Euthanasia for pets

After many years spent together, pets become our true friends and beloved family members. But even with good care and proper nutrition, a dog or cat can rarely live more than 20 years, and incurable diseases shorten this time too. If the pet is in serious condition, the owner has to make a difficult choice: should he euthanize or let the animal live for the entire period allotted to it? To make the right decision, you need to know in which cases euthanasia is the only way out.

What is euthanasia Euthanasia (translated from Greek as “good death”) is the painless killing of a suffering animal. Modern drugs allow you to completely turn off the pain reflexes and consciousness of the pet before cardiac arrest.

Indications for euthanasia are:

• injuries incompatible with life;
• malignant tumors with metastases;
• severe renal or heart failure;
• rabies;
• other incurable diseases that cause suffering to the animal.

It is possible to euthanize a cat, dog or other pet only if there is an appropriate conclusion from a veterinary specialist about an incurable disease or an injury incompatible with life. The euthanasia of healthy animals, including homeless ones, has been prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation since 2019. The exception is aggressive dogs, which pose a serious danger to others.

How is euthanasia done?

Medical euthanasia is performed by a veterinarian in a clinic or at home. First, the animal receives a special anesthesia, which completely blocks pain and turns off consciousness. The doctor then gives an injection that stops the heart and breathing. As a result, the animal calmly passes away without feeling pain and fear.

At the end of the procedure, the doctor should check the absence of a heartbeat three times with an interval of 5 minutes. After that, he ascertains the death of the animal.

After euthanasia, the owners can bury their faithful friend or have a cremation in a veterinary clinic where such a service is available. Some veterinarians offer communal and private pet cremation. You can learn more about cremation from our article. How to decide on euthanasia

Many owners find it difficult to decide on the euthanasia of a pet. They can be understood: not everyone will agree to take the life of a beloved creature, even if it suffers from an incurable disease. Putting down a dog or cat that has lived in your home all its life is a difficult experience for all family members.

At the same time, it is important to understand that for animals there is only the present moment, but in the case of an incurable serious illness or injury, this moment is filled with pain and suffering. If you look at the situation from this point of view, you will understand that painlessly ridding a pet of torment is not murder, but a manifestation of love.

Of course, euthanasia should be used as a last resort, when there is no other way out. To be sure of the right choice, consult with several veterinary specialists and exclude the possibility of a misdiagnosis.