If it should be that I grow weak And pain should keep me from my sleep Then you must do what must be done For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand Don't let your grief than stay your hand For this day more than all the rest Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years What is to come can hold no fears You'd not want me to suffer so The time has come, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend And please stay with me 'til the end Hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see The kindness that you did for me Although my tail its last has waved From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve it must be you Who had this painful thing to do We've been so close, we two, these years Don't let your heart hold back it's tears
~Author Unknown
What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia literally translates to mean "easy death." It is frequently referred to as "putting an animal to sleep" or "putting an animal down." This is a very difficult decision for most people to make. It is common for the person or people making the decision of whether or not to euthanize to feel great conflict and guilt. We have created this page in the hopes that it will help you during the decision making process, as well as after. If you would like more information, or if you feel that you need more guidance than is offered here, please contact your veterinarian, as they can be very helpful at this difficult time. Knowing when is it time? There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not it is the appropriate time to euthanize a beloved pet. Sadly, when an animal is provided with a poor prognosis, the owner is forced to contemplate such realities as financial obligations, time constraints, and cure rates. It is often expensive and time-consuming to treat serious injured or a serious disease and their assessment is generally necessary. However, the most important factor to consider is always quality of life and because you know your pet better than anyone else, quality of life is a personal judgment. Below are some aspects of your animal's behavior that you can assess in order to determine his or her quality of life.
Pets should be able to eat, drink, and rest in relative comfort.
Animals should be able to do mild exercise, such as moving about from their bed to their feeding station.
Pets should continue to act interested in what is going on in the environment around them.
Pets should be able to control their urine and bowel movements (unless their disease affects these particular functions).
Animals should appear to be comfortable and free from constant pain.
With all chronic diseases, some days will seem better than others and it is normal to expect some ups and downs. As the owner, you must determine what is acceptable for your companion. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian. What should I expect? (This section describes what you may expect for the typical process of euthanasia. Please skip to the following section if you not ready or do not wish to read about this.) Euthanasia is very humane and is essentially painless for the patient. We offer many options to you regarding the procedure in order to make it as painless for you as possible, also. Our staff wishes to make sure that both you and your companion are ready for the procedure. Upon your arrival to the office, we will have you sign an "authorization for euthanasia" form. And do any paper work up front, this makes it easier for you after the procedure is finished. We will ask you to think about several questions, whether or not you prefer to remain with your pet while we perform the euthanasia. You can have all the time you need to give you time to say goodbye to your companion. Whenever possible, we will allow you to hold your animal while we perform the euthanasia. Some owners choose not to stay. If this is your choice, we offer you a couple of other options. You may go into an visitors room with your pet and take some time to say goodbye or you may turn your pet over to the receptionist. This is a very personal decision and there is no wrong answer. We will also ask you what you would prefer us to do with your pets remains. There are several options here as well. You may opt to take your pets body home with you. Another option is to have your pet cremated. Private cremation - ifyou wish to receive your animal's ashes back. If you do not want the ashes back, we will do a communal cremation. If you would like more information on any of these options, please do not hesitate to ask. Euthanasia is performed by a veterinarian. The staff will take your companion to the inpatient area to have a technician set an intravenous catheter. This allows you to hold your pet (rather than a technician) and makes the procedure go more smoothly. The actual euthanasia itself generally consists of an intravenous injection of an overdose of an anesthetic. In most cases, the solution works very rapidly and the pet simply falls asleep. In rare instances, there may be a brief stage of hyperactivity or vocalization as the animal loses consciousness. Although alarming to the owner, this response does not indicate pain. Within seconds of the injection, the heart will slow and then stop, causing blood pressure to decrease, breathing to stop, and finally, brain function to cease. The process happens swiftly and your pet will die peacefully. Often, in the seconds following death, there may be involuntary muscle contractions or respiratory inhalations, as well as loss of urinary and bowel control. Again, these are not indications of pain or consciousness and are normal functions of the body following death. If you have chosen to stay with your companion, we will allow you the time that you need to say your final goodbye. A doctor or technician may come in to check on you but please feel free to stay as long as you need to and to leave whenever you wish. Please visit our coping with pet losspage for information on pet loss support for yourself, your family, and your remaining animal companions. Another difficult decision may be whether or not to allow children to be present for euthanasia. This is a personal decision which only you, as a parent, can make. Depending on the age of your child, you may want to offer him or her, the option of being present. You might also consider allowing the child into the room only after the euthanasia has been performed so that he or she can say a final goodbye. Often, seeing the animal after it is dead allows for a sense of closure. All children are different and, unfortunately, there is no one correct answer to this question.
As a dedicated team our priority is to provide professional, compassionate, and innovative emergency care for you and your pet.
