|
When To Euthanise
|
|
What is Euthanasia?
The easy answer is euthanasia means gentle death. Euthanizing a
pet means to have your veterinarian put it to sleep. Pain is not
involved; the pet is put out of its misery quickly and doesn’t feel
more than possibly the initial needle prick. An injection is
given that causes the pets heart and lungs to relax to the point of
stopping. The
pet falls asleep as it would if your veterinarian was going to perform
surgery and then the vital organs are slowed to the point of stopping.
Determining when to end your pet’s life can be extremely difficult.
It is without a doubt, the hardest choice a pet lover has to
make. But at some point in every dog's life, comes a time when
you as
the owner have to think about letting them go, and ending the pain,
whether from sickness, or old age. Euthanasia continues to be an
option
for many pet owners who do not want their terminally-ill pet to suffer.
In some cases, your pet will tell you it’s time, he may need more help
getting up stairs, or he may get confused in familiar areas or fails to
respond to commands that eventually lead him into trouble. He may
start to
separate himself from you. If he has spent nearly every night sleeping
beside, or in, your bed and he seeks out places that resemble a cave on
what seems like a whim, he may be preparing himself for death.
Pack animals in particular have been known to separate themselves
from the pack in order to prevent the strong from becoming injured
while protecting the weak.
If your pet is in pain or suffering with loss of function and loss of
quality of life that is not going to get better, choosing when to end
the suffering is a difficult and highly personal decision. Older
pets
can have age related illnesses and any pet can get injured in an
accident. Sometimes these incidents are easier on the owner as
there is a tangible reason for the decision for euthanasia.
For whatever reason, the priviledge of ending an ailing animals life is
bittersweet, as there can be relief but also guilt and doubt.
So how do you
know if it is time?
Judging a dogs "Quality of Life" can be challenging to even the
most aware of us. A dogs character, age, and purpose will
influence the decision. We must remember that "Quality of Life"
to a dog means walks, working and food. Once the dog does not
have any of this, if food loses its appeal, and the joys of being
outside are denied or the company of other dogs becomes threatening you
are faced with the unhappy decision on behalf of your canine companion,
so tackle it from the viewpoint of the dog rather than your own.
There are a number of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating
the life quality of your pet and you should consider them carefully.
Ask yourself:-
1. Why is your pet still here?
2. Is your pet here because they want to be here?
3. Or is you pet still here because you want them to
be?
Is your pet eating?
Basically, quality life involves eating or at least interest in food.
An animal that is hungry has vitality that must be considered, though
this is not the only consideration.
Is your pet comfortable?
The pet should be free of debilitating pains, cramps, aches or even the
psychological pain that comes from the development of incontinence
in an animal who has been housebroken for an entire life.
Does the pet still enjoy favourite activities?
Is he or she at least interested in the world around them, if not
physically active? The elderly pet does not necessarily need to
continue chasing balls or jumping after discs but he should enjoy
sleeping
comfortably, favourite resting spots, the company of family, etc.
Does
your pet still enjoy being with you, or appear to not recognize you or
anyone else in the household? An animal who is still enjoying
life
may not be ready to go, while one who’s clearly miserable may be ready
to say goodbye.
How am I doing?
How do you know when the time comes to let go?
At what point do you keep on paying for expensive treatments, and
when do you know to stop?
Although your pet’s welfare is important, your feelings matter,
too. If you’ve been nursing your pet through a terminal illness,
you may be worn out with all the care that’s involved, particularly
since your efforts cannot bring about a positive outcome.
If you’re feeling
emotionally drained – or even financially drained – from caring for
your
animal companion, the time may be right to say goodbye.
Many owners
find the veterinary costs for continued treatment of their pet to be
prohibitive. As hard as it is, you do need to consider the
financial cost as well as the emotional cost of continuing to care for
your pet. Do not
feel guilty if you cannot afford expensive treatment; there are many
people
who cannot. It does not make you a 'bad' owner or one who loves
their pet any less.
What does my family think?
It is important to consider the feelings of other family members about
when it’s time to say goodbye. If there’s significant
disagreement within your household as to whether now’s the right time
to euthanize your pet, be open to the possibility that other family
members’ may have viewpoints worth considering. A family visit to
your veterinarian to discuss
your pet’s condition may help with disagreements. If a
veterinarian
has been caring for your pet, ask him how the animal’s condition will
progress and what you should expect to see as time goes on.
If extended treatments are helping your pet stay alive, ask yourself
this:
1. Are these treatments adding quantity of life without
adding quality?
