Euthanasia
I keep searching the internet for information on pet euthanasia to see if anyone else has experienced the same horrible situation we had last summer with our cat. So far, all I find is how easy and peaceful euthanisia is. But our experience was so horrible, I am now considering NOT choosing euthanasia for my 14 old Abyssinian who has CRF, even though I've read the end stages of CRF are very painful. For our other cat last summer, euthanasia was equally painful. I will never get over the fact that her last seconds consisted of her crying out in pain, obviously more pain than she had been in the entire previous 4 months that she suffered with cancer. Up until that moment, I had always thought my vet was wonderful. Since that moment, I have not been able to face him, much less go back to him. I have found another vet who appears to be a good vet but I'm afraid of making the wrong decision again. If I let him euthanize the 14 year old and it also proves to be a very painful experience, I'm not sure I would ever recover. The Aby already hates vets and cries and growls when the vet has to draw blood or give shots. I cannot bear the thought of his last moments being like that.
Can anyone provide any insight into what will happen at the end of his CRF if we do not euthanize him? And if we do decide to do so, how can I be sure he will not be hurt as badly as the other cat?
Pet Euthanasia
I'm sorry to hear that you had such a terrible experience. You need to speak frankly with your new vet about your concerns. Tell him or her exactly what happened with your other pet. Askthem exactly how the procedure is done at their practice. There should be absolutely no pain whatsoever if the procedure is done properly. The proper method is to administer 2 shots, the first a general anesthetic... the same sort that is used before an animal has surgery. Pets that don't like shots will react, but should calm down very rapidly. The pet should be asleep within a few minutes. When the animal is totally "out", then and only then is the second shot administered. If possible, it's good to find a vet that will come to your home for the procedure... the pet is much more comfortable that way.
Renal failure can be terribly painful. It's possible that your pet will die without your having to intervene, but if she is in severe distress I would not hesitate to help her pass. I urge you to have this conversation with your vet so that there is no possibility of a repeat performance of your last experience.