It really p*sses me off that some vets treat a desperate, grieving pet owner as a money making source. Hugs to your daughter.
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Haha - my orange cat has swirls like that on either side of her….I thought it was unusual but I guess not. Mine is kind of a strawberry blond, not as red as the one in the picture so the swirl not as pronounced but definitely distinguishable (?).
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My son’s cat has seizures. He has to take a pill twice a day, but other than that he’s fine. Hopefully there is something that can be done for your D’s cat. Somehow they didn’t wind up spending a ton of money before trying seizure meds, and the cat hasn’t had any seizures they are aware of since taking the meds.
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Final update: well, just as I predicted, after spending THOUSANDS on a fool’s errand to the vet, dear daughter ended up putting her cat down today.
Yes, I’m still the bad guy, but probably because somewhere in her grief D knows I was right.
Yes, I know, she is a fully formed adult with a very good job and is very responsible with her money but in my mind she’s still that little girl that dad was always there for with advice.
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Hugs.
I guess your daughter has learned a valuable lesson. Pets are blessed with one thing humans aren’t: death with dignity. Hope she adopts another kitty or two in the future.
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This may or may not apply. I am someone who takes comfort in knowing I did everything I could to give my pet a chance to live and become healthy. (I shouldn’t have to say, taking quality of life and chances of recovery into account).
As my vet said “Everyone draws the line in a different place”. (And this does NOT mean an animal suffers).
If anyone gave me a hard time about how I chose to spend my money with vet care, or second-guessed a euthanasia decision I would be furious.
Let your daughter handle things the way she wants. That you would have made different choices is fine, and right for you. But that does not make them right for her. Hindsight is 20-20.
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Yes, but this poor cat suffered greatly when it was clear there wasn’t going to be a good outcome. Nobody wants to accept the concept of death, in people or in animals, but it happens. All the money in the world cannot cheat death. This cat was having seizures constantly—one on top of the other. Watching this was gut wrenching, how much in pain she was.
In this case I really feel the vet took advantage of her emotions. As I stated, what kind of person suggests you drive your animal TWO HOURS into a BLIZZARD for an mri when one is available locally in a day or two? Sheer madness—glad she did NOT do that, chose not to endanger herself. That suggestion in itself would have made me RUN to another vet–utter lack of common sense!
And NO, I did NOT give her a “hard time” about the cost—-merely suggested she think things out and not let her emotions cloud her judgement.
Having owned a half dozen dogs and a few cats in my day, only once did we have to decide that it was time to let go—I always thought that would be a difficult decision, but watching a beloved animal suffering greatly, it was not a tough call to make. Heart-wrenching for sure, but watching an animal suffer is NOT fun.
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Yes, I’m sure once she grieves, she will get another cat–she says when she comes home and the cat greets her she doesn’t feel like she’s alone.
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Fair enough. Sometimes it is hard in the moment to know that there is no hope of recovery. Epilepsy can be like that, some animals have their seizures under control and live happily for years. I would bet that’s what your daughter was hoping. I realize I don’t have all the facts and nuance, and, in hindsight, you obviously made the right call with the cat.
I board geriatric horses (and have for a long time) so unfortunately end of life decisions are something I am all too familiar with. It is hard and sad no matter the circumstances.
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When seizing the poor cat was on its side with its limbs flailing about, vomiting, and soiling itself from the other end as well, crying and wailing, just horrible. Even when they did stop for a moment, she could not stand up or walk. It was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever witnessed.
There was something seriously neurologically wrong. Even if meds could stop the seizures the poor thing was unable to move.
I lost all confidence in her vet when she suggested that since her hospital couldn’t do anything until blizzard passed, my daughter should drive two hours INTO the storm to get to another clinic that was still open. As my wife said, humans have to wait to get MRI’s but cats can get them immediately???
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I’m sorry you and your daughter have had to deal with this. I’m not defending the vet, but I know in our experience the vet didn’t bring up putting our cat to sleep until we said something about it as an option. I suspect with some customers they get chastised for suggesting it, and others for not suggesting it.
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Likely, especially if the vet was new. But that option should be given in absolutely grave cases.
Our very experienced urgent care vet gave us 3 options after diagnosing our daughter’s cat with lung cancer: follow up with oncology, palliative care, or euthanasia. I was catsitting and was the one who took the cat to urgent care when I noticed that she was not eating. I picked palliative care because I wanted daughter to say goodbye to the cat. The cat crossed the rainbow bridge the following weekend.
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Watched this documentary last night and highly recommend it!
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I euthanized my sweet brown tabby tonight.
He’s been living on borrowed time since January. I’ve been treating him as hospice patient and spending so much time just sitting with him and loving him.
But tonight everything got much worse… so it was time.
I’m sad. He was a loving and affectionate cat who followed me around like a dog. He will be greatly missed.
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Hugs. It is never easy. 
I dread the days when we will have to say goodbye to our cats (14, 14, and 17).
I am sorry. They are family members, and it is so hard when they go. I totally understand.
I’m sorry, too, @WayOutWestMom. Losing our 14-year-old cat a few years ago was a very, very sad day for me. I will always miss him, so I understand. Be kind to yourself as you grieve.
Just sending more virtual hugs. It is so hard and so sad.
I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.