My old cat had sudden paralysis. Was euthanasia the right choice?

That is sad news. It's always difficult when you have to make a euthanasia decision. The blood clot was the result of a heart condition. In my experience these cats don't recover the use of their legs and they die shortly after a blood clot episode, from the heart disease. Therefore I believe you did make the right decision since Jill would not have had a good quality of life and may have suffered if you had kept her alive with such a serious medical problem. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Oh goodness. I am very concerned about these signs- Especially his temperature. Strokes in cats most commonly happen due to underlying heart disease. If this is the case then treatment will not solve the underlying reason for the stroke. He may improve and you may be able to have more time with him, but unfortunately there is probably more than just the stroke as a problem. It is so hard to make these decisions about what to do in these situations. I try to ask myself If my Pet will be living the quality of life that I want for him. This usually helps me make my decision. I hope this helps you in whatever you decide to do. Take care and thank you for using Pet Coach.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Considering the description of what you did I do not think you hurt her at all, and actually you helped her a lot. It is not possible to make things worse to be honest and strokes can actually happen multiple times in few minutes time. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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.

I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Coco. Generally when cats throw blood clots the prognosis is very very poor. The blood clots can be treated and the cat may pull through but it's highly likely to throw another blood clot even with medications so in general, it is most humane to let these cats pass peacefully and painlessly. It sounds like Coco had a very bad heart and it would have been unlikely that she would have tolerated the fluid therapy needed to help break a clot. It is hard to loose a pet but sometimes euthanizing them is the kindest action we can provide our beloved companions. My condolences.

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.