Regret euthanizing cat

I euthanized my cat on Friday, and I have never regretted anything more in my life.  He was 14 1/2 years old, and had been blind with diabetes and feline aids for a few years.  He was gradually losing weight and was down to 6 1/2 lbs.  I'd been taking him to the vet for the past couple of weeks due to constant diarrhea, and this last week he was staying there every day to receive IV fluids.  The xray didn't show anything, and the vet didn't feel any masses.  He would urinate in the litter box if I put him in there, otherwise it was on the floor beside it.  I would also find the diarrhea on the floor by the cat box.  He was using the steps to sleep with me in bed, and would purr anytime I pet him.  Thursday night he began urinating where he was laying.  We'd been trying different antibiotics with no luck.  Since he wasn't eating, his insulin dosage was causing his blood sugar to drop too low causing a seizure.  The vet said the only thing he had left to try was exploratory surgery.  He said that sometimes they do that, and if they don't find anything, proceed with putting him to sleep.  I said no to that and proceeded with the euthanazia.  And I know I can't go back, but it's eating me up.  I keep thinking that I should've at least tried the surgery.  He was my best friend for 14 1/2 years, and I gave up on him.  Really, I guess I'm just looking to hear from others who have been through this.  

[JMux]

I forgot to add that they did full blood work, and his pancreatic enzyme was high so the vet originally thorugh pancreatitis, but then since there was no improvement, was thinking pancreatic cancer.  Due to the consistency of the diarrhea, he also didn't think there was a blockage.  

[margypops]

awww so sorry I know how you feel ...I haven't been through it with a cat but have with dogs ...and its painful ..I wasn't able to get another pet for 25 years due to not wanting to feel the grief of losing them, then my kitty wandered by my house and been with me 3 years now ..my mom always told me ..'Marg  when you lose a pet , go out and get another form the nearest pet shelter " I didnt take her advice ..I wish I had .So when you are ready go and look for another dearest friend ..you will be glad you did as I am ...good luck feel better soon ...marg

[AnnieBrooke]

My vet told me, "Think of the five things that your pet likes the most.  When he gets to the point where he can't do three of the five things, it is fair to euthanize."  With our cat that had diabetes, we really went the heroic-rescue route more than once, and brought him back from almost comas twice, including rushing him to the vet's while he was apparently dead more than once.  I don't think it helped anything, least of all the cat.  He was getting nothing out of life by then.  He was just marking time.  He was doing nothing fun that he cared about or liked.  He would purr if you scratched his ear, that was it.  In essence, we waited until he had only one of five things he liked, and that was purring.  I would never do it again like that.  His life was not at all happy or joyous and had not been in forever.

It's always tough to say "this is the day," but I can't help but believe that animals, who are innocents, go on to something better.  You didn't do wrong by your kitty.

[AnnieBrooke]

* and had not been (happy or joyous) in forever.

[kittymom44]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can tell that you loved your kitty very much. You did right by him, I believe. You knew him the best out of anybody. You were his friend and you were given the sad task saying when it was enough. Your cat would love you more for this. Knowing how sick he was, you put you own feelings aside and did what was best for him. That is very UNselfish and your cat says thank you, I bet, for all the wonderful years he had with you.
Ps. You have a heart for animals and I do hope you will rescue a shelter cat and give your great love to another kitty   Thank you for you kindness a love to our friends!     Kittymom44

[FurballsMom]

I'm so sorry.  You really did your best.  I know you are grieving because of the death of your beloved cat.  Please don't feel guilty about the decision to euthanize your cat, because it is clear that he was suffering.  You will have mixed emotions for a while, because you are grieving the loss of your beloved cat.  Think, too, of all the people who mistreat their animals who shouldn't even have an animal in their care.  You didn't do this to your beloved and precious cat.  You took care of him the best way you could.  I think all of us go through similar thought processes about when is the appropriate time to euthanize a suffering pet that is really a family member.
Please don't feel guilty.  You feel the regret of having to lose your furry family member to death.  All of us have had similar feelings who have ever had to make this decision.  No one wants to have to lose their furry friends to death at all, but those of us who love our pets don't want them to suffer needlessly either.  Please don't feel guilty for releasing your little buddy from the suffering.  You spared him from dying in agony.  Remember your happy times with your furry friend and remember that you gave him the best life you could.  That's why he lived to be 14 1/2 years old.  Feral cats do well to live half as long and they really don't have a happy life with a comfortable bed to sleep on or someone who will speak to them with love and kindness or to play games with them just for fun.

