Euthanization Options

Euthanizing or putting to sleep your beloved dog can be the single most heart wrenching decision that you will ever have to face as a dog owner. Putting him to sleep to prevent his prolonged and unnecessary suffering can be a kind and humane decision, but it can also cause pain, guilt, sadness and anger in the process. Euthanasia is a peaceful and virtually pain-free process administered to end the life of a terminally ill dog or a dog who has aged beyond a suitable quality of life. When considering the procedure it is best to understand what will occur and how your pet's body may react. Knowing what to expect should help you make a decision regarding when and where you will elect to have the procedure and make the process less traumatic for you.

To perform the euthanasia a catheter or needle will be inserted into a vein in your pet's front or back leg. If your pet has been very sick it may take some time and effort for the veterinarian to find the best location. Some veterinarians may then inject a drug into the vein which will place your pet in a state of relaxation. The actual drug used to perform the euthanasia is a pentobarbital solution, which will also be injected into the vein. In most cases, the injection works in five seconds; however, in some instances, the time between the injection and the death of the pet may be slightly longer.

Upon injection the dog’s heart will stop beating and his muscles may relax or contract after death causing the muscles of the urinary bladder and the anus to relax. This can be disconcerting as your dog might then void urine and stool. Involuntary contractions of muscles may result in the appearance of gasping or other movement. This can be alarming, but you must remind yourself that your dog is no longer aware of things as they happen after death. Another important thing to be aware of is that, in almost all cases, your dog’s eyes will not close after death. Knowing these things might make it difficult to be present for the procedure; however, being informed helps you to prepare.

When considering your options for euthanization you can either take your dog to the Veterinarian or chose to have a service come to your home to perform the procedure. As is typically the case, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you decide to have the procedure done at home your dog will have a sense of comfort because he will be in familiar surroundings. You can choose to have the procedure performed where your dog is most comfortable whether it is under his favorite shade tree or curled up in his own bed. Some argue that the procedure is less stressful because your dog will not be exposed to the sights and sounds of an animal hospital. You will also be sure not to run into strangers in the waiting room of your Vet’s office during your time of grief. Disadvantages include the grief that comes with knowing where your dog died. You might find it difficult to even walk past the room where the procedure occurred as you grieve the loss of your pet.

If you choose to have your dog euthanized at your local Veterinarian’s office there are two clear advantages: it allows your home to remain a much-needed refuge for you and your family as you come to terms with your dog's death and provides a vet you know and trust to perform the procedure. The disadvantages include a lack of privacy for you and your family in your time of grief, lack of creature comforts for your senior dog, and the inability to control the proceedings. However, you can overcome those challenges and other potential problems by providing some comforts of home. You can bring your dog’s favorite blanket or toy and pay the bill ahead of time to avoid doing so when the procedure ends. Regardless of the option you choose remember that dogs can not speak for themselves and it is up to us to make this decision for them.

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