Well, on June 7th of this year I had to put my dog to sleep, it was the most painful thing I've ever done. This week I had to take my cat to the vet because he wasn't eating or drinking and was breathing funny, the vet did an X-Ray and said he had congestive heart failure and his lungs were full of liquid. He said at his age (15) that even if he put him on oxygen and gave him medication, it wouldn't do any good and said it would be best if we euthanized him. After having just done this a month ago I took the cat home, and we waited because we didn't think he was in pain. Now it looks like he is in pain, and he hasn't eaten or drank in about 5 days and he just lays around breathing from his belly. He can't walk very far and he just doesn't look like the same cat.

I am hesitate to put him down, but I think it would probably be best for him. Although I'm not sure if I can do this again.

Any thoughts???

Dear Codey09:
I really, really feel for you. I went thru/am going thru the same thing. I had to put my sweet, 18 yr. old cat, Abbie, down May 22nd. It about killed me; she was truly my little love. I can't even explain how important she was to me and how much I loved her. She had been having kidney problems for the last year, but I still was not prepared and thought she would pull through her last illness. The "day" is etched in my brain and I didn't think I could ever get through it.
I was "finally" feeling less hopeless, when on July 10th, my 14 year old dog Dakota started suddenly acting sick. That was a Monday and I'd called the Vet that same day to get him an appointment thinking it was arthritis or something, they said they couldn't get him in till Thurs., 7/13 (my birthday)...he had just been running around like his silly self, full of life and not acting 14 at all. He would get these bursts of energy and just tear around so silly. By that Wedns., 7/12, he seemed worse, so took him right over to the Vet...long story short, after being there Wedns., Thurs., and Friday, nothing was working...he had a temp. of 104 and the antibiotics, fluids, nothing was working. They first told me it was pancreatitis (from me giving him too much people food)...he would get treats once and awhile, not overly so and not on daily basis, he was not fat, was slim and sleek...so I was beating myself up...then as he got worse, the blood tests and x-rays seemed to indicate it was actually a tumor in his liver that had contributed to the pancreatitis...happened very quickly. So, by Friday evening, the Vet finally told me it was time to "let him go," he was not going to get better.
So, my last two babies, almost 8 weeks apart, are gone. I feel lost without them; I don't have any other pets at this time. My whole world has been turned upside down...I don't even know how to function...everything I did, every day, revolved around my "furbabies."
It is heart breaking...all I keep trying to do is realize "it is what it is." All the crying and sorrow is not going to bring them back. This is my new reality; I have no choice but to learn to deal with it. But it hurts...no doubt about it.
Good luck and come back to this site as often as you need to...just "venting" seemed to help me.
Best wishes...Susan

Codey09,
I would never presume to tell you what to do, and I'm not a vet and don't know your life cir%%stances, and a month and a half after losing your pup - well, I can't even imagine your pain, there are no easy words. If your cat hasn't eaten or drank anything in 5 days, though, he might be trying to tell you something. If it's possible for the vet to give him fluids, to replace the nutrients, well, that's one route perhaps, but with congestive heart failure that may not be the best thing to do. If you trust your vet, and have a good relationship with him/her, it might be best to have a serious talk about the possibilities and prognosis of the kitty.

Please come back and let us know what's going on. There are so many folks here who can understand what you're going through, and while it must be so very,very difficult to have to face this decision, the kitty needs you to be extra strong right now. I wish I could take some of the pain from you, I would in a heartbeat. Please take care - Barbara

I am so sorry about your sweet kitty. The bad thing about cats is they go into liver failure if they stop eating. Because he hasn't eaten for 5 days, the liver failure has probably already started. Sit down with your cat and ask him what you should do - you will feel it in your heart. Good luck and stay strong.
Emily

Codey09, I am so sorry for your loss of your dog and the decision you are facing with your cat. Whatever you decide, I know it will come from your heart. You and your kitty will know what is right. My thoughts are with you.
Sho713, my heart goes out to you as well. Take care of yourself in your time of grief.

Well my Bailey decided that he would give up the fight last night and he passed away peacefully with me by his side. It was very hard, but at least I didn't have to make the decision to put him to sleep. I think he knew that I was agonizing over it, and did what was best for me. Animals are always thinking of their owners.

I am very sad right now, but am glad he is not in pain anymore, and I know he is with Codey playing in the fields at Rainbow Bridge.

Thanks for all of your comments, it helps to let things out.