Dear Jill: I highly doubt that it is legal to have and use phenobarbitol to help a critter cross the bridge, because euthanasia drugs are considered controlled substances and can be abused by humans. Unless you have a close friend who is a doctor or vet who is willing to get it for you and trust you to use it appropriately, I don't think that is a likely option.
I seem to remember reading a magazine article years ago about a woman who was dying of some type of cancer and in a lot of pain and she decided she wanted to end her life. This was long before the name Dr. Kevorkian was a household word. She had been saving up a stash of drugs for that purpose (barbiturates prescribed for pain and sleep, a few pills at a time by skimping on her regular doses) and when she calculated she had enough for a lethal dose, proceeded to carry out her plan. She had enlisted the assistance of a close friend, who provided the info to whomever wrote the article. If you could get a suitable drug, I suppose it would be possible to look up in a veterinary text to determine how much a lethal dose would be for a cat, but if the drug was given orally it would likely cause vomiting unless given in small amounts over a period of several hours. If injected it has to be done IV, I think, and a sedative is usually administered first. It would certainly be a blessing if there was something one could have on hand for such an emergency. In his book, Natural Health Care for Dogs and Cats, Dr. Pitcairn has a chapter on dealing with the death of a pet. He does mention situations where euthanasia is clearly indicated, but in many situations, keeping a pet comfortable in quiet, peaceful surroundings and letting nature take its course is a viable option. He mentions various homeopathic remedies that can be used to ease the different types of distress a pet may exhibit as the end draws near, i.e. whether the pet is clingy and fearful or whether the pet seeks to withdraw and hide, etc. I know how heartwrenching it is to watch a beloved furbaby crashing as death approaches, but do keep in mind that sometimes what constitutes "suffering" is a matter of our perspective. Cats/other critters do not necessarily view life and death the same way we do. Cats do not usually choose to cling to a failing body the way humans are inclined to do, though some will hang in there much longer than others to stay with a human to whom they are deeply bonded. When I have enlisted the help of an animal communicator to ask my ill/dying cats how they felt about their condition and what their wishes were regarding continuing treatment, or if they wanted my help in crossing the bridge, and when, more often than not they have told me they preferred to cross over on their own. Cats are very spiritual creatures...much closer to the spiritual side than we humans are. They do not see death as final, but merely a transition to the next level of existence. They see it as a necessary process which prepares their soul for crossing over and accept that it may be very painful. They do not beg for morphine to ease their pain as humans are wont to do, nor usually ask to be helped across as quickly and painlessly as possible. What my cats HAVE asked from me it to provide a peaceful environment, to surround them with loving and positive energy, some have asked me to hold them, but not to overwhelm them with my grief. Some have agreed to accept my help in crossing when I told them I thought it was necessary. There are circumstances, such as when a cat is struggling to breathe through their mouth (which is VERY stressful for them), vocalizing pain pitifully, or having seizures which meds do not ease, that I cannot bear to witness. But if a cat is quiet as the end draws near and does not wish for help, I try to respect his/her wish to cross over unassisted. It is important to tell them it is OK to go if and when they need to, and not to linger and suffer needlessly for our sake, just because we don't want to let go. I had one ever so sweet FeLV+ kitty who did not need my help to end her suffering, just my "permission" to leave. I have a vet come to my home when it is necessary for an assisted crossing. They have invariably told me that being able to cross over in familiar and peaceful surroundings is appreciated. And so much easier (and safer!) for me than having to drive home with tears streaming down my face. Of course, as you said, at 2 AM if things become critical, that is not an option. I wish that clinics could have a little room with cheerful decor, soft lighting, a comfortable chair or cushion to sit on and with calm music playing instead of a metal table in an otherwise barren, "cold" and brightly lit room. In communicating with my cats via an AC, I've never had to deal with that situation. I was prepared in advance as to what each cat's wishes were...if they were willing to accept help in crossing then an appointment was made to do that, and if not they have crossed over on their own, usually within minutes of our final goodbyes via the AC. This is hardly a pleasant topic, but dealing with untimely death comes with the territory of this horrid virus. Even when we know it is all too likely, and we tell ourselves each day we have with one of these special, ill-fated furbabys is a gift, it is never easy and always comes too soon, be it six months or six years or more. All we can do is love them one day at a time and on that last day make their crossing as comfortable and peaceful as we are able to make it for them. Their time here may be brief, but in the love and inspiration they give to us, the lessons they teach us, and the love we give back to them, their lives here do have meaning. With whatever resources and knowledge we have available, it is our responsibity as their guardians to make the decision to help them cross over if that seems necessary to us. And even if the decision we make may not be exactly what each cat might wish for him/herself, my experience in comunicating with them about this has taught me that they ultimately realize we are acting out of love on their behalf and will accept our decision without rancor. A cat spirit lovingly freed from a failing body is usually very forgiving. Sally in San Jose
