How Will I Know? ––by Dr. Gregory Todd, D.V.M.
Euthanasia is one of the most difficult deci- sions that pet parents must make While difficult, it allows an opportunity to give peace to a devoted member of the family who is suffering. It is per- haps one of the greatest demonstra- tions of love for our pets. By placing the needs of the pet first, the family embraces the pain of loss. A frequent question pet parents
ask is “When is it time to let go?” The place to start this conversation is with your family veterinarian. Veterinary med- icine has the ability to cure or manage dis- eases today that once would have resulted in death or permanent pain for companion animals. So when a pet is ill or in pain it is important to con- sider the prognosis. Is there a tool or drug available that can result in significant improvement in the life of the pet? What options are there for my pet? Family veterinarians are a great resource to help answer that question. Every decision in medicine is inherently based on a
principle of risk and benefit. Evaluation of risk can include more than just the risk of dying. Evaluating risk also includes considering the suffering involved in an attempt to recover. Sometimes an attempt to cure involves the pet being hospitalized and potentially dying in the hospital. For some pet owners, having a pet pass peacefully at home is a prime consideration. Each situation is unique and involves personal values and concerns. Assessing the quality of life at present and chances of
returning to a life of quality can be challenging. Besides your veterinarian’s advice, there are a number of question- naires available to aid in assessment of the quality of our companion’s life. Links to several such tools are included at the end of this article. The best way to handle this is to have a face-to-face conversation with your family veterinarian during which your concerns can be addressed. Often, because of their training and experience, doctors can raise awareness of salient points that may have been overlooked. In the end, however, the final decision rests with the family. All euthanasia decisions should align with the families’ personal values and considerations. Another frequent question is “Where
should the pet be euthanized?” Many families opt for in-home euthanasia when available. This allows a pet to be surrounded by loved ones and in a familiar setting to decrease the stress of this
70 THE NEW BARKER
process. This option is growing in popularity and many practices attempt to provide this service for their patients. When practices do not offer it, there are sometimes other practices that spe- cialize in this specific type of client service. In certain medical situations, this option may increase pain or stress for the pet, or critical medical situations may preclude it. Consulting with your veterinarian is again the best option to find what is right for you. No matter what you decide as a family, the ability to love and comfort your pet should
be available for you. Lastly, “How should it be done?” In this
writer’s experience, it is extremely helpful to sedate patients as the first step of the procedure. This allows the pet
to relax and the family to spend additional time comforting and reassuring the pet. A frequent practice is to administer the sedation by injection in the muscle, after which it usually takes a few minutes for the drug to take effect. This time can sometimes allow for hugs and feeding cookies if the pet is able to eat. Once the pet is fully sedated, a second injection allows for the pet to pass peacefully. The injections commonly used for euthanasia are a combination of barbiturates that are designed to make for a pain-free passing. The gift of ending suffering for our family pets is invalu-
able. It is important for pet parents to be able to look back at the process with no regrets. Carefully reviewing concerns such as When is it time?; Where should it be done?; and How should it be done? in advance and within the scope of personal family desires can minimize the stress of this time. In addi- tion to discussing it with the family, be sure to discuss your considerations fully with your family veterinarian. It is my hope that this article helps to make this experience more peaceful for you and your pet.
U Y
Download the complimentary Quality Of Life Survey at
www.HelpingHandsPetHospice.com/Quality-Of-Life.html This is an emotional situation and you cannot expect to
be accurate or unbaised. Ask for help from your friends, family and veterinary team. Helping Hands Pet Hospice is a mobile veterinary hospice, providing peaceful in-home euthanasia.
Dr. Gregory Todd, DVM owns and practices at Animal Hospital of Dunedin. 727.733.9351
www.TheNewBarker.com
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