I admit it – I have favorite cats and Pammie is one of the 4 girls I love most. About a week ago I noticed she was acting very lethargic, her nose was not pink but white and as the days went on she started breathing heavily. By Saturday night I called the vet and described her symptoms. He suspected feline leukemia and that’s what I found online as well. I wasn’t sure she’d live until morning but Sunday she acted better but still could not lay down and sleep because she couldn’t breathe. Our appointment was late Monday afternoon and the vet diagnosed a leaky heart valve, gave her numerous injections and sent us home with daily pills. This morning she is actually sleeping and that’s a relief for me because she must be exhausted after many days of sitting upright.
What to do? I have always believed Quality of life was more important than Quantity of life. If she continues to struggle I will put her down because I love her so much — not because I don’t want to bother with her anymore. I don’t want to see her suffer and struggle to breathe – what kind of life is that?
So for now, we wait and see. I know many of you will understand what I’m gong through.
So, so sorry about poor Pammie. I know the worry and watchful waiting that you are going through. We lost our 18 year old “Beep” in June. I can still feel her around me. I will miss her for the rest of my life.
Decisions like this are never easy. We have been thru that with pets. We want so badly for them to stay but sometimes that is so hard on them.
I so hate when this stuff happens. No options are good options.
Hugs!!
I’m so sorry for her and you……..
I know what a difficult the situation you are in. Pammie is a beautiful girl. I know losing her will break your heart but we have to do what is best for the pets we love so much. I’m pulling for Pammie (and you) to come through this!
My prayers are with you and Pammie. I lost my 21 year old, Sassy, this August….
So sorry. Hope pills help and Pammie and you are feeling better.
Oh, there is so much heartbreak inherent in these relationships, even as there is so much solace to be found there. I’m sorry you’re experiencing the worry of it right now.
I do want to offer a glimmer of hope. We have a cat who had a seemingly hopeless case of cardiomyopathy–she was adopted off the street, ready to deliver kittens, and by the time the diagnosis was made her heart was “a fat lump”, nearly unable to pump. A few months later she was taken to the ER, where I thought surely she would be put down, but they nursed her through the night, and then sent her home to us, and now here she is, two years later, bossing our house around. She takes three pills, daily (and an inhaler treatment for the asthma she and one of her kittens developed, but that’s another story…) and her heart is strong.
She is my sweetheart’s favorite, although he will deny he has a favorite; she makes no bones about the fact that he is her absolute favorite, which I think is pretty cute, especially given that I have most of the nursing duties.
I hope there is an answer for your Pammy that will help her feel like her old self again and give you more time together. I know that whatever decision you make, it will be for her. These are the times that call on us to be our most unselfish selves. Know that much love is with you now.
I know these decisions are more painful than finding them gone but I also believe it the quality vs quantity. She is beautiful and a real dear and any decision that you make will only be for her best not yours. My heart goes out to you.
The decision is the ultimate act of love. I hope Pammie continues to improve. I have one sweet girl left, Lizzie, and those trips to the vet I will remember as long as I live. Such a wonderful parent you are!
Bless your heart. You have made a hard decision but I firmly believe the right decision. For all things there is a season and having the ability to eliminate suffering for any creature is the greatest reward we can give our special friends who have been our joy. I am a retired RN who worked as a hospice nurse and many times have been at a bedside praying for the end to come so they could be free of suffering and sitting at the Table of God. Blessings to you dear lady, Marcia
Pammy is such a beautiful girl. These animals are such a blessing to us humans. You will know when the right time is to let her go. I’m praying this medicine helps and buys you lots of more time with her though. Love to both of you -^.^-
I truly believe that quality is quality and that you will know when the time is right.
I know one’s heart breaks when one has to do this but there are always the memories.
You are such a good kitty momma!
She has been a good companion to you for many years and now you owe it to her to make her comfortable and let her go….do not feel bad, do this out of love for her! I had to make this same tough decision with my dog a few months ago and although it is very hard to see them go, we as their advocate owe this much to them! Pass in peace dear Pammie!
My heartfelt sympathies. I kept my beloved dog alive a year longer than I should have. No regrets because I loved her so and wanted her with me. Still do. I know I was selfish now but it was such a hard choice. My prayers are with you.
I feel that way about my own life. If I am diagnosed as terminal, I cannot see lingering so I may become a statistic–it will not be fair to my loved ones. Some doctors give their patients a time-line that is unreal, hoping to be encouraging?
Prayers from me that Pammie will continue to rally! Her condition certainly sounds serious. Perhaps her good vet’s care and all the love you have shared with her will help her to feel better, and stay with you awhile. If not, I am sure you will do what is best for Pammie. it takes such strength to be good fur parents, doesn’t it? I am hoping for a miracle!
Praying for the best!
I do feel what you are going through. I just went through 3 weeks of continual care for Linus and was thinking it was time but he made a change for the better. He is back to checking to make sure the front door opens and closes.🐈 I’m praying the same for you. Pammie is a such a pretty girl!
Praying for you & Pammie. Loving our furry friends is a huge responsibility and a privilege. Blessings to both of you.
Oh Mary, such a hard decision. Since we all know how much you love your “babies”, you’ll do the right thing. It is just so hard. We had to make the same decision with our Spike, (a Goat Gazette star) only 13, but in pretty good health until he got congestive heart failure. Our vet was wonderful. Keeping you and Pammie in our thoughts and prayers, Diane and Squeak.
