Making the Call

If you are lucky, you will enjoy many, many years of love, fun and companionship from your dog. But there comes a time in almost every pet owner’s life when they need to deal with the death of that pet. Sometimes those deaths occur through accidents or bad luck, but often, the time of death is determined by the owner, through euthanasia or having your dog put to sleep.

Making that decision is one of the toughest you will have to go through, particularly as the grief process that follows has been compared to losing a close relative. Yet ending sickness, pain and suffering is perhaps the most welcome gift we can give a dearly loved pet.

What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia is humane and virtually painless. Generally, a concentrated version of a specific anaesthetic is injected into a vein in one your dog’s front legs. Death occurs very quickly (within seconds) and very peacefully as the heart stops, the blood pressure drops, your dog stops breathing and circulation to the brain ceases. Some people like to give their pet one last favourite treat as the solution is injected to ensure their last seconds are extra-happy.

Immediately after the injection, the body becomes limp and unresponsive, and occasionally loss of bodily functions occurs, which can be disturbing. However, you should know that your friend is finally free from suffering.

When should your dog be put to sleep?

Although a professional veterinary opinion is always advised, it is kind to euthanize a pet when his or her life is a misery. Chronic arthritis, serious liver, heart or lung disease, and cancer can all cause this. The key is to consider your dog’s quality of life. You are better placed than anyone to judge the extent to which that has been affected, but in general terms signs to look for include:

•    Inability to sleep, drink and eat comfortably;
•    Cries of pain when trying to get up;
•    Loss of bladder/bowel-control;
•    Inability to walk for more than a few steps;
•    Loss of recognition of you and your family.

Treatment may be possible in some instances, but this is likely to be expensive and may not greatly prolong your dog’s life or, more importantly, enhance the quality of that life.

What are my options?

Euthanasia is generally carried out at the veterinary surgery. However, some vets carry out home visits especially for this task. Afterwards, you have the option of leaving your dog at the vet’s or taking the body home for burial (check council regulations to make sure you can bury your pet in your yard).

You also have the option of having your dog buried or cremated by a commercial operator. This will be necessary if you wish to receive your pet’s ashes after cremation. Speak to your vet beforehand so you are both clear about which option you will be taking.

Although euthanasia is a tough decision, ensuring your dog ends his life with dignity and surrounded by all the love you and your family can give, it is surely the kindest option.

Images by Megan Lorenz, San Pedro ’64 and [ jon ]