Sadly, I can answer this. The first one is a sedative to put your pet into a deep sleep. It may sound like the way the vet is suggesting is cruel, but any other way is less humane. This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. Your vet will help you with this, and will often make a recommendation. While advances in veterinary medicine are allowing your pet to live a longer, healthier life, the most difficult decision you can make regarding your best friend’s care is when to let her go.There’s rarely a clear-cut answer as to when is the “right” time to put your beloved dog down… If you are unsure, it is always best to book an appointment with a veterinarian who can examine your cat. If the doctor gives you any problem then go to some one else. Usually the cost depending on where you are is about $50 to $75. It’s a difficult decision, but the choice to give your cat the “good death” is often the most humane. Try to stay calm so you don’t upset the cat… One of the surest rules of thumb to determine their overall well-being is to write down their five favorite things – whether it’s socializing with other animals, eating, or going for a walk, if your pet is no longer enjoying his or her favorite pastimes, you may want to consider talking to your vet … “Most veterinarians would prefer euthanasia to take place at a quiet time of day in the clinic,” Dr.Scott explains, “so that they can allow the owner to be in the room and take as much time with their cat as needed after the procedure. dh is stuck in the middle. In this situation, a licensed veterinarian will come to your home and perform the whole process with you. Many of the signs of “old age”, such as arthritis, can be relieved. The drug overdose will quickly cause the animal’s heartbeat to slow down and stop. In the ten years I have had him, my cat’s weight had remained constant at 12 pounds, and now he is down to 9.5 pounds. Does the pet still enjoy playing with his toys or cuddling … This deep sleep ensures that your cat will feel nothing when the second pet … Hi Susan. He is constantly hurting himself and actually just fell down the stairs a few moments ago. It is also the main criteria that owners use and ask their vet about when trying to decide when to put a pet down. Ask your veterinarian or veterinary technician to teach you the proper way to administer different forms of medication. He has lost most of his teeth, but still tries to eat. Is he comfortable and happy? The one I had to put down was showing signs so I understand the need for her being put down. “ I lie down in front of kitty and break the cardinal rule of stray cat care. She can ask the vet for some valume to give the cat prior to bringing it in to have it put down. I am so torn. We move away from pain, not towards it. As I also said, this is a luxury. It’s a novel – a wonderful, heartbreaking, lovely book about life and death, medical experimentation on chimpanzees, research, and the clash of law and ethics. I think this is because it’s such a painful, heartbreaking decision for the owner – not for the pet! Your email address will not be published. “We all want to spare our animals as much suffering as possible, and in situations where a cat is seriously ill and in pain and we’ve run out of treatment alternatives, the euthanasia option can be very helpful. Preparation should start with consulting a vet who will give the ideal procedures. The cat hates the cage, the car and the vet, so dh rang her to ask what the next step is. If the doctor gives you any problem then go to some one else. The mere thought of losing a pet can bring a pet parent to tears, but it’s a reality we must all face. Euthanasia requires both the pet owners and the cat to be well prepared. When it comes to the act of putting your cat to sleep, the vet will give your pet two injections. The vet's office will ask if you want to be in the room for the procedure. A Veterinarian’s Advice, hundreds of readers ask for help deciding it’s time to put their pet down. Although a veterinarian may point out that an injury or disease condition would justify euthanasia, the owner’s authorization for the procedure is always required. It can be really hard to make the decision to put your cat to sleep, but if it’s in poor health and is unlikely to recover, it may be the right thing to do. What might treatment accomplish? Either way, if cremation is chosen, owners can opt to have the ashes returned to them. This is an automated general reminder to please follow The Sub Rules when discussing this question:. Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends’ Journey Beyond Death is an interesting book about how some owners experienced their pets after death. Dr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. Can I expect a cure, alleviation of pain or prolongation of life? Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. To prepare for the loss of your pet, read There Are No Sad Dogs in Heaven: Finding Comfort After the Loss of a Pet by Sonya Fitzpatrick. Abramson’s comments (through the eyes of the vet in the book) on how veterinarians decide it’s time to put a dog or cat down resonated with me deeply. Since putting your animal down is already very emotional, the dog experiencing further discomfort or distress would only worsen the situation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In the three paragraphs I’m sharing from Unsaid, the veterinarian twice mentions that your pet may be telling you it’s time to die. For cats in particular, the veterinary clinic is a loud, …