This is such wonderful advice, and I whole-heartedly agree that most pet parents regret not making the choice sooner, rather than making it too early.
My cat Phoenix illustrates both ends of this difficult decision-making process. In 2018, he was refusing food and losing weight. He had been grappling with inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes, and there were some complications along the way. I really thought it was the end and strongly considered euthanizing him that fall. After talking with my wife (also a vet), we decided to see if we could bridge the gap in his nutrition with a feeding tube. We had clearly defined goals and set a time limit for him to turn around.
Much to our delight, the feeding tube (and some changes to his medications) DID break the vicious cycle and helped him improve his appetite, gain weight, and become more himself. We had him for another four wonderful years of good quality life ❤️
However, for every beating-the-odds story like that, I witnessed so, so many other patients experiencing futile care and owners grieving delay in making that final choice.
When Phoenix was diagnosed with a very grave form of cancer in spring 2022 and began declining rapidly, I clung to hope for a few last "Hail Mary" treatments. One week, I had to go out of town on a 48-hour business trip. We discussed the possibility of euthanizing him when I returned.
I never got that chance because he passed away at home a few hours before my return flight landed. I had to say goodbye over FaceTime from the plane, but I will always carry the heartbreak of not being there in his last moments 😔
Besides being a way to ease suffering, euthanasia also offers the gift of control and timing. Sometimes it is better to say goodbye a few days or weeks early than to have that choice taken away by disease or life circumstances.
Thank you, Victoria. This is one of the most important things (if not THE most important thing) we're responsible for as veterinarians. Every euthanasia should be a good euthanasia.
I experienced this twice. My first cat was diabetic and we were treating her, trying to regulate her levels, for several years. By the end, I waited far too long and my sweet girl died, alone, in the middle of the night, the night before I finally had scheduled to take her in. This was nearly 20 years. I still feel so guilty that she died that way.
My second cat had kidney issues and failed very quickly. This time I tried to make a decision sooner but even with her, it happened so fast, her body was shutting down the night before the appt, the longest night of my life. I stayed awake beside her all night.
I swore I’d never let that happen again, that I wouldn’t hesitate.
My third cat had a growth removed which turned out to be a cancerous lymph node. Her prognosis was very dire. 2 months w/o treatment (chemo), maybe 6 months with. It was cancer of the blood vessels—I was told she’d likely succumb as a result of internal bleeding. We couldn’t afford the chemo plus I wouldn’t have put her through that. Instead we took her home and let her be peaceful and we watched for signs.
She lived 5 months post-diagnosis. She had started to have labored breathing for about a week off and on in the fifth month, and was slowing down. It was the weekend and I noticed she wasn’t interested in eating. Watching her breathe freaked me out — what if she was bleeding internally in her lungs? I was terrified of her worsening Sat-Sun, not being able to breathe, dying while I slept, etc. so I rushed her over to the vet before they closed. In my mind I was taking her in to be checked, in my gut though I knew she wasn’t coming home… it happened so fast and to this day nearly a year later I second-guess myself, why did I rush over there like that. BUT I know why I did. I didn’t want her to be in pain. I didn’t want her to die alone, or to go into shock. I felt (feel) guilty but I know I brought her in out of love, because I said I’d never wait too long like I did the other times. As hard as it was to let her go, I know it was right. It’s just heart-breaking. 💔💔💔
So heartbreaking. It can be especially difficult to catch a cat’s decline early because they are so stoic and they often don’t show us that anything is wrong until it’s REALLY wrong.
It’s not uncommon for cats to come into the hospital that were “losing a bit of weight but otherwise seemed fine until yesterday,” only to have widespread cancer. In these cases, when there is little we can offer in terms of treatment, the most humane thing is to euthanize them before they begin to suffer more.
But it’s not easy to be the one in charge of that decision. Clients often wish the animal would just pass naturally at home in a peaceful manner, but natural death is never comfortable and peaceful like it is in the movies. There is often immense suffering that precedes it.
You were so brave (and RIGHT) to make that decision, Elle. It’s clear that those cats were very loved. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is beautifully written. My nephpug is 15.5 years old and doing well. We are all so attached to him. I think my sil should read this before anything happens. I am glad I did prior to getting my own pug.
Thanks so much for reading and for sharing. Pugs are notorious for having an array of health issues, so you’re very fortunate that your little guy is doing well into his old age. I hope he continues to do well, but when he no longer is, I hope this piece can help guide you and your family.
This is such wonderful advice, and I whole-heartedly agree that most pet parents regret not making the choice sooner, rather than making it too early.
