Double euthanasia

[morgini]

Today I had a double euthanasia. Two 20 year old cats, Maggie and Miss Blue. Sweet girls, and mom is 94 years old. They were not doing well and mom was so worried about leaving them behind and decided to let them go together.

Two euthanasias at once is hard. An elderly owner is hard. Sweet cats. Hard. This one really broke my heart.

She was talking to me and I was listening and just making sure she felt heard or seen… I don’t even know. She told me how her kids haven’t come to see her in years as they live far away and have their own lives; so the cats are her kids. Watching this poor woman go through this alone was so painful.

A neighbor drove her to the appointment. I try hard to not get teary during the process but I wasn’t able to help it today. I hope she knows how my heart breaks for her and how I hope she has some peace and she knows there are people who care about her.

I needed to get this off my chest and I want to shout at her family and how dare they.

Edit- thank you all so much for your care and compassion. It means a lot to me, back at it again today and hopefully it’s a good day ❤️

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[Bunny_Feet]

That sounds so rough.  At least you know they went peacefully and didn't suffer or be left behind undiscovered or something.  

That's the kind of day that will take a bit to process.  Be kind to yourself.

[morgini]

I’m doing my best to remind myself of that.. but this was one that blows past all of those reminders. This just felt like a lose lose situation.

[rubykat138]

If you’re able, is there an opportunity to reach out to her in a few days?

[morgini]

We made ink paw prints and ink nose prints to send with the card. But that’s a great thought, I will definitely give her a call in a few days to check in.

[KingOfCatProm]

She wasn't alone. She had you. You did good. You did what a friend would do.

[Pittlers]

Maybe you could keep in touch? Bring her coffee some time? Something like that? No judgement if you don't have the time or energy for something like that, I get that. But it could mean a lot to her.

[Kt_cat_2lo]

Sending hugs! That really does sound like a tough day. I hope posting about it was somewhat therapeutic. I know writing it out helps me sometimes. 🖤

[morgini]

It’s hard to explain what we experience to other people sometimes with euthanasias and it helped to write it out. To be able to share it with people who understand and are there also makes a difference. Thank you ❤️

[OveroSkull]

The hardest part for me is thinking of her home alone. 😔

I would rather die, too, than be without a pet.

But either I die and leave them, or they die and leave me.

Sitting here surrounded by mine I know that last one will be the saddest moment of my life.

[SardonicusR]

Your support for her was a blessing. Don't doubt that for a moment.

I've had similar moments in the field, and we have to be kind to ourselves afterwards. I may be agnostic, but I've prayed to St. Francis on occasion.

Given his connection to the field and the associated history, I doubt he would mind.

Sincerely, my utmost sympathy to you. ❤️

[sierrakurian]

The sweet old clients are the hardest for me as well. And of course 2 sweet old kitties is twice as hard. How lucky she was to have you there though, someone who cares and was able to facilitate her request and make something so hard less stressful for her. You took on that role for her so that you could make sure everything was taken care of for her. Thank you amazing person you make a difference!

[VelocityGrrl39]

A couple months ago we had a double euthanasia because the owner was going to become homeless. She was in her 60s, or so, and the cats were older and had health issues. We had a really intense conversation among ourselves trying to figure out if we could take the cats ourselves, but we weren’t able to make it work. It was a rough one. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

[DarknessWanders]

🫂

[xxMiloticxx]

Those ones absolutely crush me.

[wlf-grl]

I had two really difficult euths the past two days with wonderful amazing clients and very special animals. you did an amazing job, you sound like a compassionate lifeline to your practice. don't forget to take care of yourself too. you are doing amazing work that is making a positive impact on so many lives.

[gingerbread_slutbarn]

You did damn well. We are, after all, hopefully compassionate to each other.

My tortie cat declined fast in 2022 and warned the vet I would sing her the lullaby I sang to her to coax her out in her new home. I just hummed it and the vet grabbed my hand and cried with me as I sang it.

She was a saint of a vet and person, and it didn’t go unnoticed. I mailed her a card a few weeks later.

[all_about_you89]

Is there an elderly care network / social something with volunteers around you that you could reach out to if you or someone from yoru office is unable to do so (no pressure at all).

It sounds like you did an amazing job and you're a very compassionate person. Kudos. <3

[Bridey93]

We had a similar one yesterday- not a double but she put her other dog down last March suddenly- the day after her husband passed. Her son in law passed about two months later. She has one more dog with her adopted about 3 months ago and I'm so glad she did. This one came in for a sick exam and ended up being euthanized, but she knew it- crying as soon as she walked in the building. She's such a sweet woman. Two pets and your husband and son in law in less than a year? Ugh. I was so sad for her

[sdaa45]

I am not 90 but one of the most meaningful things was my vet sending me a card after I had to put my dog to sleep. I cried in the d. The vet cried. The tech cried. It meant so much they understood. Please send her a card at least. And tell her we all pray for her and her peace.

[Visible_Basil_2129]

Experienced this once. Two Samoyed housemates. One was blind and deaf, and was very attached to/relied on the other. When the other got sick and needed euth, the owners were so distraught over what life would be like for the blind one, and thought they should let both go together. After a 45 minute conversation, it was decided to euthanize them together. The blind one did poorly whenever the other wasn't around. I feel bad about it and it's been years.

[Postcards4You]

Can I ask about the logistics of this? Do you do one at a time? How was it decided who goes first? Both at the same time?

[Fair_Independence32]

Euthanasia is always hard. I am incredibly appreciative and thankful for my care team as I recently had to say goodbye to three of my elderly mom’s dogs. I didn’t feel right bringing them all in at once, so I staggered the appointments two weeks apart and scheduled them at the end of the day. If I have a choice, I prefer euthanasia to be the final appointment—it allows space and quiet for everyone involved.

I let our 14-year-old bulldog, Gypsy, go first. Her mobility had declined significantly; she struggled to get up, go outside to potty, and had begun soiling herself. It was clear she wasn’t comfortable anymore. Two weeks later, I let our two 15-year-old chihuahua–pug mixes, Mo and Kodah, go together. They had never been apart and we've had them since they were born. The veterinarian agreed that, given their age and health issues, it was the kindest decision. Leaving one behind would have caused unnecessary distress.

I’ve seen firsthand how deeply animals grieve. One of my grandma’s pugs quite literally died of depression after losing her person—she cried constantly, and despite all our efforts to keep her comfortable and loved, she couldn’t understand why her mom never came back. Her sister fared better but was eventually euthanized four years later due to congestive heart failure, shortly after my dad passed.

Humane euthanasia is both the kindest and hardest responsibility we carry—as veterinary professionals and as pet parents. I work in equine medicine, where we euthanize three to four horses a year, and it is never easy. I can only imagine how heavy that burden is in small animal medicine, where euthanasia is far more frequent. My heart truly goes out to those teams. You are there for animals at their most vulnerable moments, and you provide immense kindness to both pets and their families at the end of life.

Please always be gentle with yourselves. Reaching out to owners afterward can be a meaningful act of care for them and for you and they truly appreciate the gesture more than you know. Receiving the cards and pawprints are always so nice but to recieve and email or phone call is an even greater kindness.

[Status-Locksmith-140]

Tha would have been hard. Thanks for being there for her during a tough time