So unexpected. I had to have one of my cats put down this morning...

[1monster]

When I came home from work yesterday, my son told me that one of the cats had thrown up twice and was really lethargic. I didn't think too much about it because, let's be honest; Cats throwing up is, at least, a daily occurance when you have eight of them. And the word lethargic could have been coined for cats.

However, when my husband came home from work late that night and told me that Catling had not moved from the spot she was at all day, I checked on her.

Lethargic didn't quite make it as a description of her condition. She was barely moving and, while not limp, she was was definitely not well.

So I took her to the vet's this morning, expecting that she was going to need some lengthy and wildly expensive treatment (that always seems to be the case these days). While the vet techs were taking her temp, I noticed that she was very dehydrated and began to fear kidney problems. I treated an older cat for renal failure for four months years ago. But since Catling was only six years old, I thought that if it was kidneys, she would have a better chance than the older cat did.

After some blood work that took twice as long as normal because Catling was so dehydrated, the Vet came back and told me that Catling's BUN was higher than she's ever seen in a cat before. I asked for options and she gave them to me, but said that with a BUN that high, it was most likely that her kidneys were shot and anything we did would only prolong her suffering.

In the past, when I've had to have my furry family members put down, they were so weary from fighting the disease that was killing them that they were ready to die. Catling wasn't. Until yesterday, no one had noticed anything wrong with her. I almost called it off, except that when I put my head next to hers to comfort her and smelled that unmistakable odor of decay on her breath. I asked the Vet about taking her home for a few days, but the she said that Catling would really suffer.

I have seven more cats and a dog, and I don't want to have to do this anymore. I'm the strong one in my family when it comes to sick and dying animals. My husband and son don't deal with it well, so I'm the one who makes the decisions and I'm the one who holds them when they are injected. I tell my family, "no more pets, no more animals." And yet, there is a cat roaming the neighborhood that everyone feeds. They've named her Precious. She will eat the food, but won't let humans get closer than three feet from her, and even then only when they are carrying food. But I know, that if he can win her trust, my husband will add her to our menagerie...

[Island Blue]

1. I am, so very sorry.

Hugs to you and your family.

[sunwyn]

2. Sorry about losing your kitty....it never gets easier....

[Live and Learn]

3. So sorry for your loss.

Almost nothing is worse than trying to make that decision. I've only had to do it once and my dog was elderly had was going to die within a few hours anyway but the process was traumatic (they couldn't find a vein) and I felt terrible.

A pet dying unexpectedly is also very hard. You had 2 terrible experiences at the same time.

[geckosfeet]

4. You did the right thing, and very often that is the most painful thing.

Your animals have a better life thanks to you.

[ginnyinWI]

5. Oh, how sad.

That's a pretty young age to have kidney failure. Wonder if it was a secondary effect from something else? I say this because we lost our older, 19 year old cat this summer, and she had a bladder tumor which made it impossible to pee, which caused a backup into her kidneys resulting in the failure. I wonder if your vet had any theories as to why.

What is BUN? Blood level to measure impurities in the system?

[1monster]

12. Vet thinks she may have gotten into something that had a toxic effect on her

kidneys.

BUN is the levels of creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, liver enzymes in the blood. A high level of those indicates kidney failure.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

40. I know someone who lost a cat that had eaten a rat that had just eaten rat poison.

[Politicalboi]

6. So sorry for your loss

It's not easy putting a loved animal down. I had one cat a few years back Miss Kitty that adopted me. I fed her and of course she had friends, AKA as her mom. Well I got stuck feeding both of them, and one day Mama kitty was pregnant. I dealt with her 5 kittens and got her fixed. Then Miss Kitty had discharge coming from her hind end. I had no idea if she had been fixed, because they adopted me. Turns out she wasn't fixed, but had a uterus infection. First they quoted me over $700.00 to fix her. I told them I couldn't afford it. Then they came back and told me $300.00, but I still couldn't afford it. I felt so bad. But she was suffering, so I had to pay almost $200.00 for the visit and the put down.

[Odin2005]

7. Oh no! I'm so sorry!

[RomneyLies]

8. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Every cat my wife and I have lost over the years has been like being punched in the gut and having that feeling for a week or more.

[Tikki]

9. I am so sorry you lost your buddy...

Being there with her and for her...these animals know they are loved.
My grandson cries every time I mention Tikki (the dog) who we lost to the
same illness as your sweet cat. And I tell him how would he have felt
growing up without that sweet pet's love and devotion. He is beginning to
understand.

