Euthanasia and End-of-Life Decisions
Coping with the loss of a pet
It can be difficult to manage the decision-making surrounding euthanasia for a pet you love. You may believe this is the right choice, but many caring owners still feel uncomfortable facing such an irrevocable decision for their own pet. You should recognize that making hard choices is one of the responsibilities of a good steward, by taking on grief yourself you may spare your pet from a difficult, stressful or painful end.
Quality of life
The decision to euthanize a pet is a difficult one, and people often struggle with knowing what to think about when considering this step.
- Can your pet move around easily? Elderly pets that have difficulty moving about may still be happy, as long as we can keep them comfortable. However, pets need to be able to manage in their environment - stairs, going outdoors or getting to the litter box, for example. Ill animals may stop moving about due to intractable pain, lack of energy or dementia.
- Does your pet eat normally? Happy animals look forward to meals, which provide the energy for life. Pets that need to be coaxed to eat aren’t feeling good, and it’s unlikely that they’re getting the nutrients they need to keep them strong.
- Can your pet breathe easily? Some patients, such as those with heart failure or thoracic disease, can’t breathe normally and labor to meet their needs. These pets use their abdominal muscles to breathe because they can no longer fill their lungs to capacity. Fighting for air is exhausting, both mentally and physically, for these animals.
- Is your pet in pain? Most animals don’t whine or vocalize when they’re in pain; in fact, it’s more likely that they’ll be quieter than usual. Other signs include a tense posture, negative reactions to touch or other handling, or hiding under the bed, in a back room or in a closet.
- Is your pet incontinent? Most pets are careful about where they urinate and defecate; when they’re not it can indicate that they either no longer care or have the ability to control their bowels and bladder. Of course, remember that they are unhappy about soiling the house
- Is your pet happy? It may be difficult to know this for certain, but you know them intimately, and will notice subtle changes in their behavior. They may no longer engage in their usual joyful pursuits, may be more difficult to please or grouchier. Purrs or tail-wags may disappear
- How is your pet responding to treatment? Even (or especially) when you do all you can for your pet, some treatments will cause stress or lead to unwanted side effects. Your pet’s tolerance for necessary treatment may diminish.
- Finally, every euthanasia decision happens in the context of a family, even if it’s just the two of you. It’s both fair and reasonable to take into account your ability to provide the support your pet needs given your other responsibilities and the home environment.
What happens during euthanasia?
Euthanasia means "good death" and as performed in modern veterinary practice is a peaceful and virtually pain-free process. However, the fact that few people are familiar with the process adds to their anxiety. This section is intended to help you understand the steps.
New York State requires that a specific form be used when performing euthanasia. Our staff will fill this out for you, but you must sign it in the appropriate places as the owner. This is an emotionally complex procedure, and we prefer to finish all the paperwork beforehand so that we can concentrate exclusively on you and your pet.
All common euthanasia solutions are strong barbiturate anesthetics that are given intravenously, either through a catheter or needle placed directly into a vein. Sometimes, a sedative is given first to help the patient relax, making the procedure less stressful for the patient. Most pets react quickly to the medication, and it may seem only moments between the time the medication is injected through the needle and their last sigh. Your pet’s eyes will remain open after they pass away. Your pet may show some movement after the euthanasia injection, although they will no longer be conscious. The body muscles relax in their own good time.
Whether you decide to be with your pet as the injection is given is up to you. You may take the option of being present, but please do not feel obligated to be with your pet. The release of emotions that come with the final moments can be unexpected and overwhelming and is not the best way for everyone to experience this loss. Sometimes a friend or other family member will be asked to stand in for you, so that your pet has a friend in the room up until the end. There may be practical reasons why you can’t be present, but remember that the love you and your pet have shared will be present with them during this time, even if you can’t be. Please keep in mind, too, that the experience is always emotionally charged for us as well. You never get used to it.
What happens afterward
You will need to make practical decisions regarding the disposition of the body. These are highly personal.
