[jesyka]

Over a week ago my 16 yr. old baby boy died. I'm more depressed than usual. I feel very guilty that I didn't put him down sooner since my husband wanted him to live as long as possible until he was in obvious pain. Surgery couldn't be done since he wasn't strong enough for chemo and he was old anyways.

He lost more than half of his body weight. He was so weak and anorexic the day that I took him in that his back legs were paralyzes. He barely ate for weeks. He did manage to come out of the garage a month an a half after the diagnosis. He'd come out every evening to rest by my husband on the couch.

He stopped coming out a few days before we put him down. I wish that I would've put him out of his misery sooner. I feel awful. He had a stomach tumor. I felt like maybe he wouldn't have gotten sick if I had only gotten the expensive blood tests done on him last year that we couldn't really afford.

I had no way to pay for everything myself, especially since my credit is bad. My husband didn't think those tests were necessary. I should've taken better care of him. I tried. I always brought him in for rabies shots and all the other necessary shots.

He was an indoor cat all of his life, How do cats get stomach tumors? Through diet? Old age? Genetics? He was always healthy and he was only sick once before when he was two months old He had a cold at the shelter which went away quickly with medication.

He died instantly. We're still waiting for his urn. I'm devastated. He was unique, sweet, and he meowed like a baby kitten. He was a beautiful white fluffy manx with sky blue eyes and a fluffy little bunny like tail.

I'll miss my sweet angel for the rest of my life. I'll try to respond to replies a lot quicker next time. I've been off or here for awhile due to being depressed and tired. I hope that he's in a better place now.

so sorry to hear about your cat

I have lost a dog as a child, and it is devistating

pets are just as much as part of the family as humans are.

and yes, I am sure he is in a better place free from pain playing with loads of other kitties

[Skeezyks]

My heart goes out to you. Just this past July we finally had to have our beloved 16 year old Schnoodle euthanized. We had been battling his kidney disease for 3 1/2 years. And the kidney disease plus his old age finally took their toll. I know how heartbreaking the loss of a beloved pet can be. Here's a link to my favorite article, from PC's archives, on healing from the loss of a pet:

What My Dog Taught Me about Grief and Loss

Best wishes...

[RoxanneToto]

I don’t think there’s much you could have done to prevent the cancer, sadly, it’s still horrible but you shouldn’t feel guilty about not having the blood work done. The decision to put a pet down is never an easy one, either, you feel like you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
You sound like a really caring person, the intent to do everything you could for your boy was there and even though you couldn’t do as much as you wanted, it still counts for a lot.

[InPain04]

My 15 year old "pup" died last year due to a stomach tumor. I was given the option of surgery and chemo and the vets were willing to do it to buy another year or two. When I asked what they would do if they were me they told me they wouldn't do it; it could have been hell for him to go through. I put him down the same day and cried so hard one of the vets had to drive me home. I wish you the best. Cherish the memories.

[CANDC]

Hi jesyka. Sorry for the loss of your "boy". It must be difficult to let go after so many years of joy together.

From what I have read survivor's guilt is common whether in losing person or pet. You did the right thing in my eyes. You have him a chance to live a full life. When their lifestyle disappeared then you gave them a painfree departure.

They even mewed to you good bye. I am sorry for the loss of your friend.

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

so sorry to hear about your cat

I have lost a dog as a child, and it is devistating

pets are just as much as part of the family as humans are.

and yes, I am sure he is in a better place free from pain playing with loads of other kitties

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Sorry to hear that. It is devastating. I care more about my pets than I do for most people.

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

My heart goes out to you. Just this past July we finally had to have our beloved 16 year old Schnoodle euthanized. We had been battling his kidney disease for 3 1/2 years. And the kidney disease plus his old age finally took their toll. I know how heartbreaking the loss of a beloved pet can be. Here's a link to my favorite article, from PC's archives, on healing from the loss of a pet:

What My Dog Taught Me about Grief and Loss

Best wishes...

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Sorry to hear about your dog. That's heart breaking. Thanks for sharing the link.

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by RoxanneToto

I don’t think there’s much you could have done to prevent the cancer, sadly, it’s still horrible but you shouldn’t feel guilty about not having the blood work done. The decision to put a pet down is never an easy one, either, you feel like you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
You sound like a really caring person, the intent to do everything you could for your boy was there and even though you couldn’t do as much as you wanted, it still counts for a lot.

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Maybe not. I was there when he died. I am a caring person. Especially when it comes to my pets. I care more about my fur babies than I care about most people.

I tried my best. At least he lived a long life and he was loved for 16 years.

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by InPain04

My 15 year old "pup" died last year due to a stomach tumor. I was given the option of surgery and chemo and the vets were willing to do it to buy another year or two. When I asked what they would do if they were me they told me they wouldn't do it; it could have been hell for him to go through. I put him down the same day and cried so hard one of the vets had to drive me home. I wish you the best. Cherish the memories.

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I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pup. It's a good thing that they cared more about your pups quality of life than the money they could've made from treatment.

You did the right thing. That was very nice of them to drive you home. I'll always cherish the memories I have of my sweet baby boy.

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by CANDC

Hi jesyka. Sorry for the loss of your "boy". It must be difficult to let go after so many years of joy together.

From what I have read survivor's guilt is common whether in losing person or pet. You did the right thing in my eyes. You have him a chance to live a full life. When their lifestyle disappeared then you gave them a painfree departure.

They even mewed to you good bye. I am sorry for the loss of your friend.

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Thanks. I tried to give him a good life. He was loved by my husband and I for 16 years.

[Travelinglady]

Sounds like you and your hubby did a great job. We have no control over diseases like cancer, and I'm sorry your fur baby got it and passed on.

I lost a fur baby due to diabetes. That was really hard as well. I'll always miss my animals who passed on--but I do have other ones now that I love.

Are you and hubby thinking about another kitty?

[jesyka]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Sounds like you and your hubby did a great job. We have no control over diseases like cancer, and I'm sorry your fur baby got it and passed on.

I lost a fur baby due to diabetes. That was really hard as well. I'll always miss my animals who passed on--but I do have other ones now that I love.

Are you and hubby thinking about another kitty?

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Thanks. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your fur baby. We'll get a kitten next year. Our cat is a bossy alpha cat and a diva. So she'd probably clash with another cat who is set in their ways.

We'll have to look for a docile kitten who won't mind letting her be the boss. She didn't get along with the cat who died. She' scare him all the time. We just got his ashes back and he's resting above the fireplace now.

[CalMSW]

Originally Posted by InPain04

My 15 year old "pup" died last year due to a stomach tumor. I was given the option of surgery and chemo and the vets were willing to do it to buy another year or two. When I asked what they would do if they were me they told me they wouldn't do it; it could have been hell for him to go through. I put him down the same day and cried so hard one of the vets had to drive me home. I wish you the best. Cherish the memories.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'm glad you chose to spare your pup of additional pain. I've put down a dog before, and I had to take a week off work to grieve. I have another dog now, and I've decided to enjoy her presence day by day. Losing her at a later time would be rough on me, my husband, and my brother-in-law.