Dr. Gladstein says, "If your animal is in pain, then it becomes much more of an immediate issue, and letting them die naturally is really cruel and unusual punishment. We're really privileged in the animal community to be able to euthanize [and relieve animals of suffering]."
Animal hospice principles do not accept a pet owner's decision to allow a pet to die without effective palliative measures while under the care of a licensed veterinarian. If pain and suffering cannot be relieved by other means, withholding palliative sedation or euthanasia is considered unethical and inhumane.
A veterinarian may recommend euthanasia, which is a humane death, when other options to reduce pain and distress are no longer helpful. Euthanasia may be recommended when you least expect it, such as if your pet is diagnosed with a terminal illness or if they've been in a debilitating accident.
Is animal euthanasia ever justified? As with humans, the only time animal euthanasia is justified is if the animal is suffering as the result of a debilitating disease with little hope of full recovery.
As the solution is injected, the animal loses consciousness and within minutes the heart and lungs stop functioning. Since the pet is not conscious, they do not feel anything. Most times, the animal passes away so smoothly, that it is difficult to tell until the veterinarian listens for absence of a heartbeat.
So, do I cry during a euthanasia? Yes, sometimes this vet cries. I do not apologise for crying and I tell my clients they do not need to apologise for crying. We love our pets.
The heart and lungs will stop functioning within minutes after injecting the euthanasia solution, so dogs generally won't feel pain because they are unconscious. They may react to the procedure by having muscle spasms or crying out due to underlying sickness, yet the whole process is quick, simple, and painless.
She said: “In some cases, they may recommend that euthanasia is in the best interests of an animal if their quality of life is low, or if a treatment option may cause them a lot of pain and suffering or carry low chances of success. These are very difficult conversations, which take an emotional toll on all involved.”
It may take a minute or two for the heart to stop. The doctor will listen carefully to your pet's heart to ensure it has stopped before pronouncing him or her gone. After that, there is no danger of your pet waking up. This is a very common fear for pet owners.
Some owners assume vets must administer a lethal injection to their pet on request. But vets are free to conscientiously decline “inappropriate euthanasias”.
Your vet will always make sure your pet isn't scared, nervous, or unsettled during euthanasia by using as much sedative medication as is necessary to help them relax. Euthanasia is as humane as any medical procedure available to pets today.
Factors like aging and death are beyond human control. But one of the best things you can do for your pet is to prevent it from unnecessary pain and suffering. A pet dog should be kept alive for as long as it is experiencing a quality life.
Laws About a Vet Killing a Healthy Animal
If you ask a vet to put your pet down, it is called “owner-requested euthanasia” or “convenience euthanasia.” Your vet has the legal right to euthanize a healthy animal if: It is beyond behavioral rehabilitation. It is dangerous or has behavioral issues.
He is experiencing chronic pain that cannot be controlled with medication (your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is in pain). He has frequent vomiting or diarrhea that is causing dehydration and/or significant weight loss. He has stopped eating or will only eat if you force feed him.
Consider not only what's best for your pet, but also what is best for you and your family. For example, if your pet's quality of life is seriously impaired by an injury or disease that cannot be treated or requires more care than you and your family can provide, euthanasia may be the right decision.
Euthanasia is usually performed by a veterinarian. The most typical procedure involves an intravenous injection of a barbiturate anesthetic given at a high concentration (overdose). In general, the euthanasia is rapid, usually within seconds, and very peaceful. Your pet will just go to sleep.
The benefit is for both pets and their owners
With sedation the transition from a conscious pet to passing is a gradual one. Using sedation means the process of saying good bye is much smoother, and peaceful. For the pet, this means that no one has to restrain them so that a vein can be accessed.
After the injection
Your pet may appear to gasp or suddenly have a deep breath. Sometimes this may carry on for several breaths. This is a wholly-natural bodily reflex. Your pet will already have died and is not aware of any of this.
Often vets are guilted in to waiving the cost of treatment or, even more extreme, paying for it themselves. They set aside their feelings for the benefit of the owner and of course, their pet. But while the act of euthanasia can be terribly upsetting, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, in a way.
Age is not a disease, and your dog is never “too old” to receive the quality care he or she needs, even if it requires anesthesia and surgery. Let's discuss how to reduce the risks of surgery for your senior dog and why quality care at every age is critical.
Finding a way to talk about your loss will help you deal with any feelings of guilt, anger or fear. Consider speaking to a professional if you don't know any fellow pet lovers who you can talk to. Counselling can help you to come to terms with your loss and find practical ways to move on.
But does your dog understand the depth of love you have for him or her? According to Dr. Brian Hare, a canine cognition specialist, our dogs do know we love them. Dogs and humans have the ability to form a special neural connection.
Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience, it's important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold. Feeling sad, shocked, or lonely is a normal reaction to the loss of a beloved pet.
Results. Loss of cortical electrical activity occurred during or within 52 seconds after the infusion of euthanasia solution. Cessation of brainstem function as evidenced by a lack of brainstem reflexes and disappearance of the BAER happened subsequently.