Hugs to you and your family ...furbabies and humans.


Tikki

[NightOwwl]

10. I'm sorry for your loss.

It's always harder when it is not expected.

Catling (love the name) had six wonderful years with a loving family. It sounds like Precious might be the next beneficiary of your love.

[ailsagirl]

11. I really feel for you

and I am deeply sorry. I've been there, more times than I want to remember. You do get through it, but it's painful. There is no panacea other than time. Take care of yourself.

[Spacemom]

13. I'm so sorry

they really do become members of the family.



Godspeed Catling.

[pinstikfartherin]

14. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Back in May we had to put our dog down. She had been vomiting and losing weight. They thought she had stomach ulcers, but it turned out she had a deformity of her intestines where in a curve part of it had grown together and created a hole.... where it normally loops around was clogged because it was getting confused with the other opening. She was only 1 and 1/2 years old. They did surgery and removed all of a section of her intestine and created a new place to attach her stomach, but there was a leak of her stomach/intestines into her stomach cavity. We did a total of 4 surgeries because she was such a little fighter, but each time there was a leak at the surgical sight (the last being a whole week after surgery)...

We ran out of money and it wasn't very likely that they could fix with another surgery. We got the call at 3am and went to be with her while she was put down. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. We don't have kids and that was my baby. It still hurts and upsets me at times. I can say that I didn't want another dog for a long time at first... but when we got our Aubie a month later, she really helped me heal faster.

I don't see how you do it... it still haunts me having to make that choice. You are much stronger than I am, and I do not fault you one bit for not wanting to do that again.

[RebelOne]

15. So, so sorry for your loss. I know it must have been painful.

I had to send my 13-year-old Rottweiler to doggie heaven 2 years ago, so I can feel your pain. She had liver and bone cancer and I knew at the end she was in pain, so I had to do the right thing for her to end her suffering.

[sasha031]

16. I am so sorry for your loss 1monster

We never do get use to it, always heartbreaking.
You did do the right thing,

[dipsydoodle]

17. Same happened

with one of my chinchilla persians years ago when he was only 5 years old. I fully understand your sense of loss.

[Dakotacrat]

18. You are such a good-hearted soul

Condolences on the loss of your furry child.

[TDale313]

19. I'm so sorry.

[Jennicut]

20. I'm so sorry...I've been there.

My cat Smokey was really healthy one minute and then deteriorated so fast the next. It is always tough to say goodbye to our pets. I miss him every day even though I got a new kitty named Daisy.

[malaise]

21. I know the feeling

I only feed the strays now; I tame the kittens when I can and take them to the shelter - no more deep attachments for me either.

[warrior1]

22. I'm so sorry you are losing a member of your family

It's a hard decision when they are well loved. Keep strong because you have many friends here that care.

Mary

[Brigid]

23. I'm so sorry, 1monster.

I lost my Patrick several months ago to kidney failure, and he wasn't even three years old yet. It's heartbreaking, I know.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

24. I am so sorry.

But you did the right thing for her. At least she had a good, loving home during her life and didn't die alone. You were there for her. That's the most you could do.

[onecent]

25. You are a special person...and these kitties know that you are a special person,

as I do.

i, too, love animals, especially kitties. it is SO DIFFICULT to put them down but they are in kitty heaven and they know that you are a special kitty owner, as I do.

Hugs (I don't know how to add the picture for hugs) sorry.

Penny

[City Lights]

26. So sorry for your loss.

I've been there numerous times and understand how painful it is to say good-bye to beloved pet.

[Kookaburra]

27. Aw, 1monster,

Bless you for caring for "the least of these." You have a heart of kindness and are an inspiration.

[tulsakatz]

28. you have my deepest sympathy!

I know how hard that is....I've had to do that twice, the first was due to feline leukemia & the second was due to kidney disease.

The one that had kidney disease was my kitty Mystery. She was an all black cat & I had her for 10 yrs, I was not ready to let her go. The vet tried to do many things to save her but when they tried to inject fluid into (she was dehydrated too), her lungs began to fill up with fluid.

The last time I saw her, I was at the Vet's office & they had taken her to another room to do some tests. Then when they brought her back in the room where I was, she walked to where I was & curled up underneath my legs. It was adorable & I don't remember a time when she had ever done that before but I guess she wanted to be near me.

