by Lisa Dunlop

Created on: May 10, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2010

The decision to euthanize a pet is among the toughest decisions a person can make; they are, after all, not just pets but family. The notion of putting an animal down is no doubt troubling, but I maintain, in most cases, it is the best thing people can do for their incurably suffering dogs and cats.

Working in an animal hospital for several years afforded me A LOT of experience with animals - some good and some bad. Euthanasia is always the saddest and most difficult endeavor for both owners and medical staff alike. But I have seen the degree to which medication can help treat the ailing, and to be sure, there is a limit to its abilities. When all the options have been tried (i.e. therapy, surgery, medication), and there is no end in sight of the animal's suffering, then euthanasia is the only means of relief one can provide for his or her beloved pet.

Generally, an injection of the euthanasia fluid is given in one of the animal's front leg veins - a shot no more or less painful than a vaccine; rarely do the animals even notice it. Almost immediately, the brain functions of the animal cease, and then the heart stops. It is precisely the same as an overdose of anesthesia, which is PAINLESS. Although each animal is different, generally the affects of the euthanasia injection set in after only a few seconds; if the animal feels anything, it's sleepy. Furthermore, and most fortunately for animals, they cannot (in the human sense) comprehend that they are dying. It is not in their abilities to fathom the prospect of death; they are not subject to that sort of fear. In fact, most of the animals I ever dealt with were relatively content (considering the kind of pain their ailment was subjecting them to) until the end. In nearly all hospitals, the owners are allowed to be by their pet's side while it peacefully passes on.

Euthanizing a pet does not undermine the significance of its life. On the contrary, euthanasia appeases the animal's suffering and affords the preservation of its dignity. Allowing a pet to wallow in unyielding pain is not only cruel, but also degrading. When all other treatments become ineffective, euthanasia is the only means to ending the unnecessary suffering of terminally ill animals.

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