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Did I make the right decision to euthanize my cat with kidney disease?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Just had my 5 yr old cat put down. Wondering if made right decision. Age 3 diagnoised with crystals, put on diet. Recently in pain. Xrays showed build up n bladder n stone n kidney. Pee had blood, n bad cell count Surgery to clean bladder,week went by 103.9 fever n wouldnt eat on own. B4 my decision, fever 103.4 n peed huge amount at once that tech said filled box. Feeln guilty. Did i do right or should i took home n gave more time? didnt want him suffering but still feel bad. Mac tabby male.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

Published on December 27th, 2016

You have just lost your companion of 5 years and you have ever right to question the decision. All too often as pet parents, we struggle with the question of whether or not we made the right decision to euthanize. In a younger pet with a treatable disease, the guilt seems multiplied because you will inevitably ponder the unknown. The unknown being the outcome of treating for a few more days or even the outcome of a surgery. While it is imbedded in our DNA to contemplate what could have been, the answer of the unknown remains unknown. Ultimately, this is not a question or right or wrong. All too commonly more heartache and suffering are endured down the road of unknows. In this case, it was more likely than not your cat with a history of crystals would encounter future complications especially if stones were present. Take comfort in knowing you eliminated pain and suffering in the present and the future. I hope the joy of his memory will comfort you through this difficult time.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on

    I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty! Bladder and kidney problems like this can be incredibly difficult to manage successfully in some cats, and it definitely sounds like he had some very serious, chronic issues. Based on what you've described here, I think that euthanasia was a very reasonable decision - you did as much as you could to try and help him, including surgeries, hospitalizations, and lots of diagnostic testing. Even if his fever had come down a bit and he was able to urinate before the decision to euthanize, this doesn't mean that anything would have improved at all in the long run. Bladder and kidney problems like this are very painful and uncomfortable, and I'm sure you're kitty was suffering. So try not to beat yourself up - these are always very hard decisions, but you sound like a caring owner who did your very best.

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