RE: death process

[MacKenzie, Kerry N.]

Title: Message

Thank you for that explanation of the death process, Kathy. I have never seen this aspect of it explained so well anywhere.   I have a couple of Qs: would you recommend (assuming it's even possible logistically) euthanasia when the death howl is heard? I note that you say it may or may not indicate pain or anxiety, so I would think it better not to take the chance on having them suffer for 2 hours (which is after all, an eternity when pain is involved). Or do you feel it's better to let them go naturally by that stage, regardless?   Is there anything we can have on hand to make the transition easier?   (I'm trying to do better than I did for Caramel.)   I also want to add that I have nothing but admiration for you and the work that you and your fellow hospice carers do. I know I would not be up to it.   D'you mind if I add a quick PS to your email: that (of course) a lack of eating doesn't necessarily mean death is at hand (altho obviously it would be eventually), and that handfeeding can be ok, depending on the circumstances. After my 6-month old FeLV kitty Flavia was spayed, she got so progressively ill that she couldn't lift her head never mind eat. On the vet's advice I began handfeeding her, something I'd never done before.She recovered quickly and, one year later, is one of the most playful of the 5 kitties.   On the other hand, I DID handfeed Caramel, and altho he put up with it for 2 sessions, he refused it on the 3rd. I now know (but didn't know then)  that he was very near death, that eg organ decay (evidenced by bad smell) had almost certainly begun. His eyes had also been unfocused for some time. In light of what you say, I should probably not do this in future, if I see there are similar other red flags as there were in Caramel's case. These red flags weren't present in Flavia's case.   Thanks again Kerry     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 1:40 PM To: felvtalk@vlists.net Subject: Re: Simon update (I do hospice care for people.)   As the body prepares for death, the body shifts energy from the digestive system to the other organs - heart, lungs & brain mainly.  Many people will ask for water up to the last day or two, but will refuse food for the last week or two.  because their digestive system is shut down, they aren't hungry.  Making them eat is like making someone who's just gorged on Thanksgiving dinner eat a huge, extra rich dessert.  Syringing a little to see if he'll take it is okay, but try to resist making him take more than he'll willingly eat.  Let him guide you about his water and food intake.  Keep it available and keep it appetizing - this is an excellent time to offer special foods he's always adored but didn't get to have often - but in general, do him a favor and don't force feed.  It's also normal for them to become comatose (nearly to completely unresponsive).  They're still aware of you and what's happening to them and they can still hear, it's just that they don't have the strength to respond anymore.   Keep in mind that it's not unusual for cats to purr when they're in pain.  The frequency of the vibration of purrs is healing and comforting for them.  It's also not unheard of for them to not want to go (Legolas didn't want to go).  When his body's ready to go, you'll know.  Watch out for/expect severe congestion and restlessness.  You might even hear his breathing sound like air blown through a straw into milk or a thick liquid.  It's normal.  If he starts a long mournful wail (death howls) he's very close (probably within a couple hours).  The howls may or may not happen, and they also may or may not indicate pain or anxiety.  They can be very difficult to hear though.  When I heard it the first time, it really freaked me out.   It takes a very strong person to stay with an animal through a natural death - it could be peaceful and calm and everything will just stop, or they could end up struggling and having a very difficult time before the end.    I hope that when Simon's time comes, his end is peaceful and he just slips away in his sleep.   Kathy "Every time you meet a situation, though you think at the time it is an impossibility and you go through the tortures of the damned, once you have met it and lived through it, you find that forever after you are freer than you were before." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.