Saying Goodbye
There is almost no other time in your life and the life of your pet more difficult in every respect than during the last moments of living. Regardless of how much preparation, whether you have had substantial time or not, the decision to euthanize your precious friend will not be easy. Throughout the entire life of your pet you have been watchful and concerned about quality of life; at this crisis moment or transition period, quality and dignity of life become prominent concerns again.
Quality and dignity can only be achieved if you work as a team member with your veterinarian and their staff. It is vitally important that your concerns and wishes are honored at this time and that you are allowed ample and accurate information to make all of the vital decisions that will be ahead. The entire veterinary health care team can be integral in assisting you during this time by providing information, as well as a listening and understanding ear. It is important to remember that you have options available to you during this difficult time that include not only the process of euthanasia, but alternatively, hospice care assisted by your veterinary health care team such that pain and suffering are alleviated until natural death occurs.
Euthanasia is the medical procedure of alleviating pain and suffering by administering drugs in the vein to stop the heart permanently and allow for a painless death. Every veterinary health care team performs euthanasia a bit differently, yet these different processes have many similarities. It is always important for you to remember that you are the ultimate decision maker, and that even at this time you have control of the decision making process, as well as the ability to guide and select options for this final step in the care of your precious pet.
Perhaps the most often asked question is, "When will I know it is time?" The actual "time" that euthanasia is performed is a very personal decision. At this time it is important to remember that there is no one correct decision, however there is a decision that will be right for you. There are many issues to take into account during this time of deep decision-making. Some issues you may want to consider when making this decision include, but are not limited to your pet's quality of life, the cost of continued care, the time you must invest to care for your pet during this illness, and your desires for the kind of life you want your pet to live. Quality of life is a subjective assessment, but it can be judged in part by accounting for things such as appetite, activity and energy level, grooming habits, and attention to daily rituals such as sleeping in favorite places. It is often very helpful for you to keep some sort of written or conscious record of your pet's home "lifestyle."You may want to ask yourself questions such as:
"Do the good days and times out number the bad?" "Is my pet able to do the things that in the past have made him/her happy?" "How does my pet's day differ now compared to days before he or she was sick?"
The euthanasia decision can profoundly affect your memories and actions, for months to years. During this time of assessment, decision making, and then action, it is important to realize that your pet's veterinary health care team is willing and able to be an advocate for you and your pet's, as well as a vital support system for you and any involved family and friends.
The first step of becoming comfortable with euthanasia is to realize that you can personalize this time to meet the needs of you, your family and most importantly your precious pet. This is best done by advanced planning whenever possible. Before the time of euthanasia, you may want to consider the following: If comfortable for you and your pet, you may wish to spend some special time, doing some of those special habits or rituals that have held meaning to you during the lifetime of your pet. This may be something as simple as allowing your pet to bask in the sun in a favorite place, or on your lap as you read the paper. It is important that children not be "sheltered" from this important decision-making process and time. Many studies have shown that excluding children or making up stories (e.g., "Fluffy ran away") is destructive in the long run. It is also important for parents to appreciate the ability to comprehend the concepts of death and euthanasia at different ages. You may wish to take pictures, clip hair or make paw imprints on paper or in clay as a lasting memorial. You may find it easier to discuss body care (cremation, burial, disposal, etc.) prior to euthanasia.
About once a decision has been made
Many people decide they want to be present at the time of euthanasia, whereas others do not. Regardless of which path is chosen, the family needs to have an understanding of what will transpire. Every hospital performs euthanasia differently. The following is just one of many examples.
A quiet time and place is selected so that the veterinary health care team, you and your family and friends can be involved. You should be comfortable stating how you would like this process to proceed. A member of the veterinary health care team will describe the euthanasia process while other members of the team place a catheter in the vein. Euthanasia is the process of injecting an anesthetic agent into a catheter that is kindly pre-placed in the vein so that anesthetic agents can be injected until unconsciousness occurs, and the heart stops forever. Although this may sound very frightening, it is almost always accomplished in a tender, gentle manner with no pain, suffering or struggle. You may wish to spend some time alone with your special friend before and after euthanasia. While euthanasia can be performed with many drugs, veterinarians are most comfortable with combination euthanasia solutions whereas others prefer using the anesthetic agents thiopental, followed immediately by pentobarbital. These medicines cause a smooth transition to a state of total relaxation, sleep and then death within seconds to minutes. As your pet comes to this loss of consciousness he or she may take a breath or slight movement in those last seconds.
After your pet has passed away, it is normal to expect some loss of bladder and bowel control and for the eyes to stay open.
Grief is a normal manifestation of loss regardless if the beloved friend is a person or a pet. There are many ways for you to work through the grief process. You should be aware that the loss of an animal, like the loss of a family member or friend, could cause physical and emotional changes that can last for weeks or months. You may wish to contact pet loss support groups, pet loss hotlines or local specialists who are knowledgeable about loss and receptive to helping people who have lost a beloved pet.
Resources for support:
Toll free Staffed by veterinary students University of California-Davis Pet Loss
staffed by Cornell University veterinary students
Changes: The Support for People and Pets Program-Colorado State University
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