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What is
euthanasia?
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Also known as
'putting to sleep' euthanasia is used to end an animal's
life quickly & painlessly. Most often this is due to the
animal having a a critical or terminal illness with no
chance of recovery.
Euthanasia is
something almost all pet owners are going to have to face at
one point or another. Bringing a pet into our life is an
exciting & rewarding time, but sadly their lifespan is
shorter than ours & therefore it is highly likely that we
will eventually have to make the decision to euthanise them
in order to end their suffering. |
Why euthanise
my cat?
There are many
reasons why euthanasia is performed. This article will cover
medical reasons only.
-
The animal
is suffering from a terminal illness which has progressed
to the stage where drugs & treatment are no longer
helping.
-
The animal
has suffered an injury which is so severe it is not
possible to treat.
When will I
know the right time to euthanise my pet?
This comes
down to several factors, which ultimately comes down to
quality of life for the pet. This is something you will have
to decide on behalf of your pet. While your veterinarian can
guide you, you, being the cat's carer know your pet better
than anybody else. When my cat was diagnosed with cancer I
worried that I wouldn't know when it would be kindest to euthanise her, but when the time came, I knew. She had lost
her spark, she couldn't get comfortable, she spent the last
day and a half on chair, trying to sleep but obviously
finding it difficult due to pain. We didn't need to ask the
vet if the time was right, it was very apparent that it was.
Many incurable
diseases can be managed for a period of time after the
initial diagnosis. Some treatments will manage the
condition, others will slow down it's progress. Only your
veterinarian can advise on treatment options for your
particular pet. Eventually though, some diseases will
ultimately progress to the point where euthanasia is the
kindest option. When this will happen, nobody knows. This
varies depending on the disease & the pet.
Points you
need to look at include:
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Is the pet
in a lot of pain which cannot be alleviated with drugs?
-
Does the pet
have injuries of which it will not recover is causing pain
& suffering?
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Does the pet
have any quality of life?
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Does the pet
have any enjoyment of life? Does she still enjoy watching
the birds outside or going for an afternoon walk? Does she
still greet you at the door when you come home from work?
What happens
during euthanasia?
Some
veterinarians will perform euthanasia at home. This is
something you should discuss with your veterinarian in
advance, if this is possible, and what you want.
Your
veterinarian will ask if you would like to be with your pet
during the procedure. It is entirely your choice, and one
which you should be comfortable with.
Euthanasia is
an overdose of a barbiturate anaesthetic. It is given by
intravenous injection, usually in the foreleg. The animal
immediately becomes unconscious, the heart stops beating &
death follows. This usually takes around 10 - 15 seconds.
Sometimes your pet may lose bladder or bowel control. Also,
the pet's eyes may not close after euthanasia. Your pet may
twitch a little or take a few breaths, these are both reflex
reactions. All of these responses perfectly normal and in no
way are they an indication that your pet has or is
suffering.
If your pet is
nervous, he may be given a sedative first, to help him
relax. It usually takes around 15 minutes for the sedative
to take effect.
It is advised
that you call ahead of time to arrange euthanasia. Many vets
like to leave this until the last appointment. That way, you
can spend quiet time with your pet.
What happens
after my cat has been euthanised?
Once again,
your veterinarian can advise you on different options. Many
pet owners want to take their pet's body home with them for
burial. If you decide to bury your pet in your garden,
please check with your council that this is okay to do.
Other options are burial in a pet cemetery or cremation. You
may also decide to leave your pet's body with the
veterinarian. These are decisions you should make ahead of
time, if possible.
How do I cope
with the loss of my pet?
Grief is a
completely natural response to the loss of a pet. And you
should give yourself time. Pet owners consider their pet to
be a loving part of their family & as such will certainly
feel a profound loss upon their death. Do remember though
that we all have our own reaction to coping & there is no
right or wrong way to grieve. Do seek help if you are having
trouble with grief. There are many pet counselling hotlines
available.
Summary:
If you are
reading this article, and are facing having to euthanise
your pet in the future, or have recently lost a pet my
sympathy is with you. The act of euthanasia is one of
kindness to our pet, although it leaves us behind, feeling
the pain of losing a valued member of the family. Please
remember, you acted on behalf of your pet & acted out of
kindness.
This has been
a difficult article to write, but one which is important to
cover because eventually every pet owner will have to make
the decision to euthanise a pet & end their suffering. This
is the one final act of love we can give our pets.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice. |
