The Decision - Knowing When It's Time
The key factor in making the home pet euthanasia decision rests in determining your pet's quality of life and you know your beloved pet better than anyone else. This is truly an individual decision, best made by you and your family with the professional help of your family veterinarian to assess your pet's overall health condition.
When choosing the time to say good-bye it can be a painful and heart breaking experience. Many times it is accompanied by feelings of guilt and uncertainty often leaving you questioning your values and if you made the right decision.
First, if you're calling me, you already intuitively know that it is time. Secondly, in my experience, I have found that you as your pet's guardian, make this decision on the "perfect" day there is no right or wrong decision.
Here are some factors and behavioral changes to consider when making an assessment of your pet's quality of life. If your pet is experiencing any of these conditions, pet home euthanasia would be the right decision:
- Is your pet able to eat and drink? Are they still interested in their food? Are they taking in enough water?
- Has your pet experienced significant weight loss?
- Does your pet have any problems urinating or defecating on their own?
- Is your pet experiencing incontinence? Not able to remain house trained?
- Is your pet able to get up and move around on their own? Are they able to stand on their own?
- Is your pet having seizures or circling?
- Is your pet still expressing interest in his/her normal daily activities? Playing? Running?
- Is your pet becoming confused or experiencing dementia?
- Is there a noticeable difference in their breathing? Having more short and labored breathes?
- Is your pet having fewer "good days" than "bad days"?
- Does your pet have an adverse reaction to your touch? Do they pull away?
- Are they "denning" or hiding more wanting less contact with you and the family?
- Has your pet been diagnosed and suffering from a terminal illness or disease in which recovery is not probable or response to treatment has not been effective?
- Are they "denning" or hiding more wanting less contact with you and the family?
- Is your pet crying out or whimpering?
- Is your pet in pain or suffering? This is sometimes more difficult to determine since often times our faithful companions hide their pain; cats will continue to purr and dogs will continue to wag their tail and seek out comfort from you, even as they experience pain and illness.
It may be helpful to keep a log of any noticeable behavioral changes and calendar "good days" and "bad days" to help you further assess if your pet is making improvements or experiencing diminishing quality of life.