Anyone ever had to have an animal put down?

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LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 22, 2010 4:39 PM
snyds113 wrote: My vet is an old dude.Maybe he is not as good as i thought he was.The fact still remains that he still pees all over the place.I am not a vet and i didn't memorize everything that was going on.I am taking him to Belmont county animal shelter on Monday.So I think that is a good thing.
I probably should secong guess the work he has done on my dog.He cut my dogs little balls off and did all the shots.I am going to switch vets.
Is that a no-kill shelter?
Jan 22, 2010 4:39pm
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snyds113

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Jan 22, 2010 4:40 PM
yes
Jan 22, 2010 4:40pm
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snyds113

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Jan 22, 2010 4:41 PM
I don't know how I missed it.I'm just thankful I made a thread on this.Thank you to everyone.
Jan 22, 2010 4:41pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 22, 2010 4:41 PM
snyds113 wrote: yes
Good. Sounds like a plan.

Also, my gf said that if you have any tiny scent of cat piss he will continue to pee there. It could be a problem as simple as that.
Jan 22, 2010 4:41pm
CenterBHSFan's avatar

CenterBHSFan

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Jan 22, 2010 8:55 PM
Snyds,

I think you might be a little misinformed... Belmont Co. does euthanize.
Marshall Co. in Wv. is a no-kill shelter.

Years and years ago, I have a very similar problem with one of my cats. As it turned out, after our dog died, and he was the only animal left in the house, the behavior stopped. We thought we were in the clear and that maybe it was just a phase he was going through. After a couple of years, we brought another cat in the house and the behavior started up again. After going through what seemed like gallons of "Nature's Miracle" (killed the cat urine smell) the cat eventually gave up the ghost from old age.
So, we figured he just was one of those "single-pet" pets and didn't like to share us with others and acted out because of it.
This might be what's going on with your cat, I don't know.

But it's something you might (or might not) want to ask your vet about. Perhaps the animal shelter or another vet would be more reliable to ask that question.

In the meantime, thanks for listening/taking advice from the others, especially LJ/DrJ!

>^..^<
Jan 22, 2010 8:55pm
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mallymal614

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Jan 22, 2010 9:51 PM
Save the cat!!!!!!

Don't do it.
Jan 22, 2010 9:51pm
HitsRus's avatar

HitsRus

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Jan 22, 2010 11:28 PM
There's an awful lot of judgement being passed on the vet by people who don't know a rat's ass from a cat's. I know of at least two families that put their cat down because of this problem, different vets...so I don't think this particular vet is necessarily out of line in recommending euthanasia. Don't be so quick to discount this vet because he is 'old'. With age comes experience, and no doubt, this vet has seen this many, many times before.

I think what's important here, is that you do what is kindest for your cat...after all you are his advocate. Is it really that kind to just drop the cat off at a shelter after living with your family all those years? Is he supposed to understand that you abandoning him to strangers is better than death? Is someone at the shelter going to give him the attention and love he is used to receiving from you? Maybe it'll make you feel better that you didn't 'kill' him...that may not be the same feeling for the cat.
Being his advocate, I would treat this the same way as you would treat it if a family member got an unfavorable diagnosis. Go get a second opinion. I'll guarantee your vet wouldn't mind a bit. If there is some 'behavioral' modification that can be done to 'fix' your cat's problem, I suggest that YOU be involved, or be the one to do it. Don't just drop the cat off at a shelter and expect them to do the dirty work.

If I'm reading this right, I imagine that the vet has tried all reasonable treatments and ideas to break your cat of his undesirable behavior...and to continue is either going to be too hard...or too expensive for you. Hence, the recommendation for euthanasia.
Jan 22, 2010 11:28pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 22, 2010 11:32 PM
HitsRus wrote: There's an awful lot of judgement being passed on the vet by people who don't know a rat's ass from a cat's.
You're bullshitting me right?

And yes, by the veterinarian oath the vet is out of line by not trying holistic approaches, aka aromatic therapy, scent removal, and moving the litter box
Jan 22, 2010 11:32pm
HitsRus's avatar

HitsRus

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Jan 22, 2010 11:45 PM
your bullshitting me right...LOL. If you are the least bit serious, you have know idea what has or has not been done, tried, or what lab result and or clinical examination has found. No vet worth his or her salt would diagnose a problem or criticize another vet over what was posted on an internet message board.
Jan 22, 2010 11:45pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 22, 2010 11:46 PM
HitsRus wrote: your bullshitting me right...LOL.
Well seeing as how I have a veterinarian laying here asleep on my couch... no
Jan 22, 2010 11:46pm
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snyds113

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Jan 22, 2010 11:54 PM
I do feel bad about dropping him off.i would feel better if i would just put him down.i was afraid i was doing this for selfish reasons.Taking in consideration of the cat I need a little more time and effort to figure out what that is.
Jan 22, 2010 11:54pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 22, 2010 11:56 PM
HitsRus wrote: your bullshitting me right...LOL. If you are the least bit serious, you have know idea what has or has not been done, tried, or what lab result and or clinical examination has found. No vet worth his or her salt would diagnose a problem or criticize another vet over what was posted on an internet message board.
snyds113 wrote: No haven't tried that.(plug-ins)But stress and a chemical inbalance is what is causing this.In the last year or so we haven't been able to pin point it though.
Want to quit pulling shit out of your ass now? Are you a vet? Did you even sleep in a holiday inn last night?

