She took her 13-year-old cat to the vet to treat fleas — but a heartbreaking discovery forced her to return home with an empty crate

When the vet proposed the difficult choice, the owner's mind went completely blank.

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

(L ) A woman looking at her cat ; (R)A veterinary surgeon studying Xray scan (Representative Cover Source: Getty Images | Photo by (L) cyano66 ; (R) Prostock-Studio)

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of pet loss that some readers may find distressing.

Pets are the heart of their owners’ world. Their playful chaos and quirks fill homes with laughter, but when they fall sick, that same home feels unbearably heavy. When a Reddit user (u/deanalyzr) noticed her 13-year-old cat suddenly losing weight, she took her to the vet, hoping for immediate help. Instead, what she learned that day shattered her heart.

A sick cat at the vet. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | luliia Burmistrova)

Reddit user (u/deanalyzr) shared a heartbreaking story of her cat, Jupiter, on the subreddit r/Petloss. She noticed her cat’s weight was visibly dropping. She also observed that Jupiter had stopped eating and had fleas. Worried about her feline's condition, she took her to a vet. But there she learned that the condition could be cancer, FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), or even a sign of heart failure. The vet also revealed that the treatment could be expensive and proposed the heartbreaking option available: to euthanize her feline.

Sad woman with her cat. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Tfilm)

Jupiter was gifted to her by a foster home when she was 12 years old. The cat stayed by her owner's side through thick and thin, when she battled depression, and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Even when she lost hope in living, the thought, "What would happen to my cat? She needs me," kept her going. When the vet suggested the painful decision, the owner's mind went blank. After a silent battle of emotions for half an hour, she finally built up the courage to proceed with administering the fluids. "I was stone-faced when they administered the fluids. Only when the vet asked me how I was doing did I crack. The vet gave me a hug, and I thanked them for their support and left," she recalled.

Girl Placing a Flower on Her Pet's Grave (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Phillippe Lissac) — Girl Placing a Flower on Her Pet's Grave. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Phillippe Lissac)

She recalled that she had planned to leave Jupiter in the car while grabbing bagels, only to be struck by the painful reality. Now she was all alone, and the crate of Jupiter in her seat was empty. Breaking the painful news to her siblings and loved ones, the user paid homage to her feline who crossed the 'rainbow bridge.'

According to PubMed, a 2021 study examined how pet owners experience grief, the coping mechanisms they rely on, and the factors that shape their healing process. Common strategies included seeking social support, maintaining continuing bonds by keeping memories alive, engaging in memorialization, turning to religion, or adopting another pet. Some owners, however, coped through isolation.

Went in for a check-up. Came out with an empty crate and a broken heart.
byu/deanalyzr inPetloss

Soon after, the post drew the attention of online users, and the user was met with heartwarming wishes and support. u/Negative_Corner6722 commented, "I’m so sorry for your loss. Sleep sweetly, Jupiter. You were so loved, and that love shines through this post." u/AcceptableGuidance96 wrote, "Wow. That was a gut punch. I am sorry. But I know Jupiter is watching over you." u/fantasticfitn3ss wrote, "What a devastating day. Jupiter sounds like an amazing companion, and you were the perfect companion to them. The first week is so hard. Sending you love."

If you’re grieving the loss of a companion animal, please reach out to Cornell Pet Loss Support Hotline at 1‑607‑218‑7457.