Angel was my first pet. I got her when I was five. Twenty years later she is still with me, but not for long. She's been slowing down as is to be expected with old age. However, this week she has barricaded herself in the bathroom. She is acting different and last night vomited a large amount of fecal matter tinged with blood. (sorry for the graphic description). At any rate, it has been decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put her down. Part of me wonders if this could be easily treated, or is it not at least worth finding out? There's a lot of pressure from other members of my family to have her euthanised. They would be pretty upset if I came back from the vet with my kitty and a prescription. However, if it is something that needs treatment beyond a prescription then I understand it would be more kind to let her go, especially considering her age. She followed me to school in grade one and now I'm almost finished university. We grew up together. I hate that I have to select the day she dies, no matter how many kind intentions lie behind my decision.

Your Angel sounds such a wonderful girl and you have shared 20 precious years together. I know how difficult this must be for you, and that you are hoping so much that you may have a little longer with her.

But the signs are not good, what you describe is very serious indeed. I won't go into details but it is not anything that a prescription can cure. It is a serious blockage of the intestines, usually caused by a tumour, meaning that nothing can pass downwards. The symptoms she is having are the very end symptoms of this condition.

The very very kindest thing that you can do for her is to end her suffering as kindly and gently as possible. I know it will be absolutely heartbreaking for you to have to do this, but she is suffering badly now and you can help to take her pain away. To leave it to take a natural course would be very traumatic for both you and for her and she would suffer greatly in the next few days before passing.

Thinking of you at this sad time
with love
jilly

I fully understand your problem here, I noticed a problem with my dog in her eyes and i did get a presricption but it didnt help at all, it just left her blind and fearful, and it broke my heart to watch her. What i can advise is BE THERE when they put your Angel down. I held my Bailey until she closed her eyes that one last time and I tell you now its a very comforting thing for me to look back and know I was there for her when she needed me the most.

My heart goes out to you ~ the main thing I think of when I have faced these decisions in the past are - what is the quality of life for my angel ~ is there still a chance for personal dignity ? A chance to feel safe and protected and loved? If the condition deteriorates what would the result be ? How soon would this happen ? And most of all listen with my heart and soul to what my dear one is trying to tell me about what they need ~ listen in the silence of your togetherness ~ burn a candle and hold him/her and together you will find the way ~ Love and Hugs, Kathryn