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| Rocky |
Nobody likes to talk about death, especially the act of
choosing to end a beloved pet’s life. I recently faced this awful choice when
my 15-year old feline companion began to show serious signs of old age and
growing illness.
Always a robustly healthy cat, our Rocky—a big gray neutered
tabby with a personality as big as Texas—began to deteriorate. It started with a little tummy trouble and he
was throwing up often. At first I
thought he had eaten part of a poisonous plant—we had moved to a new part of
the country and had a new garden in which to explore and roam. I kept him inside, or watched him very
closely if he did venture outdoors. He
seemed to improve, but soon I noticed he was losing weight at an alarming
rate. He also seemed to suffer from
something new—chronic diarrhea. A trip to the vet and some probiotics seemed to
help, but in my heart I knew we were likely facing the last stages of his long
and loving life.
For pet owners, this aging phase can create emotional
turmoil and financial turmoil. A couple
of veterinary visits and five hundred dollars later, Rocky was not
improving. Additional trips to the vet
became cost prohibitive. He began to get wobbly and weak. His meow, once loud and proud, became soft
and feeble. He stopped purring.
But he had moments that gave me hope. He wanted to eat and would pester me for
food, even going so far as to pilfer food from my own plate! He wanted to be close to me all the
time—crying for me to come lay down with him so he could cuddle in my
hair. His bright green eyes looked wise
and loving and lively. I felt guilty—how
could I think that maybe it was time to end his life and when he looked at me
that way?
A few weeks later, when it became obvious he wasn’t going to
regain any quality of life, when his bones protruded from his fur, and he
stopped grooming himself, I knew it was time.
But did I wait too long? Had I
caused needless suffering? On the other
hand, what if I had acted too soon and cut short his allotted time on this
earth? It was a spiritual and emotional
dilemma.
To make this choice easier for other pet owners I consulted
with veterinarians and compiled this checklist for making the choice and some
tips for facing that choice.
2. Pain. If your pet is currently suffering with pain, how likely is it that the pain will subside? Can it be managed with medication? Can you afford the medication? Is the pain short-term and likely to improve, or is it chronic pain that is unlikely to ever go away. Chronic pain that has little to no chance of improving is reason enough to consider ending your pet’s suffering.
3. Food. Is your pet still eating? Have their eating habits changed? Is it possible to change their diet to make overall improvement? Can your pet keep food down and make the most of the nutrition available? If your pet needs a feeding tube or force-feeding, it is likely time to contemplate taking the final step.
4. Drink. Is your pet taking in enough water and fluids? Animals often stop drinking when they sense they are dying. Others need to have fluids injected to help them overcome an illness, and will eventually return to drinking normally. Dehydration can create other symptoms that may make a pet’s condition appear to be more serious than it is. Ask your vet for advice.
5. Elimination. Is your pet urinating and defecating normally? Especially in cats, where kidney failure is a frequent cause of death, be aware of your kitty’s toilet habits. If they cannot urinate easily or comfortably, treatment may be available. Chronic diarrhea is also a sign of trouble. If treatment does not bring relief, or only temporary relief, it may be time to say good-bye.
6. Hygiene. Cats are very clean animals, as any cat owner can attest. They like to cover their business, and bathe frequently. When your pet starts to neglect his or her grooming, no longer uses the litter box properly and seems to lack the will or the energy to even wash his paws, he may be close to dying. But be careful here—some cats will use toilet habits to communicate distress, or unhappiness with other stressors, like moving or welcoming a new pet. Be sure the lack of hygienic habits is due to an illness and not just an emotional upset.
7. Mood. Is your pet happy? Does he or she still play or enjoy being petted? Does your pet seem depressed, sad, or withdrawn? Cats at the end of their lives often withdraw from the larger world. My Rocky began to stay only in the bedroom, and refused to go to his regular litter box. His physical field of operations was reduced to a few square feet in his last weeks.
8. Mobility. Can your companion still walk, jump, run and lay down normally? Does he or she wobble, tremble, or have seizures? Even if mobility must be limited by other considerations, such as amputation, many animals can continue to have a good quality of life. But the loss of grace, balance, nimbleness and strength can also be signs that it is close to the end.
9. Variation. Does your pet seem to have more good days than bad? Or are the bad days becoming more frequent or lasting for longer and longer periods? This can be tricky, because one or two good days can give the pet owner hope for a meaningful recovery, when in fact, they are just little last bright moments in an otherwise deteriorating quality of life. Try to remain logical, and not have your judgment overwhelmed by your emotions.
10. You or your pet? Finally, ask yourself if you are doing what is best for your cat or are you acting out of your own needs? Consider if you are keeping your pet longer than necessary out of a personal need to hold on. Are you acting out of fear or love? At the same time, be careful not to arrive at your conclusion too hastily. Some pet owners have rushed to euthanasia only to suffer guilt and regret later. Listen to your intuition and the common-sense advice of your veterinarian.
On a bright July morning, I took my wobbly, stiff old cat to
the veterinarian. With tears of grief for
my loss and gratitude for his presence in my life, I allowed the vet to take
the necessary steps to end his suffering.
That afternoon, we buried him beneath the maple tree in our garden. I
still miss him every day, but I am relieved that he no longer hurts and I am honored
to have shared every loving minute of his long feline life.
Catt Foy is a
freelance writer living in Oregon with her husband and feline companions. She writes on a wide range of topics regarding
personal lifestyle, sustainability, and human interest.
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