I bet the answer is "no" on both.
Jan 22, 2010 11:56pm
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

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Jan 22, 2010 11:58 PM
Try squeezing a tiny bit of Orange Juice in the carpeted areas. I heard cats hate that smell and will avoid these areas.....???
Jan 22, 2010 11:58pm
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snyds113

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Jan 22, 2010 11:59 PM
Are you talking to me?
Jan 22, 2010 11:59pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 23, 2010 12:01 AM
snyds113 wrote: I do feel bad about dropping him off.i would feel better if i would just put him down.i was afraid i was doing this for selfish reasons.Taking in consideration of the cat I need a little more time and effort to figure out what that is.
Honestly the best approach left is to try some aromatics, do a deep cleansing of the carpet and other areas where he pees with a pet scent remover, and place a small litter box over the spot where he goes the most. This is a pretty common behavioral problem in cats and aromatic therapy and urinary tract tests are the 2 most accepted courses of action in modern veterinary medicine.

Also, having him adopted out into a single pet home, where he will be the only cat is also a very good option. Like you said earlier you have a dog, so that could be the major stressor in the the cat's life.

The criticism of the vet that reccomended euthanasia is because many older vets refuse to continue their education on behavior modification and only stick to medicine and medicine alone. When you become licensed part of your oath is to vow to continue your education, many vets from different eras have given up on that.

-Dr J
Jan 23, 2010 12:01am
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

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Jan 23, 2010 12:02 AM
There's also a no kill shelter called Hounds Haven down the river around Brilliant somewhere. Try that before you off the poor fella.:(
Jan 23, 2010 12:02am
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

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Jan 23, 2010 12:04 AM
I'll bet the dog could be part of the prob. If the cat was the only animal in the house he may not feel the need to be so territorial.....
Jan 23, 2010 12:04am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 23, 2010 12:04 AM
snyds113 wrote: Are you talking to me?
No, I believe he was responding to the guy who was calling him out for giving my advice.

-Dr J
Jan 23, 2010 12:04am
HitsRus's avatar

HitsRus

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Jan 23, 2010 12:07 AM
Well, wake her sweet ass up and ask how she would like it if another vet criticized her dx's or treatment recommendations without all the facts.

this is what snyds posted ...post #6.
"He is not in pain.He has very bad behavioral problems.I have tried everything including medicine.I brought him home as a kitten.I paid 300 dollars for him.He is a beautiful 6yr.old persian.About 3 yrs. ago he started peeing everywhere but just a little.Now it's everywhere all the time.I love him so much.We have spent so much money on cleaning and buying new thing for the house just to have him ruin them again.We have explored all options and finally the vet came to this one.It just seems cruel and hard. "

He tried 'everything'...we explored all options. 'The vet' came to this one.
It's been going on over a year, they've tried cleaning etc etc.
Sorry, but no...the vet didn't come to that. The decision may well have been a monetary one.
If your sweetie is a practicing vet, she probably sees this a lot.
Jan 23, 2010 12:07am
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snyds113

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Jan 23, 2010 12:07 AM
Strapping Young Lad wrote: There's also a no kill shelter called Hounds Haven down the river around Brilliant somewhere. Try that before you off the poor fella.:(
That's the first place i called.They don't accept cats.The Huddle has acted as Governor today so my cat is safe.I missunderstood belmont policy today so I am going to explore a few other things.the rugs are scrubed all the time I tried the litter thing.I am going to try the therapy as LJ mentioned.
Jan 23, 2010 12:07am
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

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Jan 23, 2010 12:10 AM
Check that cornell link out. There may be some things there you can try also....
Jan 23, 2010 12:10am
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snyds113

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Jan 23, 2010 12:10 AM
Strapping Young Lad wrote: I'll bet the dog could be part of the prob. If the cat was the only animal in the house he may not feel the need to be so territorial.....
The dog came a year ago and he started doing this 3 yrs. ago.
Jan 23, 2010 12:10am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 23, 2010 12:12 AM
HitsRus wrote: Well, wake her sweet ass up and ask how she would like it if another vet criticized her dx's or treatment recommendations without all the facts.

this is what snyds posted ...post #6.
"He is not in pain.He has very bad behavioral problems.I have tried everything including medicine.I brought him home as a kitten.I paid 300 dollars for him.He is a beautiful 6yr.old persian.About 3 yrs. ago he started peeing everywhere but just a little.Now it's everywhere all the time.I love him so much.We have spent so much money on cleaning and buying new thing for the house just to have him ruin them again.We have explored all options and finally the vet came to this one.It just seems cruel and hard. "

He tried 'everything'...we explored all options. 'The vet' came to this one.
Sorry, but no...the vet didn't come to that. The decision may well have been a monetary one.
If your sweetie is a practicing vet, she probably sees this a lot.
He said he had not practiced the therapy that is one of the top options. Money is always an issue and therapy runs about $100 to start with and about $15 per month. If that doesn't work the next best option is adopting the animal out to a home where it will be the only pet.

Oh and she just said "tell that guy you are arguing with that there is a huge divide between younger vets and older vets on behavior modification. Many younger vets are appalled that older vets choose euthanasia before behavior modification if actual medicines do not work. They go after each other all the time. The thread on VIN is over 900 pages long."
Jan 23, 2010 12:12am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Jan 23, 2010 12:13 AM
snyds113 wrote:
Strapping Young Lad wrote: I'll bet the dog could be part of the prob. If the cat was the only animal in the house he may not feel the need to be so territorial.....
The dog came a year ago and he started doing this 3 yrs. ago.
Do you have kids? Hectic life? There is something that stresses him out. How old was he when he got neutered?


Oh shit, Dr J has a theory but is waiting on your answer to when he was neutered.
Jan 23, 2010 12:13am