Cost of Putting a Dog to Sleep

One of the saddest moments of my life is when we had to put our family dog, Patchie to sleep. And by this I mean, end his suffering with the help of euthanasia. I still remember my best friend being hit by a drunk driver, and left on the sidewalk to suffer. Patchie suffered from paralysis of both his hind legs. He was unable to move, control his bladder and bowel movement. He had always been a friendly, active and bubbly dog, exploring the neighborhood. We could not see our hyperactive dog whining and struggling to walk again. We followed all the modern methods of treatment, hoping a miracle will bring back our dog to his own normal self. Alas, things worsened and the look in his eyes, begging for mercy made us cringe in helpless agony. Finally, his veterinarian suggested putting our dog to sleep. The thought of euthanasia shook everyone in the family. After a lot of arguments, we finally decided it was the best we could do to end his misery. Finally, with a heavy heart, we took our little bundle of joy for his final journey. Putting a dog to sleep is never easy. It is one of the toughest decisions one has to take as a pet parent. In the following paragraphs we shall take a look at the cost of putting a dog to sleep and, dwell on some information related to the process of dog euthanasia.

Process of Putting a Dog to Sleep

When we were advised to put Patchie to sleep, there were many questions running through our minds about the entire process. I am sure may pet owners toiling with this grave idea too, may have queries regarding the process of putting a dog to sleep. So, before I speak about the average cost of putting a dog to sleep, let me help answer some of the queries that you may have.

Euthanasia, or putting a dog to sleep, is a very simple and pain-free process. You can take your dog to the veterinarian clinic and complete the process. In case, you want your dog to begin his final journey in his own home, with his head over his favorite pillow, you can even ask the veterinarian to visit home. In most cases, the dog is given a shot of a sedative tranquilizer. This helps relax the dog and makes him unconscious. This is because like humans, animals too can sense an impending doom and may get scared or agitated. When they are unconscious, the process becomes easier for both owner and pet.

The dog is then given an overdose of barbiturate, generally, to stop the heart and respiratory muscles. This can be either given by an IV catheter or an injection. You will find some of the muscles twitching, the dog gasping or the dog passing urine or stools. This is all part of the process and you do not have to worry. The brain is dead within a few seconds and the dog won't feel a thing. The muscle twitches and gasping does not indicate suffering or pain. It just shows gradually all the body processes are shutting down one by one. You need to stay calm and collected. It may be very difficult to watch your dog go, but you have made the right choice.

What is the Cost of Putting a Dog to Sleep

When you weigh it in terms of emotions, the cost is way beyond expensive. However, we shall focus on the average cost of putting a dog to sleep, in terms of money. The injection overdose costs around $40 to $50. Then, you have to take into consideration the doctors charges that may be about $150 to $250 on an average. If you call over the veterinarian for a home visit, the charges maybe a bit higher. We will also have to consider the cost of burial that may be a bit higher than the vet's fees. So, the average cost of putting a dog to sleep may be between $250 to $450 depending on the veterinarian and your requirements.

Dealing with Putting a Dog to Sleep

Dealing with putting a dog to sleep, is the hardest part of owning a pet. You need to sit down with your family and take a unanimous decision of euthanasia. Children may find it very difficult to understand why they have to let go of their companion. Speak to them and allow them to spend as much time they want with the dog. Take the decision only when the dog is very old, ridden with a painful disease like cancer, kidney failure, paralysis, etc. Mentally, prepare yourself that this is the right decision to take. Many pet owners, who can no longer afford the expensive treatment for their dog also think about euthanasia. This is a right decision, especially if your dog is suffering from a life terminating disease. If you cannot be brave enough, ask a family friend or neighbor to go over to the vet and get over with the process. Hold your dog close to you when the vet is preparing the dog for an injection. Talk to him, calm him down and let him know how much you love him.

Once the process is complete, overcome your grief. Understand that it was best for your dog. Remember all the happy memories you shared with your pet. Give him a decent burial or last rites. He deserves the best for begin such a faithful companion and friend to you, all his life. This is all about the process and cost of putting a dog to sleep. Hope the above paragraphs have helped make your decision for dog euthanasia easy.