford

If he isn't in pain, let nature run her course, man. Now if he starts to suffer, that is a different story.

I once had a dog, I did it myself. Hardest f#cking thing, won't ever put myself thru that again, but she didn't suffer anymore...

steveinaz

Sorry about the bad news bud. My pug (katie) suffered kidney failuer a few years ago---out of nowhere, it's tough. She was a great dog and miss that little ugly thing.

You'll know when the time is right.

ND13

That really sucks dude. I've had to put down a family pet before, also. It really hurt, but it was the humane thing to do for her. If he is in pain and suffering, it might be best for him and ya'll. I know it was alot harder on the family to see Delilah suffering and not being her self. It still bothers me from time to time, but I know that I did the right thing and not the selfish thing. We had raised her from a pup, that we had to feed with an eyedropper, til she was 15. A malamute, btw. I have a 12 year old cat and a 7 month old Jack Russel "Terrorist" now, and we had to put the cat on nerve pills. Between the puppy and two young boys(5 & 7) she just can't handle all the commotion.

I feel for you and would hate to be in your shoes right now, but I'm certain ya'll will do what's right for your cat and situation.

Good Luck

Willow

Thanks guys

I am thinking it may be time, but I do want him to live a tadd longer but I don't want him to suffer. He has been sleeping in a closet that my mom lined with plastic bags and towels. That's where he does his business and doesn't move much from there. I am close to him but not as much as I am with my dog. Jabba has not lived with me in 7 yrs. He is about 11yrs old now. I will give him to the end of July once I come back from holidays and see how he is at that point

steveinaz

The real tough question is: Are you keeping the animal alive for you or for the animal. It really comes down to the animals quality of life, and if they have chronic pain from the affliction.

Sorry again, wouldn't want to be in your shoes brother.

MacLeod

There is no "right" time. No matter when you do its gonna hurt.

Thats what I hate about pets. I get so attatched to them and then they just dont last long enough.

I would say the closest to the "right" time is when his quality of life is obviously gone. If he's just lying around peeing on himself, its time to give him some peace.

beardog03

Originally posted by MacLeod

I would say the closest to the "right" time is when his quality of life is obviously gone. If he's just lying around peeing on himself, its time to give him some peace. [/B]

FWIW, I agree with mac...

brettw22

I say put him down......

It sucks, but are you going to be happier by keeping him alive while he's not able to properly function?

Pets are pets.......as much as ya love them, their shelf life, if you will, is much less than yours and you will typically always have to deal with a pet going away before you.....

Willow

I went to my mom's on Tuesday, she asked me to go see Jabba. I went , he was all bones kinda lloked like the guy in Machinist.
Wednesday, we brought him to the vet. The vet looked at him and said it's his time. She noticed Jaundice was kicking in he couldn't keep his head up. He has no not suffered or gotten worse since 1pm yesterday.

May he walk through fields of catnip for ever. (he loved that stuff)

George Grand

Sorry to hear you lost a good pal Willow.

George

Ron-P

Sorry to hear bro!

ND13

May he RIP. Sorry for your loss.:(

heiney9

Hey man, my thoughts are with you. It's a very tough thing to do! It sounds like it was definetly time. I had a dog which I raised since a pup. She was 14 or 15 when we decided to put her down. She couldn't hear or see anymore and her quality of life was diminished. Her kidney's were starting to fail and she had several accidents in the house. It was among the toughest things to do. Calling the Vet to make an appointment....the car ride to the Vet....sitting in the room waiting for the Vet to come in....my brother and I had to go because my Dad just couldn't bring himself to come along. My Mom had said her good bye in the morning before work.

It still hurts to think about it, but it was the right thing to do. You did the right thing. I've become very anti-pet since then becasue I just can't go thru that again and again.

Take care

H9

madmax

I know how it feels. I had three I had to deal with. All lived 17 to 21 years. Talk about members of the family. Sounds like you did the right thing at the right time. Sorry to hear.

madmax

RuSsMaN

Hang in there bud.

cfrizz

Sorry for your loss.:(

Take care.

aaharvel

I love cats. I have two; Slick & Twosocks.

sorry for your loss.

MacLeod

I got a cat thinking I wouldnt get as attatched to it as I would a dog and it would be easier when she passed.

Named her Missy.

Well, shes in my lap right now as I type this and after only 7 months, it would kill me if anything happened to her.

Think of it like this, that cat lived better than most people do, so take comfort knowing that rather than being some stray wondering around, he was loved and well taken care of.

Airplay355

All kitties go to heaven

danger boy

sorry to hear about Jabba. Remember the fun times you had with him. may he always hold a special place in your heart.