When is it Time to Say Goodbye?
How do I know when it is time?
Perhaps the kindest thing you can do for a pet that is so sick or
so severely injured that he or she will never recover normal health
is to have your veterinarian induce its death quietly and humanely
through euthanasia. Your decision to have your pet euthanized is a
serious one, seldom easy to make.
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What should I do?
Your relationship with your pet is special, and you are responsible for its care
and welfare. Eventually, many owners are faced with making life or death
decisions for their pets. Such a decision may become necessary for the welfare
of the animal and for you and your family.
A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you
will ever make regarding your pet. Your decision is a personal one, but it need
not be a solitary one. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can assist
and support you. Consider not only what is best for your pet, but also what is
best for you and your family. Quality of life is important for pets and people
alike.
Questions to Ask Yourself About Your pets Quality of
Life.
How will I know when?
If your pet can no longer do with you and your family the things he or she
once enjoyed, if your pet cannot respond to you in the usual ways, or if there
is more pain than pleasure in his or her life, you may need to consider
euthanasia. Likewise, if your pet is terminally ill or critically injured, or if
the financial or emotional cost of treatment is beyond your means, euthanasia
may be a valid option.
What if Your Pet Has a Terminal Illness?
Your veterinarian understands attachment to pets, and can examine and evaluate
your pet's condition, estimate your pet's chances for recovery, and discuss
potential disabilities and long-term problems. He or she can explain the medical
options and possible outcomes. Because your veterinarian cannot make the
euthanasia decision for you, it is important that you fully understand your
pet's condition. If there is any part of the diagnosis or the implications for
your pet's future that you don't understand, ask to have it explained again.
Rarely will the situation require an immediate decision.
As you make your decision, you may wish to discuss the care of the remains of
your pet's body with your family and veterinarian. You have several options, and
your veterinarian can provide information about burial, cremation, or other
alternatives.
What if the animal is healthy?
Euthanasia might be necessary if a pet has become vicious, dangerous, or
unmanageable. However, some undesirable and abnormal behavior can be changed.
Economic, emotional, and space limitations or changes in lifestyle also may
force an owner to consider euthanasia of a pet, but it is better to find another
solution or an alternative home for these pets. Euthanasia should be considered
only when another alternative is not available.
How do I tell my family?
Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you
should review with them the information you have received from your
veterinarian. Long-term medical care can be a burden that you and your family
may be unable to bear emotionally or financially, and this should be discussed
openly and honestly. Encourage family members to express their thoughts and
feelings. Even if you have reached a decision, it is important that family
members, especially children, have their feelings considered.
Children have special relationships with their pets. Excluding or protecting
children from this decision-making process, because they are thought to be too
young to understand, may only complicate their grieving. Children respect
straightforward, truthful, and simple answers. If they are prepared adequately,
children usually are able to accept a pet's death.
Also see Grief within the Family and
Child Grief and
Supporting Pets That Have Lost a Friend.
Will it be painless?
Euthanasia is almost always accomplished by injection of a death-inducing drug.
Your veterinarian may administer a tranquilizer first to relax your pet.
Following the death-inducing injection, your pet will immediately go into a
quiet and irreversible deep unconsciousness. Death will come quickly and
painlessly.
How can I say goodbye?
The act of saying goodbye is an important step in managing the natural and
healthy feelings of grief, sorrow, and sense of loss. Your pet is an
important part of your life and it is natural to feel you are losing a
friend - for you are.
Once the decision for euthanasia has been made, you and other family members
may want to say goodbye to your pet. A last evening with your pet at home or
a visit to the pet at the hospital may be appropriate. Family members who
want to be alone with the animal should be allowed to do so. Farewells are
always difficult.
How can I face the loss?
After your pet has died, it is natural and normal to feel grief and sorrow. The
forgiving process includes accepting the reality of you loss, accepting that the
loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that
no longer includes your pet.
There are many signs of grief, but not everyone experiences them all, or in the
same order. Even before death has occurred, you reaction may be to deny your pet
is sick or injured when you learn the extent of your pet's illness or injuries.
Anger may follow denial. This anger can be directed toward people you normally
love and respect, including your family and veterinarian. People will often say
things that they do not really mean, perhaps hurting those whom they do not mean
to hurt. You may blame yourself or others for not recognizing the illness
earlier or for being careless and allowing the pet to be injured.
You also may feel guilt and depression. This is when you usually feel the
greatest sense of loss. The tears flow, there are knots in you stomach, and you
are drained of all your energy. Day-to-day tasks can seem impossible. Sometimes
you may even ask yourself if you can go on without your pet. The answer is yes,
but there are times when special assistance may be helpful.
Once you and your family come to terms with your feelings, you can begin to
resolve and accept your pet's death. When you have reached resolution and
acceptance, the feelings of denial, anger, guilt, and depression may reappear.
If this does occur, the intensity of these feelings will be much less, and with
time, these feelings will be replaced with fond memories.
Although the signs of grief apply whether the loss is of a loving pet or a human
loved one, grieving is a personal process. Some people take longer than others
to come to terms with denial, anger, guilt, or depression. If you understand
that these are normal reactions, you will be better prepared to cope with your
own feelings and to help others face theirs. Family members should be reassured
that sorrow and grief are normal, natural responses to death. See the
Normal Grieving Process.
They may not understand
Often, well-meaning family and friends may not realize how important your pet
was to you or the intensity of your grief. Being honest with yourself and others
about how you feel is best. If despair mounts, talk to someone who will listen
about your pet and the illness and death.
I cannot forget
If you or a family member has great difficulty in accepting your pet's death and
cannot resolve feelings of grief and sorrow, you may want to discuss those
feelings with a person who is trained to understand the grieving process such as
a grief counselor, clergyman, social worker, physician, or psychologist. Your
veterinarian certainly understands the loving relationship you have lost and may
be able to direct you to community resources, such as a pet loss support group
or hotline. Talking about your loss will often help.
Should I get another pet?
The death of a pet can upset you emotionally, especially when euthanasia is
involved. Some people may feel they would never want another pet. A new pet may
help others get over the loss more quickly. Just as grief is a personal
experience, the decision of when, if ever, to bring a new pet into your home is
also a personal one. If a family member is having difficulty accepting the pet's
death, bringing a new pet into the home before that individual has resolved his
or her grief may imply that the life of the deceased pet was unworthy of the
grief that is still being felt. Family members should come to an agreement of
the appropriate time to acquire a new pet. Although you can never replace the
pet you lost you can get another one to share your life. Also see
Should I get another pet? and
When you are ready to get another pet.
Remembering your pet
The period from birth to old age is much more brief in pets then in people.
Death is part of the life cycle for all creatures. It cannot be avoided, but its
impact can be met with understanding and compassion. Try to recall the good
times you spent with you pet. By remembering the pleasure of those times, you
can realize your pet was worthy of your grief. You may also wish to establish a
memorial of some type in honor of your pet.
Last Edited: Oct 13, 2008 2:31 PM
