Euthanasia
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What do you think of euthanasia when is comes to your pet suffering? Would you take this decission in order to relieve your loved animal, or would you wait till s/he dies naturally (but in pain)?
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I had to put both my cats to sleep since they suffered from kidney failure. The choice was easy. Either I did that or their kidneys would fully stop working and they'd poison themselves and die a slow, painful death. If you want to do that, you're not worth having an animal in my opinion. This also goes for human beings btw. Once you've seen your loved ones suffer from pain, you know what I mean.
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I have worked in the veterinarian field for 25 yrs. Let me say when it comes time to part ways with one of our best animal friends it is never an easy decision. I for the most know that my pet has given me and my family unconditional love and that I as a pet owner when the time comes to make a decision for my pet I will forever make the RIGHT decision, never easy, but I believe that we should not let our pets suffer, and so many people just think they will lay down and die, doesn't happen very often!! We must help them if they are suffering, in pain and have no quality of life left. I have had many pets and only one was not my decision and I think that was the hardest of all my loss! Euthanasia is a hard decision but I believe in quality of life over quantity. We owe our animal friends whatever we can do for them and not let it get to the point that they are existing just for us. The Rainbow Bridge is a wonderful poem and when you make this decision it makes you cry but how well it is written. Be kind to your pets and make the right decisions for THEM!
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Berner1:
I have worked in the veterinarian field for 25 yrs. Let me say when it comes time to part ways with one of our best animal friends it is never an easy decision. I for the most know that my pet has given me and my family unconditional love and that I as a pet owner when the time comes to make a decision for my pet I will forever make the RIGHT decision, never easy, but I believe that we should not let our pets suffer, and so many people just think they will lay down and die, doesn't happen very often!! We must help them if they are suffering, in pain and have no quality of life left. I have had many pets and only one was not my decision and I think that was the hardest of all my loss! Euthanasia is a hard decision but I believe in quality of life over quantity. We owe our animal friends whatever we can do for them and not let it get to the point that they are existing just for us. The Rainbow Bridge is a wonderful poem and when you make this decision it makes you cry but how well it is written. Be kind to your pets and make the right decisions for THEM!
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I work in a pro-life pet rescue shelter, where our policy is not euthanase healthy animals. None of this 8 days and your time is up crap, we will keep them with us until they are rehomed. Sometimes, though, an animal will come to us that is ill with an incurable condition (I don't mean just kennel cough, or cat flu, think more like cancer or FIV), and then we know that the kindest thing to do is let them go. Other times, we rescue breeding dogs from puppy farms (do NOT get me started on puppy farms!!) only to find that the bitches have advanced mammary cancer and there is nothing we can do for them. This PISSES me off, because not only are puppy farms barbaric and unnecessary, if mandatory desexing and registered breeders were LAW then we could prevent this from happening, and prevent thousands of healthy animals being PTS EVERY DAY!! I told you not to get me started.
Anyway, we rescue thousands of healthy, lovable cats and dogs every year, and we rehome every one of them. -
Rescuing a wonderful idea and I know of many animal rescues and in my state its 10 days, then they decide, so sad. Puppy Mills I am right up there with you don't get me started. Unfortunately where I live and have had contact with no kill shelters, there are some that if the animal is not adopted out at some point they have someone come in claim the animal and then have it euthanized so no all is what it seems in some cases. Humans are animals worse nightmares at time, if all pet owners just didn't get a pet for a gift or on a whim then maybe the animals would be better off. Owning a pet is a life long commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly, and pet owners at some point they will cost you money!!!!! Be responsible Spay and Neuter and if you can't take the responsibility of a pet then don't get one. How do you think Medical labs get there test animals, now there's another nightmare. I have seen and learned to much in my years with working with animals, but in the end I do what is right and never turn my back on one that needs help!!!
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In my experience of having my sweet loved ones, being dogs, who were too sick to make it any longer. I simply took care of them until I saw that they were not enjoying their life anymore. Either they could not eat or could not get up, as in one of them had stage 4 cancer. I did the best I could for them and spent the precious days/minutes with them until the time came. I then took them to the vet and stayed with each of them during the euthanasia. It is hard, but I try to stay strong and calm for them, until they are gone...then I cry like a little girl for days. Or longer. But I think it is the best thing to do if you really love your best friend. The Rainbow Bridge is a wonderful poem, but it is sad, yet comforting.
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Thanks for the answers, one more question though.. OK then, is there a difference between people and pet friends when it comes to the point the suffering becomes way too much..? If you had the chance, would you do it for a loved person too?
