This can be a problem if your pet has mobility problems or is in a lot of pain. I would say at least speak with your Vet for more advice and if he/she thinks your cat is suffering then euthanasia would be the only way to go - difficult as it may be. It took many hours after that for him to leave us and now we are absolutely wracked with guilt about it thinking we should have taken him to the vet but at the time it seemed unnecessarily cruel to do that when he was close to death. But oh, how my heart aches for his presence!!! I feel that we were with her in her early days and she needed us in her last moments. to say she was near the street just lying there. Midge still gets up for water. And last but not least, even though it sounds inappropriate, the staff may ask you if your pet has bitten or scratched anyone in the past days. Now I feel so guilty and I still see those awful images of him going through that! You might want to put some of their favorite toys near their bed or blanket. I read that I could make her transition easy by not showing my sadness, not crying or begging her to stay. I dont know if I hadnt backed out of an appointment for euthanasia that my granddaughter made for me with a different vet last week maybe I would still feel guilty. I didn't want him to feel anything. Death is the collapse of the dog's cardiovascular system, which translates into the failure of oxygen delivery to the tissues, cells, and vital organs of the body. I spent so much time protecting her from harm, feeding her, making her comfortable but in her last day took her to die. She needed better diagnostics not a available where we live. Yes, they may still twitch, defecate and urinate, keep their eyes open, or even vocalize after dying, but these are reflexes the vet may make you aware of in advance. But our vet at the time was amazing and venturing into the hospice arena. And into the new year. I'm really contemplating letting her die peacefully at home as long as she's still eating and drinking. She is drinking water but unable to keep it down. You might be filled with guilt for euthanizing them or you might worry that they suffered in their final moments. Thank you so much for writing this well thought out, sensitive and knowledgeable article. Like you, regret started to take over: what it I would have put her to sleep with the vet earlier, what if I rented a home near an emergency vet so I was prepared, what if I did surgery (although the prognosis was rather grave ), what if, what if, what if. Registration confirmation will be emailed to you, By joining the Forum, I agree that I am aged over 18 and that I will abide by the Community Guidelines and the Terms. I rushed him to the vet. In retrospect, I wish I'd handled things differently. Or is it better to assist the process through euthanasia? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. It's hard.. And she is allowed to be free and finally go be in peace. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Euthanasia of a pet is a personal decision. I'm still way more emotional about it than I ever thought I would be, but it was the best thing we could have done. But, I do know that every situation is very different and in the end you need to make the choice based on your situation. Im sorry I can only relate. Ask your vet for any pain management tips or options. Of course if a pet is in pain, we would take them for euthanasia or have a vet come to our home - but strong pain medications prescribed by a vet are enough to keep a pet comfortable in many cases. At Dogs Naturally, we are changing the world for dogs. Pets don't have to vocalize to be in pain; they may show pain through acting lethargic, losing their appetite, exhibiting behavioral changes, and hiding or moving around less. I'm 30 years old and she's been around me for more than half of my life. If your dog is nearing the end of his days, you are probably dealing with a lot of pain, emotions, and jumbled-up feelings understandably so. For most people, dogs are more than just animals. So I knew our little pup was handled with love and kindness even to the end. I dont know for sure if I did the right thing. A dog can pass away at any time. She wasnt suffering and would still respond to her usual pampering on my bed or my work desk. I checked his paws and found nothing. It is possible that other dogs are dying for days or weeks before they die. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on August 03, 2018: Nina if your cat is afraid of the carrier and going to the vet, there are vets now that can come to your home to perform euthanasia. Carolyn from Northamptonshire on July 20, 2013: Fantastic hub, I had two dogs one who died at home in his sleep, he was as you described, not crying, just lethargic and uninterested, the other we had put to sleep he was 18, had had two strokes he recovered from enough to still escape the garden, and could not really see, we he collapsed the third time we decided he had had enough. