by Lindsay Horvath

Created on: March 05, 2008

After spending five years as a veterinary technician, I can say that I strongly believe that euthanasia is almost ALWAYS the most compassionate option.

To watch an animal suffer is a terrible thing. If a human being is suffering we can say to them "You have cancer. You're dying. You're in a lot of pain but we're going to try and relieve some of that for you. Unfortunately, you're going to have to stay here in this hospital instead of your home for us to do so." We can explain what we are doing, and why. With an animal, you cannot explain anything. You cannot say to an animal-"This needle is going to hurt and its probably going to take several tries to get it in right because you're dehydrated. And now I'm going to push some pills down your throat so you won't feel so nauseous." Animals may sense that we're trying to help them, but they don't have the ability to understand cause and effect.

There are many reasons I believe euthanasia is often the most compassionate option. Consider this scenario. A couple brings in their aging dog who has been acting lethargic. Blood tests reveal the dog is in kidney failure. The couple wants to do everything they can, so the dog is admitted to the hospital. He is hooked up to IV fluids. He is pumped full of medications (often injectable) and force-fed if he doesn't want to eat. He is put into cage and monitored closely. This supportive care may make him feel better-better enough to go home, even. But inevitably he's going to need to come back. And most likely, he's going to get sicker. But the couple wants to try one more time. Instead of spending his last days at home with his family, he's spending them in a cage in a hospital hooked up to fluids. The majority of people who work in the veterinary field are kind and compassionate, but it's not the same as being at home with his own family.

The above scenario is hypothetical but based on many, many animals I have watched come to their end this way. Knowing what the point is to stop treatment and end suffering is a hard call to make, both for owners and veterinarians alike. In the veterinary field this is referred to as quality of life-is the animal still happy, is he or she eating and drinking, wagging his or her tail, moving around? Usually the owner is the best judge of this, but at the same time the owner is the most emotionally involved. Its very hard to say good-bye to a friend, especially if you're wondering if you've done all you can to help him or her. The simple fact

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