Euthanasia Timing
My cat is
16 years old, has arthritis, a tumor and has now become incontinent. I
feel that her quality of life is miserable and it deeply hurts me to see
her in pain. I think the right thing to do is to have her humanely put to
sleep. Is there a way to do this and make her feel comfortable? A friend
told me that it's best if I were present to soothe her - I don't
know if I could do it. What do you suggest
Having your
pet put to sleep is a hard decision. It sounds as though it is the
right decision for your cat, as difficult as it may be. You should have
your veterinarian examine her, and discuss all of your options first.
Only a licensed veterinarian may perform the euthanasia. If you both
agree this is best, you will have additional options. Most often a
friend, family member, the veterinarian, or a member of the staff can
provide the understanding and comfort a pet needs, so you do not have
to feel obligated to be with her through the entire process. Sometimes
a pet is given pain relievers or a sedative by the veterinarian to help
relaxation. A pet may be anesthetized first, then allowed to gently
pass away in it's sleep. Sometimes, just a single injection is
given. If you wish to be with her, you may suggest to your vet to have
her sleep (anesthesia) first, so you can soothe her as she peacefully
falls asleep. Then, you can leave or stay when the final injection is
given, for at that time she will already be unconscious and unaware of
your presence. You may consider having a housecall veterinarian perform
the euthanasia at your home. This is the closest to just falling asleep
at home, and not waking up as you can get.
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