When To Put A Dog Down

EUTHANASIA

Putting an animal to sleep.

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WARNING THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS THE PROCESS OF EUTHANASIA.

Sometimes the 'fear of the unknown' prevents people from talking and asking about a subject. This is one such subject.

Euthanasia or 'putting to sleep' is not done to make money or for the convenience of the owner. It is there for the caring owner:

To make use of when their dog is suffering and there is no available relief. If they are financially unable to ease the dog's pain and improve its 'quality of life'.

The 'quality of life ' for the DOG is what is important not the owner's wish to 'hang' on a bit longer to their pet. This is selfish and cruel if the dog is suffering.

A dog's idea of a good Life is Fun, Energy, Loving Attention and a healthy body with NO PAIN! If this cannot be given to your dog and there is no chance of correcting its problems then Euthanasia must be considered.

There will always be a sense of loss whether it is now or in 6 mths time. A good way of lessening the grief is to overlap with a younger pup before the older one gets sick or get a new puppy straight after euthanasia. By doing this, the decision is then based on the dog's health not your grief.

Do not be worried about how the dog feels mentally about being 'put to sleep' as the only thing the dog knows is the pain it is in now.

The process, once you have decided begins with:

Making the appointment (it is best to ask for a quiet time of the day or week).

Plan out what you want to do about burial. (Home burial, cemetery burial or cremation).

Make the necessary arrangements for your decision. (A phone call to your vet can help you find what you want).

On the day take a family member or friend with you. (Often even driving can be difficult after saying goodbye to your dog).

The vet really does understand how you feel and the staff is often involved with this side of animal care. Every care will be taken so that it will not prolong your emotional pain as well as your dog's. The process can be done at your home for the convenience and stress levels of the dog or in the practice.

It begins with shaving (usually a foreleg) or wetting the fur down to expose the view of the vein. Some very sick dogs have low blood pressure and this can make seeing the vein and injecting successfully very difficult. The solution, which is injected, is simply an anesthetic overdose. It is a lot stronger than the usual drugs that the vet uses, so it works very quickly. The colour is usually purple or dark green. It is that colour for safety reasons making it easily recognizable.

Your vet will place the syringe with needle attached alongside the dog's leg and slide the needle into the vein. A small amount of blood is usually drawn back into the syringe this ensures that the needle is in the vein. Keep gently stroking your dog and reassuring it.

As the vet injects the dog it takes only seconds to relax and anaesthetize the dog, usually before the syringe is empty. By now your dog is fully unconscious and it is only a matter of time for the body to stop. The vet will inform you when you pet has passed away and leave you alone to say goodbye.

Some dogs with poor circulation can react differently and take a bit longer for muscle twitching to stop. Don't be alarmed it is not the dog 'fighting' the drug or the dog 'trying to stay alive'. Your dog will be fully unconscious and unaware of the speed in which its muscles relax.

Knowing now what to expect when the time comes, we hope this will makes it easier.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO ANYONE EXPERIENCING THIS.

When To Put A Dog Down

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