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. My experience is that the topic is difficult to discuss w/o being shamed by those who have chosen to euthanize. The rest had already been put down. Denial is when a pet owner may initially show no signs of being . However, understanding the decision you face and the ramifications of each option can help you make the best choice for your dog. I hope you're recovering from your recent losses. Allowing a Dog to Die Naturally at Home When dealing with a pet that is terminally ill, pet owners struggle with deciding on when "it's time" to make the euthanasia decision. According to VEThelpdirect.com, there's no standard time a dog takes to die naturally. Shell be buried in the woods were she would roam later today. More and more dog owners are choosing natural death over euthanasia, and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as the dogs are kept as pain-free and comfortable as possible and their underlying condition is well-managed. Further research revealed that regretting is part of the grieving process. Your companion may not go through some of these stages if you euthanize your pet before they unfold. And I made her a bet, got a blanket over her and she is near my bed. It was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. It covers topics such as death and euthanasia which some readers may find distressing. I am in the UK and for the past year have been caring for my best friend's elderly cat. A few days ago when she took a turn for the worse I absolutely agonised about whether to have her put to sleep at the vet or let her die at home, a home death being much more preferable but hard. And finally, she said, it means a "well death." Dr. Villalobos has advocated what she. After we brought her back from the vet, she wanted nothing to do with us. The remedies will not help your pet die, but they will help keep him mentally and physically comfortable in his final hours. You can reach the hotline at 1-877-GRIEF-10. It could be a matter of hours, days, weeks, or months. The dog healed well and it had a happy ending. No pet owner wants to see their dog in pain or needlessly suffering and euthanasia can provide immediate relief from this anguish. I would also discuss (if you haven't done so already) with your vet about the fact pain medications were stopped. In the first euthanasia appointment I assisted with, the owner cried as he hugged his family and said, "It was so peaceful." 1. He spent so much time suffering but all I could do was comfort him until the moment I could get him to the vet. Great information for both those who have not been through it yet and for those who have. I took off time from work to be with them and had instructions from my Vet. Thank you for writing an article that explores both natural death and euthanasia in a neutral and compassionate way. No matter what we decide in these situations we can wish it went another way. I've only had one parvo puppy who had to be put to sleep when I wasn't there (I regret it to this day). Loss of Appetite. Urine may trickle from his bladder as the muscles relax. Question: How do you know when is the right time if your pet is a senior dog? The dog loses consciousness within seconds of the injection and death follows a few seconds later. He is terribly thin, bony and frail, and his back legs are weak and collapse while he is walking. Or is it better to assist the process through euthanasia? You have nothing to feel guilty for whatsoever. I think the issue here isnt so much about the timing, as about the way the euthanasia was handled: perhaps you could have a chat to the home visit vets about your concerns? If the vet says they are in severe pain and there is no way to reduce it, it's time to say goodbye. More often than not, the appointment is either early in the morning or late in the evening when the hospital is quieter and the vets aren't as busy. If you are holding the dog, you will feel him exhale, relax and become heavier in your arms. Do most vets try to help you with this decision. One day during training, he took off for a retrieve, and halfway there, jumped almost straight up and then kept going. Additionally, a dying dog often hides from you and others. Very sick dogs are likely to die within a few hours but most take days and weeks to finally reach . But we must think guilty about what? They also tend to be very dehydrated, which leads to additional pain, a lack of energy, and generally feeling unwell. we're going on 2 weeks, but the day is getting closer, I'm trying to be ready for this, that's what brought me here. I'm no Vet but when breathing seems shorter and more labored the time is near, at least for Lara it was. When in doubt, it's best to have a vet do an assessment. I scheduled a tooth extraction today because of a cracked Canine tooth and we thought it was causing some discomfort and it was. I was sitting holding my best friend's hand when she died and saw the pain she endured each time the effect of the most powerful pain killers wore off. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your companion may not go through some of these stages if you euthanize your pet before they unfold. Elizabeth Parker from Las Vegas, NV on June 29, 2013: Great hub. She always sleeps on my bed but last night and tonight shes tucked away in a corner of the room. I lost my girl and she suffered instead of going peacefully. It's best to have a vet's number always available if you decide to put them down. They said there was nothing wrong with her, so I asked when the pick up was expected. Answer: It's a personal choice. I stayed up with her all night watching her labored breathing, lying on the floor next to her, gently rubbing her neck and telling her I love her and not to be afraid. Dr. Ivana shares tips on how to make a dog comfortable before euthanasia. VetHelpDirect Pet Health Team In house vets and veterinary nurses, Dying naturally, expectations vs. reality, Advantages and disadvantages of a natural death vs. euthanasia, Top tips from a vet on peaceful euthanasia for dogs, Dog Euthanasia frequently asked questions, End of life care for dogs how your vet can help, Animal