Every day I get asked, “Will we know when it is time?” Everybody wants their beloved pets with them just as long as they can. Dealing with death is tough for a culture that keeps it at arm’s length and shields us from the reality of it. Our loved ones often spend their final days in a hospital, and when the time comes, their body is prepared for the funeral to look like they are comfortably reclining in their coffin. So, because the imposed distance from death, we as a culture are uncomfortable with the process of dying and having to make decisions about it.
Pets have short life spans and pet lovers have to suffer many losses throughout our longer lives. When it comes time for a dog or cat to leave us, it can provoke just as much grief as losing a loved one on the human side. When an animal is older, arthritic, and senile the decision is a bit easier to make than when an animal is younger and has an incurable condition. However, the decision is always difficult and people always want to make sure that they are doing the right thing. With tears in their eyes, they look at me and say things like, “why does this happen?” or “Do you think it is time?”
The answer to the first question always seems inadequate, which is that life here is temporary and accidents, illnesses, and defective body parts lead to death. To answer the second question is never easy for me. I take a close look at the patient and lab tests for signs that indicate moderate to severe pain, extreme weight loss, irreversible organ failure, or cancer. The first thing I need to know is how he or she acts at home and how the appetite is. I ask questions like, “Does he or she eat well?” “Does he or she know you and act happy to see you?” The last two questions can even over-rule the lab tests and signs of pain or weight loss. Then I ask the owners.”What you think is very important” “Is your pet’s quality of life good?”If the dog or cat is living a happy life, to the best of its ability, then I recommend waiting. If the owners think that their dog or cat is not happy, is really painful, or has conditions that are impossible to deal with, then we may elect euthanasia.
Euthanasia itself is an intravenous injection of an overdose of anesthetic that stops the heart. A sedative may be used to decrease the animal’s anxiety over being at the vets and seeing his or her owners so upset. When the dog or cat is sedated from the injection of tranquilizers, an injection is given to stop his or her heart. This is a peaceful moment for an animal that has been suffering. I always tell my clients to remember what a good life they gave their pet, better than most people in our world have a chance to live. I will remember each and every personality of the pets I have lost and how they all have enriched my life and helped me understand more about my 4 legged friends.
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About the author:
I love animals and their bond with us. My new book Dog Dish Diet: Sensible Nutrition for Your Dog's Health is out and available on my website (http://dogdishdiet.com ). I have been an animal lover my whole life. As a teenager, I worked at a pet sh...
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