Donna partners with Dr. Cathy Alinovi, a retired veterinarian, to create
informative pet health articles.

Here are some answers to questions you may have about euthanizing your dog.

Harsh reality: you will probably outlive your dog. According to the Social
Security Administration, if you are female and live to be 65, your life
expectancy is around 86. Males who reach 65 have a life expectancy of about
84. Could you live longer or die sooner? Of course!

Compare those human life expectancy figures to breeds like Bernese Mountain
Dogs and Dogues de Bordeaux, which have an average life expectancy of about
5–8 years, or other breeds such as Chihuahuas that might enjoy a life span of
around 15–20 years. The odds, sadly, are not in our pets’ favor.

Growing old is as unkind to our dogs as it is to us. Muzzles get gray, it’s
harder to get up and move in the morning, and hearing and vision decrease or
are lost completely. While most pet parents probably wish their dogs could
slip away quietly in their sleep when the end of life comes, it usually does
not happen that way. At some point, most pet parents must make an end-of-life
decision for their pet.

Dr. Cathy Alinovi of Healthy PAWsibilities knows how uncomfortable pet parents
feel discussing euthanasia, and she shares some valuable insight on when to
make the decision and how to handle this process and grief.

Making end of life decisions for a terminally ill pet can be heart-breaking.

Plutor under CC-BY-2.0 via Flickr

Q1: What Is Euthanasia?

Dr. Cathy : Euthanasia, often called humane euthanasia, is a gentle
passing from awake, to sleep, to coma, to death caused by a lethal combination
of injectable medications.

Q2: What Are Some of the Obvious Reasons for Considering Euthanasia?

Dr. Cathy : Incurable suffering. Our pets give us so much and make our
lives so awesome, that if something can’t be fixed and they are suffering,
it’s time to let them go.

Q3: What Clinical Signs Would Alert You as a Vet?

Dr. Cathy : This is a tough question as it is not my decision but the
owner’s. However, owners frequently ask me, “What would you do if this were
your dog?” A few things I would consider in combination are:

• Inoperable Cancers
• Tumors that would cause the dog to bleed to death slowly
• Vomiting blood

Any of the things I mentioned considered alone could potentially be fixed if
that were the only thing going on; but with advanced age and extenuating
circumstances, these may be indicators of time to let your dog pass on.

**Q4: If My Dog Has Not Suffered an Injury or Does Not Have a Terminal

Illness, How Do I Know When It Is Time to Say Goodbye?**

Dr. Cathy: Sadly, age becomes a terminal illness. **** For each family,
there is a different answer to this question. My questions to pet parents are:

• What is your senior dog’s favorite thing?
• Does he still enjoy that?

If the answers to these questions are positive, then it is not time; if not,
then it is time.

Q5: Should I Include My Family in the Decision-Making Process?

Dr. Cathy : This is a personal decision. For some owners, it’s their
choice; for others, this was a family pet and the whole family deserves the
chance to say “goodbye” and “I love you.”

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Q6: Why Is It Called Humane Euthanasia?

Dr. Cathy : Well, allowing a dog to lay there and die ever so slowly on
his/her own is one option, but it is not humane. Understandably, people want
their dogs to pass on their own. The problem is starvation is a long, slow,
painful, suffering process that pets do not deserve.

Another thing to decide: do you want to have your dog euthanized at home? Many
veterinarians offer this service, and for many families, it is a great way to
include the family and say goodbye in comfort as many dogs do not care for the
vet’s office.

Many pet parents make an end of life decision because a pet has an incurable
illness such as cancer and is suffering.

feverblue under CC-BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr

Q7: What Happens During the Euthanasia Process?

Dr. Cathy : The vet administers a series of shots that take your dog from
awake, to sedated (drunk), to a coma, to death—the process is smooth and
painless with no side effects. Once your dog’s heart stops beating, your vet
will check with a stethoscope for a heartbeat. Your dog’s body may still have
a few reflexes—some leg stretching, some mouth chomping, maybe urination
and/or defecation—these are all normal changes of the muscles, as they no
longer have oxygen delivery.

