PILOT SPIN
Spin Zone => Spin Zone => Topic started by: jb1842 on April 26, 2021, 01:38:34 PM
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Our 20 year old cat is at the end of life. If he makes it through the night, we are taking him to the vet tomorrow to be put down. Not sure how to explain this to our 3 year old. He loves this cat and the cat loves him. We've talked about the cat going to heaven soon. And he goes to catholic school, and they do a little religion learning, so it's not a complete foreign concept to him. Anyone have any tips? My wife has had this cat before me, so not sure how well she will be able to handle this part of it.
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Our 20 year old cat is at the end of life. If he makes it through the night, we are taking him to the vet tomorrow to be put down. Not sure how to explain this to our 3 year old. He loves this cat and the cat loves him. We've talked about the cat going to heaven soon. And he goes to catholic school, and they do a little religion learning, so it's not a complete foreign concept to him. Anyone have any tips? My wife has had this cat before me, so not sure how well she will be able to handle this part of it.
I always hate to hear when people go through this. In my 30 years of owning a veterinary clinic, consoling people about to lose their pet was always the hardest part.
I"m sorry to hear you have to go through it, but look at it as a life lesson for you son. As much as I love animals, and cats in particular, better that he learn this lesson via a cat than a human he loved.
I have found that the "Rainbow Bridge" often brings comfort to those that experience a pet loss. Perhaps you could read this to him tonight
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
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I always hate to hear when people go through this. In my 30 years of owning a veterinary clinic, consoling people about to lose their pet was always the hardest part.
I"m sorry to hear you have to go through it, but look at it as a life lesson for you son. As much as I love animals, and cats in particular, better that he learn this lesson via a cat than a human he loved.
I have found that the "Rainbow Bridge" often brings comfort to those that experience a pet loss. Perhaps you could read this to him tonight
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Thanks. I'll mention that to my wife. We told him earlier today that he is really sick. More worried in next few days when he tries to go look for him and he's not here.
Our dog is 14, and starting to really slow down the past few months. Poor kid if he loses them both soon.
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Your three year old will take it better than you.. :-\ Only had to do it once, not looking forward to that again. Best wishes..
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Your three year old will take it better than you.. :-\ Only had to do it once, not looking forward to that again. Best wishes..
My wife will take it worse. She had the cat before me. I will take it worse with the dog. I had him before her.
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Your three year old will take it better than you.. :-\ Only had to do it once, not looking forward to that again. Best wishes..
That is very true, in one respect.
He may take it hard for a few days, but young minds recover quicker. Time heals, and a few days in a child's life is worth months in an adult's life.
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This was taken just before Christmas. Our cat used to be twice this size a year ago and is now half of what he is in the pic. To think he was the runt of the litter.
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This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think death is easier to understand and accept if you get to see the body and say goodbye. It was that way with my kids at age 3 and 5 when the hamster died. I bawled my eyes out at the vets when I held it while they gave it the shot. Damn. My eyes are tearing up right now.
So I’d recommend bringing the body home to bury in your yard and have a little funeral, let the kid help with the proceedings. That way he won’t be confused wondering “where” the cat is. You can even have a little rock as a headstone he can put flowers on. We did that with the dogs. Damn now I’m really tearing up.
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This was taken just before Christmas. Our cat used to be twice this size a year ago and is now half of what he is in the pic. To think he was the runt of the litter.
OMG he’s adorable! Talking about the kid, not the cat. ;D The cat looks exactly like my daughter’s cat named Bobby. My daughter has a 4 year old son and 1 year old daughter and Bobby generally avoids them both.
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This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think death is easier to understand and accept if you get to see the body and say goodbye. It was that way with my kids at age 3 and 5 when the hamster died. I bawled my eyes out at the vets when I held it while they gave it the shot. Damn. My eyes are tearing up right now.
So I’d recommend bringing the body home to bury in your yard and have a little funeral, let the kid help with the proceedings. That way he won’t be confused wondering “where” the cat is. You can even have a little rock as a headstone he can put flowers on. We did that with the dogs. Damn now I’m really tearing up.
Not sure if we will do that. Our vet has strict covid rules. If we want to be with him at the end, they will do it on exam table outside in front of clinic. Not sure I want the last memory of him passing in the parking lot. Might he easier to say our goodbyes there and let vet take him in back. We told him he will go to heaven tomorrow and he said god would take care of him. Think we'll be ok.
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Not sure if we will do that. Our vet has strict covid rules. If we want to be with him at the end, they will do it on exam table outside in front of clinic. Not sure I want the last memory of him passing in the parking lot. Might he easier to say our goodbyes there and let vet take him in back. We told him he will go to heaven tomorrow and he said god would take care of him. Think we'll be ok.
Yeah I wasn’t suggesting he be present for the actual shot. It sounds like if he can say goodbye and knows the vet will take him and he’s on his way to heaven that would work.
I remember being about 4 years old and asking my dad about death. He said, “We are like a peanut, and our body is the shell but the soul is the peanut inside. When we die our body the shell is discarded and the peanut goes to heaven.”
Made sense to me.
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Go get a rescue dog that is young and needs you.
When the older dog goes it will help ease your son thrust the loss.
If you like cats, or need one, don't wait too long to replace the one you've just lost.
The newness worked each time our kids and grandkids had to deal with losing their pets.
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Go get a rescue dog that is young and needs you.
When the older dog goes it will help ease your son thrust the loss.
If you like cats, or need one, don't wait too long to replace the one you've just lost.
The newness worked each time our kids and grandkids had to deal with losing their pets.
We decided no more pets for a bit after they pass. We still have another cat who is 10. And goddamn fish.
