As time progresses, our dogs become more easily exposed to debilitating diseases. At some point their suffering may eliminate any quality of life. The only way to help them during this stage is through euthanizing. In this short post, we will show you how to euthanize your dogs safely, discuss the procedure, and give you specific tips on how to cope with your pet's death.
You'll have better tactics to cope with your dog by the end of this post. Continue reading if you need to learn how to cope with the emotions of putting your dog down .
What Is Dog Euthanasia?
Pet euthanasia is taken from the Greek word "εὐθανασία" or "Good Death." The procedure allows the pet to die safely by withholding medical measures. The common reasons for euthanasia are the lack of resources to fully support the animal, incurable diseases, and laboratory testing procedures.
Canine euthanasia is a process where barbiturates stop the dog's heart. The fluids can be delivered through an injection or a catheter. When your dog is being euthanized, you can choose whether or not you want to be present for the procedure.
You should only have your dog euthanized if there are no treatment options available or it is suffering pain. While it's a quick procedure, we suggest that its only used as a last resort.
Signs Of A Dying Dog
Loss Of Appetite
This occurs when your dog doesn't want or need any water or food. When your dog eats, they'll find it harder to digest the food. As they become closer to death, your pet will refuse to eat anything.
Reduced Coordination
In this stage, your dog has difficulty moving from one area to another and can become unsteady on their feet. This might be the cause of a reduced brain function, impaired movement, or perhaps a mixture of both.
Fatigue
A sick dog will most likely be less active. When it's obvious that your dog is dying, extreme fatigue starts to occur. Your dog will lay in one area without trying to get up, and they might not have enough strength to lift their head.
Frequent Vomiting
When your dog becomes older, so does their digestive system. Once they are reaching death, your dog's digestive system starts to fall. Undigested food will make your dog feel nauseated in the stomach. At this point, your dog will begin to vomit out the food that's been stored in their body.
Lack Of Interest In Surroundings
When your dog becomes close to death, they become more lethargic begin to withdraw themselves. They don't respond to their surroundings nor their favorite human companions. Because of this, you need to take care of your canine friend during their senior years.
Confusion
Your dog's mental confusion is evidence that their brain is deteriorating. In normal surroundings, your dog will tend to look and feel confused. On some occasions, your dog might forget the faces of their long-time human companions.
Is Dog Euthanasia Quick And Painless?
A common question that pet owners tend to ask is "How does euthanasia work?"
Before undergoing the procedure, vets allow you a few minutes alone with your dog before they become euthanized. When the vet tech and the veterinarian come in, let them know if you want your dog's collar or a snippet of their fur to keep.
When the process starts, a sedative is often given to calm the dog from understanding what's going on and becoming anxious. However, this practice isn't standard everywhere so make sure to ask.
One thing people are never prepared for is the speed of the euthanization. The death happens within a manner of seconds. You'll start to notice your dog relaxing, and then the procedure is finished. Sometimes you'll hear a gasping sound that comes from them after they died: it's just air coming out of your dog's lungs.
Most of your dog's post death reactions are involuntary. While dog euthanization is a quick and painless operation, it can be disturbing and horrific to watch. Fortunately, you do have an option not to see your dog get put down in front of you.
How To Cope With Dog Dying
Speak With Your Children
Speaking to your children might be one of the hardest things to do to cope with your dog's loss. If they are younger, and might blame you for the operation, you should not have them present when they put your pet down.
For more mature children, they can stand inside the room when the pet is euthanized. Stay honest with your child. If you tell them that the pet was put to sleep, make sure they know the difference between temporary and permanent sleep.
If possible, discuss the situation with the entire family. Don't criticize your family member for their own sorrow. Express your own pain and don't be afraid to hide it. Make sure to give your family the time they need to grieve over your pet. Doing this ensures that they'll cope with it better while also providing emotional support if they need it.
Talk To Someone
If your friends and family love pets, they'll understand your situation. Putting a dog down is a stressful situation that creates negative psychological effects for the owner.
Don't hide your feelings to appear calm and strong. Working out your feelings with another person is a great way to put your feelings in perspective and help you handle them.
Find someone you can talk to about how much you miss yourpet. Make sure that this person is someone you feel comfortable grieving and crying with.
Closing Thoughts
New pet owners tend to ask "does dog euthanasia hurt?"
And the correct answer is "It depends."
You and your family will have to be mentally prepared to put your dog down. Make sure that you talk to them and care for them during this stressful time. Doing this ensures that you'll remain calm through the euthanizing process and take care of others who are still grieving about the pet.
Do you have any experiences or questions? Share a comment below and tell us a few strategies on how to cope with aging pets.