Our vet said we should consider putting Heidi down...

[WillParkinson]

Apparently her liver is shutting down. He gave her a large dose of antibiotics which is supposed to last for 2 weeks.

She's not eating very much and has lost a lot of weight, but in all other respects she's not acting any differently than she ever has.

Paul and I discussed it before. I told him I would rather put her to sleep than have her starve to death, but now that the vet has brought it up I'm not sure what to do.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear WillParkinson...

Oh, boy, I have no idea either...

I'm so sorry...

:hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. Please do whatever you think is most humane.

I wouldn't want my best friend suffering. Our newest addition, Leroy, has early stages of kidney failure. We'll be faced with putting him down soon, and I know that as soon as he's not by goofy, bouncy boy, I'll not let him suffer and we'll put him down. It's a hard choice. I know you'll make the one that is best for your family.
Duckie

[Minimus]

3. I am so sorry to hear this. I know first hand what a hard decision

it is to have to make. My dog Sonic was 13 when he became sick... I always said if he was in pain or wouldn't eat then I would not let him suffer. I struggled with the decision and finally just knew when it was time. I stayed with him until he was gone... it was one of the hardest things I have ever done but I take comfort in knowing it was what was best for him.

I wish you peace in your decision making. :hug:

Here is a poem that helped me during my grief:

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

-Anonymous

[rurallib]

4. about the toughest decision a person can make.

let me wish Heidi safe passage.

[glinda]

5. Maybe a second opinion. Make sure it is the liver and not something else.

[hamsterjill]

10. I second that second opinion!

I don't know the history of this cat's illness, so a second opinion may have already been acquired, etc. But if you've not gotten one, I think doing it might give you some peace of mind.

I've had my share of times when one vet thought a cat was a goner, and another vet had an idea that either saved the cat altogether or else gave it more time.

I am not trying to give you false hope - you know this cat and its situation better than anyone.

My sympathies for you. I know what you are going through and the worry and stress is very hard.

[WillParkinson]

14. I'm sorry. Rather brain dead.

Heidi is our 15 year old dog. We adopted her from our local shelter one day as a companion friend to our beloved Misty.

We walked in and were taken to see 'Angel'. She was brought to the yard and promptly sat down, offered up a paw and nervously piddled on the floor. I said we'll take her home with us.

[Skip Intro]

6. I'm sorry Will, but it sounds like it's time. Same thing with my beloved cat two years ago.

Painful thing for me, but when the doc said it was time, and lifted up my cat's coat to point out that his skin had begun to turn yellow, I said let's do it, and we did it right then. He told me it would probably be ok for him to come home for another night to say goodbye, but that was for me, not for Hamilton. Hamilton was ready to leave, despite the love still in his eyes. Hardest thing I've ever had to do.

I'm sure that is true for you too, and your situation mirrors mine so much. I'm telling you, step outside the situation for a minute, leave emotion out of it for just a few, and the decision becomes clear.

You don't want the pet to suffer a minute longer than necessary. If your vet is saying it's time, buddy, it's time.

Two things helped me when it was time to say goodbye to Hamilton: the story of the rainbow bridge, and the strong belief that souls in this life move on and wait for us on the other side. I've no doubt my cat had as much of a soul as any person has. I've very little doubt that I'll see him, and others, when my time comes to cross over.

But right now, you have to do what is right for your pet, without regard to how much it hurts for you.

All the best, WillParkinson.

[OhioChick]

7. I'm sorry to hear this....

"When" is always a tough decision to make.

I had to put one of mine to sleep a few years back. What broke my heart about it was the fact that she still "appeared" to be happy, to me. Wagging her tail, etc....
My vet said that dogs are so eager to please, regardless of how ill they are.

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Oh, dear. That's the hardest choice, when they still seem mostly fine. *hugs* Good luck in

making your decision. I will be sending comforting vibes your way.

[LibertyLover]

9. I am so sorry - it's a rotten decision to have to make

but something that I've learned from the dogs that I've had and had to put down - when they are ready, they'll let you know. If you think Heidi is not ready to go yet, let her tell you when it's time.

[WillParkinson]

11. I'm not certain. There's stuff I don't understand.

She's not eating much, but when it's time to get served she's jumping around like she can't wait to eat and then walks away from the food like she can't do it. Last night at work I got some stuff from sandwiches that was leftover and brought it home. She ate that, but not a lot of it. I told Paul that I'd like them to do an X-Ray to make sure there's not any kind of blockage that's making it uncomfortable for her to eat. She WANTS to do it but for some reason cannot or will not.

[LibertyLover]

12. I understand

last year my 10 year old whippet (whippets normally live to be 14 or 15 and 17 and 18 is not unheard of) developed intestinal cancer. He lost interest in eating his food, but for several months lived on McDonald's chicken nuggets, french fries and deli meats. And he would only eat if I fed him. He would very infrequently take something from my husband or my daughter. Something we also did, although I don't know if it would work for cats, is to give him one of those frozen fruit ice squeeze things. That gave him some sugar and energy and he would then eat. But through it all he kept doing the things he usually did - sleeping in bed with my husband and I, running in the yard with the other dogs, barking at strangers and intruders to his domain (aka dogs walking past the house and squirrels) although he wasn't as fast as he had been. He slept more and tired easily, but he still wanted to do things and to live. The night before I took him to the vet's for the last time, that all changed. He refused food, even the icy pops, and comfort. All he did was pace, fall down, get up, pace, fall down. It was obvious to us that he was sinking and fast. The spark was out of his eye. The body was there, but all that had made him what he was, was gone. That's how I knew it was time. All of that aside, you know your cat best - if you think there might be a blockage, see if the vet will check it out. It may be the case. Do as much as you feel comfortable with (and can afford - I know from vet bills) so that if and when you make a decision to put Heidi down, you know that you did everything you could for her.

[livetohike]

13. I'm sorry Will....but if you can afford it, I would get a second opinion

I've had many different vets since we have lived all over the country and I've never had a vet say that "You should consider putting your dog down." I have had a vet say, "You will know when it's time." If you are comfortable going elsewhere, do it.

Meanwhile, if Heidi is still eating something and she is still wanting to do her normal activities, let her, imo.

:hug: to you and Paul and Heidi. It's always hard when our pets are sick.