HippyHitman t1_j8cne6n wrote on February 13, 2023 at 8:56 AM

Reply to comment by MrGingerlicious in Cultivating a sense of perspective about pet loss can lead to post-traumatic growth after their death by chrisdh79

I think another huge difference is that most human death isn’t preventable. It either happens suddenly, or medical care just can’t fix it.

With pets it’s rare to actually explore all the treatment options, because who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on a coin flip treatment that will at best add a couple years? And would that even be in the pet’s best interest?

With humans those generally aren’t things you have to worry about. With your pet, you have to make those decisions for them.

MrGingerlicious t1_j8coklq wrote on February 13, 2023 at 9:13 AM

Exactly. In my case, my Cat had either a) A Genetic Bone Disease or b) Bone Cancer.

Even if he was Human, that doesn't give you many treatment options. Being a Cat, it isn't even an option.

If he were an 80+ yr/old relative, you could just say "Hey, the chemo isn't worth the suffering, but you've had a good run and we'll make the rest of your time is comfortable". But as an almost 12 yr/old Cat, it was "We have to put him to sleep now, he won't eat and isn't doing well" on the spot, no real time to think or get second opinions or treatment options.

CroneMage t1_j8ds3ao wrote on February 13, 2023 at 3:51 PM

I was in this exact situation a couple of weeks ago.

My cat was a former stray, FIV+. When I got him his estimated age was 3. I had him for 11 years. He started losing weight, having mobility issues, eye problems and dementia. I had to weigh the cost of testing what exactly was wrong and if it was able to be treated versus his quality of life.

There was an added complication in that I myself have terminal cancer and am going through yet another round of chemo so have a lot of medical bills and physical issues with the likelihood of having to make quality of life decisions myself sometime soon.

I had him put to sleep and donated all his supplies to a local feline rescue/no kill shelter to help out other kitties.

I will not be getting another cat due to my tenuous lifespan. I don't want to get a kitty that will need to be rehomed when I pass. I spend time with family member's and friend's pets as I'm able now.

I admit I did do some second guessing of my decision to have him put to sleep, but it was the right thing to do for him.