If It Should Be

Euthanasia ("good death") refers to a deliberate intervention carried out to relieve pain or other suffering; this is usually pain or suffering that cannot be cured or managed adequately.

Euthanasia is one of the most difficult decisions anyone can ever make for their pet with a number of different, and at times conflicting, emotions existing concurrently. The overriding emotion is typically to ‘do the right thing’ for your beloved companion, to fulfill your commitment and responsibility as their friend and caretaker to relieve their suffering. Although in time this usually will be a decision that acts as a source of comfort, especially early on, it can be conflicted by guilt or confusion, for example that the decision was made too late or indeed too soon (euthanasia remorse). And of course the loving and courageous decision also comes with the knowledge of impending pain and upset due to grief and bereavement. To end a pet's suffering, we must unselfishly and lovingly choose to accept our own.

It can be tempting to think that rather than having your pet euthanased, it is better to keep him/her at home indefinitely and to ‘let nature take its course’, to wait until he/she ‘passes away peacefully in his/her sleep’. However despite being very ill, it can take a long period of time for ‘natural’ death to come. In the meantime your pet may be painful, unable to eat or drink resulting in dehydration and malnutrition, incontinent, collapsed or struggling to breathe. Undoubtedly some animals may die peacefully and comfortably at home in what can be a very moving and ‘natural’ experience. However this option is only recommended to be chosen if excellent end-of-life/hospice care can be provided by a team with the right set of expertise. Although this is slowly changing, such teams are currently very limited not just in the United Kingdom but worldwide, and at the present time most veterinary professionals would recommend that euthanasia is performed to try and safeguard your pet's welfare and avoid any unnecessary suffering. There are also some real and valid discussions to be had about the potential for palliative end-of-life/hospice care 'to go too far' putting the carer's wishes over the animal's best interests.

The downloadable PDF below includes all information in the Euthanasia section (i.e. If It Should Be, The right time, Preparation, The process, Should I be present? and Aftercare).

Another very helpful overview of what to consider when planning your pet's end-of-life care can be found here.