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Older Cats And Euthanasia

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Older Cats And Euthanasia

Bernadine D. Cruz. DVM (Companion Animal Medicine Expert, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital ) gives expert video advice on: How can I keep my cat comfortable when she gets old?; How can I prepare my kids and myself emotionally before putting our cat down?; How long should I wait to get a new cat after my cat's death? and more...

What is the average lifespan for a cat?

Cats are living much longer than they used to be. In the last several years through all the advances in veterinary medicine, their lifespan has really increased by about 15%-20%. If you have a good cat it never seems to live long enough, and the little stinkers seem to last forever.

What are the most common health problems for cats?

As cats get older they can run into some of the same geriatric health problems that you and I do, but they are very good at hiding their illness -- too well. You may find a cat that has a little bit of arthritis or cat that starts losing some of its eyesight or hearing. Dental disease is very, very common health problem for cats. Dental disease can actually poison the entire body. It's a fantastic idea at least twice a year get your cat in for a health consultation - including periodic bloodwork, if necessary - before it becomes catastrophic. It's easier to treat cats this way, and it usually costs less, too.

How will my vet put my cat down?

Euthanizing a cat is quick, it's painless, very humane and very dignified. Whether or not you want to be present is totally your decision. Typically a veterinarian (if you want to be present) is going to place an intravenous catheter (a tube) into a leg vein. The injection is a very strong barbiturate. The same kind of medication that can be used to put a person or pet under anesthesia. By the time the injection is done which is literally a matter of moments ,the brain stops functioning first, they feel no pain, the heart's almost simultaneously thereafter. We can only hope that when it's our turn to pass we're surrounded by love and it's this fast.

How long should I wait to get a new cat after my cat's death?

There's no special amount of time that you have to wait. You might be ready right after the kitty has passed to go to your local pet store or shelter and get another cat. But you may need some time to grieve and realize this special friend, this special member of the family has passed. When's the right time? It'll be in your heart. You'll know when the right time is.

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  2. Karencat

    Excellent video. I had to put my 15-year-old cat, Carrie, down in 2005 when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was torn up. I had her cremated and her cremains remain in an urn that I bought at the vets. I will always miss Carrie.

  3. Danielr305

    I had to put dog to sleep and hlf ago still miss him it was a tramatic for him he was fighting the injection we had sedate him before putting him to sleep put I sat on the floor with himee held his head it my arms and fell as sleep then the vet lifted him on to the table then put him to sleep put then as being put o sleep he fitted badly. The vet said sorry for the distress I said it was not your fault it one of those things he said to me sadly 1 in 10 pets react to the injection sadly at least hes free of pain now love you kiki where ever you are

  4. Anonymous

    how muchdoes it cost to put a cat down

  5. Anonymous

    i had my gorgeous cat oliver put down yesterday! i got him for my 9th birthday and he was like a human! it would ov bin his 12th bd in july and i am utterly devasted! i dont know what to do with myself! seeing him lying on that cold table after is a vision i'll have for the rest of my life! i know it was the right decision i just feel selfish for thinkin he would be with me forever! i miss you soooo much oliver ill always love u xxxxx

  6. jassan2

    I had to euthanize my cat two weeks ago and i have been devastated ever since,she was twenty years old only a year younger than my son,i had her since the day she was born.I know in my hearts of hearts that was the right thing to do,but it doesnt change the fact that it was so hard to do,i miss her,but,she probably is on another plane walking along side of me.Here's to you Rascal,we miss you.

  7. Anonymous

    I understand how you feel. My 13 year old cat, Shadow, was my best little friend. His name was perfect for him, cause he was my shadow! Over the weekend, he suddenly became very ill. It turned our to be complete renal failure. He didn't show any alarming signs of being sick before this weekend. His kidneys completely shut down. He could barely walk. His creatine level was almost at 18. The doctor had never seen a cat that high. My heart is broken and my 15 year old cat just keeps crying and climbing all over me. She was actually doing this all week long before he showed signs of being so sick. I think she knew before I did. I have done this before, also as I had started with 6 cats. I miss them all, but this time my heart really hurts. I feel as though I missed something, but he never seemed ill. His fur had gotten strange and I would find water vomit and foamy spit up. I never new which cat was doing it. On occation, the vomit would be massive yellow liquid but only every few months or so. I will always remember my little buddy with love and gratitude for his faithful companionship. I stayed with him at the end and layed my head on him-I heard his last breath-I hope he felt my love.

  8. Anonymous

    I put one of my cats down yesterday. I had 4 and she was one of the oldest and the sweetest. I love all of my furballs, as I call them, but I think this is the one I was the closest to. I have done this before on several occasions for older cats and an older dog but it has never affected me this way. Whatever it was that caused her illness took her down in 2 weeks. At the vets yesterday they were force feeding her and when they brought her to me she wouldn't even respond. A part of me wished I could have taken her home and continued the force feeding and maybe tried some herbal things that are on the market and I am trying to tell myself and convince myself I did the right thing that it was what she wanted. I know she is at peace but the hole that is left in my heart cannot be put into words. She was truly amazing and a loyal friend.

  9. Walworthbabe

    We had our lovely old cat put down yesterday, and it was heartbreaking, but we knew that it was totally the right decision to make, as he was visibly suffering during the last 3 or 4 days of hs life. In a way we are lucky because we have 3 other cats at home, but our old cat has left a hole that cannot be filled. We will miss him, but know we did all we could for him and he had a happy life with us.

  10. Anonymous

    how would you put him down exactly??