My deepest sympathies to you, I hope it is not too difficult for you & your family.

[BlueCaliDem]

29. You are a wonderful, loving pet friend.

I know it's hard to watch one go, but I always find comfort in the fact that I did everything I could to offer them the best possible and most happiest life.

Among other pets, I have two cats and four dogs, ages: 6yrs (Red tabby), 2yrs (Calico Queen), 9 1/2(Fawn Pug), 9 (Cream ChowChow), 7(Chihuaha), and 3 years old (Black Pug). I know I will eventually have to face the same as you have. When a beloved pet passes on, I always say the same thing you do . . . and then end up with rescue animals (Fawn pug, Calico queen, and Chihuahua).

We can't keep them forever, but we can keep them happy for as long as they're with us. And isn't that all that matters?

My deepest condolences. You truly are a wonderful person. Please remember that in this sad time.

[amborin]

30. so sorry! wonder if Addison's

[cherish44]

31. I'm so sorry :(

I have been the trusted keeper of many kitties throughout the years and saying goodbye is always so hard

[roguevalley]

32. there is goodness in you that cannot be

denied. I wish only peace for you. I think animals are gifts from the Creator that help us be better.

My niece's husband lost his bloodhound just recently and they wanted a new one. They got one, Copper who had been mistreated and unloved. He resented this dog even though he wanted another one. This dog was genuinely lovely. Four days into their 'try out of Copper' he got a torsion in his gut and died. Bobby felt so TERRIBLY sorry of how he treated him that it was instructional. He felt so awful. They are going to get another dog and try again. He said he was so sorry that he hadn't been nicer. I think, and its just me that Copper had only a very short time so he came into that family to shame Bobby about this behavior. He had four days of love from us and my niece, all the food he could eat, warmth and happiness before he died. Bobby got a lesson about love and acceptance. It was a win-win for a dog with a short time sentence that only he and the Creator knew. We all got what we needed including the love of a great dog. I think animals are our best teachers and your Catling taught you about love and letting go. I hug you all so much. Take care of Precious. She is a lesson on love and living waiting to unfold.

RIP Catling and Copper. You are lovely and loved.

[catbyte]

33. I am so very sorry about Catling.

It is the most painful decision we ever make for our animal family members but it's also the kindest.

You are all in my thoughts.

[TuxedoKat]

34. So sorry

for the loss of your beloved Catling. I'm glad you were there with her though but sorry you had to lose her so young. (((HUGS)))

[Cleita]

35. I'm so sorry for you and the poor kitty, but it's good you didn't make her suffer any further.

Over the years, with my pets I have noticed they all seem to die a different way, so it's usually a shock and devastating no matter how many times you do it.

[ET Awful]

36. I went through almost exactly the same thing with my Jerry last year. :(

I still miss that fluffy white guy.

My condolences.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

37. So very sorry to hear this.

[MFM008]

38. rainbow bridge

we will see our little furry buddies again. Its always difficult.

We have a stray we rescued and he got terribly sick. His kidneys were damaged. Had to be in vet hospital for 2 weeks. mucho $$$$$$ he was only 2 at the time.
May have been something he contracted outside.
Hes good now except he takes a water pill every other day to take the load off those kidneys.

[cynzke]

39. In The Same Boat!

So sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your beloved pet. I went through a similar situation about two years ago with an older cat, but he seemed very healthy with promise of years ahead of him. Within a matter of days of his symptoms and attempts to extend his life, it was apparent that there was nothing we could do except put him down. Very hard to see your pet go so unexpectedly!

[Helen Reddy]

41. ((((Catling)))) n/t

[rbrnmw]

42. I'm so sorry

I had six quite healthy and weened kittens die within 2 days including my beloved Ronald Reagan kitty I posted about a couple of months ago I was told it was probably distemper it hurt still does really I love animals and become quite attached easily

[secondvariety]

43. Sorry for your loss.

I had to put my cat Maxie down last month. I'd had her for 20 years, and even though I'm not really a cat person, it was devastating. My pit mix Lealue has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, so I'm bracing myself for the inevitable. She's been my best friend for 14 years and probably saved my sanity after my divorce.

[DonRedwood]

46. :0( sorry buddy.

[DainBramaged]

44. She will be waiting for you. Her days are grassy fields and long lost friends now

Having been there so many times in my life, I sit here and cry for your loss. There will be others waiting to take her place. They know where there is love.


All my best.