[JMux]

Thanks to everyone for your comments.  You've really helped me a lot, and I appreciate it.  

[irisdania]

You did ok, no one said it was gonna be easy, but euthanasia is either for a disease without any cure or that takes their quality of life away. In my experience with cat, they tend to cover signs up, which is why is so hard making their diagnosis, they don't respond well to force feedings, usually they now when their times is coming, they are really wise animals and I feel blessed to have had mine in my life for the time being, I missed each of them, but also they wouldn't want you to stay alone!

[29sillygirl]

You will feel grief.....we all do when it is up to us to make that final decision. I have had to put several kitty's of mine to sleep...knew I had to be brave and be there for them when it was time.

In the case of two, I paid to hve their ashes.  Altho' I feel the spirits of my cats around me without the physical reminder.

No regrets.  As others have said, you were a fantastic caregiver for your cat to have lived  14 1/2 years.

  I am going to repeat advice already given....from my experience.  When you are ready...pls consider adopting another.  Like Margy, I avoided getting another cat, after a series of deaths...not for quite as long..lol....

Blessings..

[Montyclm]

I have to cats who are brothers Oliver and Charlie they are approximately 12 and 1/2  years old and I have had them since they were tiny little kittens.
I have been so lucky with them they have had no major problems or illnesses and even though they go out they never wander off and they have never even stayed out all night. They have got me through some of the toughest times in my life, bereavements and. Depression when I could have quite easily given up if it was not for them. But I made a promise to them that I would never let them suffer or be in pain and even now when I think of losing them it makes me so emotional and brings tears to my eyes, Anyway Oli now has arthritis and was starting to show signs of discomfort when jumpin or stiffness after sleeping so I panicked about  him being in pain anyway I bought him a Bio collar and this has made 100% difference.
After all my droning on the point I am trying to make is that when the time comes to have them put to sleep it will be for the best thing for them, not because I would want to keep him for longer. I will be completely distraught and inconsolable but what will give me comfort is that they have never been cold,hungry or lonely or mistreated whilst living with me they have had a charmed life. So through all of you're sadness be very proud of the wonderful times that you gave to them and the wonderful life they had. I hope I can practise what I preach.

[opus88]

hi Monty welcome to you, Oliver and Charlie!!
thankyou for sharing their stories with us, they are two lucky boys to have a loving home. I hear you about our pets bringing us through some of the toughest times in our lives, there would have been many days I too wouldn't have struggled on without my 2 boys who I know depend on me alone.
You will be strong when the time comes, just b/c you know you must be...these little ones depend on us for love, food and a home but also for making the big decision for them when we know its time...while they leave a tremendous hole in our hearts they also leave us with happy memories that no one can take away.
Can you tell us more about what a Bio Collar is?
Have you tried glucosamine sulfate with msm for arthritis?

[Montyclm]

Hi Opus88

You're my first message, how exciting when I started to notice that Oli was not. as sprightly as usual ie taking longer to get up after being asleep and struggling to jump on the bed etcetera I was due at the vets with both cats that week for there yearly boosters so she checked them both over and confirmed that it was the beginning of arthritis but didn't really recommend anything just to keep an eye on it. Anyway sorry for going on I didn't like to see him in discomfort more than pain so I started looking up arthritis in cats and came across a company called Bio flow that do products for people
and animals, it works on some kind of electro magnets bit technical for me
but it's a collar and it basically has a small covered magnet on the inside, that has to touch there skin and it warms up. Have a look at there website bioflow.co.uk so not sure how it works but I have seen a massive improvement in Oli. I have not tried the Glucosamine that you mentioned but my boys are a nightmare if it's something that they have to take orally. Have a read about the collar and see what you think, they are actually reduced at the moment to about £18.00 I paid £30.00 but let me know what you think I know it works for my cat, Claire.

[FurballsMom]

Some glucosamine and MSM products are tasteless powder products that you put in wet food.