I did the right thing, right? Sad pet related.

[Deleted]

One of our fosters was fine at 6 AM. Perfectly fine. Then at 10 AM, we found him laying on his side, twitching. I thought he was dreaming, but when I touched him, he felt...loose. Like, dead. He was barely alive. I picked him up and when I noticed he was still just barely alive, I started doing CPR on him. I kept breathing for him and by the time we go to the vet, he had given me a little sad meow. Unfortunately, he was too far gone and the vet had no choice but to euthanize him.

He tested positive for panleukopenia. It's basically a death sentence. Since he shared such close quarters with the other kitten and they were from the same litter, they said he needed to be euthanized as well...even though he seemed healthy. Then again, so did the other one just 4 hours prior. 

I held the other baby the entire way to the vet, telling him I loved him and I was sorry. Everything was done per vet instructions, but it's really hurting my heart. I keep seeing the first baby, limp, and remember seeing his body rise when I breathed into him. Then I think about how the other baby still seemed healthy. I was bringing him to his death. 

I'm trying to let it go, but this is all really, really haunting me

ETA: This all happened yesterday.

[nomad100]

I am so sorry. I can't imagine how hard that was. ((hugs))

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry I have two cats; I can't even imagine how hard that was. I do think you did the right thing, though.

[margotmacomber]

I think you did all that you could.  I'm sorry.

[bania]

That is so heartbreaking Otterama Dont feel bad, it sounds like you did the right thing. The other kitty sounds like it had a good chance of being sick and it didnt have to suffer through it. ((Hugs))

[azurely]

Yes, you did the right thing.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that though

[goaskalice]

I'm so so sorry you had to deal with that. I would trust the vets advice as hard as it was to hear. How long have you fostered for? I applaud you and think you're amazing for doing it!

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Vets don't suggest euthanasia lightly. If he thought it needed to be done, then you did the right thing.

[Deleted]

Thanks, everyone. I do know deep down I did the right thing, but it hurts. I had snuggled them just the night before. goaskalice we had fostered since last year. We've fostered more than a dozen fosters. We had these guys a little over a week.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2013 20:15:57 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Vets don't suggest euthanasia lightly. If he thought it needed to be done, then you did the right thing.

Yeah. It wasn't even "it would be a good idea" it was "this has to happen".

[thinkofthesoldiers]

May 19, 2013 20:16:42 GMT -5 @otterama said:

May 19, 2013 20:15:57 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Vets don't suggest euthanasia lightly. If he thought it needed to be done, then you did the right thing.

Yeah. It wasn't even "it would be a good idea" it was "this has to happen".

Then I don't think you need to feel badly. It sucks for sure, but don't beat yourself up about it. And really, you saved the poor thing from suffering.

[annyong]

Omg. :-( how sad. I'm so sorry. Try not to feel guilty, you did the right thing, per the vet's instructions. So heartbreaking, though. You're a great person to be fostering these pets.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2013 20:34:49 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Then I don't think you need to feel badly. It sucks for sure, but don't beat yourself up about it. And really, you saved the poor thing from suffering.

That thought hadn't even occurred to me. Thank you.

[annyong]

Omg. :-( how sad. I'm so sorry. Try not to feel guilty, you did the right thing, per the vet's instructions. So heartbreaking, though. You're a great person to be fostering these pets.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2013 20:34:49 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Then I don't think you need to feel badly. It sucks for sure, but don't beat yourself up about it. And really, you saved the poor thing from suffering.

That thought hadn't even occurred to me. Thank you.

[lilafowler]

I'm so very sorry. 

[miniroller]

Ah, otter Just wanted to add my sympathies. That's tough.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2013 20:43:55 GMT -5 lilmissladybug said:

That breaks my heart. I'm so sorry. My childhood dog is going in tomorrow. I sat with him for hours this evening cuddling him and telling him how much I love him. It gets easier but I still miss my other childhood dog that passed away 7yrs ago.

 I'm so sorry. When I last went home to see family, my childhood dog had seizures and had to put down

[aprilsails]

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. There will be other kitties but these ones will stay in your heart.

[ElizabethBennet]

Otter, you totally did the right thing.

[birdistheword]

I'm so sorry you had to do that. It would break my heart as well. But you did the right thing for the kitties. I know that doesn't make it any easier Hugs.

[mirandahobbes]

(((Hugs))) I can't even imagine. You did everything right, but I know that doesn't ease your sadness.