We choose to bring pets into our lives knowing that at some point we will probably have difficult end-of-life decisions to make. Regardless of what heroic measures we’ve taken to ensure their health, the fact remains that most pets have short life-spans. Two of the most difficult decisions a pet owner will face are when and how to put a beloved pet to sleep. This is often a heart-wrenching process fraught with feelings of guilt and self-doubt. In many discussions with pet owners I have found that most people fervently hope their dog or cat will pass away quietly and peacefully at home when the time comes. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that this rarely happens. In many cases, older pets develop chronic medical conditions such as kidney disease, arthritis, cancer, or heart disease, to name just a few, that will ultimately adversely affect the pet’s quality of life. When the time comes that your dog or cat is no longer comfortable, is in pain, not eating, or no longer enjoying the activities she used to love, you may be faced with deciding when it may be kindest to consider euthanasia, literally translated as “good death”. This is always a very individual decision, and certainly is never made lightly. Your veterinarian can help you determine when this point has been reached.
Once you have made the decision that euthanasia is the kindest option for your pet, the next difficult consideration is when and where this will be performed. Travelling to the veterinary clinic is often extremely stressful to both pets and owners. Ideally the euthanasia will be performed in a quiet, stress-free environment, both to ensure that your pet’s last moments will be peaceful, and also to allow you to grieve in your own way. This is often not possible in a busy veterinary hospital. Veterinary house-call practitioners offer the option of performing this service at home. In this way your pet can spend her final moments in her own home, in her own bed, with family members offering quiet words of support as she peacefully goes to sleep.
There are many personal decisions to be made by the family. Who will be present? Some owners prefer to say goodbye, but do not wish to be present for the euthanasia, while in other families everyone will wish to be there. What will happen afterward? Will the pet be cremated, with an individual service and ash return, or will the pet be buried at home? The veterinary team can explain all of the options and help work through the decision making.
The actual euthanasia is performed by giving an intravenous injection of a barbiturate; basically an overdose of an anesthetic. But any stress associated with the process can be greatly reduced by giving various types of sedation, if needed, and also by having familiar people nearby, in familiar surroundings, and by providing a calm, quiet environment.
Having a pet put to sleep at home is never easy but I have found that it does allow a pet owner to feel that he has done all that he can to make sure his pet’s death is as comfortable and painless as possible. This is very often a final act of kindness that a pet owner can provide for a dog or cat who has been a beloved family member for many years.
Dr. Kim Rio is a 1991 graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. After spending nearly 20 years in small animal clinical practice in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, she launched her housecall practice, “Mobile Pet Vet”, with certified veterinary technician Julie Barton, in order to bring individualized wellness care to pets in their homes. For an appointment, or for more information call: (203) 584-1211 or visit www.mobile-pet-vet.com