re: Have any of you ever refused to "put down" a family pet that probably needed it?

My cat was just stuck in a tree for about 10 days. I have spent pretty much all of my non work time to try and lure her down. She was too far up for a ladder. She would not come down for anything.

I finally called a tree climber, and he climbed up there this morning. She was frightened by him, and ended up retreating to the end of the limb. I had to make the decision for him to cut the branch that she was on. I just didn't see any other way.

She fell about 50 feet, at least. She immediately popped up and booked it, and now she is nowhere to be found. Hopefully she'll show back up. Hopefully she isn't holed up somewhere dying. Apparently cats can fall 100 feet and have a 95% chance of surving.

Its been a delightful last 10 days to say the least.

I would never refuse to put down a pet if the vet says it's time and nothing else can be done.

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well, now he has total/terminal kidney failure, and is at a point where the vet suggests putting him to sleep.

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Hey sorry to hear. I created a post about this topic over 3 weeks ago.

My dog Billy had the same kidney failure condition. I had to put him to sleep, worst heartbreak I've dealt with in years. He was 14.

Best advice is move forward. The pain and agony that they have to go through is way too much.

Maybe you can listen to good advice here in my old post:

LINK /

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Have any of you ever refused to "put down" a family pet that probably needed it?

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if its suffering and in pain put it down, dont be selfish and keep it suffering because YOU cant do whats needed.

we had an old dog that was blind and both back legs stiff and couldnt move from arthritis, but it wasnt in any pain, so we didnt see the need to put it down. it was happy and lived 8 more years before it finally died

the key to making such a decision is if it is in pain and suffering

When the vet says put it down, do it. I personally put down my beloved dog of 13 years when it was time. Just like with human, there's no sense in making them suffer needlessly at the end of their life.

My dad went to put down my 12 year old lab while I was at college. He said he stood up right before they stuck the needle in and said f it and brought him home. He lived another two solid years.

We've been in that situation a few times. Each time we get to the end, nobody in the house wants to put the pet down and we end up spending lots of $$$ trying to keep them alive a little longer...even though they were still miserable.

Point is, my opinion is don't waste the $$$ if the pet is near the end.

well, we did it. we had an appointment already scheduled. just wanted to run it by the OT. my wife is still in/out of worrying if we did the right thing or not.

man, it was ultimately her cat, but i had gotten fond of it over the years. especially after we got married and moved in together. but what we went through at the vet, i don't wish that on anybody. my wife held his head, sobbing, crying how sorry she was as the vet was plunging the syringe. i nearly lost it as i saw his body go limp. just an overall horrible experience.