(My Picasso, I hope they find each other).

[DonRedwood]

45. Very sorry to hear about your kitty friend.

[jackbenimble]

47. So sorry.

A very hard thing to do, but it was the right thing.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

48. So very sorry

I know it is one of the hardest things to do, let go of a beloved furry friend.

[noiretextatique]

49. this is exactly what happened to my cat in february

she suddenly got really sick and i had to put her down a week later. i am so sorry for your loss.

[msanthrope]

50. Check your antifreeze. Is there any way she could have gotten into antifreeze, or licked it off

a puddle while outside????

What you are describing sounds a lot like what I had happen to a favorite kitteh of mine--I won't tell you what dialysis for a cat costs.

And I am very, very sorry.

[LiberalElite]

51. I'm Sorry

Please know that you did your best for her and she appreciated it.

It's always very difficult to deal with losing a pet, especially when it isn't expected. One of my cats, Parker, who was around 12 years old, seemed to be fine, died in the middle of the night. I had sensed something was wrong, got up from bed and found him lying on the floor. I picked him up, he staggered away. let out a little cry and then fell over dead.

A couple of years ago, I found my 6-year-old Chloe tabby cat lying on the kitchen floor in the morning. I knew something was up, particularly when she then wouldn't eat. Long story short, it was heart failure. When I brought her to the vet, I had every expectation she would be coming home if not that day, then soon. Cats hide illness and Chloe and Parker showed no obvious symptoms.

Please consider giving another needy animal a home when the time is right. You give them good care.

[Greybnk48]

52. Sorry. Your house sounds like our but not cats.

Dogs and birds here. Sorry about Catling.

[Hokie]

53. Sorry to hear about your dear cat - we went through that earlier this year

We had to put down an otherwise healthy 12 year old male cat who was the best cat we ever owned. He developed an inoperable mouth cancer and could not eat. I never knew cats could get cancers but learned otherwise. I was with him to comfort him until the end. I will never forget that he turned and looked right into my eyes as he went under.

[shanti]

54. i'm so sorry....

[mike_c]

55. the worst ride on Earth is the last trip to the vet....

I'm so very sorry.

[hrmjustin]

56. I am so sorry for you. I have five cats, and have had to put others too sleep.

I always made sure I was the last thing they saw in this world. I hope your other animals stay healthy a long time for you. God bless.

[Raine]

57. I'm so sorry. I know her life was too short but I can tell

from your post that what she lacked in time was made up for in enormous amounts of love given by you and your family. I love animals so much and it's so difficult when they go, I know how much it hurts.

[ncgrits]

58. I'm so sorry. I recently had to have my

big ol' yellow kitty put down. It's so hard.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. I am so sorry for your loss

Tuky died almost three years ago, and he is still present in my mind... that cockatiel was everybody's buddy.

Remember her... As to your family, reminds me of my sis, after Rigo was put down, two weeks later they got a new dog;

[jsmirman]

60. The truth is, that as painful as this is, as long as you are providing

a good home for these creatures, you are an angel and have the thanks of all of us who care about the animals.

Spay, neuter, adopt, and pray like hell for more people out there like 1monster.

I'm truly sorry for your loss and for the pain I know you just went through.

[1620rock]

61. Bless you. I have lost 29 feline angels in my 67 years...

They were all rescues, strays, injured, unadaptables, a little bit of my heart died with the loss of each and every one.

God bless you for your kindness and care, and may God grant you peace in your loss.

I am a believer, but if my cats don't go to heven, I want to go where they went.

[undergroundpanther]

62. I hate it when pets die

I wish People like bush and romney would go instead. I lost my cats Rustle and Vinny and I still cry if I think of them sometimes. Loved my Russ,and my Vin. Sparkle is with me he's 14 and he's so beautiful and I dread the day,Bear is 10 year old white cat I call him sugar kitty. I wish they were not considered just animals by some people. The cats that have come and gone in my life are my true loves each one.They I trust and adore more than any human.Sparkle and bear are so precious to me it hurts.I can't stand my life,the cats are why I stay.

I so feel sad for your loss.it's a sick bad world that causes so much pain and death. Nature and reality is horrid.
but at least you had Catling to put a light in this darkness for awhile.She'll live forever in that cat shaped place in your heart.

[Skittles]

63. so sorry 1monster

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you.....
I loved you so --
'twas Heaven here with you.

--by Ilsa Paschal Richardson