Euthanasia, or putting an animal to sleep, is a humane choice if your pet is suffering from a terminal illness from which he cannot recover or experiencing a painful medical issue which is not treatable.
Deciding when the Time is Right to Euthanize Your Dog, Cat or Other Type of Pet
Deciding if euthanasia is the right choice for your pet can be a difficult decision. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your pet suffering?
- Can your pet's suffering be relieved?
- Will your pet be able to recover and lead a life free of pain?
- Can your pet have an adequate quality of life living with the amount of pain he suffers?
Remember that because a dog or cat can be treated for a medical problem does not always equate to being in that pet's best interest to be treated for that disease or injury.
For pets which are suffering long term illnesses whose courses may wax and wane, try the following exercise. Start a daily journal listing whether your pet had a good day or a bad day for each day of the journal. When the bad days start to outnumber the good days, you may be approaching the time when euthanasia for your pet is more humane than letting your pet suffer.
Before the Euthanasia of a Pet
There are a few decisions you will need to make before your pet is put to sleep. Most veterinarians will give you the option of being with your pet during the euthanasia process. The advantage to this is that your pet will be comforted by your presence as his life comes to an end. On the other hand, some people simply find this too hard to bear and prefer to say their goodbye immediately prior to the euthanasia. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. You must do what feels right to you.
If you have small children in your family, you will need to decide whether they should be present at the euthanasia as well. Many times, children are simply too young to understand the significance of this event. However, some children may be affected psychologically by witnessing a life ending. You will need to make this decision based on your knowledge of your child's personality and emotional state.
Another important decision which needs to be made prior to the euthanasia of a pet is how to deal with your pet's body after the euthanasia. You have several options:
- Most veterinarians are equipped to deal with your pet's body.
- Your local animal shelter may also be able to handle your pet's body.
- Many communities have pet cemetery and/or cremation services. These services function much like a human funeral service and/or cemetery and will often offer you the option to purchase coffins, head stones and other items made specifically for your pet. They may also be able to arrange a service for your pet at your request.
What Happens During the Pet Euthanasia Process
Once you have made the decision that euthanasia is necessary for your pet, you'll need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. You likely will need to transport your pet to your veterinarian's office, but some veterinarians do offer at home pet euthanasia services.
The actual medication used to euthanize pets is an overdose of a barbiturate anesthetic. The medication is injected into the blood stream of your pet through one of your pet's veins. Once the medication is injected, death is almost immediate and is painless.
Some veterinarians prefer to sedate an animal before administering the actual barbiturate solution, especially if the animal is very nervous or frightened. This simply makes the euthanasia proceed more smoothly.
After the Euthanasia of Your Pet
Be prepared to grieve for your pet. Grieving is a normal process after losing a loved one and a pet qualifies as a beloved member of the family, regardless of whether the pet is a dog or cat, a pocket pet such as a mouse or hamster, or a large animal such as a horse.
There are four stages of grief:
- Denial
- Sadness
- Anger
- Acceptance
Every person is different and moves through these processes differently after the euthanasia of a pet. Give yourself time to work through your grieving process at your own pace.
Realize that you do not need to go through the grieving process alone. There are a number of different resources which can help you through the grieving process and give you an appropriate outlet for your emotions. You should not feel embarrassed to utilize these sources. Trusted friends or family members are often close by to help calm you and lend a sympathetic ear. Church resources such as your priest or minister are another option. There are also a number of pet loss hotlines which may help you through your period of loss.
If you find after the euthanasia of your pet that you are thinking of suicide or contemplating hurting yourself, you should seek professional assistance.
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