Before euthanizing your dog or cat, vets want owners to know the truth

For those of us who have had to put a pet to sleep in the past, we already know just how difficult this process can be. There is no easy way to say goodbye to a beloved family member and it can be tough for pet owners to assume the all important responsibility of deciding when it it time to finally lay the animal to rest. Holding any living creature’s life in your hands is something that should be considered as a burden.

This is not a matter to be taken lightly under any circumstances. Arin recently shared her story about her experience when it came to saying goodbye to her beloved Barky and it will definitely touch your heart. Barky was 14 years old when she was diagnosed with a severe and congestive heart failure that caused her to go through a great deal of pain and exhaustion.

The heart could no longer pump blood through the body in the manner in which Barky was accustomed. Since the family did not want their pet to suffer through a painful death, they decided that it would be best to have a vet assist her into the afterlife. During the process of reaching out to a wide range of vets, Arin learned a lot about euthanizing and its viability as an option.

First of all, the process of putting an animal to sleep involves two different shots. The first shot is a sedative that puts the pet in a state of deep sleep and the second shot kills them in moments once they are slumbering. The process is totally painless and meant to provide a humane resolution for the animal when they are in place of suffering.

It is good to know that your animal is able to exit the planet peacefully when they have reached a point where their life is no longer worth living. However, it is important to consult with a vet about the animal’s quality of life and whether their ailments can be treated before making a final decision. In Barky’s case, the disease was unable to be treated and the animal needed to be put to rest.

There is never a “correct” time to euthanize a member of the family and we urge readers to take the time to find out about every available treatment option before making any final choices. Please share this story with all of the pet owners in your life!



22 thoughts on “Before euthanizing your dog or cat, vets want owners to know the truth

  1. After reading this, I picked up my little girl, petted her, and told her how much I lover her. For the 20th time today. Loving them every day is the only way. Then the end isn’t so sad….because you know you have given them everything you can.

  2. I never had to put my own pet down, but I did volunteer at a shelter and a little min pin was in very bad shape, diabetes, & she had gone blind, she had started to die. The shelter decided that even though they were a no kill that the animal was suffering far too much & was dying. I asked to take her home with me for her last night. They aloud me. Me & my siblings loved on her & took care of her for an evening & tried to give her a “normal” life one last time. It was heart breaking. She knew it was time to go. It did seem painless & quick, me & another girl pet her & kissed her until she left.

  3. The main thing is to be there with them when they are out put down. Hold them if possible, so they feel secure. Dnt just take them & walk away. They deserve to feel secure for all the love and loyalty they have given you. I was with all of mine except the one that had a heart attack in the yard when I wasn’t home . One is buried in the pet cemetery and the other 4 have been privately cremated and I have their ashes
    With me. When I pass I want to be cremated and their ashes will be with me.

  4. My vet stated after my Annie passed that she hung on for me and I hung on for her. She had never seen a dog go so peacefully. I held her face in my hand so she would see me loving her as she left this world. Such a good girl.

  5. However it was 20 years ago I Cannot forget it
    Ronnie my lovely angel was so old, lost sight vomited blood and stopped to eat
    That day after he had the two shots, refused to pass away and struggled to remain alive as I was hugging him. Once I let him go he passed away.

  6. My baby girl had huge tumors giving her pain.. I stayed in th room but daughter stood by her. They gave her the sleep shot, then gave the kill shot. Her little legs collapsed and she was gone. I went into major grief hysterics. I am crying now.

  7. Had to have 2 dogs put down in one year due to cancer. The girl had a huge sore on her side. Broke my heart when her little legs collapsed. I got hysterical. I couldn’t stay in the room when my boy died. I’d had him 12 years since he was 8 weeks old.

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