Understanding Euthanasia for Pets

Euthanasia is a compassionate way to end a pet's life. While losing a beloved pet is always sad, euthanasia itself should be peaceful. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare will help you to be comfortable with euthanasia - so you can focus on saying goodbye.

For home euthanasia, Dr. Dunne uses a method that is very gentle and painless. You and your family can be with your pet the entire time. The medications used are sedatives and anesthetic medications. The process can be explained to you in as much detail as you would like, but here is some general information.

When Dr. Dunne arrives, she will first meet you and your pet. She will confirm your requests and answer any questions (please feel free to ask questions anytime). Briefly, the necessary paperwork and payment will be completed. Dr. Dunne will perform a physical exam on your pet (this may be brief and depends on circumstances and owner requests). She will let you know the plan for the euthanasia and what to expect.

Most pets will be given a sedative. This is typically injected. Over 5–10 minutes, your pet will relax and go into a deep sleep. You can hold your pet and talk to them as they relax. An intravenous catheter may be placed in your pet's vein.

When you are ready, the last injection is given. This drug first causes unconsciousness, and then the pet's breathing slows and stops. The heart will slow down and stop after the last breath. Rarely, there may be movement, vocalization, or a breath after the heart has stopped, these are reflexes and the brain is unaware of them. As the body relaxes, pets often release urine or defecate and their eyes do not close.

You may spend as much time as you need saying the final goodbye after your pet has passed. If you are keeping your pet's body for burial, Dr. Dunne can assist in preparing your pet and bringing your pet to the location you have chosen to either bury your pet or keep your pet until burial occurs. If Dr. Dunne is providing care of your body for your pet, she will take your pet with her. Pet, which are privately cremated with ashes returned are either delivered to your home or to your veterinarian as requested.

Before the appointment, you may want to think about your expectations and what is important for you and your pet during this difficult time of goodbye.

Choose a location in your home that will be comfortable for you and your pet. This could be a chair, bed, or a spot on the rug where your pet is accustomed to lying. In most cases, your pet can rest on your lap or next to you. Outside in a special location is also a good place for euthanasia.

You may want to give your pet a special meal or snack. This can be anything from treats to meat, fish, or any food your pet would most love to eat.

Consider having your pet's favorite toys or blanket with them. Also, some people like to have candles, flowers, photos, or other beautiful or meaningful things at the euthanasia.

Finally, decide who you would like to be with you and your pet during this time. Friends and family members may want to be present. Others may not feel as comfortable staying during the euthanasia or will not want to be present, but they would appreciate a chance to say goodbye to your pet. Understanding each family member or person's need to say goodbye is different and should be respected at this sad and difficult time.

Determining whether your pet’s quality of life has diminished is an important step in the decision-making process. There are four parts of your pets life to consider: Pain & suffering, eating & drinking, house soiling, and quality of life. 

How do I know if my pet is in pain or suffering?
Unfortunately pets cannot tell us when they are in pain. By nature, most pets are very good at hiding pain and suffering.  Common signs of pain are hiding, vocalizing, difficulty moving or getting comfortable laying down, restlessness, not sleeping well, excessive panting, not eating, relieving bowels inside the home or where the pet is laying down. Some pets will protect an area that is painful and may even try to bite when touched. Others may continuously lick at a wound or painful area. If you believe your pet is painful and he/she is not currently under care for pain, please consult with your pet's regular veterinarian for an exam and pain management options. In some cases, the pet is on pain medication that either is not effective or the pet is having undesired side effects from the medications. Uncontrolled pain is an important reason to consider for euthanasia. For more information about pet pain see the handout "how to tell if your dog is in pain" and "how to tell if your cat is in pain."

Is my pet eating and drinking? Does he/she have uncontrollable vomiting and/or diarrhea?
If your pet is unable to eat enough food or drink enough water, your pet maybe slowly wasting away and will become progressively weaker. Ongoing uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhea lead to loss of fluids and nutrients. Other medical conditions, such as cancer and kidney disease, can cause pets to be continually nauseous and can also rob pets of nutrients from food. Refusing to eat/drink, ongoing weight loss, and uncontrolled vomiting/diarrhea are important considerations for euthanasia.

Is my pet urinating or defecating in the house or outside the litterbox? 
Pets may urinate and defecate in the home or outside the litterbox for numerous reasons. If pain, illness, or inability to get to the litterbox or to the door is causing house soiling, then this is an important quality of life issue for you and your pet. Most pets are take great pride in using the appropriate location for urination and defecation. Disease conditions or medications may cause the pet to drink more and produce more urine. The pet may leak urine or not be able to make it through the night and have accidents. In the most severe cases, the pets will defecate or urinate where they are laying and not be able to move away, this leads to skin infections and more serious medical conditions.

Is my pet happy?
Every pet has special things he/she enjoys: a favorite toy, playing a game, meeting you at the door. Can your pet enjoy these special things she/he used to? When pets refuse to participate in what he/she used to enjoy and when pets separate from the family or do not want to be touched, this pet may be painful, suffering and/or have a serious underlying condition. In general, if an owner truly believes that the pet is having more bad days than good days, it may be time to consider euthanasia. If the last thought a pet owner has before bedtime is that they hope their pet passes in their sleep during the night, it may be time.

Additional considerations

Severe behavioral disorders
Common behavioral disorders such as aggression or separation anxiety may pose a physical risk to family members, friends, other animals or the pet itself. Some cases may be so severe that behavioral counseling and medical management is unable to help the pet be a safe addition to the home.  

Mobility
As pets age, they may develop arthritis, neurological or other orthopedic diseases making it difficult for them to move around and get up from the floor. They slip on slick surfaces and may fall in uncomfortable positions. Large dogs may be too heavy for owners to be able to pick up and help outside so they can relieve themselves.

Respiratory difficulty
Difficulty breathing is a strong indication that your pet is suffering. Pets that are panting excessively at rest are having difficulty breathing. Cat do not pant unless extremely stressed or due to serious (sometimes life-threatening) medical conditions. Open mouth breathing or panting at rest are signs of severe respiratory difficulty are an important consideration for euthanasia.