I had to put my 18 year-old cat, Bo, to sleep. He was in acute renal failure. He had been diagnosed with renal decline nearly three years ago.
I made the decision Thursday morning to have him put down that evening. My mother drove me and my cat, I didn't trust myself to drive, to the 24-hour emergency vet. I had called earlier and asked if they euthanized animals who weren't patients. She told me yes.
When we arrived I checked in and told them what I was there for. The vet tech who checked me in showed us to a room. We met with the vet and I told her what I wanted to do and why. She took down some information and said someone would be in to take Bo to the back. The first vet tech took him in his crate to the back.
I could hear him crying and protesting because he didn't want them to put the catheter in his leg. My mother and I laughed because he was protesting so loudly.The vet came in and said he was struggling and was it okay to give him a sedative. About fifteen minutes later she brought him to me swaddled in a towel. She left the room giving us time to say goodbye.
I told him how much I loved him and that he was going to the Rainbow Bridge and would be seeing all the pets we'd had before. I know the Bridge isn't real, but it made it easier for me.
He began to struggle to breathe and I asked my mother to get the vet. She came in with two syringes. I said we were ready. She administered the medicine. I held him until he died. She placed the stethoscope on his chest and told me when he was gone.
She did something that really was so nice. When I handed him to her she kissed him. I was very impressed with the compassion the entire staff showed me. I paid a hefty price, but it was worth it. I really like them.
The hardest thing has been coming to bed and he's not here. About two years ago he completely lost his hearing and stayed primarily in the basement with me. So whenever I came down he would come see me and he slept with me, rather on me. So there is this empty space on my bed where he usually laid. I've put my laptop there in the meantime.
So, I'm missing my cat, but I know I did the right thing. I couldn't let him suffer.
