Is it wrong to consider euthanasia for my cat?
Context:
Our cat was brought into my boyfriend’s work as a stray, who was recently spayed. After establishing care with a vet previously used by my partner, they diagnosed her with feline coronavirus. We were told to manage with diet, and we’ve been doing so. Due to her being too sick, they couldn’t do vaccinations, so we held off.
A while ago, we noticed her feet starting to swell… off to another vet we go! My other pets (2 healthy cats) have established care at the second vet, and they truly do whatever it takes to make sure your pet is healthy and happy. -SIDE BAR: I just moved in with him, and my other 2 cats have NOT been brought into the household yet. They still live with my parents, in the home they’ve had their whole lives. But we began testing our cat together, to ensure she was healthy enough for the other two to join his house. ALL THREE CATS ARE INDOOR ONLY!
Here’s where we received these diagnoses, after testing:
• Autoimmune Disease
• FIV
• Herpes
• Pillow Foot
• EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)
• Chicken Allergy
I’m on SSDI, and my boyfriend is considered sole provider. My SSDI is less than $700/month, and I do not qualify for SSI. Complicated, and I’d rather not go into that portion of things. My boyfriend brings home less than $2,000/month, and after bills (including my pets), we’re left with around $5-600 per month. We’ve had financial discussions often, and this is what we’ve established, even being in separate households.
My main concern: one trip for food (3.5lb bag), supplements, and litter (which lasts barely a month) is $100 alone… her medication is $200, and we have to give it to her twice daily for one month. She needs to get regular ultrasounds, and there’s a possibility her pet insurance ($30/mo and does not cover preventative care) will not cover them.. She will need regular vet visits, and expensive care. We live in a rural area, and most people don’t even take their cats to the vet, let alone keep them indoors like we do.
We don’t have the financial resources to keep her healthy and happy.. Rescues and shelters are over capacity around us, and our poor girl will live with chronic flare ups, causing lethargy, pain, and I know how all of that feels. I am chronically ill myself, and suffer from severe medical issues… I wouldn’t wish my life on anyone, and now my cat is experiencing the same?
Is it wrong for us to be considering euthanasia? We feel it’s our last resort, but we cannot financially support her, to keep her healthy and happy. Rehoming seems unfair, due to everyone around us experiencing a cost of living crisis, and lack of resources for help…
Does anyone have any insight for us? Are we horrible people for considering euthanasia? We just want her happy and healthy, but nothing is working and we simply cannot afford to continue care 😭