Saying goodbye…

What happens when the time comes?

Making the decision

If you have time, then it can be better for both you and your pet to plan your pet’s end-of-life care, rather than leaving everything to be decided at the end. Planning ahead allows you to think through what you’d really like to do, how you would like to remember your pet’s end-of-life, and how you’d like to remember your pet after their death. It takes the pressure off having to make decisions when under emotional distress. In these circumstances you might make decisions that you’d later wish you hadn’t or wish you had done differently. Spending a little time forward-planning, even if it’s just to be prepared for what you can expect if your pet is being euthanased, will help you cope both at the time and in the period beyond.

Euthanasia means “good death”. With pets, it refers to the ending of life by a painless medical intervention that provides death to the pet within minutes (American Veterinary Medical Association 2013). It is usually carried out to relieve pain or suffering that cannot be managed sufficiently by other means such as pain relief and palliative care.

Whatever the reason, it is usually a the most difficult decision you will have to make for your pet. There is often some comfort in being able to end suffering mixed with the sadness of having to say goodbye to a beloved companion. You will usually be the best judge of when is the right time for your individual pet. Remember, though, that there are people trained to help you with this decision – our vets and nurses are happy to make time for a discussion with you, with or without your pet present and there are further resources listed at the bottom of this page.

What happens when a pet is euthanased

We will often give a sedation prior to the euthanasia drug. The sedative is given into muscle and although it can sting a little, your pet will be much more restful afterwards and so less stressed when the actual euthanasia drug is administered. The veterinary team will usually step out of the room whilst the sedation takes effect to give you time with your pet as they are relaxing. Once your pet is relaxed, the euthanasia drug is given into a vein, usually via a cannula. A cannula is placed by clipping the fur on the foreleg or hindleg, cleaning and placing the i/v line and taping it in place. This procedure is fairly painless and gives us reliable intravenous access for the injection without disturbing your pet.

Many people choose to stay with their pet throughout, but some choose not to. This is a decision only you can make. We take great care of each of our patients and treat each pet as if they were one of our own. There is the option of not being present during euthanasia but returning to the room once the pet is asleep to say a final goodbye.

There is no right or wrong in this. As an owner, this is entirely your choice and depends on what you feel most comfortable with.

If you are unsure as to what is ‘right’ for their situation, consider your pet — if you are very emotionally upset, some pets become stressed upon seeing their human distraught. Others may be more likely to get distressed without their owner present.

The euthanasia drug itself is similar to an overdose of anaesthetic which stops the heart and breathing muscles. This is administered through the IV catheter or with a needle and syringe. From giving the injection, the effect can be very quick, from between 15 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on how strong your pets circulatory system is. Once your pet has relaxed, your vet will listen to their chest to make sure their heart has stopped and will let you know when they have passed away.