End of life care is a difficult topic for any pet owner. While we treasure every moment with our pets, there never seems to be enough time with them. As they age or as a disease progresses, your pet’s needs may change. Saying the final goodby is a decision that carries a lot of emotional weight. Your veterinarian, Dr. Aparna Modi, is here to help you through end of life care for your dog, cat, or other pet.
How Can My Pet’s Needs Change As They Age?
Just like with people, aging can bring about new or different needs. Diminishing eyesight or hearing could mean that your pet may have a difficult time navigating their environment, and they might be watched more closely or leash-walked for their safety. Their dietary needs may also change (due to age itself or a related disease process that alters their metabolism). There are Over-the-Counter senior pet diets as well as prescription senior diets for certain species. If your pet develops certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, your vet may recommend a special prescription diet.
Sometimes, geriatric pets may be more prone to confusion. For their safety, you may have to crate your pet, or create a safe and contained area for them to be in while unattended. Senior pets need to be supervised closely. If you notice changes in your pet’s habits or behaviors it’s recommended to contact your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. While it’s natural for things to change as your pet gets older, it’s important to investigate any changes and talk to your veterinarian to be sure that these changes aren’t due to a disease that can be treated.
What Is Hospice Care And When Should I Consider It?
Hospice care is a type of medical treatment often employed towards the end of a pet’s life or those at a terminal stage of a serious illness. It focuses on the management of the patient’s comfort. The main goal of hospice care is to improve the pet’s quality life with the time they have. Your vet may prescribe medications that help with pain or discomfort, and/or guide you on how to manage certain symptoms. This can help give pet parents more time to reach a decision or say goodbye, while their pet is as comfortable as possible. Hospice care is also an option when other medical treatments have been exhausted or they won’t be a good candidate for surgical treatment. If the risk of treatment is too great, the cost of treatment is unaffordable, or the likelihood of treatment success is low, then hospice care is a consideration for pets. Your pet’s quality of life is a main priority at all times.
What Is Euthanasia?
Often called “putting to sleep”, euthanasia is the term for the procedure during which your medical team ends their patient’s life and discomfort. Euthanasia, derived from Greek, means “good death”.
What Happens During A Euthanasia?
Because this decision carries so much weight, euthanasias are set up after a discussion or exam with your veterinarian. The process may seem overwhelming but your veterinary medical team is here to help you with each step.
-Your pet will likely be weighed at the start of your appointment. This is important as the doses for all the medications administered by your vet are calculated based on weight.
-You will then be brought into a quiet exam room where a member of the medical team will go over options with you regarding your pet (if you would like to cremate your pet: if you would like their ashes back or buried at the crematorium, or if you would like to bring your pet’s body home). There are forms that you must sign to authorize the euthanasia of your pet. A member of the veterinary medical team will explain the process of euthanasia to you.
-After that, members of the veterinary medical team will come in and give an initial injection to your pet. During the administration of the first injection, a member of the team will hold your pet, while another team member will administer the injection. Sometimes this injection can sting and your pet may cry out, but this reaction is often very brief. This first injection contains medications that work to sedate/calm your pet. It often has an anti-pain component as well, and your pet should fall asleep shortly after the injection. The medical team will leave the room after the first injection to give you some more time with your pet and to let the medications take effect.
-Once your pet is sedated, an intravenous catheter will be placed to establish access to a vein. Depending on the size and condition of the pet, the IV catheter may be placed in the exam room with you or in the treatment area with just medical staff present. If you would like more time with your pet before moving forward with the procedure, please let the medical team know.
-Now that your pet is sedated and an IV catheter is in place, your veterinarian will administer the final injection. This injection contains Euthanasia Solution. This is an overdose of a powerful anesthetic agent, so your pet fully loses consciousness and then passes away. The doctor will use a stethoscope to confirm that their heart has stopped.
-Some owners like to spend more time with their pet at this stage, please let the team know if you’d like to do so.
-The medical team will remove the IV catheter and place a small bandage on the catheter site. If desired, the medical team can get ink paw prints and fur clippings from your pet for you to take home. If you’re taking your pet’s body home with you, the medical team can also wrap your pet in a blanket/towel and help you to your car if needed.
If your pet is getting cremated the medical team will take your pet into the treatment area and prepare your pet for pickup. If you chose to have your pet’s ashes returned to you, a member of the medical team will call you as soon as their ashes are delivered to us and available for you to pick up.
Everyone deals with grief differently and euthanizing your pet can be a very emotional process. While many owners are present during the entire process of the euthanasia, some owners elect to leave after the initial injection. Others drop their pets off to the hospital to be euthanized. The situation can also become more complicated if children are involved. Please feel free to communicate your needs with your veterinary team; we are here to help you during this difficult time.
There is a pet loss support group available through the University of Tennessee to help those mourning their beloved pet. It is free and takes place virtually once a month. If you are interested, please click on the link below for more information about these meetings and how to register.
https://utianews.tennessee.edu/veterinary-college-offers-support-for-grieving-pet-owners/
You can also check out the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. They also have a regular support group
Does it seem like your pet is nearing the end of their life? The team at Heights Hospital for Animals at 1865 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights NY 10598 is here to help make this difficult time a bit easier. Please stop by or give the office a call at (914) 962-5579 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Aparna Modi