Hi Mary – I think all of us animal lovers go through this. It is horrible… I will not let my pets suffer. I feel I can deal with the loss of them better than it is for them to suffer. We’ve been through this quite a few times and my heart goes out to you. Our Bailee is 10 years old, blind and has arthritis. She is on medication; but so far she still seems happy. I’m sure her time is not too far off, but we will enjoy every minute we still have with her. Enjoy Pammie as long as you can and you will know when it is “time”. I’ll be thinking of all of you. Linda
God bless you for being such a good pet owner. She is a beautiful kitty.
Oh Mary my thoughts are with you. She is a lovely creature and I know you will make the right decision when the time comes. Pets add so much to our lives and it is so hard to say good bye to them. Take care and know we areal thinking of you.
Prayers for Pammie and you. She is such a sweet-looking kitty. I know what you are going through. We always had cats when I was growing up and I have had cats for most of my married life, I hope you will have her with you for a long time. I will keep both of you in my prayers.
I have a friend whose cat went through something similar recently. The first week after diagnosis was difficult, my friend wrestled with the same concerns you are. After the first week the cat really turned the corner, daily medication and rest was the ticket. Now after months of medication the cat is doing really well. I know every situation is different but, hang in there…and thanks for sharing your farm news, it brightens my day!!
It is so painful to see them suffer. We have joy and sorrow in our time with our beloved pets. So sorry, hope she isn’t suffering. Lee Hardwick
Mary, my heart goes out to you. You are such an animal lover, I know your decission will be based on your love for her. She looks so sweet, but they can’t tell us what is wrong and hanging onto them is the selfish thing to do. I can’t imagine a cat not able to lay down, poor baby. Hope she is comfortable.
I will be thinking about you and your sweet girl.
Hugs , Felicia
So sorry that you’re going through the possibility of losing another dearly beloved pet, but I’m praying and hoping for a miracle for Pammie. Reading the other comments the medicine could be the solution. Stay strong!
I lost one of my fur babies in January due to congestive heart failure and her lungs were filled with fluid. She was struggling so much to breathe, and the vet did say she would put her down. It just happened so fast – over a period of a few days.
I think she died of a broken heart after her sister died last August. So sad, but we now have 2 more meezers that we love oh so much!
Hang in there. Easy to give kitties pills, so hopefully they will help!
Saying a BIG prayer for Pammie’s recovery.
I totally agree. Been there, done that, too. Not fun, but had to be done. We still talk about that cat and remember him fondly.
hugs……………………………………
I know the heartbreak of that decision well. You will do what is best for Pammie because you love her. Hugs.
Pammie is a beautiful cat and I wish her to be well. My cat Phoebe has similar markings and I know how much you love your Pammie.
I am so sorry. That is such a difficult and heartbreaking choice to make.
Prayers being said for Pammie, she’s so beautiful. Definitely know what your going through, and agree. Best of luck. sending kisses and hugs to her.
Sorry to read about Pammie and the decision you face. I lost my beloved Pooh, a beautiful black poodle, in 2006. The kindest words came from my longtime vet that day. He reassured me with these words, “Yes, it’s time. Just remember we have the option to be kinder to our pets than to our humans.” I promised Pooh he would always have a place in my heart and held him to the very end. I loved my vet who has since retired and hope to always remember his honesty as I made a very difficult decision. My prayers will be with you as you will one day face that same decision.
I’m so sorry that Pammie is ill. I have experienced this type of decision in the past and my prayers are with you.
It is so very hard to put an animal that is part of your family down. But, watching them suffer is heartbreaking. I will keep you and your beloved cat in my prayers. I have a farm and have lost many a family member.
I am so sorry to learn of Pammie’s heart condition. But it sounds like she’s got a good chance of having it managed with medication. Definitely worth giving the meds and Mother Nature some time.
Maybe you can rig up some inclined pillows or blankets in a favorite sleeping spot so she can be supported to make her breathing easier while she sleeps.
You’ll know when it’s time to make that hardest but kindest last decision for her. I hate it every time we have to do it, but it’s all part of their care. We just had to do it ten days ago for a cat in renal failure. I only wish we had the option to do it for ourselves when our time comes.
We’ll all be pulling for both of you.
Dear Mary, Pammie is such a beauty and a dear cat, it is clear from the pictures you posted. I am lifting you both in prayer. I know you and the vet will make her comfortable for as long as she is with you, and may that be a long time. And what a wonderful life she has enjoyed with you. God bless you both. xo
I’m so sorry. I know how hard that is.
Prayers for Pammie. I volunteer at a dog rescue & we have several dogs with heart problems. Once the medication takes hold they do very well. To me, the worst decision to have to make is to play God for our furry kids. I have always said I will do whatever is necessary to help my fur babies as long as they aren’t in pain. Like you, to make them live in pain & suffering for US is not the right or kind thing to do.
Prayers for you both.
We had to put down two dauchaunds …cancer…so very sad to make the decision, but knowing suffering does not translate to longevity….you have to do what’s best for your little friend. I hope the meds kick in and you do t have to make that decision for her just yet. God bless Pammie!
My heart goes out to you and Pammie. We just made that decision for our precious Minu last Friday. She was our baby for 17 years. It’s such a hard decision to make, but you can’t let them suffer unnecessarily. I’ll be thinking about you…
We know what you are going through. I pray you will make the right decision for her.
Diana
I pray that the medication helps her. She looks so much like my Molly girl. My heart is breaking for you……
My prayers are with you and Pammie. This little girl reminds me of my (much loved, but departed) Albert.
I hope you sweet baby will feel better soon!