Euthanization…..in Greek, the word means “good death”, and that is what many pet owners have come to rely on it being – a humane and dignified way to let their pets go. As peaceful and painless as the process may be for the animal, most pet owners are unprepared for what will happen at the veterinarian’s office.

When faced with the unexpected reality of the euthanization process some pet owners come away feeling unnecessarily traumatized and shocked, usually because the euthanization process wasn’t explained to them beforehand. This information is designed to explain the euthanization procedure step by step so that no pet owner has to deal with the unexpected when confronted with a euthanization situation. While this information may be emotionally upsetting, it will help prepare you for what lies ahead, so that you can focus your attention on saying goodbye to your pet. 

There are some questions that should be answered prior to the euthanization, such as: 

• Will your veterinarian let you stay with your pet during the procedure?

• Will you want to stay with your pet during the procedure?

* Many people who don’t stay with their pet during the procedure feel guilty later for not having done so. However, others feel that they could not have emotionally been capable of dealing with seeing their pet die. This is a decision that only you, the pet owner, can make. Remember later that, regardless of which action you chose, it was the right decision at the time and therefore you have no reason to feel guilty.

• Do you have someone who can go with you and drive you home from the veterinarian’s office in case you’re too distraught to drive?

• And, what type of aftercare arrangements have you made?

* Many pet owners wish to have a physical keepsake of their pet after their pet is gone, such as some pet hair or perhaps even a paw print. If you wish to do this, you should do it prior to taking your pet to the veterinarian for the euthanization. Once you get to the veterinarian’s office, you may be too distraught to remember your keepsake plans.

 

Aftercare arrangements – There is no question that your pet’s euthanization will be very upsetting for you. That is why we recommend that you make aftercare arrangements prior to the euthanization. Most pet owners choose to have their pets cremated and their ashes kept in urns. Others choose to bury their pets in their or a relative’s yard or a pet cemetery. Either way, it’s important to make those decisions and arrangements prior to the euthanization. If you decide to let your veterinarian carry out the arrangements, be sure to ask what will happen to your pet after the euthanization. You will wonder later what happened when you left, and hearing the information first hand will be much kinder than the answers your imagination will supply you with. If you need help with aftercare arrangements, please visit our Aftercare page.

 

The procedure – The first thing that will happen is that the veterinarian technician will shave a small area, usually on a front leg, so that a vein is easily visible and accessed. Some veterinarians at this time will insert an IV catheter to simplify the procedure. Most veterinarians will inject a sedative prior to the euthanasia process itself. If this is done, the veterinarian will wait a few minutes in order for the sedative to take affect before beginning the euthanasia injection. The euthanasia itself is completely painless for your pet; the sedative is merely to help your pet relax. If your pet is not relaxed or is struggling, the veterinarian may have difficulty getting the needle into a vein, which may cause your pet pain or discomfort. Once the sedative has taken affect, the veterinarian will give your pet an injection directly into the vein, or catheter if one is used, that will bring about a deep state of unconsciousness within just a few seconds. This state of unconsciousness ceases brain activity, including the part of the brain that controls the cardiac and respiratory systems. The veterinarian will wait a few minutes following the injection, and then check for a heartbeat to confirm your pet’s passing.

 

After the injection - Most of the unnecessary trauma of witnessing euthanasia actually comes after the animal has passed. Many pet owners expect it to be as though the animal has simply gone to sleep, and often this is indeed the case. However, sometimes things happen that the pet owner was not prepared for. Below you’ll find a list of things that you should know are possible to happen following the euthanization. Don’t let this short list frighten you away from staying with your pet during the procedure. These things are not guaranteed to happen, but it will be less painful for you if you’re aware that they might.

 

• Sometimes a pet’s eyes will remain open throughout the procedure and after passing.

• Sometimes a pet will have post-euthanasia muscle spasms, which may or may not include vocalization. These don’t happen often, but when they do it is important to remember that the euthanization process is painless for your pet and that the vocalization does not indicate suffering. Muscle spasms and vocalization after injection are involuntary muscle constrictions that your pet is not even aware of.

• It is not uncommon for a pet to have a release of bowel contents immediately following euthanasia.

 

It is important to remember that YOU are the one experiencing a loss, and therefore should not feel self-conscious about your emotions. Having a pet euthanized is an extremely emotional event for any pet owner to have to experience. Your veterinarian recognizes this, and will understand if you are emotional during the procedure. Many veterinarians and their staff develop a strong bond with the animals they treat, and may even cry with you. Crying is an important part of releasing some of the pain, so don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to let it out.

 

No one will ever know the pain that you feel at the loss of your beloved pet, but you can take comfort in knowing that your pet knew they were loved and that you gave them the most painless and dignified passing possible.