This information is designed as a method of communication between veterinarians and clients who must consider euthanasia for a pet. This information tells you about the factors involved in making this decision and explains the options open to you. The methods that may be used are explained and the decisions to be made after the euthanasia are also discussed. Some of the considerations involved in choosing a new pet are included. You and your veterinarian will want to consider all of the factors involved in making this decision carefully and the information included here will help you understand euthanasia.
Because veterinarians are in their profession to prolong life, the death of an animal is often contrary to their goals. Animal owners often form strong emotional ties with their pets, making the reality of death difficult for them to accept. The death of a pet is one of the most difficult subjects for both veterinarians and animal owners to discuss.
However, death is the ultimate reality for all living things. Unfortunately, intense suffering often precedes death. To alleviate suffering, veterinarians offer their clients the option of euthanasia (a Greek word meaning ‘easy death’). Veterinarians prefer to save lives, but at times euthanasia may be more humane than permitting unnecessary suffering. Euthanasia is a means of reducing suffering in animals when death is inevitable.
Reasons For Considering Euthansia
MEDICAL REASONS
Since suffering is often a major factor in deciding upon euthanasia, you should have some way to determine a pet’s degree of suffering. Stated simply, an animal suffers when it cannot function normally. Whatever it’s normal pattern might be, an animal that cannot participate in this routine loses self-confidence and self-respect – often the will to live. While emotional suffering cannot be measure on a precise scale, there is little doubt that animals are aware of debilitating changes and are affected negatively by them.
Serious injuries and disease obviously cause animals to suffer, whether this suffering is apparent outwardly or not. Animals suffering from severe trauma, such as massive injuries from automobile accidents, are often considered for euthanasia if their injuries are not amenable to surgical and medical repair. The advanced stages of chronic problems such as congestive heart failure, terminal kidney disease, cancer, brain deficits, liver disease and some metabolic or hormonal imbalances are examples of terminal conditions which cause death after long-term suffering. Animals with these problems may be relieved of their suffering only through euthanasia.
The numerous changes associated with old age can also cause great suffering in animals. In such cases, no one problem may be severe enough to cause death by itself. Rather, it is a combination of changes such as arthritis, reduced kidney function, hormonal alterations and heart weakness that can cause great suffering before ultimately leading to death. When old age problems become too severe, euthanasia may be the only alternative.
Furthermore, euthanasia is often considered for sick or injured pet animals in situations where medical treatment is beyond the economic reach of the pet owner. Despite the fact that most pet owners love their animals, euthanasia in these cases is a justifiable option
NON MEDICAL REASONS
There are many situations where euthanasia may be justifiable. In addition to reasons relating to chronic illness, old age and excessive expense, untreatable behavior problems in an animal may necessitate a decision regarding euthanasia. If an animal is demonstratably vicious or incorrigible, the pet owner may have to choose euthanasia.
However, there are many more situations where euthanasia is difficult to rationalize. In fact, some veterinarians refuse to euthanize animals that are healthy but unwanted by their present owners. While economic, emotional and space limitations may force some pet owners to consider disposing of their pets, euthanasia per se is not designed to solve human problems. It is often preferable to find an alternative home or other compromise solution for these pets than to kill them. In such cases, euthanasia should be considered only when no other solution is available.
What Does Euthansia Involve?
Veterinarians, it should be remembered, have a pet’s best interests in mind and utilize humane methods to reduce animal suffering and assist pet owners. Thus, veterinarians make sure that euthanasia is a painless process for pets. Veterinarians use a drug which literally places the animal in a permanent sleep. This drug works quickly and causes no suffering for animals. In fact, the only suffering that occurs is the anxiety produced in a pet by the sadness and emotional reactions of its owners
Common Methods Of Euthanasia
The most common way to induce individual euthanasia is by injection of a rapidly acting anaesthetic into a vein. This agent rapidly induces unconsciousness; the heart and breathing stop within seconds. A tranquilizer is given prior to the actual euthanasia injection. Sometimes an intravenous catheter is placed in a front let prior to the final injection.
Pet owners may be present during the euthanasia procedure if they so desire. Obviously, this would not be permitted if there were any chance the owners might find their pets suffering just prior to death. Your veterinarian may be the best person to console you during this sorrowful time. Your veterinarian knows how difficult it can be to decide upon euthanasia, especially when close emotional ties have developed between a pet and its owners.
Recent research into the animal / human bond shows how the loss of a beloved pet can cause great grief, stress and possibly physical problems to pet owners. As we all become better aware of the reality of the closeness of the animal-human relationship, we learn better how to assist those who feel great personal loss upon the death of the pets. Your veterinarian, with this understanding, can help you overcome your personal sorrow.
Post Euthanasia Decisions
Euthanized animals are not used for animal research or experimentation.
When the euthanasia is complete, you will have several options regarding the disposal of the pet’s body. While many cities do not permit animal burial on residential property, you may have a special place in the country where you wish to bury your pet, or you may wish to use the services of a pet cemetery in Winnipeg.
Most commonly, pets are cremated, either individually or by mass cremation. You may prefer individual cremation with your pet’s ashes returned to you in an urn. Individual cremation does cost more than mass cremation. Please ask your veterinarian for the method that you prefer.
Upon the death of a family pet, some people seek the first possible replacement that comes along. The idea is to reduce their personal grief by transferring their love to a new pet. Certainly, there are many find dogs and cats waiting for people to adopt them; a compatible new pet can reduce a great deal of the grief associated with the death of a beloved family pet.
However, it is not always a good idea to purchase or adopt a new pet immediately after the loss of a precious pet. The emotional upheaval often associated with the loss of a beloved pet can cause a person to be unselective in the choice of a new pet. Many people end up with an animal that may not be well suited to replace the previous pet. In addition, the memory of the dead animal might cause you to make unfair comparison or impossible demands on the new animal to mimic the former pet. Such attitudes can be counterproductive to the health and welfare of the new pet.
It is often wise to wait a month of so before adopting a new pet. The time delay is usually enough to help us make more rational decisions regarding the selection of a new pet. After all, since we want our pets to spend many years as family members, careful selection for a compatible pet benefits both our pets and us.
