Dog Euthanasia Process: Breaking Down Misconceptions
This article provides a look at what happens during the dog euthanasia process to dispel common misconceptions or myths.
Reviewed By:
Dr. Gary Hsia and Dr. Bethany Hsia
Saying goodbye to a beloved companion can be a difficult time for everyone involved. However, knowing in advance what to expect can make the dog euthanasia process easier.
If you’ve never been through this experience before, you might have questions: Will my dog be in pain during the euthanasia process? What happens during the process? Can I have the procedure done at home?
With all the confusion and misconceptions about euthanasia for dogs, understanding the facts can help give you peace as you cherish the final stages of your dog’s life and prepare for what comes next.
What the Dog Euthanasia Process Is Really Like
Once you’ve made the difficult decision to say goodbye to your pet, you might still have complicated feelings. It’s natural to experience painful emotions about the process, like disappointment, anger, guilt, or grief. You may even have some concerns about your dog's comfort and welfare during the procedure.
However, pet euthanasia doesn’t have to be intimidating. When you know the facts about exactly what happens, step by step, it’s much easier to feel at peace with the euthanasia process.
The process can vary as needed, but veterinarians are committed to provide a peaceful transition. Here are all the stages of compassionate dog euthanasia, from beginning to end.
A Veterinarian Assesses Your Pet
Although euthanasia is a personal decision, it doesn’t need to be a decision you make alone. Many pet parents rely on a support system, including friends and family, to help them handle the decision-making process.
One important member of your support system is your veterinarian. A veterinary professional can help you make the right decision for your dog’s well-being and give you some peace of mind before the procedure.
Disease Prognosis
Before you make a decision, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They can provide an objective prognosis on your dog’s condition, whether they’re suffering from age-related maladies, an advanced disease, or a complex injury.
A veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s condition, give a prognosis for recovery or likelihood of management, and recommend next steps. If there’s anything about your dog’s diagnosis or condition that you don’t understand, ask questions. Your veterinarian will be able to address your questions and recommend reliable sources for further information.
Quality of Life and Pain Levels
Some pet parents wait on the euthanasia decision because they want their pet to tell them when it’s the right time. There might not be any way for your dog to tell you directly, but their behavior can offer insight into how they're feeling.
Taking a quality-of-life assessment can help you ask the right questions about your dog’s health. If you notice your dog isn’t enjoying life the way they did before, can’t engage with the things they once enjoyed, and seems to be in pain much of the time, their quality of life may be declining. When pain and suffering outweigh a dog’s enjoyment of life, it may be time to consider euthanasia.
A Customized Sedative Injection Is Administered To Induce Sleep
When it's time, the procedure should be carried out by a licensed veterinarian. Some pet parents choose to have the procedure done at a veterinarian's office or pet hospital, but many opt for at-home euthanasia so their pet can remain in a comfortable, familiar setting.
Pet parents may worry about their dog being awake and aware during the procedure. However, the first step of euthanasia is to induce sleep. This is to make sure the dog is relaxed, comfortable, and unconscious during the euthanasia.
When everybody in the room is ready and has said goodbye, the veterinarian will administer a customized sedative injection in the dog’s muscle. The dog will then fall into a deep sleep.
The Pet Receives the Final Euthanasia Injection and Passes Peacefully
The vet will then make another injection, allowing the euthanasia solution to quickly travel through the body. Breathing will slow, and then eventually stop. Finally, the heart stops. Typically, dogs experience a peaceful and painless death within a few minutes of the injection.
The goal of compassionate euthanasia is to mimic the process of going to sleep as much as possible. The dog experiences a loss of consciousness — drifting away peacefully — and won’t be aware of the euthanasia or of their surroundings. Occasionally, a dog may twitch or take deep breaths during the euthanasia process, these are just reflexes; they don’t feel any pain nor are they aware their body is making such movements.
Knowing When It's the Right Time
One of the many misconceptions pet parents may have about euthanasia is that it’s a selfish decision. The reality is that euthanasia is the farthest thing from a selfish decision that a pet parent can make — choosing to end their time with a loved animal to save them from further suffering. When age-related decline, terminal illness, or a traumatic injury is creating undue suffering without a clear path for treatment, euthanasia can be a gentle and humane choice for your best friend.
The decision is yours to make, but that doesn’t mean you have to make it alone- We have compiled resources to guide you. A licensed veterinarian can help you navigate the process as you decide on the right time to move forward with euthanasia. With factors like quality of life, pain levels, and disease prognosis in mind, a professional can help you make the choice that gives you peace of mind.
While it’s natural to feel conflicted about euthanasia, it’s rare for pet parents to have regrets surrounding their final decision; with “I wish I hadn’t waited so long” being the regret we hear most often. Euthanaisa often brings a great deal of relief to the pet parents and helps them move forward knowing their dog is no longer suffering.
Inquire About Compassionate Euthanasia Services
Saying goodbye to your companion is something nobody wants to face. But when you have all the facts about the dog euthanasia procedure — and a network of support to guide you — it’s easier to move forward knowing you’ve made the right decision.
If you’ve decided to proceed with at-home dog euthanasia services, we’re here to meet your pet’s needs. Schedule an appointment with us when you’re ready.
Fresno, CA
About
Dr. Karen Whala has always had a soft spot for the older pets she’s treated in practice and saw a need for these beloved pets to pass peacefully at home rather than in a clinic setting. To that end, she started Peaceful Passing in 2018 to help families assist their terminally ill, injured, or suffering pets as they transitioned from life in the Fresno and Clovis areas. Read More
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