2. Does the pleasure of living outweigh the pain?
3. Do the bad times outnumber the good?
By knowing when your pet’s condition will cause their suffering, and
answering these questions can help you reach a decision about your
pet’s future and you’ll be better able to determine when it’s time to
say goodbye. And by saying goodbye at the right time, you’ll
know
that you did everything you could to help your animal companion – and
that
when nothing more can be done, you will have given them the gift of a
painless
release.
Veterinarian Dr. Alice Villalobos, started Pawspice, a quality of life program
for terminal pets, and she has published a scoring system to help
determinethe quality of life for your pet. This is called The HHHHHMM
scale. The letters stand for: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene,
Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days than Bad.
Quality of Life
Scale: The HHHHHMM Scale
|
Pet caregivers can
use this Quality of Life Scale to determine
the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10. |
Score
|
Criterion
|
1-10
|
HURT - Adequate pain
control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the
scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary?
|
1-10
|
HUNGER - Is the pet
eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a
feeding tube?
|
1-10
|
HYDRATION - Is the
patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous
fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.
|
1-10
|
HYGIENE - The patient
should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid
pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.
|
1-10
|
HAPPINESS - Does the
pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to things around
him or her (family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious,
bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the family activities
and not be isolated? |
1-10
|
MOBILITY - Can the
patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or
mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a
walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel
euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal who has limited
mobility but is still alert and responsive can have a good quality of
life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.)
|
1-10
|
MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD
- When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be
compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible,
the caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to
be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and
painlessly, that is okay.
|
*TOTAL
*A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality
|
Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality
of Life
Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004, for Canine and Feline
Geriatric Oncology Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, by Blackwell
Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.
Where and when
In general, if people are having their pet euthanized at a
veterinarian's office, they prefer a time when the clinic is less busy,
perhaps at the end of the day. Choose a time of day which will allow
you to prepare yourself prior to the euthanasia, and have time for
yourself afterwards. Some
people prefer a Friday, so they can have the weekend to themselves;
others
think they may feel more lonely during the weekend and prefer the
beginning
of the week.
In some instances, you may have a choice as to where the euthanasia
will occur. Some veterinarians make housecalls, and will agree to
euthanize your pet at home. However, there are a number of things for
you to consider.
1. What will you do with your pet after euthanasia?
2. Will your pet require restraint so that the needle can be
carefully placed into a vein? In the veterinary hospital, the
staff is trained in gentle restraint procedures which allows for proper
administration of the euthanasia solution.
3. The veterinarian will most likely have to schedule the home
visit after regular office hours. Are you willing to pay for an
after-hours in-home visit?
4. Do you understand that often, as the pet is euthanized,
there will be an emptying of the bowels and bladder? In an
veterinary setting this is not a problem.
5. Understand that in the veterinary hospital most animals
are willing to accept that they are not in their own territory and they
become less defensive than they would be in their own home. This
realization
by the pet actually allows for easier handling of the pet in the
hospital
than the same handling as taking place in the pet's home.
6. Are you willing to have your pet sedated prior to
attempts to place the needle for euthanasia? Sometimes the
process
goes much more smoothly if sedation is given prior to the visit.
Sedation is a good topic to discuss with your veterinarian to lessen
any
stress on your pet prior to an in-hospital or in-home procedure.
How is the Procedure Performed?
The procedure itself is very fast. First a catheter or needle
will be inserted into a vein in your pet's front or back leg. If your
pet has been very sick, or has had many intravenous injections, it may
take a little time for the veterinarian to find the best location.
Pets
are almost always euthanized via an intravenous injection.
The
intravenous catheter serves several purposes. First, the
euthanasia
solution is painful if administered outside the vein. The
catheter
ensures clean access to the vein, even if the owner is holding the pet.
Some veterinarians may then inject a drug into the vein which
will
place the pet in a state of relaxation prior to the euthanasia
solution.
The actual drug used to perform the euthanasia is a very high
dose
of a barbiturate such as pentobarbitalis a concentrated solution of
pentobarbital,
this will also be injected into the vein. The euthanasia solution
is generally dyed a bright colour so that it cannot be mistaken for
anything
else. When the veterinarian is ready to administer the euthanasia
solution
the assistant will help hold your pet and put a slight amount of
pressure
on a vein.
Once the solution is injected the pet will take a slightly deeper
breath, then grow weak and finally lapse into what looks like a deep
sleep. This unconsciousness is then followed by respiratory and cardiac
arrest, death comes peacefully usually within 30 seconds. In some
instances, the time between the injection and the death of the pet may
be slightly longer. This is especially true if the pet has poor
circulation.
Observers generally describe it as a quick and peaceful death. In
reality, your pet will probably not close his eyes, sometimes the
animal
makes a gasping sound after the death, which is air being exhaled by
the
lungs. The muscles of the urinary bladder and the anus may relax, and
your
pet may void urine and stool. Involuntary contractions of muscles
may result in the pet appearing to gasp, or move a leg.
