You have done everything right. Your pet received all their vaccines and preventative care. You nursed them through all the normal ups and downs – occasional bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, sniffles, sneezes and just not feeling well. Maybe you’ve been managing a chronic disease for a while now – thyroid problems, irritable bowel disease, heart disease, kidney failure, arthritis. Now things have changed, that manageable disease isn’t manageable anymore and your best furry friend is suffering. When do you decide that the kindest thing you can do is let go? This is the biggest dilemma in a pet owner’s life and the hardest decision you will have to make for your pet. The choice is never easy but sometimes all the signs are clear and you can make your decision knowing there was no other option. Other times the choice is less clear cut; you don’t want to cut a life short but you don’t want your pet to suffer just because you are not ready to say goodbye. There are a few guidelines that you can use to help to make the right choice for you and you’re family.
First, make a list of all the things your pet has always loved. Whatever they enjoy, whether going for walks, playing fetch, swimming, or sitting on your lap for a good petting session, all of these things need to go on the list. Don’t forget eating and drinking, they need to be there too. When your pet can no longer do any of the things they used to enjoy, when they eat poorly or don’t drink then it is time to consider euthanasia.
Second, use your calendar. At the end of each day write whether your pet had a good day, a bad day or a so-so day. At the end of the month look back and see what the trend was. Are the days mostly good? Then it is not time yet. Maybe the month started well and got worse and worse until most of the days were bad. In that situation it is probably time to let go.
Finally talk to your veterinarian. They have seen it all and can help guide you through the painful end of life decisions that happen to all pet owners eventually. Remember, euthanasia is not killing your pet. Euthanasia is the last kindness that you can do for the animal that always loved you unconditionally. Please speak to your veterinarian with any questions you have on this sensitive subject, they will help guide you through this difficult time.
Dr. Laura Marji, Emerald location
