Deciding if and when to do the right thing and end a beloved pet’s life is a decision most pet owners have to face at one time or another. There are usually multiple signs that a dog owner needs to look for to take into consideration. Dogs cannot tell us when they are in pain or uncomfortable. We have to look at their body language and be alert to changes in habits and behavior.
Some of the signs to look for are changes in appetite, how comfortable their sleep is, discomfort in their movements and mobility factors, losing interest in exercise and play time, and problems in their bathroom habits or trouble with elimination.
If you feel the time is coming be sure to bring it up to other involved family members. This doesn’t have to be a burden to bear on your own and the rest of the family should be given some time to adjust to the idea and prepare for putting the pet down.
This is a time when you must be unselfish and think of the dog. To keep the pet alive and in misery because you are avoiding this tough decision is not being fair to your dog.
Talk to your vet about your decision. Your veterinarian can help you to determine if the time is now or help estimate when the time is right. At that time, you can also discuss how they handle the euthanasia process. They may even have their euthanasia technician explain the process to you in detail.
In most veterinarian offices, the animal will be injected with some type of tranquilizing drug to soothe their nerves and relax them prior to the actual injection. Once the euthanizing drug is injected, your pet will become almost immediately unconscious. Their death will be peaceful, quick and painless. Granting this painless death with dignity is one of the best gifts you can give your pet. To be present during the procedure will help your pet remain in a calm state and should be your final participation in your pet’s life. It can also assist you in finding closure at a tough time.
Home Euthanasia
Back in the old days it was more common for family pets to die at home. Sometimes this was from natural causes and there were traveling veterinarian that would come out to rural homeowners. Now we’re beginning to shift back to this approach.
Some veterinarians now offer end-of-life house calls for people that would prefer to have their pet’s last minutes on earth to be in the comfort of their own home. There is a national service called In Home Pet Euthanasia Directory where you can find doctors who participate in home euthanasia.
Advantage to Home Euthanasia
Pets are usually apprehensive about visiting the doctor’s office to begin with so by allowing them to die at home, the pet is more calm and comforted. You can avoid the stress your animal would experience with traveling to the vet and being in a clinical environment.
This type of approach to euthanasia also is more beneficial to the distraught owner that is left to grieve for the deceased. Walking through the veterinarian’s waiting room and driving home after witnessing the death of your family pet is traumatic and it’s much easier if the procedure is done at home.
Pets are often put to sleep in their favorite spots and sometimes with many family members present.
This service typically costs twice as much as putting your animal to sleep in the doctor’s office.
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