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Originally Posted by linz06  I don't know about this cat specifically in terms of quality of life, but I do want to say that animals don't think the way people think. Yes, at one point she had legs and could run, and now she doesn't, but I can guarantee she doesn't sit around all day thinking about her old days and what she used to be able to do.
I care for my paralyzed yorkie every day and can tell you she is the happiest dog you will ever meet. After she was paralyzed she had to be on strict crate rest for 8 weeks and even though she was not moving, she was happy. We carried her if she needed to be moved, we still need to express her bladder for her, and she doesn't have a care in the world! She does have wheels now but when we're in the house she just scoots around... not getting around as quickly as before, not climbing stairs or jumping off furniture, but she doesn't care about that stuff. She cares that she has a family that loves her, gives her food and water and treats, plays with her, and yes, even scratches her because she can't scratch herself! Her personality has not changed at all between her last 4.5 years of being able to walk, and the last 3.5 months of not being able to walk.
I feel that if the animal is healthy and happy, they deserve to live as much as anybody. I don't feel that loss of mobility is good enough reason to euthanise. I totally respect everyone else's thoughts on the matter and I probably would have agreed before I was a similar situation myself. Just my two cents! |
But honestly, Layla's case seems very different to me. There is a chance she will totally recover, and even if not, she was/is in rehab and can now use a cart. So she can move where she wants to for the most part. She also has use of her front legs and can definitely exercise. She isn't walking on the ends of her legs (where her feet used to be) and isn't in constant danger of splitting them open.
I just couldn't not imagine having my dog's or cat's four feet amputated and then expect her to wiggle around on her leg stumps and belly forever.