The most common question that I get is “How do I know it’s time to put my pet to sleep?” This is the most difficult decision that we as pet owners will make in the lifetime of our pets. We don’t want to do it too soon, but we also don’t want them to suffer. Making this decision is heart-breaking and many times filled with guilt. Some people believe that a “natural” death is preferable, however, natural deaths are usually filled with pain, suffering, and distress. Alternatively, euthanasia, which literally means “good death” is the opportunity to give our beloved and cherished pets a peaceful transition.
A phenomenon that I have encountered in working with end of life pet care, is that cat and dog owners who have previously experienced the death of a pet euthanize much sooner. They regret having put their pet through needless suffering and don’t want to make that mistake again.
My job, as a veterinarian, is to help families decide when is the right time. This is somewhat subjective, and depending on the physical condition of the pet, may be a period of days, weeks, or even months. My goal is to prevent suffering and my guideline is based on the quality of life. There are also several tools that the family can use to help measure quality of life and pain levels in their pet such as the HHHHMM Scale and Feline and Canine Pain Scales.
The ultimate decision remains with the family. After all, pet families know their pet better than anyone, even their veterinarian.
If you live in the Cincinnati area and are considering in home euthanasia for your cat or dog, reach out to us now for more information.
