How do I know if it is the right time?
This is the question everyone asks. No one is ever ready to say goodbye. When your beloved pet is very ill, it would be much easier if you didn't have to make a decision at all. Peacefully passing during sleep is always the best way to go. In reality, things don't always work out that way and we don't want to see our pets suffer.
You want to find that right time. Before he/she starts to suffer but not too soon.
The time to start thinking about if a quality of life decision has to be made is when the bad days start outnumbering the good days.
It is the nature of dogs and cats to hide signs of pain and discomfort so suffering may not always be obvious to us. But the below criteria can give us an idea if your pet is suffering.
The questions you need to answer are:
Some conditions may be treatable or manageable with hospice care. It really depends on what the diagnosis is and the prognosis. A dog with cancer that has spread throughout its body and exhibiting one or more of the above criteria is suffering. A terminal illness plus deteriorating clinical signs is supportive for euthanasia.
The decision becomes a little more difficult for elderly pets that are still eating okay, is in good spirits, but cannot walk well and has developed bed sores. Usually this becomes a problem for large breed dogs. The size makes it more difficult to provide nursing care for them.
For every miracle cure that occurs, many other animals end up suffering along the way while owners cling onto hope. There is always a chance of recovery and cures for bad illnesses, but it must be put into perspective. I always recommend a second opinion if the diagnosis or prognosis is not clear cut. The decision to euthanize cannot be reversed so you need to be certain that you are making the right decision with the information you have at the time.
Trouble breathing or intractable pain after failed treatment are convincing reasons for euthanasia. Some of the other criteria must be considered based on the circumstances of each unique case.
Call Dr. Lugo at 954-372-5536 to help guide you through this tough decision making process. When it has been determined that euthanasia is the appropriate course of action it is best done in the comfort of your own home.
Euthanasia can be a compassionate gift for your fellow family member.
You want to find that right time. Before he/she starts to suffer but not too soon.
The time to start thinking about if a quality of life decision has to be made is when the bad days start outnumbering the good days.
It is the nature of dogs and cats to hide signs of pain and discomfort so suffering may not always be obvious to us. But the below criteria can give us an idea if your pet is suffering.
The questions you need to answer are:
- Is your pet not able to get up and walk?
- Is he/she soiling themselves or having difficulty straining to urinate or defecate?
- Are bed sores developing?
- Not eating for more than two days?
- Having trouble breathing?
- Not able to get comfortable to lie down?
- Vocalizing in pain often?
- Disoriented and bumping into walls causing injury
Some conditions may be treatable or manageable with hospice care. It really depends on what the diagnosis is and the prognosis. A dog with cancer that has spread throughout its body and exhibiting one or more of the above criteria is suffering. A terminal illness plus deteriorating clinical signs is supportive for euthanasia.
The decision becomes a little more difficult for elderly pets that are still eating okay, is in good spirits, but cannot walk well and has developed bed sores. Usually this becomes a problem for large breed dogs. The size makes it more difficult to provide nursing care for them.
For every miracle cure that occurs, many other animals end up suffering along the way while owners cling onto hope. There is always a chance of recovery and cures for bad illnesses, but it must be put into perspective. I always recommend a second opinion if the diagnosis or prognosis is not clear cut. The decision to euthanize cannot be reversed so you need to be certain that you are making the right decision with the information you have at the time.
Trouble breathing or intractable pain after failed treatment are convincing reasons for euthanasia. Some of the other criteria must be considered based on the circumstances of each unique case.
Call Dr. Lugo at 954-372-5536 to help guide you through this tough decision making process. When it has been determined that euthanasia is the appropriate course of action it is best done in the comfort of your own home.
Euthanasia can be a compassionate gift for your fellow family member.