Euthanizing cat haunts Michigan woman – Detroit Free Press

Judy Putnam, Lansing State Journal Published 4:50 p.m. ET March 10, 2017 | Updated 13 hours ago

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Iyesta, a 13-year-old tabby, was euthanized after suffering from cancer. Her owner now regrets the decision.(Photo: Courtesy)

A Delta Township woman who regrets euthanizing her cat is angry at Michigan State Universitys veterinary clinic for what she described as continued pressure to end her pets life.

Though a veterinary hospital official said its an unusual accusation and consent for euthanasia was given in the case, it offers a window into the tough decisions for pet owners. Many of us consider our pets as members of our families.

For some people, these are children for want of a better word, said Dr. Chris Gray, director of the MSU Veterinary Medical Center.

In Faye Norris case, money wasnt among the considerations. Shes a retired state employee who was willing to spend what it took to help her beloved cat, a 13-year-old tabby named Iyesta.

Norris said she doesnt believe in euthanasia and told staff repeatedly at the Medical Centers Small Animal Clinic that she didnt want that option for Iyesta. She said MSU has a culture of euthanasia.

I dont believe in euthanasia because I feel God created people and animals, and I believe he created us and he should decide when we die, she said.

Iyesta was diagnosed with cancer in June after Norris discovered a lump on her neck. She took Iyesta to the clinic 28 times, including at times daily for bandage changes, and paid for expensive chemotherapy. She said treatments totaled $8,600. Her cat developed sores and had low energy.

Norris said the clinics staff of oncologists, veterinarians and a social worker brought up euthanasia again and again.

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The doctors at MSU think they know when your animal's life isn't worthwhile ... and then they keep pressuring you to euthanize your pet until it happens, she wrote in a follow-up e-mail.

On Iyestas last day in October,Norris rushed her to the clinic for help with pain. After she said she wouldnt put her cat to sleep unless there were no other options, she said the vet examining Iyesta told her there was nothing left to do. Her sweet cat was in pain. She consented.

The next day she checked on the cats lab report and found that Iyestas vital signs and oxygen levels were good, and her hydration had been improving after afeeding tube was inserted. She was angry and filed a complaint, feeling robbed of time with Iyesta.

Gray reviewed the case after Norris complained and has a different story. In a letter to Norris, Gray said that the vet who took care of Iyesta did not recall her objections to euthanasia. The vet agreed that she said she didnt want her cat in pain.

The cat was so weak, she had difficulty lifting her head, Gray wrote. Norris disputes that description.

None of our clinicians would force euthanasia upon an owner nor undertake euthanasia without owner consent, Gray wrote.

He did agreeto continue to ensure that the discussions of euthanasia are as empathetic and compassionate as possible.

Gray said in an interview that there are no rigid guidelines on when to suggest euthanasia. He said its also hard to summarize how decisions are made.

Different vets will advise in different ways, and different owners will make decisions at different points, he said.

He said a small percentage of pet owners, in his experience, oppose it completely.

They are few and far between, he said.

Gray said he can recall no other cases of complaints like Norris. In fact some pet owners have complained that their animals were treated too long before euthanasia was offered.

Because the clinic takes animals referred to them from veterinary practices and it is a teaching hospital with more options we are less prone to euthanasia than other practices, Gray said.

Norris is not only sad, shes angry. She is still grieving hard, feeling like she didnt do everything she could for her cat. She has seven other felines.

Her story made me recall my own experience in 2013. My 13-year-old Brittany spaniel was failing. She had been diagnosed with a disease involving the pituitary gland, Cushings disease. I remember a friend gently suggesting that maybe we were keeping Phoebe alive when she didnt have a good quality of life. I protested. Her quality of life seemed OK but my familys wasnt with lots of interrupted sleep and messes and handling of medications.

But when Phoebe suddenly started falling down and could no longer walk, we decided it was time and made the appointment. The power was out, it was bitterly cold, and I wrapped her in a blanket in front of a fire, stroking her red-and-white fur and saying goodbye.

By the appointment time, however, she had perked up and was back on her feet, even snapping up dog treats at the vets office. Should we postpone?

My husband and son made me decide, probably because she was considered my dog except during bird hunting season when she shadowed my husband constantly.

I resented being handed the final call but I made it and she died in my arms.

It was tough. I felt selfish and, like Norris, I had second thoughts. In the end, I decided that she had lived a good life and that I should focus on that.

I still miss her.

Judy Putnam is a columnist with the Lansing State Journal. Contact herat 517-267-1304 or atjputnam@lsj.com. Write to her at300 S. Washington SquareSuite #300Lansing, MI, 48933. Follow her on Twitter@JudyPutnam.

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Euthanizing cat haunts Michigan woman - Detroit Free Press