So Upset, Had To Make The Hardest Decision Of My Life

[mytai]

If you aren't a pet person you won't get this. But tonight my housemate text me to say that my cat had slipped upstairs when they came into the house and they didn't notice. She said the dogs really scared him, but she picked him up and took him back downstairs and stayed with him until he calmed down. She said he was acting weird because he was so scared, and she wanted to warn me. I immediately went looking for him when I got home from work, and he was still panting heavy. I felt him all over to see if anything felt funny, and it did, it felt like he had crackling in his belly.

I rushed him to my vet right away. They did X-rays, it showed that the dogs ruptured his diaphragm, punctured his lungs, had air in his belly, and his heart had moved up in between his lungs. So I had to put him down, or take a chance that a chest tube might help keep him alive overnight so they could try to do surgery. The vet said that he honestly had no idea if he would even make it through the night with a chest tube and fluids. So I chose to have my cat put down. He was in so much pain I couldn't put him through anymore on a slim chance that he might pull through.

I held him the entire time, while they sedated him, when they put the iv in, and when they put him to sleep. I couldn't let him be alone with people he didn't know. I talked to him and rubbed his head so I didn't hurt him more.

My heart is broken right now. I don't know what to do. I see my T tomorrow afternoon. My whole chest hurts from crying so hard. I can't cry enough to release what is stuck inside me right now. I think I'm just going to take my meds to help me sleep, and sleep until my appointment tomorrow.

 

[arfie]

Ow to the hundredth power!!!! Make me ashamed to be a "dog person." I am sorry beyond words, mytal. I get it.

Sleep sounds like the best possible medicine right now.

 

[mytai]

@arfie, I'm a dog person too. My dog and my cat slept together all the time. My dog let him steal her food and take her big bed.

 

[nursenurse]

Dog or cat person, PTSD or not, this is such a horrible, horrible thing. I am just so, so sorry, I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I know as someone in the medical field, and as one who also studied animal health, that you made the right decision, if that can offer you at least a little "technical" comfort, about doing what you had to do. Doesn't make it easier on the heart. :(

 

[Ryn]

:cry:

Ugh. I am so, so very sorry, mytai. Losing a pet is, for me, just as bad as losing a human.

Sending gentle hugs.

 

[BewitchedBewildered]

Oh, I am so, so very sorry! Pets provide such unconditional love. My heart aches for you. I love both cats and dogs, but only have cats right now. And my cats are my family, my constant emotional support.

I know how hard losing a pet is to animal lovers. Even when you are, or think you are, prepared, it's horribly painful. But you were with him, at least. And it really does sound like putting him down was the best decision for him.

My heart goes out to you. If you dont mind, <hug>.

 

[SeanCharles]

@mytai I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you! (I was a little angry at first when I started to read this because of my own situation going on with my ESD= Emotional Support Dog)

I say thank you because I was able to break down and shed some needed tears! My dog is developing Arthritis and her left hind leg is failing due to a disc or possibly discs pinching. She's medicated and hopefully her condition will get better. I hope I am not venting, that's not my intention... Again I say sorry for your loss and I hope your therapy session is a good one.

 

[billie]

This is tragic. (((Hugs))) if you accept them. I would be lost without my cat.

 

[StarChild]

Dear mytai,

Yes I understand your broken heart. Understand your pain. It doesn't matter if it's a human being or an animal. Pure love is so very precious in every shape it is coming to you... Your precious, beloved little chap is not in pain anymore, since you made him the biggest gift you could ever give: You let him go and set him free. Free from his deathly pain. And he took with him on his journey your love, and a piece of your broken heart, that will be with him for ever.

My heart is broken right now. I don't know what to do

Dear mytai, I'm just honest and tell you, that I'm a bit worried about you. Is there anything you wish from us, within the bounds of possibility, that we could provide you with?

 

[BewitchedBewildered]

@Geordie,
I'm sorry your puppy isn't doing very well. I had a cat who also had some issues with the lower discs in her vertebra fusing together She started having issues when she was about 6-7 years old. We noticed she started limping a bit. The vet actually told us she would only live another year or two.

First, let me tell you she lived to 16 years old. Initially the vet gave us some meds to bring down swelling. Then my mother started brushing and gently massaging her lower back towards her tail every day. Our cat stopped limping for years. The vet was amazed and told us to keep it up. I honestly believe that's why she lived so long.

I don't know if it will help, but I thought I would share, just in case it could. Best wishes!

 

[Wyakin]

I'm so story @mytai the sudden loss of any pet is awful but under these circumstances is even harder.

The decision to release them from their pain is the hardest one we ever have to make for out pets. You were strong and made the right choice. No one deserves to die alone and in agony.

I know how you must feel, one pet owner to another.

 

[Jezanna]

I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Might there be a grief support group for pets you can attend? They have them in the u.s. I've gone and they were beneficial.