Pet Euthanasia: How to Know when It's Time to Say Goodbye
Euthanizing a Pet Could Well Be the Ultimate Act of Love
I think we all wish our pets could stay with us throughout our entire lives. How wonderful it would be to grow old with the dogs and cats from our childhood years! Nevertheless, the time comes when we must say goodbye to the pets we hold so dear. Euthanasia often plays a part in that farewell, because compassionate pet owners would never want their furry best friend to suffer. And when a pet is critically ill or injured, or their quality of life is greatly diminished by old age, euthanasia could well be the ultimate act of selfless love.
Letting them go is by no means easy, but it is sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your pet. The decision to euthanize is not made without great difficulty, however. I've had to make it three times, and have to say those are three of the most difficult decisions of my life thus far. It's doubly hard because most pet owners have no clear-cut guidelines to follow. We have no way to know with absolute certainty when it's time to let our cherished pets go quietly and humanely through euthanasia.
Our pets can't tell us how they feel in words we understand; they can't let us know whether they are in pain. In fact, many animal experts believe that sick pets seldom exhibit pain even though they may be extremely uncomfortable. Then too, how do we define what constitutes suffering? Should you keep your pet alive if you believe they aren't in pain, yet they have difficulty breathing and walking, and their quality of life is nowhere near what it used to be? At what point will your pet become unable to function normally? What medical interventions should you utilize to keep them with you, and where do you draw the line?
What I've learned over the years is that this invisible line is different for each one of us. There is no "one" right answer for everyone - there is only the right answer for you and your pet. Sometimes they become so acutely ill that the decision is made for you, before you've even had a chance to consider your options. One of my seemingly healthy cats underwent exploratory surgery after a routine vet exam revealed a lump. During the surgery, my vet discovered advanced stages of intestinal cancer; at that point, I knew in my heart euthanasia was the right choice.
Other times, we may wrestle daily with the decision. In fact, taking it day by day is a common approach. Many ill or aging pets have good days and bad days. On those days when they are acting chipper it's natural to want to believe that keeping them here a little longer is the right decision. If their good days outnumber the bad, perhaps now is not the time to think about euthanasia. You certainly don't want your pet to suffer needlessly, but you also don't want to wonder later if you "gave up" on them too soon.
The decision to euthanize or not is an extremely tough call, and one that unfortunately no one else can make for you. You should talk it over with family members, with your vet and with friends too if you so choose. You can also sit in a quiet place alone with your pet, look into their eyes and ask them what they want you to do. No, you won't hear them speak out loud, but if you have shared a close bond with your pet, I do believe you will "hear" them on another level. Ultimately, it comes down to becoming still and listening to what your heart is telling you. If you do that, you will know that whatever decision you make will be the right one, at the right time.
Published by Julia Williams
Writing was my "first crush," and over the years it's blossomed into a great love affair. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Journalism & Marketing and worked as an ad copywriter for 8 years before decid... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI agree with Linda, you can totally see it in their eyes. Some of the toughest decisions we've had to make was with two of our dogs. One had advance stage cancer and the other had a stroke. Six months between the two deaths but they both lived long lives for big dogs, 13 and 14 years. As hard as it was, we knew it was the right thing.
I do believe that if you have a close bond with your pets, you know it's time because you can see it in their eyes. They will tell you it's time to let them go. Making the decision to put your buddy down is heart breaking as any pet owner knows. We had taken in a dog that was a year old. She had been taken from an abusive home and was such a sweetheart. She had never been given a name so we named her Angel because she was an angel. We had her for about 2 years when we discovered a lump. Just a small one, but the cancer had spread so fast that by the time we found the lump, it was too late to do anything for her. We brought her back home and agonized over what we knew we were going to have to do. She had four months with good days and bad and finally she begin crying everytime she moved. The time had come. It seemed so unfair that this beautiful, loving dog had to suffer abuse and then a fast growing cancer in her short life.
I lost a feline friend to intestinal cancer a few weeks ago... He was the sweetest, bravest kitty ever... I hoped against hope that he would pass peacefully in his sleep, but his heart was strong and the tumor aggressive--a bad combination when you are dying of something nasty--and at some point there was only pain in his life. Euthanasia was the only answer. We helped him die with dignity, but although I know it was the right thing to do, I still hurt at the memory of his little body going limp seconds after the doctor injected him. Your article made me cry, but they are cathartic tears, and I thank you for being so kind in dealing with this painful subject.
I have told Abby many many times that when I know that she is in pain I will not let her suffer, she has been a good dog. There are people I would not mind letting suffer, but I won't let Abby suffer. At 11 1/2 I know the years are getting fewer and fewer. With the condition my father is in right now, total care - no longer in his own place - he wishes he could be done with this earth and I don't blame him. Now that you got me to your article and to the tears, it's time to go blow my nose.
This is a beautifully written article that obviously came right from your heart, Julia. I could feel the love you have had for your pets over the years and I also know the terrible sadness that comes when a beloved pet dies. My 4-year-old cat died suddenly and without warning last year. As far as my husband and I knew, there was nothing wrong with our cat. He seemed healthy enough. I've not had to face the prospect of euthanasia yet. But I know that when I do, it will be incredibly hard to let go of my two remaining cats.
Sophie
A wonderful article about the horribly difficult decision of pet euthanasia.
Great advice Julia. A couple of years ago, when my 16 year old cat, Spike, fell ill, I at first thought nothing of it. When I brought him in to the vet, I was shocked by his advice: euthanasia. I called my then partner and told him the news and he told me to bring Spike home so he could see him one last time. The sadness hung over our household for days, and we had decided that he still seemed well enough not to do it, but we agreed to take him in when we both felt the time ws right. Spike lingered for about a month as we hoped we would not have to make that decision, but he would go on his own. He didn't, and when the time came, we both knew it. Such a hard decision at the time, but in hindsight it was humane!
You have most certainly wrote an article that all pet owners need to read. One of our cats died last year. It was sad but we didn't have to make this choice you wrote about. He died on his own before the vet visit. I agree sometimes you just need one on one time with your precious companions to hear what they are trying to tell you. Great thought provoking article.