by Christina Hope

Created on: February 12, 2009

Is euthanasia of cats and dogs sometimes the most compassionate option?

This question brings back the memory of my cat, Rocky, who I euthanized about a year ago.

Rocky's Story

The morning of New Year's Day, I woke to find my furry pal on top of me, straining to urinate. Happy New Year to me. My kitty was working hard to convey the message that he was sick, and it was time to take him to the vet, mom!

The vet produced two estimates, one for treatment of the alleged infection, and the other for the possibility of crystals in his urethra. The difference would be going home with antibiotics and prescription food versus staying in hospital for several days and treatment which included being anesthetized, having a catheter inserted to drain the urine, and observation to ensure Rocky could urinate on his own.

I couldn't afford the nearly $2000 to hospitalize Rocky. It broke my heart. I took the antibiotics, the prescription food and went home. Euthanasia was not an option at this point and I was determined to help my friend.

After some more research on-line, I found another clinic about a two hours away in Sunland. They provided reasonable treatment options for a reasonable price. Rocky's bladder was expressed, a catheter was inserted and I was shown how to express his bladder at home.The goal was to empty his bladder, and let it return to normal size. Euthanasia was still out of the question.

I spent the better part of the next two weeks trying to empty Rocky's bladder. I could get a little urine out, but I was never successful at completely draining his bladder. I was diligent in dispensing the antibiotics and switched him to the new food.

Unfortunately, this didn't cure him. I still had no idea what was causing the blockage and preventing him from being able to urinate.

I noticed some blood clotting in the catheter and thought that was odd.

I had to go out of town for the week-end. This meant boarding Rocky at the same clinic in Sunland. I dropped him off and I tried feebly to express him one last time before I left. I kissed him, told him it was important or I wouldn't be leaving him with strangers and off I went.

The next night, I received a call from the clinic. They had been successful in completely expressing his bladder, and had palpated a small tumor. This is what had been blocking his urethra and preventing him from urinating on his own. At least now I had an answer as to what was wrong with Rocky, but now the question of what to do was looming over me like a

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>