Q8: Will My Dog Feel Pain or Suffer?

Dr. Cathy : Most dogs feel only the first needle prick, if at all, and
nothing after that.

Q9: Will I Be Able to Stay With My Dog if I Want To?

Dr. Cathy : Yes, absolutely you may! This is your baby—you have every
right to stay or not—your choice.

Many vets will perform euthanasia in your home so your pet can be as
comfortable as possible and you can say goodbye in privacy.

Photo courtesy of Dr. C. Alinovi; all rights reserved

Q10: What Does Euthanasia Cost?

Dr. Cathy : The cost depends on where you live and your dog’s size. Out
here in rural Indiana, small dog euthanasia can run around $36–$78, while
euthanasia for large dogs can cost anywhere from $90–$142. If you live in town
or in a large city, the cost could be double or quadruple that price.

Q11: What Happens to the Remains?

Dr. Cathy : This is your choice, and it partly depends on where you live
as to what your options are. Again, here in the country, you can bring your
dog’s body home to bury.

For most that live in cities, your only option is cremation, either private or
group. If you opt for a private cremation, you get your dog’s ashes back; if
you decide on a group cremation, the ashes are spread on a flower garden at a
pet cemetery, which is a place you have a right to visit.

Q12: How Can I Overcome My Grief?

Dr. Cathy : Many of the places that provide cremation service also have
support groups and grief counseling. Some people really need others to talk to
and share the same feelings. Some people need to grieve alone. Some build a
memorial, others pray.

My biggest advice to pet parents is this: your dog would not want you to be
alone, so you do not do a disservice by getting another dog; instead, you
honor life. When you are ready, there are plenty of dogs available for love.
We are not talking replacement because that is impossible. We are talking
about sharing your love with another four-legged soul because your dog would
not want you to be alone.

**Q13: I Can’t Help Feeling Guilty About My Decision. Can You Give Me

Some Tips to Move On?**

Dr. Cathy : Did you let your baby go with love? Then you made the right
decision. As long as the decision was made with love, there’s no reason to
feel guilty. Sometimes people feel guilty because they did not pursue every
option; they did not mortgage the farm to pursue one last possibility. You are
not being fair to yourself to think that. The realities of life are that you
can only do what you can afford to do. Again, as long as you made your
decision with love, you made it for the right reason and there is no need for
guilt.

**Q14: What Other Advice Do You Have for Loving Pet Parents Facing This

Tough Decision?**

Dr. Cathy : The “right time” is different for every family. Once you’ve
talked it through, or thought it through, you know when it’s time. Love is the
key—as long as you make the decision with love, then you are ready to make the
decision. Our dogs love us completely, loving them until the end is all they
ask for.

Dealing With Your Grief

One way many pet parents have found to deal with the grieving process is by
sharing their loss with a support group or online community. Calling your
local humane society or an animal rescue group is a good way to find a support
group in your community.

There are many virtual memorials site online as well, and their features vary
from offering free memorials as a remembrance to your pet to paid services.
Here are two sites offering such services that you might be interested in
exploring:

Critters creates a text-only memorial in honor of your departed pet, and it’s
free and easy. Memorials are password-protected so you don’t have to worry
about anyone making unwanted edits to the memorial. Full-featured memorials,
which cost under $40, give you access to features such as:

• Uploading music to the memorial
• Adding videos, photos or creating a slideshow
• Guest books and visitor counters
• 100 MB of storage
• Public or private memorials

Rainbow Bridge is a memorial site and grief support community that offers many
services for grieving pet parents. You can:

• Participate in forums and chat rooms with other pet owners
• Visit other Guardians’ pet memorials
• Attend a Candlelight Ceremony in honor of departed pets
• Send sympathy e-cards to others who have lost pets
• Volunteer your time
• Shop The Rainbow Boutique*

*According to the website, the site owners donate a percentage of the boutique profits and the memorial residency fees to no-kill animal shelters.

