Pet Care Library: A Guide for the Consideration of Euthanasia

The Decision for Euthanasia

The decision regarding the euthanasia of a beloved pet may be one of the most difficult that we can be faced with. It is a decision that we want to be able to look back upon and know that the best course was chosen for both you and your companion. We have developed this guide to help you with this difficult step.

When considering the step of euthanasia, there are several criteria used in evaluation of life quality. You should consider them carefully to help you see your pet’s condition more clearly:

Is your pet still eating? Quality of life often involves eating and maintenance of interest in food. Appetite can often reflect general comfort level in most pets. There are those patients however that we cannot rely on appetite loss to help us as some dogs in particular will eat well in the face of significant discomfort or distress.

Is your pet generally comfortable? Your friend should be free of debilitating pain or distress. Certain types of health problems can be particularly distressful: inadequate oxygen levels (heart failure, severe anemia, fluid in the chest cavity), bone pain (primary bone cancer or metastatic bone cancer) and severe nausea are examples.

Does your pet still enjoy favorite activities? The elderly pet does not necessarily need to continue chasing balls or jumping after frisbees but he or she should enjoy sleeping comfortably, hanging around with the family and taking little “tours” of the neighborhood or favorite park (if that was part of the routine before). Withdrawal from the company of family and inability to enjoy even limited activity is a strong indication of loss of quality of life.

Do the good days outnumber the bad days (or the good hours in a day outnumber the bad hours)? It is important to look honestly at the balance of good and bad times for your friend. A limited amount of better time may not outweigh long periods of discomfort, distress or general loss of activity.

If your pet has a progressive problem, how much worse does he/she need to be before you are able to let go? This can be a painful question to ask, but does force us to realize that we may be avoiding making a decision at the expense of our pet’s comfort and dignity.

As your veterinarians, we are always willing to discuss any of these questions with you and to help you clarify your feelings about the decision to proceed with euthanasia. We appreciate how heart wrenching it can be to consider the loss of your pet and want to support you in any way that we can.

If I Should Grow Frail

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this, the last battle, can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don’t let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
Then stay with me until the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don’t grieve that it must now be you
Who had to decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

~ Author Unknown

Aztec Animal Clinic

4340 Coal SE

Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: 505-265-4939

Fax: 505-265-4950



		A Guide for the Consideration of Euthanasia The Decision for Euthanasia Planning for the Euthanasia What to Expect When You Come In Single Page RELATED: Grief The Decision for Euthanasia The decision regarding the euthanasia of a beloved pet may be one of the most difficult that we can be faced with. It is a decision that we want to be able to look back upon and know that the best course was chosen for both you and your companion. We have developed this guide to help you with this difficult step. When considering the step of euthanasia, there are several criteria used in evaluation of life quality. You should consider them carefully to help you see your pet’s condition more clearly: Is your pet still eating? Quality of life often involves eating and maintenance of interest in food. Appetite can often reflect general comfort level in most pets. There are those patients however that we cannot rely on appetite loss to help us as some dogs in particular will eat well in the face of significant discomfort or distress. Is your pet generally comfortable? Your friend should be free of debilitating pain or distress. Certain types of health problems can be particularly distressful: inadequate oxygen levels (heart failure, severe anemia, fluid in the chest cavity), bone pain (primary bone cancer or metastatic bone cancer) and severe nausea are examples. Does your pet still enjoy favorite activities? The elderly pet does not necessarily need to continue chasing balls or jumping after frisbees but he or she should enjoy sleeping comfortably, hanging around with the family and taking little “tours” of the neighborhood or favorite park (if that was part of the routine before). Withdrawal from the company of family and inability to enjoy even limited activity is a strong indication of loss of quality of life. Do the good days outnumber the bad days (or the good hours in a day outnumber the bad hours)? It is important to look honestly at the balance of good and bad times for your friend. A limited amount of better time may not outweigh long periods of discomfort, distress or general loss of activity. If your pet has a progressive problem, how much worse does he/she need to be before you are able to let go? This can be a painful question to ask, but does force us to realize that we may be avoiding making a decision at the expense of our pet’s comfort and dignity. As your veterinarians, we are always willing to discuss any of these questions with you and to help you clarify your feelings about the decision to proceed with euthanasia. We appreciate how heart wrenching it can be to consider the loss of your pet and want to support you in any way that we can. NEXT: Planning for the Euthanasia >> If I Should Grow Frail If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain does keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done For this, the last battle, can’t be won. You will be sad I understand But don’t let grief then stay your hand. For on this day, more than the rest Your love and friendship must stand the test. We had so many happy years, You wouldn’t want me to suffer so When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where my needs they’ll tend, Then stay with me until the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do for me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don’t grieve that it must now be you Who had to decide this thing to do. We’ve been so close, we two, these years Don’t let your heart hold any tears. ~ Author Unknown ~ List of Library Articles ~ Aztec Animal Clinic 4340 Coal SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 Phone: 505-265-4939 Fax: 505-265-4950
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