My cat has been with me for almost 15 years now. He was diagnosed with Diabetes last summer, and I have been giving him insulin, (which costs $150 per month, plus $40 needles for every 2 months.). Over time he has still been losing weight, he went from weighing 8.8 pounds in July of last year, to recently weighing 6.2 pounds. He also has a large bump on his arm, and we are almost certain it is cancerous, but has had it for about 2+ years now. He used to live with me, but now is with my parents because he has more space there, and is around our dog whom which he grew up with. He goes outside every day just to walk around, but not for long like he used to. He seems to be throwing up on a daily basis, and has diarrhea. He still has a very strong appetite for food and water, and will eat pretty much anything. He still wants constant attention, but doesn't take good care of his fur anymore.

Little background information. I am a college student, who goes to school full time and works 30+ hours a week on top of that. In 2 weeks my fiance' and I are going on a vacation we have been planning for over a year, and will be gone for 10 days. Right now I have so much going on before we leave in 2 weeks, that I don't think I can bear making an appointment to the vet for my cat, just to find out we will most likely put him to sleep. I just bought a new vial of his insulin which will last about another 3 weeks until we get back.

My family seems to think that it is about time, but right now with how busy I am, I don't think I have the time to be sad academically to get through everything. I know that sounds terrible, but it's just such a horrible time for me to have to do something like this.

I am trying to decide if I should call the vet and make the appointment before we leave, (which would be on Monday I would have to call after work). Or if I should wait, (still call the vet), and make the appointment for when I get back.

Please any advice would help. Thank you!

Our tuxedo cat Rasputin was nearly 20 when we finally had to put him to sleep -- was diabetic, losing weight, had matted fur, but was generally happy and eating and drinking. What forced our hand was an abscess that developed under a tooth and eating got to be a chore, plus he was in a lot of pain. Since your cat is getting insulin, he probably will make it through your vacation.

Would it be any easier to wait until after your vacation?

Why not make an appointment and ask the vet if the cat is suffering, is in pain, and if there is anything that you can do to make him more comfortable. Then, make an educated decision. It is hard, but you must not allow the cat to suffer.

Your right, and I don't want him to suffer at all. The problem is I am afraid if I take him in this week, he won't be coming home again. Also, I don't really have much more money to make an appointment for him to go back and forth.

Ask your parents for help. This way you can make a caring decision and go on vacation with a clear conscience. If you have to put him down, then you will leave knowing you did the right thing. If he has more time, then you won't worry so much.

Your post is breaking my heart. A year ago I put down my dog Jasper, he was 10, he got sick suddenly, vet appointment, medication, nothing helped. He was fine one day, and a week later he was on his death bed. Five months before that we had to put down our 16 year old lab. His health had been declining for a long time, and I kept telling myself that it wasn't time. I fooled myself. By the time I made the decision to end his suffering, he had been suffering for a long time. It was me that wasn't ready to end it, not him.

I can't answer this for you. You're the one that has to make this choice, this decision, and only you can make it. I can only say that the fact that you're here asking, means you already know what needs to be done, you just aren't ready to be the one to say it's time. You want someone else to make the decision, to confirm what you already know. I sympathize, because I've been there, and I've been there very recently. Two loved dogs in 5 months. :(

You know what needs to be done. You just have to accept that what you're feeling, is the right thing. No one knows your cat better than you do. Go with your gut, and know that whatever you choose, it's the right thing. Nothing done out of love, is wrong.