Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Cat Health Care
Information by Condition or Disease

A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
All donations are tax deductible
Copyright © 1997 - 2008

Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your cat to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your cat's symptoms with any of your concerns about the cat's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your cat's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Euthanasia

Eventually, each companion animal guardian must face the dilemma of euthaniasia. When a pet is medically evaluated by a veterinarian, it is the guardian's responsibility to determine whether or not to provide treatment. Euthanasia may relieve or stress the pet's guardian, depending on the circumstances. In many cases, the pet is critically ill with no chance for recovery. Euthanasia may be suggested as a compassionate alternative to a lingering death encumbered with pain and suffering. The burden of the decision can be overwhelming and fraught with feelings of desperation, denial, anger, and guilt. What is needed at that time is a rational basis for a decision. Some diseases, including cancer, can be treated, offering a measure of life extension. In such instances, euthanasia is not the only alternative. Other conditions, such as renal failure, congestive heart failure, or some forms of metabolic disease, may offer no hope at all. Euthanasia then becomes the only humane consideration.

Pets offer companionship, emotional intimacy, and feelings of well-being to their caretakers. Humans should create happy, pleasurable lives for their pets. When well-being turns to suffering, alternatives should be considered. As long as an ailing animal is enjoying life without pain, there is justification for his continued presence. The quality of life, not quanitity of life, can help the guardian determine the pet's reason for living.

Euthanasia is a nearly painless process. Most veterinarians give an injection of a powerful barbiturate anesthetic that first causes the animal to become unconscious, usually within about three seconds of injection.

Most of the time, this injection is given in a vein in the front leg. The veterinarian will probably give the pet a relaxing dose of a sedative or a gas anesthetic first, to eliminate any possibility of anxiety or discomfort. In very old pets or those with severe kidney or heart failure, the veins may be too fragile or collapsed because of low blood pressure. These pets can be given an injection directly into the heart.

The drug acts on the brain and heart to cause the breathing and heartbeat to stop. There is no pain, except for the initial prick of the needle. That can be avoided too, if an intravenous catheter is already in place due to an illness. Sometimes the animal may sigh, move, or void. These are just reflexes. The animal doesn't feel pain - or anything whatsoever. Death follows unconsciousness within two minutes.

Euthanasia can be very emotional for veterinarians as well. Sometimes the veterinarian has known the pet for a long time or has worked hard in trying to prolong the life of the pet. English veterinarian/author James Herriot stated the view of most veterinarians in his book All Things Wise and Wonderful:

"Like all vets I hated doing this, painless though it was, but to me there has always been a comfort in the knowledge that the last thing these helpless animals knew was the sound of a friendly voice and the touch of a gentle hand."

Grieving will be a natural and necessary part of accepting the loss of a pet. Many support groups have been organized within communities, the Internet community, veterinary schools, and local mental health organizations to help people go through what can be a very painful process. Your veterinarian may know of a local support group or individual who provides counseling.

Unlike humans, animals seem to have no concept of death. There isn't apprehension, traumatic fear, or pain when the inevitable occurs. There is simply unending, peaceful sleep - and our cherished memories.

How-to Articles in This Series:

Article   1: How to Choose a Vet
Article   2: Hospital Admission of Your Cat
Article   3: Preventive Care: Vaccinations, Serologic Testing, Spaying & Neutering
Article   4: Preventative Care - Dental Care, Flea Control, and Grooming
Article   5: Cooperation - Restraint Procedures and Trimming Claws
Article   6: Keeping Records
Article   7: Care in the Sick Room
Article   8: Keeping Watch - Your Cat's Vital Signs
Article   9: Nutrition for the Cat
Article 10: Feeding the Cat - Including Newborn Kitten Feeding
Article 11: Medications and Prescriptions
Article 12: Basic Nursing 101
Article 13: Managing Bandages and Splints
Article 14: Before and After Surgery and Dentistry
Article 15: Pregnancy and Delivery
Article 16: Euthanasia

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto16.html

Resource References:
Caring for Your Sick Cat Carol Himsel Daly, DVM and veterinary consultant
Cat Doctor, Mark Evans, B Vet Med MRVCS
Cornell Book of Cats, Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University

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