Euthanasia:
The Last Act of Kindness
No pet owner ever wants to dwell on the day they have to say goodbye to their beloved pet, much less be the one to decide when it happens. But the choice to give our pets a dignified death when faced with intractable suffering and/or pain due to a chronic disease or debilitating injury is a matter of good animal welfare, and the last act of kindness we can do for our pets.
When euthanasia is recommended by a veterinary surgeon, it can be difficult for many owners, especially for first time pet owners. To help gain a better understanding of why a veterinary surgeon may advise euthanasia, and when it is time to let go, here’s everything you need to know:
What is euthanasia?
The concept of allowing a patient to experience a quick and pain-free death as opposed to a slow, painful, or undignified death was named a “good death” by the Greeks.
‘Eu’ = well or good + ‘thanatos’ = death.
Euthanasia in companion animals is performed by injecting an anaesthetic drug, usually directly into a vein or sometimes, body cavity, which gently and painlessly puts the animal to “sleep” within a few seconds.
When would veterinary surgeons recommend to euthanise an animal?
Euthanasia may be recommended by a veterinary surgeon when an animal has been diagnosed with an illness or injury where surgery or prolonged medical intervention is not able to resolve or alleviate suffering in the long-term.
If a veterinary surgeon foresees euthanasia as a possible outcome in a pet’s prognosis, this will be brought to the attention of the owner early on, to allow them time to reflect and consider it. It is important to realise this is not a negative suggestion but is done with the best intentions to help the owner fully process the situation and allow them to understand all available options.
Failure to properly consider the option of euthanasia in a timely manner can result in poor animal welfare and unnecessary suffering for the individual animal concerned.
How do veterinary surgeons decide when it’s appropriate?
This choice is never offered lightly by veterinary surgeons, whose primary goal is always to improve the quality of life of every animal under their care.
Veterinary surgeons take a holistic approach to look at all aspects of the pet’s health including appetite, mobility, activity levels, pain and social interactions to determine quality of life and they usually draw from three areas when diagnosing an animal’s condition and determining its prognosis;
Diagnostic tests
(including laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasound etc.)
Physical examination of the animal, and
Owner reporting
(i.e. reduced appetite, dull and depressed, difficulty moving around the house)
The goal is always to improve quality of life to at least “OK” on the below chart.
If this is not possible then euthanasia is a valid welfare decision.
Leaving an animal to suffer should never be an option.
One tool used by veterinary surgeons and pet care givers, known as The HHHHHMM Scale, allows for the assessment of quality of life on a scale of zero to ten in each of the following criteria, with a score of 10 being ideal:
A total score of 35 points or above represents an acceptable quality of life.
The HHHHHMM Scale
Hurt
Hunger
Hydration
Hygiene
Happiness (mental well-being)
Mobility
More good days than bad
But, what if I’m not ready to let go and want to keep trying?
Just because an animal can be kept alive
does not mean that this is ethically appropriate.
Letting go is never easy and sometimes emotion and love for their pet can cloud the owner’s decision-making process; allowing prolonged, unnecessary suffering. If a veterinary surgeon has recommended to euthanise your pet, it is likely that the prognosis for your pet is not favourable and no amount of treatment will improve their quality of life, but only prolong their suffering.
If this has been brought to your attention, and you go against advice to euthanise your pet, you are likely to be unwittingly permitting the unnecessary suffering of an animal by refusing to end its poor quality of life. Whilst we do appreciate that saying goodbye is a difficult decision, carers should never put their personal feelings before their pet’s welfare. Being a good owner is being able to say goodbye at the right time.
To help owners answer the question “Is it time?” Dr. Bernard Hershhorn, D.V.M. highlights six criteria in his book, Active Years for Your Aging Dog;
To help owners answer the question “Is it time?”
Dr. Bernard Hershhorn, D.V.M. highlights six criteria in his book, Active Years for Your Aging Dog;
Six criteria to consider before euthanising a pet:
Is the condition prolonged, recurring, or getting worse?
Is the condition no longer responding to therapy?
Is your pet in pain or otherwise physically suffering?
Is it no longer possible to alleviate your pet’s pain or suffering?
If your pet should recover, will they likely be chronically ill, an invalid, or unable to care for themselves as a healthy pet?
If your pet recovers, are they no longer able to enjoy life, or will they have severe personality changes?
Dr. Hershhorn goes on to say that if the answers to all six questions is ‘yes’, then euthanising your pet on welfare grounds would be the best option for the animal concerned. If your answers to question 3 and 4 are ‘no’, then maybe the option to medicate is still available. However, one must answer three more questions:
Can you provide the necessary care?
Will such care so interfere with your own life as to create serious problems with you or your family? If your relationship with your pet is changed or damaged by this care then this is also a major consideration.
Will the cost involved be beyond your means?
If the answer to these three additional questions are 1) ‘yes’ 2) ‘no’ 3) ‘no’ then talking to your veterinary surgeon regarding adjusting medications and considering other pain-relieving modalities such as acupuncture and physiotherapy could be an option.
The Quiet Room in Tsing Yi is made possible thanks to the generous gift from the P. Lee Family
Some words of advice to pet owners:
Space to say goodbye
If you are at the stage where you unfortunately need to say goodbye to your pet and need to book an appointment for euthanasia, do let our counter staff know so that every effort can be made to ensure privacy and a suitable environment can be prepared for you ahead of time.
Here at the SPCA, we have Quiet Rooms available at our Wan Chai and Tsing Yi Centres to give pet owners and their pets the privacy they need to say goodbye, as well as process their grief.
Include your family and friends in the discussion and decision-making process
Their support will be important. Be sympathetic but honest with children who may not entirely understand the need for the decision.
Should I stay or should I go?
When the moment comes, it is entirely up to you whether you wish to stay in the room during the process. This is a personal decision; however, our veterinary surgeons always recommend being present (if not too distressing) as this not only helps to calm the animal but also helps with acceptance of your pet’s passing.
Don’t entertain feelings of guilt
You should not entertain any guilt over the act of euthanasia itself but remember it as the act of responsible ownership and kindness that it is.
Seek help or join a support group
The death of a beloved pet will naturally result in a grieving process. This takes time. Losing a pet can be just as painful as losing a family member. Seeking help or joining a support group such as Never Too Old to Love, can be a great source of comfort and therapy to work through your grief.
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