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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
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This is perhaps the hardest decision every cat owner faces: whether it’s time to let their beloved four-legged friend go. The subject is often heartbreaking, but if you’re thinking about what’s best for your pet, you need to make a rational decision. When deciding if euthanasia is the right choice, you need to consider your cat’s physical and mental health and overall quality of life.
Steps
Assess the cat’s physical condition
- Another case is that the cat eats but often vomits. Both cases are worrisome and lead to weight loss in cats. Weight loss itself is not an indicator of euthanasia, but if the cat’s body mass index falls below 1.5/5, the cat will become weak and lack energy.
- If there is no hope for your cat to gain weight back, you must consider euthanasia. If the cat’s body mass index is even lower, up to 1/5, then it’s time to let the cat go.
- Level 1: Ribs, spine, and pelvis protrude clearly, even when viewed from a distance. Cats have no body fat and look skinny and hungry.
- Level 2: The ribs, spine, and pelvis are easily palpable. From above, the cat has a pronounced waist. The cat’s belly pulls in when viewed from the side. The cat looks skinny.
- Level 3: Ribs and spine are palpable but not visible. Cats have a slight waist when viewed from the top and side view, but the belly does not sag when viewed from the side. The cat has an ideal body.
- Grade 4: Difficulty locating ribs and spine. The abdomen is pear-shaped when viewed from above and drooping when viewed from the side. Cats can be described as chubby or chubby.
- Level 5: Sites covered with fat. There is a thick layer of fat in the chest and abdomen. The body is oval in shape. Cats are obese.
- Cats that are in pain will not get up unless necessary. They often delay drinking water longer and easily become dehydrated, which in turn puts pressure on the kidneys and makes them nauseous and even more unwell because of the accumulation of toxins.
- You can, of course, move the bowl of water within reach of the cat, but the rule here is that the cat should be able to move a short distance without pain. If that’s not the case, the cat’s quality of life is worrisome, and you can consider euthanasia.
- Of course, occasional incidents aren’t a reason to act, but if your cat has constant diarrhea, or is so out of control of her bladder that it’s causing her coat to stink, she’ll be miserable. If a toilet-trained cat starts to dirty the house, that’s cause for concern.
- However, before you decide to euthanize your cat, talk to your veterinarian about whether you can give your cat pain medication, or try replacing the litter box with a lower-walled one. Cats with arthritis will have a hard time getting into a sand tray with a sloped side, so they may choose to make their way to the floor easier.
- Similarly, stiff joints can prevent a cat from moving to another room. You can try giving your cat pain relievers to tackle this bad habit.
- However, you can also look at things from the other side. A cat with a well-groomed, shiny coat is one that still takes pride in its appearance and is healthy enough to do so. If this describes your cat, it may not be time to go.
- Of course, if your cat has trouble grooming herself, you can make a big difference to her. An old cat with a messy coat that is groomed by the owner will feel more satisfied with himself.
- The pain can strain the muscles, and the cat is more likely to curl up, crouching instead of lying on his side with his legs stretched out comfortably. Cats that are in pain are also prone to hot flashes and irritability. Therefore, you should pay attention to changes in temperament in cats, such as a gentle cat suddenly wheezing and irritable.
- Of course, there are different levels of pain and every cat’s tolerance is different. When deciding whether or not it’s time to let your cat go, you need to consider whether the time the cat is in pain is much longer than the time it is comfortable.
Consult a veterinarian
- Your doctor already knows you, and this will help make the discussion more honest and complete when it comes to the best option for your cat.
- Your veterinarian may recommend that you take your cat to the hospital, change the dose of the medication, or change the medication. Your veterinarian will also try to find a solution for your cat before euthanizing your cat.
- At the first sign of concern, talking to a veterinarian is not necessarily about euthanasia, but about finding the best treatment for your cat.
- As above, this step doesn’t mean that you have to euthanize the cat painlessly, but just to allow the veterinarian to do a thorough health check of the cat and you have time to discuss it with the doctor in person.
- This will allow you to get an honest opinion about your cat’s health, and if it’s not time to let it go, you’ll also have a criterion by which to gauge the cat’s distress later in life.
- Your veterinarian’s role is to check for signs of illness or pain your animal is suffering or about to suffer and to help you choose treatment options. Sadly, euthanasia is sometimes considered an appropriate “treatment” if the cat’s pain cannot be alleviated with medication or other measures.
- During the exam, your veterinarian will evaluate factors such as your cat’s water level, physical condition, and signs of pain. Your veterinarian will also address problems such as anemia or cancer, which indicate that the cat is less likely to respond to treatment. Your cat will also be assessed for mobility and mental state.
- Know that this can happen, (and the doctor knows it), so be honest with your doctor and describe how your cat behaves at home. Your doctor will help you make the right decision.
- Remember that there are some factors, such as age-related impairment, that are best assessed by the pet owner rather than relying on a veterinarian for a 10-minute consultation.
Make decision
- An old or sick cat will have good days and bad days, but if the overall balance is positive and the “bad” days have never turned out to be terribly painful then you have a reason to stay alive. for cats. However, there will come a time when the bad will overwhelm the good.
- A tipping point can occur when your cat no longer responds to pain medication or you notice a worsening of your cat’s hygiene. Although every cat is different, when the quality of life becomes unacceptable, the tipping point has been reached.
- Once the tipping point is reached, euthanasia can be the most humane thing for your cat.
- Second, it’s better to let your cat go than to do nothing and watch the cat break down. Cat owners often don’t take cat euthanasia lightly, and if the thought of euthanasia comes to your mind, chances are your cat is or is about to suffer.
- Finally, remember that cats have given you love and affection throughout their lives, and when their quality of life is gone, it’s not selfish of you to decide to say goodbye and bring them to an end. life properly.
Advice
- The occasional cat return to normal is no reason to delay euthanasia for cats that have lost weight, are dirty, and no longer want human company.
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
This article has been viewed 8,694 times.
This is perhaps the hardest decision every cat owner faces: whether it’s time to let their beloved four-legged friend go. The subject is often heartbreaking, but if you’re thinking about what’s best for your pet, you need to make a rational decision. When deciding if euthanasia is the right choice, you need to consider your cat’s physical and mental health and overall quality of life.
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