ginger cat w/ rare anemia disease (seemingly Feline Infectious Anemia)

[hazelrunpack]

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[growler~GateKeeper]

I'm so glad he got to enjoy the sun on his face & the comfort of "his den" today.

[gingerbeastie]

This isn't the post I wanted to make, but it's what's coming. We're going to lose dear gingerpaws very soon. I've been writing about pussycat's day, which has been a good one in the sense of him going to favorite places and having choice in putting himself there. But it's time to help him die quickly now, and not let him go through another night of dying suffering.


He cried quietly to himself, a little mew sound, when he couldn't walk back up a slope and get out of the shade. He cried a bit when I picked him up to carry him, that sweet wee mew sound. It's time. He can no longer urinate properly, he hasn't eaten enough in 2 weeks, and nothing in two days, and he has 3 conditions that are killing him and hurting him.


It's awful and we're upset, but we are going to take pussy to the vet's for euthanasia, at 5pm. Vet says especially with debilitated cats it's better to be done in his office where there is light and staff to help him. This is not our usual vet but is someone who we took putterypie to in the first 6 months of his anemia illness and whom we liked fine.


Worrisome that this vet doesn't do catheter. He says it's more painful to place a catheter than do an injection, he isn't a fan of catheters, and he's confident about the injection, even with a debilitated dear cat. He also will only to the barbituate overdose, no muscle relaxant or sedative from what we understand. So this is concerning and even upsetting, and might lead to a bit of last suffering for paws, but he's suffering so now and we don't want to take him on a long car ride to an emergency place that is open on a Sunday, where maybe many animals are in distress. With our local vet our kitty will be the only patient (though there may be some animals in the clinic cages elsewhere), it's nearby, and teh vet feels strongly that the injection will be quick and easy on puss. Like anesthesia. We so hope this is the way it goes for dearest dearest beloved Kiki-cat.


If you have comments or advice for us, given what we're going to do, the injection and not catheter, please give them. Anything that could help us is deeply appreciated at this terrible yet so important time. And we understand if you have strong feeling about iv catheter.

Please let our cat go as quietly and smoothly and peacefully as possible.

[hazelrunpack]

I wish I had answers for you, gingerbeastie. someone will come along shortly.

[growler~GateKeeper]

I've only had a cat euthanized by catheter, there was no sedative or muscle relaxants as she was already quite weak at the time. Her passing was quick & painless, though for her they did have a hard time finding a vein for the catheter (I could hear her meowing in the back while they were putting it in ) in that situation I think it might've been more traumatizing by injection only. Once the catheter was in & she was returned to me she was calm again & we were given a few final moments together before the vet came back in to administer the euth.

I've had a dog euthanized by injection only and it was quick & painless, he was a large breed so the veins were easier to find.

I think in this situation if your vet is not comfortable using a catheter it may make the procedure more difficult for GingerSnap and you as s/he is not "well practised" with this method.

I would recommend for you to be in the room with GingerSnap when he passes, as difficult as it is, that will help give you closure and make him more comfortable knowing his family is near by.

[Love4himies]

OH, I am so sorry

[mikischo]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dear kitty. In his weakened state the injection alone should be very quick and painless.

I went through this 10 months ago with my dear Mickey, as have many others on this board. We are here for you.

[Macomom]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and gingercat.

[14+kitties]

My heart is breaking along with yours. I am so sorry.

[mummummum]

My thoughts are with you and yours Gingerbeastie.