If your cat was dying, would you go on vacation? :-(

[aTailOf2Kitties]

My very old dog took a turn for the worse a few days before I was going on vacation for 2 weeks. Since she was already on medications for all of her ailments and nothing else could have been done, I helped her across the bridge the day before I left. I kept her as comfortable as possible for another day until everyone who knew her could say their goodbyes. She crossed the bridge after being given fond farewells from her loved ones and I left for Florida knowing her tired old body was peacefully residing in my parents' back yard.

If she hadn't gotten worse, my parents were going to keep her at their house. But since she got to the point where she didn't have the strength to get up any more, I was not going to make my poor mother carry a 40-pound elkhound outside several times a day.

So I guess you could say I was going to leave an old dog in declining health behind, but once I saw she was definitely getting weaker with little hope of improvement, I decided not to prolong her life.

Was that selfish of me? She wasn't necessarily dying but I guess you might could say I had her PTS just so I could go on vacation and not have to burden my parents with my ailing pet.

[mrspunkysmom]

I was faced with a similar situation several years back. My mom's Scottie Fala was so sick, she had to carry her out to potty or just change her sheets several times a day. Mom had to go on vacation that was already paid for and had asked me to pet-sit Fala and the cats.

I knew that when I got in and after she had left, I would take the poor dog to be PTS. I fully expected her to not talk to me for years, but the dog was miserable. But I did not tell her this. Anyway, she had already had Fala PTS when I arrived the day before her departure. She had difficulty with the concept of mercy and euthanasia; it's a Catholic thing. Anyway, her excuse was that she couldn't leave that for me and that Fala was her responsibility.

I think that vacations can be refunded or rescheduled for the death of a close family member, esp if you have insurance. Sadly a family pet probably does not count as a family member.

[Kirsten]

I understand that there are many things to consider when the trip is already paid, and cannot be refunded, or if it's something you've been planning for years.

But this is just a visit with some relatives of her sons' dad (her ex). Nothing was booked, nothing paid for; and it's not that she hasn't seen these people for a long time, she already met them at Easter, which is not too long ago. There would have been absolutely no problem to cancel - or postpone - the trip.

[mrspunkysmom]

I understand that there are many things to consider when the trip is already paid, and cannot be refunded, or if it's something you've been planning for years.

But this is just a visit with some relatives of her sons' dad (her ex). Nothing was booked, nothing paid for; and it's not that she hasn't seen these people for a long time, she already met them at Easter, which is not too long ago. There would have been absolutely no problem to cancel - or postpone - the trip.

I don't think that you mentioned before that it was just a family visit. That definitely could be rescheduled. I plan my trips around the weather and my cats needs and sometimes these intersect, like when it's very hot.

[K9karen]

I actually gave up vacations since I got Logan. I have friends who would take her out and feed her while my brother is a work, but I can't trust their reliability with grandkids etc. Although she's not cronically ill, she still takes meds for her bad hips. Despite John's insistance to board Logan (test her out first for a day), I just can't. She's still fearful of strange situations unless I'm there. John's in LA getting work and I refuse to fly out. He can come back here. Yes, Logan is on the TOP rung of my ladder.

I knew what I was getting into when I got her. Maybe another dog with another personality could handle a long seperation, but not Logan, who had a tough start in life. God forbid Logan was really ill, I'd never leave the house.

[Kirsten]

She's back from her vacation now, but the kitty is still at the vet's, still running a fever. Turned out that he's also dealing with toxoplasmosis, which has obviously affected his brain. I know that toxoplasmosis usually doesn't affect cats at all, but obviously it does when the immune system is down. My friend thinks he has reached a point where he should be helped to the bridge, but obviously her vet hasn't given up hope yet (but she only spoke to the vet techs so far). She has an appointment at the vet's tomorrow to discuss further options. Poor little kitty!

[moosmom]

Kirsten,

Toxoplasmosis does affect cats. I have a friend who rescued a feral that was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis and HiV. It caused him to go into seizures. She had him on phenabarbitol. Then she took him to holistic vet. Turns out the toxo was the cause of seisures. They are now in the process of weaning him off the medicine. He's a big lovable lug who went from 20 lbs to 16 lbs. There isn't a feral bone in his body. You'd never know he was formerly feral. Another success story. I'm just glad Betty didn't give up on him, despite everyone, including me (till I learned better) telling her he'd be better off being pts.

Please tell your friend not to give up on him. I'm glad the vet hasn't. Oh, and btw, my answer to your question, "OH HELL NO!!"

[Cataholic]

I was faced with a similar situation several years back. My mom's Scottie Fala was so sick, she had to carry her out to potty or just change her sheets several times a day. Mom had to go on vacation that was already paid for and had asked me to pet-sit Fala and the cats.

I knew that when I got in and after she had left, I would take the poor dog to be PTS. I fully expected her to not talk to me for years, but the dog was miserable. But I did not tell her this.

I am glad to see that you did not have any input here. I could never express in words the absolute fury I would feel if someone ever did something like this to me.

[mrspunkysmom]

I am glad to see that you did not have any input here. I could never express in words the absolute fury I would feel if someone ever did something like this to me.

I can understand your feelings, but you have to trust the person in the room.

I had told her a few weeks before that the dog was miserable and should be euthanized, but she couldn't let go and viewed euthanasia as murder. He could not walk or control his bowels. She hand fed him so he could survive. Not thrive just survive. She had adopted him a few years before and did not realize that his hips were bad or how old he was.

I was surprised that she had the dog PTS. And I was willing to endure her fury and upset at me to spare the dog any more pain. I suspect she knew how I felt and wanted the decision to be hers. I swore after Tillie passed after a few years of misery. I would not let another animal suffer needlessly.