Time to say goodbye

HOW TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE DECISION

Owning a dog means that one day you will inevitably face end-of-life concerns and decisions. Most of us would prefer that our dogs pass away peacefully in their sleep, but unfortunately, this rarely happens.

In fact, waiting for death to come naturally can be a disservice to our long-serving dogs. An excerpt from the Guidelines for Pain Management in Palliative and End-of-Life Care of Small Animals, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management 2011 states:

“Sadly, because of their silence and the inability of humans to accurately assess their true physical and emotional pain, animals may (and often are) inadvertently forced to suffer inhumanely.”

In this article, we look at the role of euthanasia and how to know when it’s time to say goodbye.

WHEN IS IT TIME?

It’s heartbreaking when you start to realise that your days with your best friend are coming to an end. Staying objective at times like these is almost impossible, but there are ways that you can help yourself to come to the right decision for your dog.

Chat to your vet

It goes without saying that one of the most important people to chat to at this stage is your vet. They won’t decide for you or tell you what to do, but they will be able to guide you. If the treatment options are exhausted, they will tell you this and also give you an indication of whether they believe your dog is suffering or in pain.

Look back at videos or photographs

When we see our dogs every day, it can be hard to spot the deterioration. If you are concerned that your dog is struggling in some way, look back on old photographs and videos to see just how different their behaviour is from the way it was previously. This can allow a more objective assessment of the situation.

Keep a diary

Keeping a diary every day of whether your dog has had a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ day can be very helpful. When the bad days start to outweigh the good, objectively seeing this on paper can help make the decision easier.

Ask yourself these questions

Knowing your answers to the questions below can help you know when it’s time to make the call.

Would you consider euthanasia if your dog was:

- feeling pain?

- unable to control their bladder or bowel?

- no longer eating?

- no longer participating in family life, but merely existing?

- unable to move independently?

- acting abnormally?

- suffering from a terminal disease and palliative care options had been exhausted?

- requiring treatment that you could not afford financially?

- ready to be euthanised in the eyes of your vet?

CAN MY DOG PASS AWAY NATURALLY?

Some dogs do pass away peacefully in their sleep, but this situation is relatively rare. Sadly, waiting for death to occur naturally can often lead to your dog suffering. Many pet owners report regret at having waited too long before deciding to euthanise.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Deciding when to say goodbye to your best friend is a devastatingly hard decision to make. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and sadness, so use these tips and the quality of life scale to assist you in making the right decision for your dog. And, remember, sometimes the best way that you can show your love is by letting go.