Our culture has evolved to embrace the human-animal bond with love and respect. Our pets are members of the family, and many of us describe ourselves as pet parents. Because of advances in veterinary medicine and preventive care, as well as the migration of pets from the backyard to the house and even into our bedrooms, pets are living longer and in closer relationships with humans than ever before.
The longer the relationship, the stronger the bond. The stronger the bond, the more challenging it is to consider the end of a pet’s life, including the difficult decisions around euthanasia. Although it is heart-breaking to think about the fact that our pets’ lives are generally shorter than our own, thinking about your their eventual need for euthanasia and making a plan ahead of time will relieve much of the stress associated with decisions made when the end-of-life is near.
How will I know when euthanasia is the most appropriate and humane option for my pet?
Open and honest communication with your veterinarian and veterinary healthcare team throughout your pet’s life lays the foundation for effective communication when that pet’s life begins to draw to a close. At some point, most pets will develop a life-limiting disease (such as organ failure or cancer). As soon as such a diagnosis is made, it is time to begin measuring the pet’s quality of life.
Quality of life is a fairly subjective concept. Some doctors use their own ways of determining a pet’s quality of life, while others use various scales to help identify trends over time, including declining quality over days and weeks. Your veterinarian will be better equipped to help you identify the right time for euthanasia if you keep him or her informed about the day-to-day details of your pet’s life at home. Discussion with your veterinarian will clarify any specific medical implications of your pet’s disease that can serve as benchmarks to suggest that euthanasia should be considered.
Questions that should be asked and answered as the time for euthanasia approaches include:
- What disease signs and symptoms will I see that will let me know it is time for euthanasia?
- What day-to-day activities will disappear from my pet’s routine?
- How will I measure day-to-day quality of life?
- How often will I measure quality of life?
- How often will I discuss quality of life trends with my veterinary healthcare team?
- Which categories on the quality of life scale will be the most important for my pet?
My spiritual beliefs prevent me from actively or willingly ending an animal’s life. Because I will not consent to euthanasia, how can a discussion of euthanasia benefit my pet and me?
In this scenario, speaking with your veterinarian about your pet’s approaching end of life is even more important. It is certainly possible to honor spiritual beliefs that prevent euthanasia while still providing and delivering appropriate pain management and comfort care. In this case, your veterinary healthcare team may need to be a bit more involved in measuring quality of life trends to prevent your pet from suffering unnecessarily.
Where will euthanasia happen?
Most often, euthanasia is provided at your veterinary practice. If you choose euthanasia at home, your primary care veterinarian may be able to provide that service. Veterinary professionals can help you, your family, and your pet to be quite comfortable during this challenging time.
What should I consider or plan for regarding what will happen after my pet’s passing?
There are a number of questions that should be asked and answered in preparation for the approaching death of your pet. Some examples include:
- How will my pet’s body be handled after death?
- Do I want my pet to be cremated or buried?
- Do I want to keep a memorial, such as a lock of hair or my pet’s footprint in clay?
- Do I want to have my pet’s cremains returned in a keepsake such as an urn or jewelry?
- How will my pet’s body be transported after death?
- What should I do if my pet dies on his or her own?
By having a detailed plan in place ahead of time, you may feel a sense of quiet or peace that will allow you to focus on the remaining time you and your pet will share.
Your veterinary healthcare team will be an important partner as you negotiate the difficult days and decisions leading up to your pet’s death. It is important to communicate your wishes clearly so that they can be honored appropriately. A bit of planning can make this challenging event a little less painful.
© Copyright 2019 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.
