Making the decision to euthanase a beloved pet has to be one of the most difficult, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking decisions in life. You may feel you are betraying your pet, not trying hard enough to treat whatever’s wrong with him/her, or giving up too soon.
Unfortunately, we are all likely to be faced with having to make this decision at some point in our lives and it may be helpful to remember the following when doing so:
- You’re doing this for the love of your pet, to alleviate his/her suffering
- You’ve done everything possible to give your pet the proper love and care he/she deserves throughout its life
- Your pet won’t suffer under euthanasia but will quietly slip into a deep sleep
- You’re entitled to ask your vet any, and as many, questions you may have about the euthanasia procedure and how necessary it may be
- It’s entirely up to you whether or not you want to be with your pet when he or she is euthanased. If you choose to wait in the waiting room, no one will judge you. It doesn’t mean you love your pet less; we all handle emotional trauma and grief differently.
What happens when my pet is euthanased?
Once you and your vet have discussed all possibilities and you have decided that euthanasia is best for your pet, ask your veterinary clinic to book your appointment when the surgery is quiet and the doctor isn’t rushed. At EberVet Pet Care Group we try to schedule euthanasia for the end of a consulting day and book a double appointment so there is plenty of time. If our clients prefer, we can perform the procedure at home for an additional fee but this must be planned beforehand. We will also discuss disposal of your pet’s body when scheduling the appointment.
Your vet will ensure your pet is held comfortably during the procedure and will explain exactly what will happen within the next few minutes.
At EberVet we insert a catheter into your pet’s vein in our surgery before handing your pet back to you should you wish to be with him/her while the euthanase solution is injected into the vein and your pet falls asleep. This usually takes between six and 12 seconds.
The pet, although completely unconscious, may continue to take a few more breaths before all movement ceases. The older and sicker the pet the longer this unconscious breathing state may go on.
Some pet owners will be more comfortable if they do not observe the pet’s final moments and would rather be in the waiting room during the euthanasia injection. Then when their pet has passed away, the owner may wish to be with their pet privately for a while.
If you choose to have your pet cremated the veterinarian will make the arrangements through a cremation service and notify you when you can expect to have the ashes returned.
You may be surprised at the small quantity of ashes returned but remember most living creatures are about 95 percent water.
It is perfectly reasonable to ask “How do I know that the ashes that I receive will actually be those of my pet?” Everyone wonders that.
Your veterinarian should be willing to provide you with the name and phone number of the cremation service. Don’t be afraid to call them up with your concerns.
It is not unusual nor unreasonable for pet owners to save a bit of their pet’s fur as a physical remembrance of their special friend.
You may want a friend to drive you home after the euthanasia as in your emotional state, concentration can be difficult and it is always good to talk through trauma with a friend.
Dealing with the grief of euthanasia
Many, many pet owners experience a very strong and lasting sense of pain and grief after the passing of a special pet. Sometimes people who haven’t experienced this pain and loss may say, “Oh, just go get another one” or “Gosh, it was only a cat” but never feel guilty for experiencing the pain of this loss. Never feel ashamed or belittle yourself for having strong feelings of loss and sadness over a deceased pet. You are not alone in your sadness. You may even think you have seen your pet in your home or yard long after he has gone – this is quite common for pet owners. The loss of a pet also often brings up memories of other losses in a person’s life.
Other normal stages of grief can include guilt, depression, denial, anger, bargaining and finally acceptance. Most pet owners express a sense of relief that their pet did not suffer.
Remember that euthanasia is something that, when used appropriately and timely, prevents further physical suffering for the pet and emotional suffering of the family.
Above all, remember that we are here to help your pet and you.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
1. Why is my vet suggesting euthanasia?
As veterinarians, our job is to assist the family in the decision-making. There is not one perfect moment in time in which to make that ultimate choice (unless the pet is truly suffering, something we are trying to prevent in the first place). Rather, there is a subjective time period in which euthanasia is an appropriate decision to make. This time period could be hours, days, weeks, or even months. Before this subjective period of time veterinarians will refuse to euthanase a pet because a good quality of life still exists. After this period, however, we may push for euthanasia due to obvious sustained suffering. During this larger subjective time however, it is truly dependent on the family to make whatever decision is best for them. Some owners need time to come to terms with the decline of their pet while others want to prevent any unnecessary suffering at all.
2. Weigh your options carefully
If the most important thing to you is waiting until the last possible minute to say goodbye to your baby, you will most likely be facing an emergency, stress-filled, sufferable condition for your pet. It may not be peaceful and you may regret waiting too long. If a peaceful, calm, loving, family-oriented, in-home end of life experience is what you wish for your pet, then you will probably need to make the decision to euthanase a little sooner than you want. Making that decision should not be about ceasing any suffering that has already occurred, but about preventing suffering from occurring in the first place. Above all, our pets do not deserve to hurt.
3. What will my vet be injecting into my pet?
Most euthanasia solutions are a combination of chemicals whose intent is to effect a quick and painless termination of nerve transmission and to effect complete muscle relaxation. When nerve impulses are not conducted there is no thought, no sensation, no movement. The solution is available only to licensed veterinarians and your veterinarian must possess a special certificate in order to purchase the solution.
