Euthanasia: What is it? How do I decide on it? How do I deal with it?

Many pet owners love their pets like family members. Pets help people during hard times, they become best friends, and sometimes even confidants. When you experience the happiness of bringing home your new kitten, puppy, or even rabbit, you develop an attachment to them. During your pets lifetime you’ll have experiences together, you’ll develop a relationship filled with ups and downs. Each pet has its own personality, and getting to know your pet can be a euphoric experience.  Your interactions with your beloved pet companion is special for you and your pet. Once you develop that relationship with your pet, the thought of losing your pet could be very hard and emotional.

Losing a pet can be hard on a pet owner, but watching a pet suffer can be hard on both the pet owner and the animal. Pet owners develop a special relationship with their pets, the special physical connection makes it difficult to fathom losing their pet. Your morning routine may feel different when you don’t have your dog to wake up to, feed, and walk. You may feel empty when you don’t have your furry friend around to cuddle after a long day. Holding on to the memory of your pet may be difficult in a time of loss.

Unfortunately, pets have a shorter lifespan than humans. With care and love, your pet’s life can be long and healthy. As a pet owner, it’s your job to keep up with your pet’s health. Your animal’s health becomes a major priority, and sometimes a major expense. No matter what we do, no matter how much attention we give our animals, and no matter how well we take care of them, there is no stopping time. When dogs age, they experience great changes that could lead to a natural death by old age. Dog’s lose the agility in their bones, they may have issues with internal organs as they age. Pets could experience physical pain that changes they way they move and play. For some pet owners, watching their dog age is like watching the suffer and fade away. Pets can  experience stress, stiffness, and depression as a result of aging or a slow death due to sickness.

During times of pet pain, aging, and sickness, pet owners are faced with a challenge. Pet owners must ask themselves if allowing their pet to suffer is the best solution. Thanks to advancement in veterinary medicine, pet owners have the option to help relieve their pet of stress and suffering through euthanasia. Euthanasia is a painless way to gently relieve your pet of stress and help them in the process of passing over. Dogs experience chronic pain, especially if they are with disease or sickness close to the time of their death. When pets experience extreme pain, owners are forced to consider euthanasia as an option. For some, euthanasia  is the answers, for others, rehoming or sending your animal to home that can dedicate time to keeping them comfortable during the pain could also be an option. Pet owners usually have a lot of questions about euthanasia when they consider it. They want to make sure that euthanasia is the right choice for them and their pet. They also want to make sure that it’s the right time for them to consider euthanasia. Taking responsibility for a painless stress free death for your pet could be one of the best things a pet owner could do. No pet owner wants to dwell on the death of their pet. This article will help you understand what euthanasia is and it will answer your questions on whether or not euthanasia is the right  choice for you and your pet.

What is Euthanasia? How does it work?

Euthanasia is valued for being a painless solution for your pet. Talking to your pet doctor or veterinarian and discussing your options will make euthanasia a painless option for you too. The euthanasia process starts with making your pet comfortable. It’s recommended to bring your pets favorite toy or a comfortable bed or pillow that they are familiar with. Once your pet is relaxed and comfortable, they will be administered an I.V. The I.V will be filled with a special medication made to intervene with and terminate the nerves of your pet. Your pet’s brain and heart activity will be stopped by the chemicals in the IV medication. The medicine and the I.V  administering process has been advanced to provide a painless passing for your pet. After receiving the medication, your pet will develop a feeling of relaxation and begin to become very sleepy. After falling into a deep sleep, your pet will peacefully pass away. There are precautions taken in the rare case that your pet does not react peacefully to the medication. Veterinarians are standing by ready to intervene with a sedative that will help calm your pet and reactivate the peaceful passing process.

When is the right time? Is my dog in pain? Is it just old age?

When you discuss euthanasia with your vet, you need to be sure you ask the right questions to determine if it is the right time to put your pet down. Your pet may be experiencing pain or sickness that could be cured with the right treatments, or your pet could be severely suffering and ready for a painless passing. Don’t shy away from visiting the vet and talking to them about all of your pets issues. Animals may have different ways of showing that they are in pain. Your cat or  dog may not cry or howl to show that they are hurting. Your animal may show their pain through a change of behavior or a lack of energy. Vets take different precautions to find out if your pet is in pain. They may administer painkillers to see how your dog react, or take x-rays and blood tests to the check the health of your pet. Talk to your vet if your animal shows a clear change in behavior, a loss of appetite, or a loss of agility. If you see your pet struggling to find comfort in a relaxing position, or if you feel that your dog is walking or behaving strangely, it may be time to talk to your veterinarian. Once you have discussed with your veterinarian and figured out if your pet’s pain is severe and incurable, you may need to start observing your dog to see if euthanasia will be necessary. Watch your pet’s behavior daily and pay special to your dog at the end of the day. Watch to see if your dog  is constantly having bad days. If no treatment from your vet or any other natural method does not work for your dog, you may want to consider euthanasia.

Can I be with my pet during its last moments? Can I choose the location?

It is suggested that euthanasia is done in a secure facility. Being close to all of the veterinarians tools and resources will help secure a safe and painless situation for your pets passing. Everything must be done carefully to assure a smooth process with the euthanasia injection. If you want your pet to experience euthanasia in the home or in a familiar place, you will need to find a reliable certified veterinarian who will agree to do house calls. Keep in mind that a house call euthanasia process could come with many extra fees and cause the whole process to become very pricy. Even if you decide to do a regular doctor’s office euthanasia process, you will still be able to be with your dog during its last moments. Most veterinarians will allow you and your family to be present during the procedure. Be sure to confirm will be present on the date of passing with your veterinarian.

After the euthanasia process, what happens? What next steps do I take?

After your pet has peacefully passed, you are given several options on the next steps. Your pet is still yours, you have the right to decide how they are buried or cremated.  You can keep your pet’s ashes or have your pet buried in a place that is significant for your family. All of the post- euthanasia logistics should be discussed with the doctors and veterinary staff before the euthanasia process. If you need some time alone with your pet before and after the procedure, doctors will be happy to give it to you. You can even ask for keepsakes to help you deal with the death of furry friend. Some veterinarians can give you a plastered paw print or a piece of your animal’s fur as a source of remembrance. If you are very emotional, it may be smart to bring a friend along who can hold your hand through the process and help you get home after. Dealing with the loss of your pet is difficult for every pet owner. Many pet owners face depression and stress after deciding on and going through with the euthanasia process. In severe cases, professionals suggest therapy to help cope with the loss and trauma of losing a pet. Losing your pet is like losing a sacred bond. Being aware of how the process works and understanding what euthanasia is will help you get through the euthanasia process.