When is it Time To Put Your Dog Down?

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When considering euthanasia, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for you and your pet.

Some pets die of old age, while others become seriously ill, injured, or experience a diminished quality of life.

To make this difficult decision, consider the following suggestions and information about the euthanasia procedure, as well as the process itself.

When is the Right Time to Say Goodbye to My Dog?

When considering euthanasia for your dog, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian, family, and friends to ensure you make a decision based on their best interests.

Your dog’s health and quality of life are crucial factors to consider, and if medication is prescribed, it’s wise to set a time limit for improvement. If treatment isn’t enough, euthanasia may be recommended.

When your dog is suffering, euthanasia is a gift that can be a kind act of kindness. To determine when it’s the right time to say goodbye, have an open discussion with your veterinarian about their knowledge of your pet’s condition.

Ask questions about your dog’s quality of life, such as eating, drinking, urination, and human interaction. If no additional interventions are available, it may be time to discuss euthanasia with your veterinarian.

Feeling guilty about putting your pet to sleep too soon or too late is normal, but most dogs reach a point where their quality of life is poor, and a decision for euthanasia must be made.

The Dog Quality of Life Scale

Lap of Love, a network of veterinarians, offers resources to assess your pet’s quality of life. Their scale, also known as the HHHHHMM or H5M2 scale, assigns points on a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being ideal. A total of less than 35 indicates potential suffering.

HHHHHMM includes:

• Hurt: This refers to a pet’s capacity to breathe without difficulty and evaluates how effectively their general pain is managed.
• Hunger: Can your pet eat enough food to keep their body in good shape in a safe and comfortable manner?
• Hydration: Can your dog drink enough water to stay hydrated, either naturally or with the aid of subcutaneous fluids?
• Hygiene: Is it possible to keep your dog clean without causing sores from prolonged resting in one spot?
• Happiness: This goes beyond merely speculating about your dog’s level of happiness. Do they appear introverted, dejected, melancholy, or less social, or are they interacting with people and objects that they have previously enjoyed?
• Mobility: Can your dog get up and move around independently, or is there a chance that they could trip and hurt themselves when out on a walk?
• More good days than bad: Does your dog have more good days than bad days overall? You can find out by keeping a calendar or diary.

How Should I Prepare for My Dog Being Put to Sleep?

Choosing a vet can be emotionally challenging, so consider taking time off work to process the decision, explaining the situation to the vet receptionist during the appointment, taking a friend or family member with you for support, and asking for a house visit or at-home euthanasia service.

Some vets may offer this service or provide details of a special vet who can handle this.

Where Will Euthanasia Take Place?

Putting a dog to sleep is a medical procedure typically performed at a vet’s surgery, with the possibility of the vet visiting the home.

Sometimes, the dog is already hospitalized or under anesthesia.

If the dog is already under anesthesia, it may be more comfortable to agree to euthanasia without waking them up, with the vet helping guide the decision.

What Happens During Euthanasia?

Euthanasia is a painful process where a dog loses consciousness and cannot feel pain. Before the procedure, a vet will sign a consent form, and the process begins with an overdose of anesthetic injection into the front leg vein.

The dog is held by a nurse, and a small patch of fur is shaved off. The injection is painless, and the dog may cry or feel dizziness. Unconsciousness follows within seconds, often before the injection is finished.

Death occurs quickly when the heart stops beating but may take longer if the pet is ill or has poor circulation. After the dog has passed, you may see twitching or hear gasps of air, but these are reflexes that occur naturally. The eyes usually stay open, and the bladder sometimes empties.

How to Say Goodbye

Pet owners often find it comforting to be with their pet at the end of their life, as it can provide comfort to both the owner and their dog.

However, it is important not to feel guilty if you cannot watch the procedure, as this may upset your dog. Your vet and nurse will do their best to care for your pet, and you can see your dog after the procedure to say goodbye.

After making the difficult decision, it is crucial to decide how and where to say the final goodbye. Before the procedure, ensure all family members have time with the pet to say a private goodbye.

If you have children, explain the decision and prepare them for the loss in advance. Books like “When a Pet Dies” or “Remembering My Pet” can be helpful in helping them deal with this loss.

It is an individual decision whether or not to be present during the euthanasia procedure. Some pet owners find it comforting to be with their pet during the final moments, but younger children may not understand death or the importance of remaining quiet.

You may be able to find a veterinarian who may visit the family’s home to share their last moments together.

What Happens After Euthanasia?

After your dog’s death, you have several options for their body. You can choose cremation, which is communal and can be returned individually, or burial, which can be done at pet cemeteries or at home.

It’s important to consult your vet about legal burial rules. If you’re undecided, vets can store the body while you consider options.

Cremation can be expensive, and some pet insurance plans may cover it.

If you’re concerned about costs, consult your vet. Vets can usually store the body while you consider your options.

Final Thoughts

Euthanasia, or placing your dog to sleep, is a difficult decision for dog owners to make, but it is a necessary step towards a peaceful death for their beloved pet, as it is rare for a dog to die peacefully in their sleep at home.