The owner is allowed to remain with the pet for final private
goodbyes. At the end of this time, after the last goodbyes and
caresses are completed, the owner simply exits the room when ready and
the veterinary staff take over.
No one is comfortable with death, especially your veterinarian and
veterinary staff who face death every day. It is perfectly normal
and acceptable to cry. This can be a very sad time and even
though the animal hospital staff might have to go through this all too
often, there really is no getting used to euthanizing a dog. The
veterinary staff has often formed a strong connection with many of the
pets in their care and often joins in the crying; so you really have no
need to pretend that you can handle it when inside you feel terrible.
Many people wish to take something back home with them to remind them
of their pet. It may be a lock of hair, a whisker, a clay imprint
of the pet's paw, or the pet's collar or nametag.
Should You be Present?
Many people wish to be present during their pet's euthanasia to say
good-bye, to prevent feeling guilty for 'abandoning' their pet, and to
know what the death was like so they will not wonder about it in the
future. Each individual, however, will need to decide for him or
herself
whether they want to be present during the euthanasia. Sometimes
friends
may encourage you one way or another, but it is ultimately your
decision,
and you need to do what is best for you.
You are not obligated to witness your pet’s euthanasia, this is a
very personal decision. On one hand, you probably do not want your pet
to be alone with strangers in the final moments but on the other hand
you may not be up to watching your pet’s death. While it is a
simple and quite, even peaceful procedure, there is no shame in keeping
his memory as he was in life. Some people feel as though they are
betraying
their pet by not following through to the end, and it simply doesn’t
have
to be that way. If you opt not to go in with your pet, the
veterinary
staff will be able to offer your pet absolutely everything he or she
will
need. There is no shame and there is no guilt necessary.
Whether children should be present during the euthanasia depends on the
age and maturity of the child, as well as other factors. Many
experts feel it is best if children under the age of 8 are not present
during the procedure, but can see and say good-bye to the pet before
and
after the euthanasia. If a child is to be present, it is vital
that
the child be counseled ahead of time by a child psychologist, or
another
trained professional so she knows what to expect. It is also
helpful
if the veterinarian or staff can talk with the child and explain what
will
happen and why. Parents need to be ready to provide support and
answer
any question the child may have.
Your options after pet loss
At some point, after the death of your pet, you
will have some decisions to make about what you would like to do with
the body of your pet. Your veterinary staff can advise you about
pet cemeteries, pet cremation, pet urns and pet memorials. There are
several options:
Individual Cremation:
Your veterinarian can arrange for individual cremation. This
option is more costly than group cremation. Often pet owners will
then bury the ashes, either at a pet cemetery or on their own property.
Group cremation:
In areas where land is
expensive, communal cremation is a sensible alternative. You may choose to have your pet
cremated with other pets. In this case, the ashes are generally not
returned.
Burial at home:
It is not uncommon for pet owners to bury their pets somewhere on their
own property, but you should check with your local council before
making such arrangements. Many people prefer this, but you
should consider the fact you may move to a different home in the future.
If you select a
pet memorial; these are usually crafted from stone. Some pet
memorials contain an area where you can place a picture of your pet, a
space for words of love for your pet along with her birth and death
date.
Cemetery Burial
Pet cemeteries are
becoming more common, especially in urban areas. People have been burying their
pets for hundreds of years. Many pet cemetaries are spacious,
with safeguards against the land being used for other purposes and with
funding to provide future grounds keeping. Many pet cemeteries
will cooperate with veterinary clinics, sending a representative to
handle details.
Communal Burial
This less costly option is offered by many pet cemeteries. Your pet's
dignity is in no way affected by burial with other animals. Communal
burial is a common choice.
In Memoriam
One way to soften the impact
of your pet's death is to make a donation in the animal's memory to a
worthy animal-related cause. Rescue organizations need financial
support to care for homeless pets.
Autopsy
In some instances, it may be important for you and your veterinarian to
know how your pet died. If the death was due to an infectious disease,
prevention measures may need to be taken with your other pets or
animals or people who may have had contact with your pet. People
may want to know if their pet died of a congenital or hereditary
problem, and breeders certainly would want to know this
information. Knowing what caused the death of a pet may help the
owner recover from the loss and relieve uncertainty.
Grieving
Grief is a natural part of loss and has predicable stages.
Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed about having strong feelings of loss and
sadness over a deceased pet. You don't need anyone's opinion,
approval or permission to mourn the death of a living creature that you
loved. Our pets
are beloved family members and their loss is keenly felt. Still,
it is important to realize that death is a natural end to life and that
love will always continue.
