EUTHANASIA – Final Considerations

We have given this topic an extraordinary amount of coverage, because we feel that the subject matter is serious enough to warrant dealing with a range of considerations which have to be factored into even the peripheral complexities concerning this decision to end the pet’s life.
Previous columns have dealt with the definitions, actions, emotional and psychological stresses, among other factors associated with the decision-making process for euthanasia.
Allow me to re-emphasize the major elements of attention and motivation for the family and the veterinarian relative to euthanizing a pet.
1) The principal reason is usually that the companion animal’s ailment is irreversible, and is creating great pain and suffering for the pet and its caregiver(s).
2) There exists no possibility for long-term continuous home-care; nor are appropriate hospitalization facilities available.
All concerned would recognize that euthanasia is a difficult decision to make, not least because there is always the hope that the pet can recover. In addition, there is the veterinarian/ caregiver’s motivation that many an elderly and even infirm pet can be made quite comfortable with just a bit more thoughtfulness and T.L.C (in excess of what a normal healthy pet needs and usually gets). The pet may still be able to enjoy months of happiness in the company of loved ones.
But when life ceases to be enjoyable and pleasurable; when the dog suffers from a painful and progressive condition for which there is no hope of betterment; then perhaps at this time we owe our beloved companion animal the final kindness of having it depart easily and painlessly.
Last week we documented the possible methodologies used to place the animal into a permanent “sleep”. Recognizing the importance of humane termination of an animal’s life, many countries and professional organizations have developed guidelines and recommendations for animal euthanasia. These include:
1) Appropriate Drugs: The method employed in euthanasia must use chemicals which have been tested and proven to induce loss of consciousness (and eventual death) with minimal pain and distress.
(The above is a most important consideration. For example, if one uses a stun gun, either with a bolt or a bullet, the animal may instinctively/reactively move, and the penetration does not hit the brain. So, it has to be repeated, perhaps more than once. This renders this method untidy and really unacceptable. See # 3 below).

2) Time required to induce the loss of consciousness/life.

3) Reliability, which includes the safety of the trained and experienced executing personnel.

4) Irreversibility. It must never happen that the ‘dead’ animal is taken home, and then recovers.

5) Misuse of drug being used to euthanize the animal. Never must the medication be given to the pet owner/ technical personnel to take home. I can expand on this advice, if needed. In fact, the chemicals used for euthanasia in the clinic must be secured at all times.

6) Disposal of the dead pet after euthanasia must be worked out satisfactorily between the veterinarian and the caregiver.
(i) I advise burial – in a space deep enough that the pet’s dead body cannot be exhumed by marauding predators and scavengers.
(ii) If the caregiver does not have the requisite yard space, an arrangement must be made with a humane society to dispose of the dead animal’s body.
(iii) Cremation is also a possibility. Adequate safeguards must be in place to avoid unwanted inferno. You may also reach out to the local crematorium to seek its services.
(iv) Unless it had been previously agreed, the clinic will not be responsible for the disposal of the pet’s body.

7) Participation/presence of the caregiver in the euthanasia exercise. This should be a definite “NO, NO”. After the injection of the sedative to the animal being euthanized, all “goodbyes” may be said. In fact, if the owner at this last moment changes his/her mind, we still have the possibility of stopping the procedure.

8) Caring for the distressed caregiver during these last moments. Here is where the veterinarian and the clinic staff must be trained to compassionately deal with exhibitions of emotional stress by the caregiver(s). It is a challenging time for both parties, and it is deeply disquieting.

9) Permission of the caregiver/ owner for the clinic to commence with and implement the euthanasia procedure. This must be documented and approved by the owner after a family decision. With the assistance of a professional draft legal person, a “Permission Form” has been established. The euthanasia intervention will be performed only after the owner has signed the “Permission Form”.