The Rainbow Bridge charges a yearly fee (under $30) for a Rainbow Bridge Pet
Memorial Residency.

Sources

Email interview, Dr. Cathy Alinovi of Healthy PAWsibilities, 08/2014

Social Security Administration, Calculators: Life Expectancy, accessed
8/20/2014

Disclaimer

This veterinary medical information is based on information provided during a
telephone interview with a professional, qualified, retired veterinarian.
However, it is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to
replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Always seek your veterinarian’s
advice about your pet’s health.

While this information is periodically researched and updated (under the
guidance of veterinary input) in the attempt to be timely and factual, no
guarantee is given the information is correct, complete, and/or up to date.

Recommendations as to therapeutics, diagnostics and best standards of practice
in the veterinary industry and/or opinions between professionals may differ or
change as technologies and information change. You should not use this article
as your sole source of information on any matter of veterinary health or
attempt to self-diagnose or treat your pets as the information herein may not
be appropriate for your pet. The safest option for you and your pet is to rely
on the advice of your veterinarian to diagnose and recommend the best
treatment options.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It
is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription,
or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.
Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a
veterinarian immediately.

© 2014 Donna Cosmato

Share Your Experiences of Losing a Beloved Pet

Laura on October 02, 2018:

We have had to make the selfless decision to put our first baby dog down last
year. Now today we are looking at having to yet make that decision again with
his sister who is 2 yrs younger at 11. I don’t know if I can go through the
pain again so soon.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on August 21, 2014:

Thanks for sharing your memorial for your precious baby! That’s is such a
positive way to honor a departed pet and help work through grief. I’m sorry
for your loss.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on August 21, 2014:

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts, Maximum A. This is the
hardest thing I’ve ever written, but I’m co-authoring a book with Dr. Cathy
Alinovi, and we felt like this was an issue that needed to be addressed.
However, it took me weeks to write it because it brought back the grief of
losing five senior pets over the last five years. I hope your dog enjoys a
long and happy lifetime!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on August 21, 2014:

Thank you for sharing your experience Kim Dessaix. It sounds like you let your
fur baby go with lots of love and dignity – good for you! My condolences to
you on your loss of your beloved pet.

Kim Dessaix on August 20, 2014:

I only wish euthanasia was available to dying humans in distress who have the
capacity to make the decision. It is wonderful that we can at least do this
for the canine members of our family. My dog went calmly and without pain. He
knew the Vet and was not afraid although I am absolutely certain that he knew.
It’s strange but he could just tell and was very accepting. People will say
I’m nuts but dogs are very intuitive.

Maximum A on August 20, 2014:

Your hub tore at me! We have three dogs, two young ones and one older one. His
mother died a year ago. We saw her in our backyard and she wasn’t moving. A
dog dying of old age made me so sad, but I don’t know how I’ll take it if our
dog has to be put down. 🙁

Caroline from Hampton, VA on August 20, 2014:

http://sassymolassibear.wordpress.com/

We wrote a blog in memorial of our baby girl when we needed an outlet to say
goodbye. Putting Sassy down was the hardest decision my husband and I have had
to make in our many years of marriage. I am glad that we have the ability to
give the gift of relief and rest to our beloved pets. They do not have to
suffer we have the power to say enough is enough and give them reprieve. Too
bad that humans do not have the same ability. I miss her everyday. It was
truly more brutal to keep her alive to suffer than to give her back to God. I
do not wish anyone the pain of saying good bye. I pray for relief from pain
and reveal in the sweetness of her memory. If you are suffering with the
decision whether to euthanize your pet consult your vet. They will tell you
honestly what needs to be done for the pet’s benefit. Make a decision that you
are comfortable living with and what you feel is best for your pet. Decide
what’s best for them aside from your grief. I recommend taking action to honor
their life. Its not a cure all but it does give you an outlet.