Euthanasia vs. transfusion: Was it the right choice for my sick cat?

I am so sorry for your loss. I don’t see your kitty’s age, but if he/she was older, I would be most suspicious that he/she had cancer somewhere. Even though FeLV negative, it’s still possible that cancer developed in her bone marrow due to an unknown cause. (Which unfortunately is usually the case with cancer). When all of the blood cells are low, primary bone marrow disease (cancer, immune mediated disease) may be to blame. It’s also possible that there was cancer elsewhere and the bone marrow stopped working due to either spread of the disease or because of what we call a “paraneoplastic syndrome”, which is just a fancy way to say that unfortunately cancer sometimes does whatever it wants. I am so sorry again for your heartache. It sounds like you did everything you could have for your cat. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Please let us know if we can help you further.

I'm very sorry to hear about Rugby's passing! How awful. It sounds like you did everything you could to try and help him. Without knowing more details of the situation and possibly even having an autopsy done, I'm afraid it's impossible to say whether an additional blood transfusion would have saved him. Unfortunately, it sounds like he was in very critical condition - if a cat is losing so much blood after any surgical procedure that multiple blood transfusions are needed, this is a very risky situation with a guarded prognosis regardless of what resources are available. As far as what an ER vet should always have on hand, this will vary quite a bit from place to place depending on what types of cases are common there. I would certainly expect a large referral hospital, such as the hospital at a veterinary college or something similar, to be fully equipped with everything that might be needed - just like a large human ER. Smaller emergency clinics may or may not have these supplies available due to issues with cost of keeping them stocked, available storage space, etc. - especially if the need for them is very infrequent based on the caseload they see. In the area I practice in, I can tell you that our local emergency clinics normally have access to a limited amount of whole blood for transfusions (usually taken directly from a resident donor cat), but may very well not have been equipped to do anything more in this situation either. Again, I'm very sorry for the loss of your kitty. It sounds like he was in very serious condition from his original medical problem and the surgery that he needed to remove his tumor - in situations like these, it's very possible that he may not have been able to be saved even at a very high-end specialty clinic with unlimited blood supplies and special equipment.

Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Mittens. First off, I am very sorry you lost her so suddenly, please accept my condolences for your loss. Without seeing her in person, I can't say what happened but I can only give my best guess. If her red blood cells were so low, it could be she had non-regenerative anemia. When anemia is non-regenerative, the bone marrow response is inadequate when compared to the increased need. Cats who become anemic quickly can die from the sudden loss in red blood cells and oxygen. That could be why she passed away so quickly. Non-regenerative anemia can be caused by things like an infection such as FIV or feline leukemia, exposure to toxins, and lead poisoning. The vet who treated her may have a better idea as to what caused her to die so suddenly, and I would speak with that vet so you can hopefully get some more answers. I hope this helps somewhat, and again I'm sorry for your loss.

You have just lost your companion of 5 years and you have ever right to question the decision. All too often as pet parents, we struggle with the question of whether or not we made the right decision to euthanize. In a younger pet with a treatable disease, the guilt seems multiplied because you will inevitably ponder the unknown. The unknown being the outcome of treating for a few more days or even the outcome of a surgery. While it is imbedded in our DNA to contemplate what could have been, the answer of the unknown remains unknown. Ultimately, this is not a question or right or wrong. All too commonly more heartache and suffering are endured down the road of unknows. In this case, it was more likely than not your cat with a history of crystals would encounter future complications especially if stones were present. Take comfort in knowing you eliminated pain and suffering in the present and the future. I hope the joy of his memory will comfort you through this difficult time.

Poor Sutry. It is never an easy decision to euthanize a loved one. From what you are telling me, it sounds like he was likely suffering from intestinal lymphoma which is a type of cancer they get in the intestines. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do for these cats. If he were my cat, I would have made the same decision. Please take comfort in knowing you made the right decision for Sutry and that he was lucky to have such an amazing family. Please know I am thinking of you all during this time.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Based on the information you provided, I believe you made the correct choice. Bone cancer is extremely painful. If it was in the pelvis and inhibiting her ability to defecate, this would be even more painful. If bone cancer occurs in a limb, that leg can be amputated. This will provide the patient a few more months to live (even this is not a cure). This would likely not have been an option for the pelvis. You relieved her pain and suffering by electing to euthanize her. I know what a heartbreaking choice this is, but you should bravery by putting her needs above your own. I hope this information brings you some peace.

Yes, it is an unfortunate situation but without treatment Calicivirus can be fatal. With treatment there is a good chance of recovery. Since the kitten was feral, treatment is very difficult and if not treated it can a reservoir of the disease and continue to spread it to other cats. I think euthanasia was the best option. Sorry you had to go through that. Thank you for caring about the kitten. Best wishes to you.