Navigating Pet End-of-Life Care

Neither of which are true. That being said, I think it’s very important that people are educated on what veterinary euthanasia actually is.

What is veterinary euthanasia? 

First, pets take a small sedative to help them relax and get comfortable while their family says goodbye. If you have ever had surgery, they usually give you a small injectable sedative or pain reliever before the anesthesia. It just makes you feel good and relax!

The final medication is an over dose of a barbiturate given in the blood supply—this is an anesthetic. This makes the pet fall asleep and then stops brain function, followed by the heart and lungs. This anesthetic does not hurt at all and it’s just like when humans go under anesthesia for surgery. The pet is totally unconscious when they pass.

On rare occasions, some pets may vocalize. However this is a natural reflex in reaction to certain drugs. But this does not mean they are in any pain. Some dogs or cats also may be startled by the feeling of the liquid going thru their vein—again, very similar to humans feeling an odd sensation when we receive IV fluids and the fluid is not the same temperature as our blood. Still, this is not painful.

Misconceptions about natural passing

Another thing to keep in mind with a so-called “natural passing” is that it doesn’t always happen at night while they are in bed. It can happen when you run to the store, when you’re at work, when they are outside going to the bathroom, etc. More often than not, death doesn’t occur while your pet is asleep. They eventually do fall unconscious which people then perceive as having occurred while they were asleep.

A natural passing doesn’t always happen very quickly either. The pet might start having a seizure, they may start to choke or they may have difficulty breathing. This is not easy to watch or let your pet go through, and people need to be prepared for this. What happens if your pet is alone during this traumatic time? I wouldn’t want to be alone during my final moments, so families with pets that are near the end should have someone with them at all times to make sure they are not suffering.

Humane euthanasia is always an option

It is never too late to call a veterinarian if the natural route is not going as planned. In fact, many families are amazed at how peaceful and respectful the process actually can be—even commenting that they wish they could pass that way.

For elderly people struggling with painful conditions, the constant infusion of medications like morphine or other sedatives ensures they do not feel the effects of body organ shut down and death. Although sad, this is the humane thing to do, but our pets are not normally given this type of care. Understandably, most wouldn’t want their pets fully sedated for weeks at a time.

Give your pet the gift of peace

There is really no down-side to humane euthanasia, aside from the cost to the owner. This varies by location and veterinarian.

There is no shame to providing a pet with a peaceful passing. Personally, I find it satisfying knowing that the pet’s final minutes were ones where they felt no pain (due to the effect of sedation and pain relief) versus their final minutes being ones of experiencing some degree of suffering, confusion, and anxiety. I think that you, as a pet owner, have “permission” to choose a pain free, peaceful, death for your pet. It can be your last gesture of love.