Your dog contributes so much to your life that it can be hard to consider his death, and even harder to contemplate euthanasia. Not surprisingly, most people wish their ill or geriatric pets would just slip away in their sleep. Unfortunately, this is seldom how it works out.
Your veterinarian can help you when you’re forced to decide whether to euthanize a pet who faces a terminal illness or injury—or when to do so.
Ask about the prognosis for relief or recovery, how long you can reasonably expect your dog to live, and whether your dog’s quality of life will improve or worsen. You need to decide: Is my dog suffering so much that his life is not enjoyable?
A painful, personal choice
If you do choose euthanasia, your pet will not suffer during the procedure. He will receive a relatively painless injection and slip away peacefully in a matter of seconds. Some veterinarians will come to your home to perform the procedure so your pet can be in comfortable, familiar surroundings.
You may choose to be present at the euthanasia or want to see your pet after he dies. Pet owners who choose to attend generally see the peaceful end to their pet’s life as a positive step toward closure. Other people find this experience too painful.
If you decide to attend your pet’s euthanasia, it’s important that you know what to expect so you don’t face any surprises. For example, in some dogs when the injection causes the body to relax, air passes from the lungs and urine escapes from the bladder. These dogs aren’t aware that anything happened; by this time they’ve slipped quietly away.
Some pet owners also find it unsettling that their dogs’ eyes don’t close when they die. Before you decide to attend, ask your veterinarian to explain the euthanasia process thoroughly so you’re not caught off guard.
Many pet owners decide that a peaceful, dignified death is the best gift they can give their suffering pets, but it can be very difficult to let go. In the end, you need to do what feels right to you and what you believe is best for your faithful companion.
Euthanizing a healthy dog
Euthanasia of a healthy pet may be warranted in a few unusual situations, such as when an aggressive dog poses a risk to family members even after the owners made every effort to modify his behavior. But with other, less serious behavior problems, the solution lies with training. As a responsible pet owner, it’s your job to teach your dog appropriate social behaviors and try to prevent fearful or assertive tendencies in your pet.
If behavior problems surface despite your preventive efforts, work with your veterinarian to find solutions. He or she can steer you to behavior resources, including behavior classes, professional trainers, behavior specialists, and even drug therapies for your pet. And if you still can’t resolve the problem, your veterinarian may be able to help you place your pet with a new family if it’s appropriate.
If you can no longer keep your dog because you’re relocating or you face a serious illness and can’t care for your pet, your veterinarian may be able to help you find a new home for him. A friend or relative also may be willing to keep your dog, especially if you offer to pay for his food and medical care.