Euthanasia - not just when, but how and why. For most people, dogs are more than just animals. Some cats are extremely fractious, and even though they are sick, they may get an adrenaline rush and fight being put in the carrier and being handled by the vet. But it could take days, weeks or even months before they eventually die naturally. Also, one must consider that there is quite a shortage of vets offering hospice care and there is not much info about it. They are a vital member of Read more. Here are some important questions to ask yourself: Dr. Babette Gladstein, a vet who practices integrative veterinary medicine in the greater New York area, says, "Many people really have to think hard about whether they are keeping the animal alive for themselves or for the animal.". I owned a Labrador back in the 90s who was very gamey he loved retrieving, and I was training him for his Junior Hunter title. I live alone and so I couldn't carry her to my car to take her to the vetnot without causing her more pain -wrestling a big dog into my truck! Meats are high in phosphorus and bones are high in calcium. It's the most dreaded appointment a dog owner must eventually endure, and nothing may be more disconcerting than seeing a dog in pain during euthanasia. Many owners are afraid that their pet will pass alone. I want to do a natural home death. Again, this is a personal choice. The pet gets to die in a natural environment. My 16 year old dog is scheduled to be euthanized tomorrow, but my fear is that she may die naturally on her own before the hospice nurse arrives (14 hours from now). It was a long weekend and I knew she was dying. Kein Aprilscherz: Die als militante Veganerin bekannt gewordene Frau postet als wilde Veganerin" Nacktbilder. She doesnt want to be up in the bed with me. Is he still joyful and playful, or does he seem to be in agony. I was with her and able to calm her fears and I believe she passed knowing I loved her and we would meet again. I am heartbroken. Raffaela Raab ist auf Social Media als militante Veganerin" unterwegs und klrt dort zu den Themen . Adrienne Farricelli (author) on June 29, 2013: It is tough, every time we lost a pet we always said no more pets, but then for some reason we ended up with another one. She had surgery in March, but problems started again. Many find this hard to watch. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Hospice care for pets is a new trend. Don't get offended by this question, as this is asked to abide by rabies law in many states. Is it kinder to let your dog pass naturally? If your dog is at this point, you can offer them the tastiest treat imaginable and they will not eat it. He or she can let you know if healing is possible or not, which can eradicate that fear. I almost pulled the plug on him after hearing this but seeing him today with his tail wagging and still plenty of spunk in him, not sure if I should pull the plug on one of the best dogs I have ever had, I have had a sick dog before and I knew when it was time, just unsure as I see little if any signs of suffering. It is usually administered into the front leg, but the injection can sometimes be given in other areas depending on the age and breed of the dog. The decision is hampered by many factors including: Emotional fears of loss of the dog's companionship As a nation we are not good with death and dying, I am not. I regret agreeing to it. Options include communal cremation, private cremation, and burial. Consult with your vet. This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Learn when it's best to try home remedies and why surgery is often the best option. I have a cat who has lived on my porch for 17 years.I go out twice a day and sit with her and feed her.She would never come in.It took us 3 years to capture her to get her spade.She had many litters and we did find homes for all her kittens but she never wanted to come in.So I put a sleeping bag over a chair and put a heated pad in her little set up and in winter I would sit on the porch with her on an electric blanket.It was the best I could do.It took 10 years before she would let me pet her.When she had enough petting she would swat me.I live in a condo and she would roam the neighborhood. I have been through euthanasia twice previously with other beloved cats and left traumatised the first time 16 years ago and which haunted me for years. These are big decisions, and despite what people may tell you, it's also a personal choice based on your pet's personality, your personal beliefs, and their condition and level of pain. But who am I to intervene and say enough is enough? I wanted her at home. Home All Posts Dogs Is it kindest just to let dogs pass away naturally? Some dogs can die in a day or two. You can also call the dedicated hotline the ASPCA has for those dealing with the difficult decision of euthanizing a pet. The pet is booked at the vet's office, and they reserve a special time slot specifically for this procedure. Should I put him down, so he doesn't suffer? My 21 yo cat is dying . Answer: This is a very difficult question to answer. Summary To summarize, one of the biggest things you need to ask yourself is who are you keeping your dog alive for. What ever decision you make, saying goodbye to your bestest friend forever is never easy. It hurts me to make an appointment a day or two out and then she has her outbursts of feeling so good. Owners can create an area in familiar surroundingsa sanctuaryfor the animal to be comfortable and in familiar surroundings. 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