A common question that we notice gets asked by a lot of pet owners is whether they should let their pet dog go to sleep naturally or if euthanasia is a better option. It is hard to give a general answer and the decision is mostly taken on a case-by-case basis. We do find though, in our experience, dogs often will not pass naturally at home without a lot of pain and trauma for both themselves and their pet families.
Diseases such as degenerative joint disease, cancer, and spinal cord-related diseases are a few of the main reasons why a vet or the pet owner might make the decision to let their beloved pet pass peacefully at home. Diseases that affect the mobility of the pets, or put the dogs under immense pain with little to no chance of recovery might mean that euthanasia is sadly the only option to put an end to their suffering and sadness.
The diagnosis of an early stage of chronic illness for your pet does not necessarily mean that euthanasia is the only option at that time. Quality of Life assessment by Vets2Home in your home and tailored treatment and medications will help your pets to have more time with you. Only pets who are too old and sick or with the final stages of chronic illness need to be put to sleep although it is a personal choice and we respect all your decisions.
We know too well that letting your beautiful furry friend go is not an easy choice at all. However, only a vet can truly assess your pet’s quality of life to let you know if you should let your pet go to sleep naturally or if euthanasia is a better, less painless option. There might be times when you think that your pet is fine – eating, drinking, looking a little less sad – these conditions can change daily and it is natural for you to hold onto hope as a pet parent. In reality, though, your beloved pet may be going through several difficulties and might not be able to tolerate more pain, which means gentle two-step euthanasia at home might be the most loving, brave choice.
There are few points to keep in mind to assess your pet’s quality of life:
- If your pet is suffering from a chronic illness but is able to manage all its daily activities such as feeding and eliminating.
- No shortness of breath.
- Complete mobility.
- Drinking enough water and feeding at regular intervals.
- Not howling in pain continuously.
- Active and not lethargic most of the time – read to know why your dog is lethargic.
Take good care of your poorly pet’s feeding schedule and make sure you keep your pet clean and dry. Try to spend more quality time with your beloved pet to let them know that they are loved and a valuable part of your life.
Letting your pet go to sleep naturally or with Vets2Home’s help is your choice. We, as vets can help you to make these choices easier so you can decide on what is the best for your pet and you as a pet family. Scheduling regular vet appointments to keep a track of your pets’ health will help your pet to have a better quality of life, less pain, and live longer.
Vets2Home also provides VIP hospice care with an emphasis on providing specialised support to special pets and their families at home. Please talk to us to find out more about our VIP hospice services.