How can pet parents tell when it's time to consider euthanasia for their dog?
Some of the most common reasons for pet euthanasia that we see are pain, not wanting to eat, and just generally not being able to enjoy the things that have commonly brought them the most joy in life. Oftentimes, owners are worried that they're suffering.
How do you help clients choose between dog euthanasia and continued care?
It depends on whether or not we can still help the dog have a quality of life. What we're hoping to achieve is not just quantity of life, but quality of life. Are we able to control their pain? Are we able to ensure that they have an appetite and are able to eat? Are we able to control nausea? Those are some of the biggest ones. We want to be able to make sure that they are still enjoying life.
What is the process for euthanizing a dog?
After that decision is made, we typically will have the owners come in. We set up a long appointment. We start off with a discussion. We then typically provide a mild sedation so that when we place an IV catheter, the dog is relaxed and it is a peaceful process.
After we have the IV catheter placed, the owners are allowed to take as much time as they would like to spend with their dog. When they are ready, we typically first provide an anesthetic such as propofol so that the patient loses consciousness, followed by the actual euthanasia solution, which stops their heart.
What are the options for dog euthanasia at home versus in a clinic?
There is, I know of, at least one company in Des Moines. There may be more than that, that provides in-home euthanasia, and that is Lap of Love. They typically follow pretty much the same process that we do in clinic. They just do it in your home, and then they also will remove the body for cremation afterward.
What is involved in in-home dog euthanasia, and how can pet owners prepare?
Preparing for it is not dissimilar to preparing for a euthanasia in the clinic. As far as what the owners need to do to get emotionally ready for it, preparing your home for it, you might want to have extra blankets or a bed that's comfy out and ready, and some favorite snacks. Have anybody gathered that you would like to be able to say goodbye in those final moments. Then the doctor will follow pretty much the same procedure that we would in the clinic. At least that has been my experience in the past with them.
For individual procedures, you would have to speak to the veterinarian performing the euthanasia in your home to make sure that their procedures are the same as what we've discussed today.
How do veterinarians ensure that dog euthanasia is painless and compassionate?
All dog euthanasias are performed with sedation on board here at Family Pet Veterinary Center, and then general anesthetic on top of that before the euthanasia solution is introduced into the body. So it is definitely painless. Compassion comes with the job. We make sure that the animals and the people experience as peaceful a passing as possible, and that everyone involved has as good an experience as possible, and that the euthanasia is quick and painless.
How will I know when the time is right to euthanize my dog with a chronic illness?
For dogs with an enlarged heart, with cardiac disease in general, oftentimes owners know that it's time because they develop respiratory symptoms, a cough that we can't control anymore with medication. That is generally what leads them to talk about end-of-life services.
Other chronic diseases, arthritis, it's usually when we can't control the chronic pain anymore, even with the stronger medications available to us. Kidney disease, when we can't control the nausea anymore, when the patients won't eat, when they're losing weight.
Each chronic disease kind of has its own quirks and its own downfalls. As your animal goes through these conditions, we will talk you through what to look for. I encourage you to ask questions so you know when it is time to discuss final preparations.
How do you support grieving pet parents after their pet's euthanasia?
We encourage them to stay with their pet as long as they would like. It's important that they get that chance to say goodbye. We encourage them to talk about their pets and share stories. We send out sympathy cards to everyone. There are also national pet support hotlines available for people who are grieving the loss of their pets.
What are the afterare options for my dog after they are put to sleep? Can I have my dog's ashes back after cremation? Can my dog be buried?
We work with a company in Des Moines that does offer all those options. You do have the option of getting your pet's individual ashes back after cremation. They have the option of some lovely urns to choose from. There is cremation jewelry you can get made from the ashes. They also offer burial. Just ask when you come in, and we can go over the options with you.
Can I make an appointment to talk about my dog's quality of life before I make a final decision to euthanize my dog?
Absolutely, you can, and we encourage it. Quality-of-life exams are always a good way to touch base regarding your dog's condition with the vet, ask any questions you might have, go over a quality-of-life scale with us, and kind of make a plan going forward as to what we can and can't do for your pet.
From the happy years to the hardest moments, we are here for you and your pet. If you need support or would like to discuss your options, we want you to feel informed and comfortable every step of the way.