Most of our patients are cremated; you can elect to have ashes returned to you or have them spread at the cemetery. If you choose private cremation, your pet’s ashes will be returned to you in a decorative container. You can be sure that you will receive only your pet’s ashes from the cemetery; we have used the services of Hartsdale Pet Cemetery for many years and for good reason: they are local, very dependable and you can visit the cemetery and the crematorium at any time. The cemetery offers burial services at their location on Central Avenue in Hartsdale, NY.
Of course, you can take your pet’s body with you if you’ve made other arrangements for cremation, or for home burial. You should check with your town about regulations regarding burial in your back yard, although we know of no one who has gotten in trouble for doing so.
No matter what decision you make, we will be sure that, at all times, your pet is treated with the same care and respect you would give them yourself.
What you should do afterward
The bond that we form with animals is unique; this makes our interactions with animals rich and rewarding, but also makes the grief process so complicated, particularly in the case of euthanasia. The loss of an animal can have an impact on you that is as great (or greater) than the loss of a family member or friend. Be prepared for well-meaning friends who may not understand the depths of your feelings. Be patient with those family members, especially children, who need time to grieve themselves, and adjust to the changes in the household.
Over time, you can begin to resolve and accept your animal's death. Even when you have reached resolution and acceptance, feelings of anger, denial, guilt, and depression may reappear. If this does happen, these feelings will usually be less intense, and with time will be replaced with fond memories.
If you or a family member have great difficulty in accepting your animal's death and cannot resolve feelings of grief and sorrow, you may want to discuss these feelings with a person who is trained to understand the grieving process. You’re always welcome to talk to our veterinarians or staff, but if you find that you’re having real difficulty with accepting your loss and managing the grief, here are some local and online support groups that can help:
Pet Loss Support Network
Animal Medical Center
Tel: 212.838.8100
www.amcny.org/
ASPCA
Dr. Stephanie LaFarge - counselor@aspca.org
Tel: 212.876.7700, Ext 4355.
(Leave message and Dr. LaFarge will return your call)
Pet Loss Support Hotline
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Tel: 607.253.3932
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
Memorials
Supporting worthy animal health foundations can be a wonderful way to remember your special pet, and serve to create a legacy that will help other animals. Some of the causes we support include:
AVMF - advances and promotes animal health and welfare. www.avmf.org/
The Pie Fund – a local fund that helps owners deal with the expense of modern cancer treatment. Call 914.682.8341 or email information@piesfund.org.
Feline Health Center – their mission is to improve the health and well-being of cats.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/
The Hobbes Scholarship – established in 1994 by Dr. and Mrs. Aspros to support veterinary students at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. You can contribute online at www.giving.cornell.edu/give/. Choose the College of Veterinary Medicine and "Other" and write in the Hobbes Scholarship
Check out AVMA's, Animal Tracks, a weekly podcast on animal health issues.
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When to see your vet:
Five reasons to see your veterinarian today
- Bleeding from anywhere
- Vomiting with a loss of appetite
- Acute pain – including eyes (squinting)
- Respiratory difficulty
- Sudden and extreme lethargy
Five reasons to see your veterinarian tomorrow
- Acute lameness
- Intense itching
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst or urination
- Persistent diarrhea
Five reasons to see your veterinarian soon
- Decrease in weight
- Change in activity levels
- Hair loss
- Bad breath
- Chronic lameness
Dental Health
PetFit Challenge
Pet owners understand that obesity is about more than appearance. Scientific evidence shows that obesity is a condition that can lead to serious disease. In conjunction with the AVMA and Hill’s our hospital is focused on raising awareness about the right way to achieve and maintain healthy weight:
- Proper nutrition
- Increased physical activity
- Regular veterinary visits
Click on the link above for tools to help you increase your pet’s activity, decrease their weight and start them living a happier and healthier life!
Bond Animal Hospital
250 Central Avenue
White Plains, New York 10606
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