Domestic pets are often loved and cherished and the decision to end an animals suffering is one of the hardest decisions many pet owners have to face. In fact is it is in some cases so traumatic that some owners refuse to face it again and deny themselves the pleasure of a pet.
However many people do not know how this procedure is carried out or what options they have. For instance, some vets will perform it in the dogs home. Knowing what the options are may help you make the decision whether or not to be there. It is comforting for some pet owners to hold their animal whilst it is happening and most vets are sympathetic to this wish.
The procedure
If the animal is conscious they often have a mild sedative first so they are not aware of what is about to happen. Many vets give an indwelling catheter so that the euthanasia solution acts very fast. The solution itself is often a barbiturate usually a general anaesthetic. However it is stronger than normal not only does it cause a loss of consciousness it has to be strong enough to have cause a suppression of breathing and a slowing of cardiac functions. It is important to remember that the pet is never aware of this process. When people watch it occur, it is not always obvious that the pet has ceased to breathe and often the vet has to listen with a stethoscope. It is reported that some animals have a last gasp but it must be stressed that this is a muscular contraction and not an expression of any feeling.
If you choose to watch the process and be with your pet in the lasts moments you will be amazed at how quickly it happens. You may not even be aware of it until the pet’s muscles relax totally in death and it defecates and urinates. This is normal and no different to humans. Some animals twitch afterwards but this is also a normal release of chemicals in the nerve endings. The animal is not aware of a biological process.
Don’t forget it is not the vets favourite job to put down animals either and it is always done with the least available trauma to animals. Not everyone can be with his or her animal but for some it is the final dignity that they can give to their pet.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:31 am
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