How do you know when it's time to put an animal down?

[crimson coal]

My cat is about 13 years old and has been diagnosed with cancer. We have done pretty much all we can for him. My dillema is how do you know when to put it to sleep? Samson (my cat) has numerous scabs in his fur on his body (cancer) He also throws up everyday and I mean everyday. Heres the part that throws me off. He still is somewhat playfull and is eating regularly (to much). How do you know when a cat is in enough pain to put him down? Would he still swat at paper even if he was sick and in pain? Throwing up daily can't be a good sign. I am really lost on what to do.

 

[WODIN]

It is time to let Samson go.

 

[Obnoxious White Guy]

bro- seriously, ask your vet...it's hard to be objective about these things...sounds to me it's time, but i don't have an attachment to the animal....

 

[TheProject]

I had to put my dog to sleep last summer, and it was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.

He'd gotten a tumor in one of his back legs, and it had grown to the point that it was inoperable. He had arthritis, so if they had amputated, he wouldn't really have been able to get around.

If it had just been a mobility issue, I may have kept him a little longer, but he stopped eating as much, and when he did eat, he got terribly sick.

It took me about a month to work up the courage to do it, and finally, one Saturday morning after the gym, I took him up to the vet without telling anyone, and held him while they gave him the shot.

For me, there just came a time when I could see in his eyes that it was time to let him go.

 

[dimitrios]

My wife is a Vet. and we talk about this all the time. She seems to think that when an animal is in that type of shape, you will help by putting him or her down. It's very hard to do, (She put her cat down a few months back) but it is best for the animal. Her cat had brain tumor's and was also a diabetic. He would still eat (and he did alot of that), but he just was not him self. Do your animal right and do not let it suffer.

 

[big4life]

One of the hardest things is deciding to put a pet to sleep. I couldn't do it with my father's dog after my father passed away. I couldn't bring myself to do it even though she went blind and had bad kidneys.

There are no easy answers when deciding this. I am sorry that you or anyone has to face this. Talk to your vet and ask what they would do.

 

[spongebob]

usually after a twelve pack and if noone else is around.

 

[PURE EXTRACT]

well ask your vet what he thinks. If he thinks it's in too much pain then put it out of it's misery.

 

[Paulos]

Wow this thread is depressing, I love my dogs terribly and I can't imagine having to put them down.

I hope you figure out what's best for your cat Crimson Coal.

 

[crimson coal]

Yea..I have alot of thinking to do.

 

[starfish]

If your cat is playing, alert and eating he may still have time.

Talk with your vet...


I think your cat will let you know when its time

 

[Jimsbbc]

I had a chow when i was a kid. He developed cataracts in both eyes and had arthritis. He began losing weight and at that point we decided it was best to put him to sleep. He was the greatest dog, and i haven't had one since - that was 6 years ago.

 

[starfish]

I would think of things that you consider a quality life for your cat..

When those things disappear, maybe it's time.

It does sound like he is eating and playing..

 

[danielson]

yeah....tons of cancer patients work round symptoms. ur cat sounds like he still has some pep in him. talk to the vet and see if there's anything that can be done, if the disease progresses then u might think about further action

 

[RADAR]

i agree talk to the vet to see if his pain can be relieved some ,i have a cat & i believe she will let you know when its time...peace to ya bro!!! RADAR

 

[PinK233]

my cat died last year, had him for 12 years

 

[MP5]

Animals bond with their owners and you get to the point where they look at you and you know.

My cat got cancer at 12 years, and one day she hid in the furnace room in the corner. Just out of the blue she went in there one day and would not come out. We took her to the vet and found she had cancer. I put her in a little pet carrier with her favorite blanket and she would just sleep. I would come and see her and she would still purr but you could tell she was not well. One day my parents took her in while i was at work and had her put down. I came home and found her in a little box on the deck and had to go burry her. Nothing like digging a hole with tears running down your cheeks burrying your little buddy.

Put down my dog about a year ago. She was a lab and made it to 15. Poor dog finally could not get up and quit fetching. I knew when she did not want to fetch anymore she was ready. I could see it in her eyes that she was ready to go. One day she could not get up from her bed and my mom helped her up and the poor dog peed all over the floor. She never pissed on the floor in all the years we had her. It was really sad, my mom loaded her into the car and took her to the vet and had her put down that day. I saved the pictures of her.

 

[champion]

I put my cat down 1 month ago. Very hard to do, yet easy cause it HAD to be done. My sadness is better than her being in any form of pain I can't help. she was 17 and the I knew her longer than any other friend I've met.
On the + side I stole 120mls of pgf2a while I was there.

If you cannot help your animal, due what you gotta due.

 

[Pamela]

Do it when you feel like it's time.

I think you will know..

You don't want your cat in pain.
But if you feel like Samson is still enjoying
some of it's life, ( playing & eating), let him live a while longer.



Good Luck

Do what you feel that's best...