Our pets are wonderful and important pieces of our lives that we undoubtedly never want to let go of. In a matter of moments, your life is transformed once a pet is brought into your home. From their unwavering loyalty to their silly moments, sweet kisses, and comforting cuddles, our pets are our family. With this in mind, it is absolutely impossible to imagine going through this life without our pets.
However, illnesses happen and we cannot prevent them from getting older, which oftentimes leads to a very tough decision for any pet owner to make: euthanasia. While we all wish our pets to die a natural death after many, many years of companionship, that unfortunately is not always the case.
It’s Not an Easy Choice
There are many things that can go wrong with our pets – from serious illnesses to accidents and diseases. In some instances, our pets may begin to experience stressful, painful days and nights, which is excruciating for both owner and animal. When this is the case and your vet has told you that there is nothing he or she can do besides make your pet comfortable, it may be time to consider euthanasia.
Making the decision to have your pet euthanized will be one of the most difficult you will ever make. Even though it is our humanitarian obligation to do what is right for our pets when they are in distress, it does not make this experience any less traumatic and heartbreaking.
So, how do you know if it is time to consider euthanasia for your pet?
Think Carefully
Before we go over some of the signs that this may be the right decision for your pet, we would like to point out that every pet, illness, and situation is different. There is no one guide or checklist that will help you know if this is the right decision, as it will depend on you, your pet, and what your vet says. With that in mind, let’s look at few of the most common signs that may indicate your pet is suffering and no longer living and loving a high quality of life:
- He or she is experiencing chronic pain
- He or she keeps vomiting or has diarrhea on a frequent basis, leading to dehydration and weight loss
- He or she has stopped eating
- He or she has lost all interest in their toys, treats, walks, petting, and any other type of attention
- His or her breathing is labored
- He or she is coughing a lot
- He or she cannot stand on their own
- He or she can’t stop falling when walking
When trying to decide whether or not your pet should be euthanized, it may be a good idea to rank your pet’s quality of life at the end of each day. Was today a good day or a bad day? If a few weeks go by and your pet is having more bad days than good, it may be time to have this discussion with your vet. Furthermore, if your pet is relying on a lot of medication in order to live and function, it may be time to consider your options and whether or not your pet is enjoying a high quality of life.
It is also important to note that there are several different options when it comes to euthanizing your pet. In most cases, the procedure is done in your vet’s office and we encourage you to bring friends, family members, and favorite toys or blankets along. Once the procedure is over, you will have the option of taking your pet home, having him or her cremated and the ashes returned to you, or leaving them with us at the clinic.
If you have additional questions about euthanasia or would like to discuss the process with your vet, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We know how much your pets mean to you and what a difficult decision this can be, which is why we are here to answer any questions you may have.
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