The First Stage: Denial
Denial is the initial response of many pet owners when confronted
with a pet's terminal condition or sudden death. This rejection seems
to be the mind's buffer against a sharp emotional blow.
The Second Stage: Bargaining
This stage is well documented in the human grieving process. Many
times, faced with impending death, an individual may "bargain" -
offering some sacrifice if the loved one is spared. People losing
a pet are less likely to bargain. Still, the hope that a pet
might recover
can foster reactions like, "If Rover recovers, I'll never skip his
regular
walk, never put him in a kennel when I go on vacation, never."
The Third Stage: Anger
Recognizing anger in the grief process is seldom a problem; dealing
with it often is. Anger can be obvious, as in hostility or
aggression. On the other hand, anger often turns inward, emerging
as guilt.
Many veterinarians have heard the classic anger response, "What
happened? I thought you had everything under control and now you've
killed my dog!" Another standard: "You never really cared about
Rover. He was just another fee to you, and I'm the one who has
lost my pet!" Such outbursts help relieve immediate frustrations,
though often at the expense of someone else. More commonly, pet owners
dwell on the past. The number of "If only " regrets is endless: "If
only I hadn't left the dog at my sister's house;" "If only I had taken
her to the vet a week ago." Whether true or false, such recriminations
and fears do little to relieve anger and are not constructive. Here
your veterinarian's support can be helpful.
The Fourth Stage: Grief
This is the stage of true sadness. The pet is gone, along with
the guilt and anger, and only an emptiness remains. It is now that the
support of family and friends is most important and, sadly, most
difficult to find. A lack of support prolongs the grief stage.
Therefore the pet owner may want to seek some help from the pet's
veterinarian or from a professional counselor. It is normal, and
should be acceptable, to display grief when a companion animal dies.
It is helpful, too, to recognize that other pet owners have
experienced similar strong feelings , and that you are not alone in
this feeling of grief.
How
You Feel Over The Loss of a Beloved Pet
Understand that all
these feelings and experiences are perfectly normal stages of the
grieving processs
|
1. Shock and disbelief
2. Inability to eat
or sleep
3. Uncontrollably
bursting into tears, particularly when prompted by certain memories
4. Guilt and anger
5. Emotional
isolationDepression and a sense of despair
6. Impulsive desire
to get a new dog to fill the gap left behind
|
Everyone experiences grief
differently. To help come to terms with grief some people
consider burying their pet in a special pet cemetery or on their own
property. This often helps pet owners resolve their grief by knowing
that their companion has a final resting place that they can visit if
you wish over the years.
If your pet was
cremated, take the ashes home with you for burial or keep the cremains
in a special place in your home or somewhere on your property.
Grief counselors recommend
that you not purchase another pet until you have fully resolved
grieving for your lost pet. Some people do this on impulse
because their lives seem so lonely without their pet. However,
you will most likely expect your new pet to take the place of your lost
pet; this is not fair to the animal, who has a "personality" all their
own. They deserve to be loved and appreciated for themselves, not
as a substitute.
Talk with friends and family
members who understand your grief for your companion pet. Allow them to
console and support you during this painful time in your life. Don't keep your grieving a secret;
while you don't need to be hysterical, talk about your sadness and how
much you loved and miss your pet. Repressed feelings always cause
trouble later on.
Comfort yourself by knowing
that you gave your pet a wonderful life and a peaceful death. You loved
your pet, and were loved by him in return. You were so lucky to have
found each other! Thank them for their unconditional love and for
sharing your world. Wait until the time is right before you get a new
pet.
How
To Cope With The Loss of a Beloved Pet
|
Have
a good cry whenever you need to. This is natures emotional safety
valve
Seek professional pet bereavement councelling if you feel you need it
Put away all the items that remind you of your dog. They will
just keep making you sad. The time will come in the future when
you can handle these things again with fond memories, as opposed to
agonizing pain
Book yourself a good holiday - preferably an activity one that will
keep you mentally or physically busy, leaving less time to brood
Don't waste time trying to explain or justify your grief to people who
are not animal orientated. Their indifference will only upset you
more
Continue to go out walking with favourite doggy friends. Often
the hardest part of losing a dog is telling other people about it, so
get this over with sooner rather than later. If you have good dog
walking friends they will comfort and support you, and tell everyone
else about your loss, making it easier for you
Don't rush impussively into getting another dog untill you have fully
completed the grieving process, and are ready to accept that any new
dog you get can never be exactly like the one you lost, and should
never be unfairly compared to him
Turn your grief into some positive preservation of your dogs memory by
making a donation to a canine charity in your dog's name |
*************************
