The loss of a pet is always difficult, but many pet owners say they prefer that it happen quickly – as the result, say, of an automobile accident or an attack from other animal. The thought of watching a beloved friend struggle for days or weeks as a fatal disease shuts down their body gradually, slowly, agonizingly, is just too much to bear for many people. And, to add to that the agonizing decision a family might have to make about whether to call in a veterinarian for euthanasia – and, worse, the thought of the fateful, final car trip for the patient whose doctor is not set up for house calls – makes pet loss about an uncomfortable a topic as can be discussed for many people – especially parents of small children who have not yet fully come to terms with the thought of their pet’s eminent death.
Nevertheless, the topic is important – especially before the dreaded eventuality become reality. So perhaps this look at some things every pet owner should discuss with his her her veterinarian will be of service. Believe it or not, it is reasonable – and even quite common – for pet owners to set up an appointment with a veterinarian they trust to discuss these things well before the time of need. We encourage that of all pet owners. (Or at the very least, a responsible, caring pet owner would do well to take a few moments to peruse through the dozens of well-informed articles written by vets or other experts and accessible online via a simple search for a topic such as “pet loss” or “when a beloved pet is in need of euthanasia.”
When Is Euthanasia Necessary
It is very important to be in good communication with your veterinarian on this topic. Many a speaker at a veterinarian conference has confessed that he or she has sometimes been reluctant to recommend euthanasia to a client out of fear of the reaction. In a litigious society, overly reactionary society, for example, a veterinarian may fear that an ill-timed suggestion of euthanasia may escalate into a full-scale attack on the doctor’s very practice via social media, ethic panels or maybe even regulatory authorities. Further, a compassionate doctor may simply not want to deliver prematurely upsetting news that could cause emotional trauma in an entire family – especially if the family is divided over the issue of when euthanasia is necessary.
So, it is never a bad idea to have a frank discussion about this uncomfortable topic with the man or woman who you hire to take care of your pets’ health. It’s always a good idea to find out what the doctor’s views are on euthanasia, when it should be implemented and when it can be avoided. And, of course, it’s important that you share your own thoughts openly with the doctor, too.
Communicating well on this topic even well before the need arises will help assure a smooth transition for your family (and your beloved pet) when the time comes that euthanasia is an appropriate and even caring option.
(And on another important note, it may be very important to discuss with your veterinarian cases in which he or she would most certainly not recommend euthanasia. By finding out where his “line in the sand” is on this often sensitive and sometimes controversial practice you can help to avoid unpleasant disagreements that, if the timing is not good, can turn a sad time a family’s life together into a disastrous one.
What is the Cost
Some veterinarians will offer euthanasia services for very low cost, even free. They will often do this, especially, when they have worked diligently with a pet owner over a period of months on the failing health of a pet. Many have admitted that it would be downright heartless for a doctor to charge anything near his or her regular fee for euthanasia that would put an end to a months-long, heroic battle by doctor, pet and pet owner alike.
Veterinarian clients should never be afraid to ask about price for a euthanasia service. Further, if they are inclined to bring economics into the discussion of whether euthanasia is appropriate (in cases, for example, in which a doctor is reasonably sure that a cost prohibitive treatment might cure an animal’s otherwise fatal condition), they should let the doctor know that very early in a relationship. Doctors who believe there’s a chance a patient may be insulted by a suggestion that euthanasia be delivered rather than an expensive procedure, may be reluctant to suggest such an option, though many pet owners would appreciate it.
Be clear, experts say. Let veterinarians know your means, and be honest with them about your ability to afford expensive treatments.
What Services Are Available for Emotional Needs
Well before you may need emotional support for a decision to euthanize your pet, it is important to know what resources are available to help. Veterinary clients would do well to inquire about counseling services that the doctor may recommend or perhaps books and even support groups that are available through the doctor’s office, and also explore helpful resources like 8 Things That Will Help You Stop Crying Over Your Pet’s Death for additional emotional support. Many veterinarians are quick to tell their patients who inquire that they are not trained in psychology and, therefore, not a great source to turn to for emotional support in the event of a long health struggle of a beloved pet. Such honesty is important for a pet owner to hear so that expectations are appropriate in the event of an unfortunate scenario. If a pet owner is well prepared, he can get excellent medial advice from a veterinarian who may be, admittedly, emotionally aloof, while also having great access to the psychological counseling services he needs to cope with the stress, disappointment and grief of making a decision about euthanasia for a pet.
Where will Euthanasia Be Done
Another important question to ask a veterinarian about euthanasia is about the setting of the procedure itself. To be sure, ever doctor and every clinic has slightly different practices, and some may be more “clinical” (ie, less compassionate) than others. It is very important that you communicate with your veterinarian you thoughts on just how a euthanasia procedure should be carried out. (Should members of your family be allowed in the exam room? Maybe music should be playing? Perhaps a prayer should be said before or even during the procedure.) Many veterinarians – particularly at the larger clinics in urban areas – attend to the spiritual and emotional needs of pet owners during a euthanasia by conducting the procedure in a special place (sometimes even outside in a well landscaped, peaceful garden) that is dominated by peaceful décor and soothing lighting. If such a setting is important to you – as opposed to a cold, steril, traditional exam room – it is very important that you communicate that with your veterinarian and allow him or her to refer you to another doctor if he or she is not set up to meet your needs. (In some large cities there are at least one or two veterinarians who specialize in nothing but euthanasia procedures. These practices are almost certainly set up to accommodate all sorts of spiritual and emotional needs for the pet owners and their families.)
What Will Be Done With the Pet’s Remains
And, finally, perhaps the most important topic to discuss with your veterinarian, in relation to the broad issue of euthanasia, is what his or her office typically does with pet remains. Some veterinary clinics are well prepared to dispose of the remains of their deceased patients in a sanitary manner that is, perhaps, short on compassion (such as by turning over the remains to a rendering facility that will find good industrial use for all parts of a pet’s body). These same clinics are also, typically, able to help clients find other, less unsettling means of disposal such as burial or cremation options. But they cannot venture into this area without knowing your needs. So, as with every other piece of advice we offer in this article, we strongly recommend that all pet owners take the time to discuss their desires, quite openly and honestly, with their veterinarian and his or her staff well before the time of need arises. It is quite certain that the doctor will be happy to help as much as he can or he will be able to point you to the best resources for your needs.