My cat Phoenix illustrates both ends of this difficult decision-making process. In 2018, he was refusing food and losing weight. He had been grappling with inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes, and there were some complications along the way. I really thought it was the end and strongly considered euthanizing him that fall. After talking with my wife (also a vet), we decided to see if we could bridge the gap in his nutrition with a feeding tube. We had clearly defined goals and set a time limit for him to turn around.
Much to our delight, the feeding tube (and some changes to his medications) DID break the vicious cycle and helped him improve his appetite, gain weight, and become more himself. We had him for another four wonderful years of good quality life ❤️
However, for every beating-the-odds story like that, I witnessed so, so many other patients experiencing futile care and owners grieving delay in making that final choice.
When Phoenix was diagnosed with a very grave form of cancer in spring 2022 and began declining rapidly, I clung to hope for a few last "Hail Mary" treatments. One week, I had to go out of town on a 48-hour business trip. We discussed the possibility of euthanizing him when I returned.
I never got that chance because he passed away at home a few hours before my return flight landed. I had to say goodbye over FaceTime from the plane, but I will always carry the heartbreak of not being there in his last moments 😔
Besides being a way to ease suffering, euthanasia also offers the gift of control and timing. Sometimes it is better to say goodbye a few days or weeks early than to have that choice taken away by disease or life circumstances.
Love this post; so important <3
Thank you, Victoria. This is one of the most important things (if not THE most important thing) we're responsible for as veterinarians. Every euthanasia should be a good euthanasia.
I experienced this twice. My first cat was diabetic and we were treating her, trying to regulate her levels, for several years. By the end, I waited far too long and my sweet girl died, alone, in the middle of the night, the night before I finally had scheduled to take her in. This was nearly 20 years. I still feel so guilty that she died that way.
My second cat had kidney issues and failed very quickly. This time I tried to make a decision sooner but even with her, it happened so fast, her body was shutting down the night before the appt, the longest night of my life. I stayed awake beside her all night.
I swore I’d never let that happen again, that I wouldn’t hesitate.
My third cat had a growth removed which turned out to be a cancerous lymph node. Her prognosis was very dire. 2 months w/o treatment (chemo), maybe 6 months with. It was cancer of the blood vessels—I was told she’d likely succumb as a result of internal bleeding. We couldn’t afford the chemo plus I wouldn’t have put her through that. Instead we took her home and let her be peaceful and we watched for signs.
She lived 5 months post-diagnosis. She had started to have labored breathing for about a week off and on in the fifth month, and was slowing down. It was the weekend and I noticed she wasn’t interested in eating. Watching her breathe freaked me out — what if she was bleeding internally in her lungs? I was terrified of her worsening Sat-Sun, not being able to breathe, dying while I slept, etc. so I rushed her over to the vet before they closed. In my mind I was taking her in to be checked, in my gut though I knew she wasn’t coming home… it happened so fast and to this day nearly a year later I second-guess myself, why did I rush over there like that. BUT I know why I did. I didn’t want her to be in pain. I didn’t want her to die alone, or to go into shock. I felt (feel) guilty but I know I brought her in out of love, because I said I’d never wait too long like I did the other times. As hard as it was to let her go, I know it was right. It’s just heart-breaking. 💔💔💔
So heartbreaking. It can be especially difficult to catch a cat’s decline early because they are so stoic and they often don’t show us that anything is wrong until it’s REALLY wrong.
It’s not uncommon for cats to come into the hospital that were “losing a bit of weight but otherwise seemed fine until yesterday,” only to have widespread cancer. In these cases, when there is little we can offer in terms of treatment, the most humane thing is to euthanize them before they begin to suffer more.
But it’s not easy to be the one in charge of that decision. Clients often wish the animal would just pass naturally at home in a peaceful manner, but natural death is never comfortable and peaceful like it is in the movies. There is often immense suffering that precedes it.
You were so brave (and RIGHT) to make that decision, Elle. It’s clear that those cats were very loved. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you so much for responding. I loved them each so very much.
Such an important article!! Every pet owner should read this. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Hayley!
This is beautifully written. My nephpug is 15.5 years old and doing well. We are all so attached to him. I think my sil should read this before anything happens. I am glad I did prior to getting my own pug.
Thanks so much for reading and for sharing. Pugs are notorious for having an array of health issues, so you’re very fortunate that your little guy is doing well into his old age. I hope he continues to do well, but when he no longer is, I hope this piece can help guide you and your family.
This is such kind and thoughtful advice. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you, Shelly. I’m glad you find it helpful, and hope you don’t have to use it any time too soon.
Beautiful Sami! Wonderful way to consider this sad stage with our beloved pets. 🐶♥️💔
Thank you, Maggie!