The final responsibility of a dog owner is to decide when it is time to say goodbye to their dog. Hopefully, this tough decision needs to be taken after years of companionship. Unfortunate dog owners sometimes need to opt for euthanasia during the puppy stages. No matter the time, the choice is always hard to make. This article will guide you during the decision-making process of euthanizing your dog.
The Geriatric Dog
Old age is something we will all face. Dogs who reach an old age tend to reach this stage gracefully. The time to say goodbye is often difficult as the dog has spent many good years with its owner. Old age often brings about age-related diseases. Cancer, joint, and heart problems are perhaps the most common age-related issues.
The time will be right when the quality of your dog’s life is in jeopardy. Quality of life means that the dog can appropriately express itself for its age. Old dogs often enjoy resting with bouts of light activity during the day. They must be able to eat and drink well on their own without vomiting. They should still be able to engage with their owners on a daily basis. If your old dog is beginning to take strain it is your duty to provide them with medical care to help them overcome their difficulty. This may mean placing them on pain medication for sore joints or heart medication for a bad ticker. Cancer is a bit trickier to treat, the main aim is to improve and maintain the old dog’s quality of life.
When the medical management of your old dog’s life loses its effectiveness it is time to make a hard decision with the guidance of your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you if there is another medical route to take or if all options have been used up.
The most important aspect to remember is that you must make the decisions on behalf of your dog and not for your own needs. If your old dog is suffering by not leading a quality life you need to make a choice in the best interest of your dog’s needs. Many owners struggle to let go and wish to keep their old dog alive for as long as possible. After weeks of struggle they often then elect for euthanasia. When you speak to these dog owners they often remember the last struggle, high veterinary bills, and torment they endured during the last weeks of their dog’s struggle. They would often say that they wished that they never went through this. This happens to dog owners who are afraid, reluctant, or unable of letting go and keep their dogs alive for their needs.
The Diseased or Injured Dog
This is the second saddest reason why a dog owner will elect for euthanasia. It is when the dog just does not respond to treatment or that the disease process is very contagious or non-curable. This could happen to any age of the dog. Puppies are highly susceptible to viral infections, especially if they are unvaccinated.
Some puppies do not respond to medical management of viral infections and euthanasia is elected. Cancers that have a very poor prognosis (outcome) could affect young or old dogs. Your veterinarian will often discuss euthanasia as a treatment option if the disease process and dog is no longer coping.
Dogs that are so badly injured that the only option is human euthanasia are always sad. Car accidents are perhaps the leading reason for this type of elective euthanasia.
The Empty Wallet Syndrome
This is the first saddest reason why a dog owner will opt for euthanasia. This is when the owner cannot afford to treat their dog which has either been injured or is medically ill. With the current economic climate, this is a far greater concern. Veterinarians are often sympathetic to owners who are in a cash bind and have been a long time paying clients at the practice. Some veterinarians will offer a payment plan after obtaining a deposit before they administer any treatment. The best is to have pet medical aid to help assist when the veterinary bill skyrockets.
Understand that the veterinarian has studied for a minimum of 6 years to gain the knowledge to be able to treat your pet. Tertiary studies are very expensive so you cannot expect the veterinarian to treat your pet for free. Regardless of tuition fees, owning and running a veterinary practice is very expensive and you cannot expect your vet to be out of pocket to help you.
If you need financial assistance you must search your local area for aids that will help owners who cannot afford their pets’ veterinary care. There a many of them, especially in First World Countries. Often State employed people have special funds to help assist you when your pet needs help. Remember that these funds will only grant your aid once in most cases. So, you must only make use of them when you really need them. Local welfare organizations will often be able to help with minor medical or surgical problems your dog may be experiencing. Some of the bigger veterinary practices often have a street case fund and might opt to help you, remember that they will opt to help people they know first.
Religion and Beliefs
Some religions and beliefs do not allow you to kill an animal. This is not uncommon for an owner to refuse euthanasia as an option due to their belief system. Your veterinarian should be sympathetic to this and provide your dog with pain relief at a minimum to make sure your dog’s natural passing is as painless as possible. No Religion or Belief will advocate needless suffering so contact your veterinarian and explain your position.
Euthanasia of your dog, for whatever reason, is never an easy task to do. It is your final duty to your dog to make sure their passing is humane. This is your last act of kindness to your dog. Be brave to make the choice when the time is right and never keep your dog alive for your needs if they are suffering an unmanageable illness or injury.
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