When Is It Time? - Making The Difficult Decision

Making The Difficult Decision

How can we make that difficult decision to end the life of a pet whom we have loved and nurtured, played with and lived with? The pet may have been with us for a short time or for many years. It may protect us, serve us, or just be there when we need something to cuddle.

Our domestic pets have maintained many of their wild instincts. One of the most important instincts, however, is to mask pain and illness. Many pet owners advised that their pet is suffering from a serious disease, comment "But he's not acting very sick", what happens to a wild dog or cat who "acts sick"? Invariably, they are killed by other animals, sometimes even by members of their own pack.

When we have to make that final decision we feel guilty, we are torn by feelings of helplessness, guilt, anger and sometimes the misguided notion that we owe it to the pet to keep it alive at all costs. How can I tell my veterinarian to give my pet an injection that will kill it?

When a pet becomes ill or is seriously injured, we must make a decision based on several factors. We must set realistic limits which include emotional expense to the family, physical costs to the pet, and many times, unfortunately, financial cost. It is best for the family members, or the single owner, to sit down with all the facts in front of them and, as rationally as possible, set those limits. This is the fairest thing pet owners can do for the pet and for themselves.

So, we come to that difficult decision making time, we have to decide what is best for the pet, regardless of the decision, we face the possibility of feeling guilty because we made the wrong one. We feel guilty if we elect to have our pet euthanized. We feel guilty if we choose treatment and it is unsuccessful. We should put ourselves in our pet's position. "What would I want done if I were in this situation"? If an owner, after evaluating all the available information, decides euthanasia is necessary, he or she must tell the veterinarian. In those cases, the owner must realize that sometimes we have to love our pets enough to let them go.

The Five Main Criteria For Euthanasia

Can your pet walk on it's own and how much pain does it suffer when walking?

How are its sight and hearing and what is the prospect that these problems can be reversed?

Is there irreversible organ damage, i.e., heart, kidney, liver, or brain damage?

Is there any humane veterinary treatment available?

Is incontinence through urinary or bowel control a problem?

The final decision must be made by all members of the family, you may have to overcome your feeling of love for the pet and consider what is the fairest for him. Do not let your emotions override the fact that your pet may be leading to a painful, suffering life.