This week and next, Dr. Palazzolo writes about a sensitive issue. We hope it helps anyone facing this emotion-filled decision. If you’re one of them, our hearts are with yours.
Photo by Cynoclub.
Veterinary medicine is unique as opposed to human medicine in the way it handles terminal cases. Obviously, the main difference is the act of euthanasia. This is the humane killing of an animal to put it out of a hopeless medical condition, particularly one that may signal end-of-life.
The decision to euthanize a pet is always an important and difficult one, and any sensitive veterinarian, us included, will spend time with you long before any decision needs to be made in order to do everything possible for your pet’s quality of life.
Some pet owners wait too long because the decision is so difficult and heartbreaking. We may feel guilt, thinking that we’ve let a good friend down, or sadness because we’ll no longer have his or her companionship.
Dogs and cats are particularly good at hiding their misery, making it difficult to know when it is time. A dog that seemed to be a little slower at walks one day might collapse and be unable to use the rear legs properly the next.
One of the most difficult questions a good vet can help answer is when exactly it is time, since many pets with chronic disease deteriorate slowly. It is important to watch for subtle signs of problems and monitor them for change. This is the time to talk with your vet because there are many basic and common-sense treatments that can be utilized to increase your pet’s quality of life before the problem progresses and your pet is suffering needlessly. No pet is the same, and your feelings and needs should balance with exams and laboratory findings. When the time comes, we make the decision together.
Next month, we will talk about emotional needs.