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Junk:
Thanks for the answers, one more question though.. OK then, is there a difference between people and pet friends when it comes to the point the suffering becomes way too much..? If you had the chance, would you do it for a loved person too?
Yes. My Dad was in a lot of pain during the final stages of his cancer. One of the last moments that he had a clear mind he told our doc that he wanted to end his life. He couldn't eat or drink anymore, he weighed 45 kgs. He didn't want active euth (where you get a shot or a pill) so he choose for the passive version, where they give you higher doses of morphine daily. When they put him on the morphine pump on Mon afternoon, they told us he'd probably die Thurs/Fri. However, his body was so weak, he fully gave over and he died early Tues morning. The way he wanted it plus with all his kids and his wife there. I still have to write down on paper when I do want treatment and when I don't and when I do and don't want euth. Luckily it's legal here!!!
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milcon1998:
Junk:
Thanks for the answers, one more question though.. OK then, is there a difference between people and pet friends when it comes to the point the suffering becomes way too much..? If you had the chance, would you do it for a loved person too?
Yes. My Dad was in a lot of pain during the final stages of his cancer. One of the last moments that he had a clear mind he told our doc that he wanted to end his life. He couldn't eat or drink anymore, he weighed 45 kgs. He didn't want active euth (where you get a shot or a pill) so he choose for the passive version, where they give you higher doses of morphine daily. When they put him on the morphine pump on Mon afternoon, they told us he'd probably die Thurs/Fri. However, his body was so weak, he fully gave over and he died early Tues morning. The way he wanted it plus with all his kids and his wife there. I still have to write down on paper when I do want treatment and when I don't and when I do and don't want euth. Luckily it's legal here!!!
milcon, I am sorry to hear of your Dad's death. My sympathies.
I have never been faced with being in a position to have to make such a decision about a human friend. I equate the suffering of a human and an animal equally...I know some of you might not understand that. But to get to my answer, yes I would go the euthanasia route for my human loved one as well as myself if the illness was terminal and pain and suffering were involved. But here it is not legal. USA. -
When it comes to this subject, I have mixed feelings. When a pet is suffering and obviously dying, euthanizing is the most humane decision. I have a problem with it being OK to euthanize animals, however, when they are not dying. There seems to be too many who use it to just get rid of an unwanted pet. This infuriates me and I don't know how a responsible vet would ever agree to putting down a dog or cat because "it's old and peeing everywhere", but some people I've known personally have done this very thing. This was not about the animal being in pain or suffering, it was about the human's needs. I'll never forget one time when I was sitting in the vet's office waiting to pick up a pet from a surgical procedure. A woman came in carrying a dog that she set down on the floor while she went to the counter. The dog walked around the waiting room, came over to me and greeted me and then nosed around patiently while she stood at the counter. Then when the receptionist asked to help her she said, "Yes, I want to have him put to sleep. He's getting old and going to the bathroom all over the house." The receptionist asked "Is having trouble eating or seem in pain?" Her answer was "well, no." Well, to me, this was unexceptable and I was outraged and, of course, I had to put my two cents worth in. I walked up to her and ask her why she was doing this to a dog that seemed healthy otherwise? First she just looked at me then said, "I don't think it's any of your business." Well, that told me all I needed to know. I looked at the receptionist and she just shook her head. The doc brought out my cat and all I had left to do was leave. But before I did, I told the woman, "It may not be my business, but would you like it if you got old and incontinent, and you probably will some day, and your kids are allowed to decide to put you to sleep because you're an inconvenience? I think you'll miss this dog and regret it if you do this. Also, they make doggie diapers and they work great because I've used them and believe it or not sometimes they have some psychological affect on the dog that retrains him to try to hold it. You might try that instead of just killing him first." And I walked out before I broke down. Maybe that was the wrong thing to do, but I always believe in using euthanasia as a last resort and NEVER just to get rid of an animal companion because they've become high maintenance in their old age. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I understand the necessity sometimes but it's just a sore spot with me, since we are on the subject. And also, I've heard some horror stories that there can be a great deal of pain involved sometimes in euthanizing, if it is not done properly and not only does your animal companion feel traumatized from being taken to the vet and layed on a cold, exam table in their declining condition but then it's last experience on Earth is a terrifying one. In that regard, I'd prefer to make them as comfortable as possible, if I can administer pain meds and love myself to a dying animal companion and allow it to pass away at home in it's own bed and surroundings but I realize that's not always possible. Just my feelings, thanks for letting me share them and vent some too. Cheers, L
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Thank you for your post, letitbehumane, I've similar feelings - to help a loved one (animal or human) die in less or no pain is one thing, but to put them to sleep just because they're old....
