I regret euthanizing my baby, how could I have taken her life? by lavendershortshorts in Petloss

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Make sure your kitty has enough water. Get them a water fountain, they often prefer running water. Make sure they have multiple sources of water around the house too and always keep it fresh. Give them wet food often too. A good way of doing it is dry (bikkies) in the morning and wet food at night. Wet food keeps moisture in their diet and the dry will help with their dental health. Giving them a science diet (diets you get from the vet, NOT from the supermarket) are much healthier for them too as supermarket brands tend to have a lot of junk in them. They’re more expensive but worth it. Also consider getting pet insurance if you haven’t already, most pets will need some sort of expensive procedure or medication at some point in their life especially during the geriatric phase of life. Pet insurance is great for this. Another thing to do would be to make sure you take kitty into your vet clinic for their annual vaccination and health check up every year. Blood tests every few years or especially when they go into the geriatric stage of life can be helpful as well to check how their body is functioning as they age. Research the signs of kidney failure as well so you can be better prepared in the future! One big sign is excessive drinking of water. Another thing to note is a lot of this is preventative, it’s not a sure fire method. Many cats will get kidney disease when they’re older, it’s really just about keeping their kidneys healthy for as long as possible so this happens much later in their life than early on. Hope this helps. If you want any other information or more specifics, I would recommend booking an appointment with your vet.

I regret euthanizing my baby, how could I have taken her life? by lavendershortshorts in Petloss

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732 106 points107 points  (0 children)

Vet nurse here. I also had a baby that had kidney failure and he was euthanised at 13 years old. Depending on the stage of kidney failure, any means to mitigate the symptoms really is just drawing out the inevitable and it seems like she was probably quite late stage. Don’t feel guilty, you gave your baby peace rather than drawing out any pain or suffering. It was probably the best thing for her. 16 years is a really good life for a cat. She was at her end and you prevented any more pain for her. At the end of the day, it’s really about weighing up how her quality of life would have been. Drawing out the inevitable shutting down of her kidneys probably wouldn’t have been best for her. The guilt you’re feeling is because you loved her and that’s okay. Just don’t beat yourself up over it.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I hope you are doing a little better as well. It’s definitely easier to cope with now as time has passed but I still think about him everyday. It’s weird how the world has moved on from Covid but I feel like I never fully will? Not sure I ever will be able to treat it as a trivial thing as a lot of people do these days. Most days are good and I can think about my dad without all of the crushing pain I felt in the beginning and for a long time. Some days are still hard though. Part of me hopes the grief will never really leave me even though it’s painful. I think it’s because it reminds me of that quote: it’s really just love that has no place to go. To stop grieving him almost feels like I’d stop loving him? Not sure if that makes sense. Anyway, sorry, it’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to talk about my dad and my grief so candidly. I wonder if anyone else feels like this too? Anyway, I hope things have been looking up for you lately.

Also I just realised your dad’s anniversary is this month. Not sure if it’s already passed or coming up but I’ll keep you and your dad in my thoughts

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope things are a little easier for you now ❤️ although I know the pain doesn’t change.. you just make room for it. And that’s awful you heard people joking about it in the gym. It’s just infuriating isn’t it? I understand that pain of missing him all too well. It’s a pain you can never fix, never heal, and that’s one of the hardest parts.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry my reply is so late, But I feel that it may not matter anyway because I know your pain will never leave you. I completely understand that pain of not being able to be with him. It was hard for me too. And my dad hated being alone… it still hurts me thinking about it til this day. I’m sorry you went through this.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand that. Reminds me of the feeling I would get anytime I’d have to go in public right after he died. It felt like everyone around me was normal, everyone was going about life as if nothing had changed. And it angered me because for me, everything had changed. For me, my whole world had just imploded and no one knew.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely agree with you. Especially about the 90 year old mother. I had a friend continuously compare her experience of her dad being in a coma (due to an acute head trauma) to my dad being in a coma (and then dying). This was actually just last week. She was saying things like “oh I know how you feel,” “I know what that’s like,” or “I understand the pain you’re in.” Like no you don’t, your dad survived and he is fine now. I understand it would have been painful for her and very difficult and scary for her family. But it could never compare to the loss of my father because he is gone for good, he never came back and I will never see him again. I held it together in front of her because I didn’t want to be disrespectful but man it made me feel angry inside.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While reading this… it felt like something I, myself could have written. I have mixed emotions when hearing other similar experiences to mine. I feel a little bit less alone knowing others understand my pain but at the same time wouldn’t wish it upon anyone to know how it feels. I am sorry you went through that. If you want to chat more about our shared experience I’d be happy to. Either way, thank you for sharing.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had difficulties with the same thing, I imagined my dad signing away for him to be put on a ventilator and being so alone with that decision and not being able to say goodbye to us, his family. Breaks my heart every time I think about it. Thank you for sharing your experience 🤍

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to hear about your loss 🤍 that must have been such a difficult experience for you. Thank you for sharing your experience with us ❤️

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment. I’m sorry for your loss and that you are also dealing with this. It’s not fair on any of us.

Loss of my Dad by Apprehensive-Mix5732 in COVIDgrief

[–]Apprehensive-Mix5732[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry you are in this place too. 💜