Myths About Euthanasia often a person who has ... - Pet Loss

1 Myths About Euthanasia often a person who has already gone to superhu- man efforts to care for that pet. A far more danger- Many people have mixed feelings About eutha- nasia, for good reason. No matter how well- ous form of selfishness is to prolong a pet's suffer- ing simply to postpone one's own. Euthanasia : The intentioned we may be, this act feels like murder to many of us, and guilt may often haunt us long 2. My pet will tell me when it's time. Many of Most Painful Decision after the act. us have heard of pets who allegedly offered some indication of acceptance of death, of being ready by Moira Anderson Allen, Even when we know intellectually that euthana- to move on.

2 And who among us would not wel- sia may be the best or most merciful choice, come that sense of being granted permission to that means little when we face the decision it- end a pet's life? Such a signal would remove the self. Many pet owners cling to misperceptions dreadful burden of having to make that decision on that provide apparent justification for postpon- our own. Unfortunately, for many that signal never ing this decision often at the expense of the comes. By convincing ourselves that our pets will pet itself.

3 Three common misperceptions in- tell us when it is time to die, we risk two hazards: clude: Prolonging a pet's suffering by waiting for a sign that never comes, or torturing ourselves with guilt 1. Euthanasia isn't nature's way. Some pet for acting too soon.. owners reject Euthanasia as unnatural. Na- ture, some say, has a timetable for every life, The painful truth is that if your pet is terminally ill, and by artificially ending a life, we're disrupting and especially if it is suffering and unable to func- nature's plan.

4 While charming, this belief over- tion, it will die; the decision you must make is not looks the fact that by providing treatment, sur- whether its life will end, but how, and how much gery, medication, or any other form of care for a discomfort you are willing to allow it to endure. Ste- sick (or injured) pet, we are already extending fanie Schwartz, DVM, sums up the issue in one vital that pet's life far beyond what would occur if question in her book, Canine and Feline Behavior matters were left in the not-so-tender hands of Problems: Which choice will bring you the least nature.

5 Euthanasia is often not so much a cause for regret after the pet is gone? Unfortu- question of artificially ending a life, but of de- nately, no regret is often not an option. termining when to cease artificially extending that life.. 2. Euthanasia is selfish. One of the common- Copyright 2001 by Moira Allen est sources of guilt is the belief that one has Photos Copyright 2008 by Moira Allen euthanized a pet too soon or for selfish rea- Reprinted from The Pet Loss Support Page sons. I should have tried harder, many tell themselves.

6 I should have been willing to do more, spend more, get a second opinion, stay up If you're grieving the loss of a pet, you'll The Pet Loss Support Page all night to take care of her. Yet the person who find more helpful tips in Moira Allen's book, Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, worries most About not having done enough is available from Euthanasia : The Most Start by asking your veterinarian what types of Most feel that the pet's well-being is the most im- Painful Decision symptoms to expect as your pet's illness pro- gresses.

7 What stages will the disease take? How portant consideration. If you believe your pet will feel more comfortable or secure in your presence, M any think of bereavement as beginning after loss. For many, however, grief can begin much earlier. often , it begins the day you long before kidney disease produces incontinence or renal failure? How long before tumor cells in- vade the lungs or other organs? How long before you'll probably want to stay, no matter how diffi- cult it will be. On the other hand, if you're con- cerned that your own reaction and grief may dis- realize that your pet is approaching the end of its symptoms become medically unmanageable, be- turb the pet more than the process itself, you may life even though the final loss of that pet may fore pain becomes severe and untreatable?

8 At what prefer to stay away. still be many months distant. point will your pet become unable to function nor- mally; at what point will its suffering become ex- If you choose not to be present, don't simply leave This stage of grief is especially difficult, because it treme? your pet with the veterinarian. Some clinics hold is without closure. You can't make an effort to to-be-euthanized pets until after clinic hours, get over it or feel better, because the loss which simply adds to an animal's trauma.

9 Make itself has not occurred. Thus, no matter how bad sure that your pet is going to be euthanized imme- you feel, you know that things are just going to diately, while you wait in the waiting room or car. get worse. It can be difficult to find comfort dur- ing this stage, for even people who understand 3. What will you do next? The worst time to de- the pain of bereavement may wonder why you cide what to do with your pet's remains is at the are grieving before your cat has actually died. last minute.

10 It's far better to begin discussing op- tions weeks in advance. Indeed, even the owner of Grief for impending loss is complicated by the a perfectly healthy pet can begin considering the need to make difficult, painful decisions. How answer to this question at any time, particularly if much treatment should you pursue? At what you want to make special funeral or private crema- point will treatment cause more trauma than tion arrangements, or want a particular type of fu- relief? Can you provide the care needed to keep nerary product (such as a special urn or casket).