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I believe losing our pets is Gods way of preparing us for losing loved ones.
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Talking about it will occur naturally. I was always amazed at how words came when kids ask questions.
Our vet unwittingly helped us after the death of our kitty by sending us a sympathy card with flowery script saying “A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered.” We all laughed quite hard at that, even the kids.
Reminded me of when someone would comment to Gilligan about how wealthy Mr. Howell was, and Gilligan would say, “Not only that, but he has a lot of money!”
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And now this morning the cat is acting more normal. Came out of hiding, wants to he held and get attention, ate. Something for sure is wrong, but do we go ahead and go to tje vet? We don't want to just put him to sleep, but we don't want to wait until he's suffering.
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And now this morning the cat is acting more normal. Came out of hiding, wants to he held and get attention, ate. Something for sure is wrong, but do we go ahead and go to tje vet? We don't want to just put him to sleep, but we don't want to wait until he's suffering.
Take him to the vet. They won't put him to sleep unless you consent, in writing. Otherwise, you will be assuring that he will suffer needlessly and die prematurely.
Maybe the vet won't find anything, in which case you are no better or worse off. But maybe he will find something that he can do something about.
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Take him to the vet. They won't put him to sleep unless you consent, in writing. Otherwise, you will be assuring that he will suffer needlessly and die prematurely.
Maybe the vet won't find anything, in which case you are no better or worse off. But maybe he will find something that he can do something about.
We are taking him. We know something is wrong, but we already decided we aren't going to go through a bunch of tests and such just in an attempt to prolong his life. We'll have the vet check him out and give his opinion and go from there. Even if he lives 6 more months, will those months be painless and happy for him? That's the question.
Edit-wife decided not to go to vet. This cat travels horribly. Will pee and poop all over crate and himself. Thinks too much trauma for him just to get looked at. We'll see how things go in next few days. He could have just had a bad couple of days.
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The Lion King
Yeah, Disney, yeah, it's a kid's movie, yeah it's old.
It also is one of the finest films to explain the circle of life to young ones (and even not so young ones). Our daughter was seven when my mother passed away, and she asked why Grandma had to die. I reminded her of the Lion King, and the circle of life. My daughter exclaimed "so she's like Mufasa, up in heaven!", and I replied yes. Every time you see yourself in the mirror not only will you see yourself, but you will see a part of her in you as well.
That was the turning point, and my daughter from that point on was able to process what was going on.
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The Lion King
Yeah, Disney, yeah, it's a kid's movie, yeah it's old.
It also is one of the finest films to explain the circle of life to young ones (and even not so young ones). Our daughter was seven when my mother passed away, and she asked why Grandma had to die. I reminded her of the Lion King, and the circle of life. My daughter exclaimed "so she's like Mufasa, up in heaven!", and I replied yes. Every time you see yourself in the mirror not only will you see yourself, but you will see a part of her in you as well.
That was the turning point, and my daughter from that point on was able to process what was going on.
That's good. He likes the Lion King.
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Not sure if we will do that. Our vet has strict covid rules. If we want to be with him at the end, they will do it on exam table outside in front of clinic. Not sure I want the last memory of him passing in the parking lot. Might he easier to say our goodbyes there and let vet take him in back. We told him he will go to heaven tomorrow and he said god would take care of him. Think we'll be ok.
Josh, my daughter is a vet and has done plenty of euthanasias. Nothing breaks her heart more than owners not wanting to be with their pet in their final minutes. I know that’s not your motivation, as it’s a Covid measure, but at her clinic they do allow one family member into the clinic.
Some vets also will do it at your house if you ask. In many cases that’s the best for all because the animal isn’t scared being in a strange place, and is calm and relaxed.
Good luck.
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I believe losing our pets is Gods way of preparing us for losing loved ones.
Except for those of us who have pet tortoises...
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Ended up going. Did bloodwork. Dr thinks possible cancer or kidney disease due to being so thin and always drinking and eating. Heart and lungs were good for his age. Know more tomorrow. We knew it was coming soon, but still kick in the face when the time is close.
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Ended up going. Did bloodwork. Dr thinks possible cancer or kidney disease due to being so thin and always drinking and eating. Heart and lungs were good for his age. Know more tomorrow. We knew it was coming soon, but still kick in the face when the time is close.
I've buried two dogs, and I do feel badly for you. Don't let the animal suffer to make yourself feel better. I wasn't kidding about the tortoises, mine will handily outlive me.
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I've buried two dogs, and I do feel badly for you. Don't let the animal suffer to make yourself feel better. I wasn't kidding about the tortoises, mine will handily outlive me.
Two dogs here too. I won't get any more. I cry more over the dogs than I do over my dead human family members and it's not like I didn't love them too.
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I've buried two dogs, and I do feel badly for you. Don't let the animal suffer to make yourself feel better. I wasn't kidding about the tortoises, mine will handily outlive me.
Oh yeah. We'll see what tomorrow brings. He doesn't look in pain. All weekend he didn't eat, hid under beds, and wouldn't let us touch him. This morning he was yapping in my face waking me up to feed him. 20 years is an amazing run for a cat.
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Hyper thyroid. All other blood work fine. 1 pill a day. Dr says it will help, but his age is still working against him.
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Hyper thyroid. All other blood work fine. 1 pill a day. Dr says it will help, but his age is still working against him.
I have two cats that are hyper thyroid, both are up in age. They do fine. Hope your kitty will be okay.
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They shaved him to draw blood. We got home and my son freaked out. Dad, he has skin! Cats have skin? It was a nice laugh after everything.
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Glad to hear the good outcome.