When To Euthanize A Cat With FIP? Advice For The Brave Ones
One of the best things you've ever done may be getting a cat. Things aren't quite as pleasant, though, if your cat becomes ill.
One of the most difficult things in the world is probably having a cat with FIP and trying to decide when to put her to sleep. Even though you want to solve all of her problems, choosing the best course of action can be challenging.
We have such a great time with cats, so every minute we spend with them is worthwhile. Unfortunately, they won't live as long as we do, so we'll inevitably have to part ways from time to time.
They are simply awesome creatures, and even though they are superior to us in every way, they are not immortal. We all know this to be true deep down, but we occasionally choose not to acknowledge it. We'll all have to say goodbye to our cherished pets at some point.
It will undoubtedly have an effect on how we live our lives. It goes without saying that every cat parent wants their pet to cross the rainbow bridge pain-free and in peace.
We all want them to know how much we adore them and provide for them in the best way we know how.
Life, however, occasionally doesn't go according to plan. Sadly, it happens frequently for pet parents to have to put a cat to sleep, especially one who has FIP. It's a decision that might keep you up at night, give you a knot in your stomach, and cause you to cry.
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A feline coronavirus is the cause of FIP. Animals of all kinds may harbor different species of coronaviruses, which frequently result in acute respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses. Unfortunately, one out of every 100 cats is lost to FIP.
In young cats, the incidence could be five to ten times higher. It is the main factor in intraocular and neurologic inflammation, as well as abdominal fluid (ascites), in shelter cats.
The bad news is that there is no cure for FIP and it almost always results in death.
Because it appears unpredictably weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection, FIP has a very high emotional cost.
Cats with FIP may initially display vague symptoms like decreased appetite, depression, rough coat, weight loss, fluctuating drug-resistant fever, and increased susceptibility to infections (like respiratory illness).
The type of illness (wet vs. dry) and the involved organs determine more specific FIP symptoms.
Making the cat comfortable and deciding when to put her down should be the main priorities because there is currently no cure for FIP.
Though essential, stress-free environments, proper nutrition, and hydration almost always only postpone the inevitable.
We will advise some owners to use symptomatic therapy as a result, but only if the animals are not in pain.
Overall, it's a horrifying illness that attacks your cat head-on and leaves you with little to no options.
We somehow always believe that our little fighter will overcome the challenges and be the one to survive the chaos.
Sadly, there are times when hope alone is insufficient. Decide when to put a cat with FIP to sleep because of this.
When should a FIP cat be put to sleep?
We promised our pets that we would care for them for the rest of their lives when we brought them home. So, if putting your cat to sleep because of FIP is a difficult decision, just keep in mind that it's also one of the ways to provide for your pet.
I am aware that it is easier said than done, but they deserve it. When people only want their cats to live a little while longer, they can sometimes end up being selfish. I can appreciate this because all they want is for their animals to remain by their sides.
No matter how long our pets live, it will never be enough, the truth is. The time of their departure will never come when we are ready.
I always anticipated having to say goodbye to my cat because I believed that preplanning would make the process simpler.
Although it didn't make it any easier for me, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat prepared for it.
I made the decision to accept it because I knew it was inevitable. I could then be there for my cat during our most trying times.
If you're still having trouble deciding whether to put your cat to sleep, some of these situations will make the right choice clearer to you.
It's possible that you're still not at the point where it's unavoidable, but you're just planning ahead for when it does.
This may aid in your preparation so that you are ready to put your FIP-positive cat to sleep when the time comes.
In some cases, delaying this choice will make things much harder for your pet given the situation, and I don't think you want that.
Pain-ridden life:
The most frequent reason an owner chooses to put down an animal is typically pain. We love them so much that we can't bear to see them suffer. When our hearts are in pain, they splinter into countless tiny pieces.
You should think about euthanasia if your pet is in constant pain and there is no way or way to give her some relief.
You might not initially notice this, though. Cats are sly creatures, so they can conceal themselves well.
So it's possible that your pet is trying to hide her suffering from you. You should always discuss it with your veterinarian. Additionally, you can consult a knowledgeable cat owner about this subject, particularly one who has had to put down a cat.
You can tell if your cat is in pain or discomfort by looking for some obvious signs. Lethargy, a decrease in appetite, and a general decrease in activity are a few of these. Most cat owners simply observe when their pet exhibits unusual behavior.
For instance, my pet was a fluffy little bundle of joy and very active. She was constantly up to something, so you could never catch her sitting still for even a brief period of time. Unfortunately, she didn't feel like herself when she got sick.
She was simply unable to endure the pain because it was so severe. She started acting distantly and withdrawing into the house's nooks.
She developed a complete antisocial personality over time and didn't want anyone to bother her. It seemed as though she wanted to die peacefully at that precise moment.
She occasionally tried to snag a hug from me. She would cower away when I tried to pet her, though, as if my touch had hurt her. Over time, the sensitivity increased to the point where I was afraid to even touch her.
Not using the bathroom:
When your pet stops using the restroom, that is one indication that your love affair has ended. You already know that cats are meticulous animals who pay attention to every little detail. Well, isn't it strange that your pet no longer uses the litter box?
For an animal that is so concerned with maintaining its hygiene, this behavior is quite unusual and frequently portends a serious issue. It suggests that as time goes on, your pet will become increasingly frail. So, if your cat has FIP, now might be the ideal time to put it to sleep.
If your cat isn't going potty, she may also start having other problems in addition to her illness. It's more important to consider the effects than how long a cat can go without going potty. If your pet stopped using the litter box, that might be sad news.
Lack of movement:
The moment a cat with FIP stops moving is when you should put her to sleep. Most cats simply try to sleep through the day in their final moments. Simply put, they are too worn out to even attempt to stand up, much less walk.
They may have lost a few pounds, but their body is still unable to support their weight.
Due to their body becoming more sensitive with each passing day, walking may also hurt. At this point, the pain and exhaustion become unbearable.
You should be aware that your little fighter persevered for as long as she should have and was able to. She's no longer the rambunctious cat and hyper kitten that used to sleep between your legs.
You can feel her energy waning. Although barely noticeable, it is still there. With each passing day, it gets smaller, and you have no control over it. Unless you can eliminate all of the suffering and put your pet to sleep without any pain.
No appetite:
Cats have one thing in particular that they simply adore: food. These obnoxious little monsters will scream at you in the middle of the night to feed them, waking you up. No matter how much they eat for dinner, it seems like they are never satisfied.
Therefore, you might realize that there is a serious problem with your pet if she refuses to eat her food. If you're unsure of when to put a FIP-affected cat to sleep, the moment she stops eating should be the trigger.
She is only increasing her risk by avoiding her favorite foods and snacks because she isn't getting all the nutrients she needs. She gradually loses half her weight as a result of her body getting weaker every day.
The water you just filled for her won't even be noticed by her. Before consuming water, she once used to play with the floor and scratch it.
She no longer desires to even drink a sip of water, though. She simply doesn't care and doesn't feel the need to eat or drink to stay hydrated. She is giving up on everything she values the most and does not follow her instincts.
She might be telling you to leave by doing this. It will never be simple to make this choice, but you must consider what is best for your pet. You will know what needs to be done if you recognize that she is struggling with life.
Tags:
cats health