Quality of Life
Our pets live in the moment. They are not thinking about whether or not they will live to see their grandchildren graduate — they are in the present, with whatever gifts that brings. Things to smell, eat, chase. Time to be stroked and loved. As they age or get sick, pain and suffering may become a bigger part of their lives. As their guardians, we are responsible for assessing our pet’s quality of life. Sometimes it’s not so easy to do.
We love our pets, and so our emotions can get in the way of a rational assessment. There are some guidelines that can help us.
First of all, get the facts. Has your pet been recently examined by a veterinarian? Do you have all the information you need about your pet’s medical condition, options for treatment and chances for recovery? New medical information is constantly becoming available, so don’t assume that your pet has an untreatable condition without getting an up-to-date assessment. A veterinary examination will also give you a chance to consult a professional about your pet’s quality of life.
If your pet has a chronic condition, you may go through a roller-coaster of uncertainty about what is best for him or her. Consider whether your pet is eating without vomiting, whether they can still do the things they enjoy, whether they are responsive to social contact and whether they are in discomfort. No joy in life means no quality of life.
Dr. Alice Villalobos has developed a quality of life scoring system. You can download it to print, and score your pet. This is useful to do early on so that you have something to compare to later. Read this article to define ‘quality of life’.
Remember that it is natural to live in denial when we are faced with painful circumstances. If you are not sure that you are thinking rationally, seek the advice of trusted friends and family members as well as your veterinarian.
More comprehensive assessments can also be found here:
Dog quality of life assessment : Dog_Life_Quality_Assessment.pdf
Cat quality of life assessment : Cat_Life_Quality_Assessment
Euthanasia
The decision to euthanize can be very difficult, and many people agonize over whether they are doing the right thing at the right time. As with most difficult things in life, there is often no perfect answer and we must recognize that we may have regrets no matter what we do. If you are struggling with making the right decision for your pet, take some time to read the articles linked below.
What is the euthanasia procedure like?
It is important to understand that euthanasia is the last kind act we can perform for our pets. Our aim is a peaceful death for our suffering friend. What does that look like? Is there time to plan a final loving day together? Is there a place that would be least stressful? A special blanket? Who should be there?
At Nakusp Veterinary Clinic, we will adapt to your pet’s needs in order to make this as easy as possible for him or her. We wish we could make it easy for the owners too, but unfortunately, we can’t protect owners from the pain of grief.
When scheduling permits, we can go to the pet’s home, and there may even be a special calm place in that home. Some pets are euthanized in a vehicle, some come into the clinic, and some choose to say goodbye under our Maple tree.
If scheduling in advance, we will provide a complimentary dose of Gabapentin to be given 10 hours and 2 hours before the appointment. If a pet has specific challenges (aggressive, painful to be touched), please let us know so we can work around them.
The euthanasia procedure’s goal is to assist your pet in transitioning swiftly and peacefully. After reviewing the procedure steps, clients are welcomed to stay for as much of the procedure as they feel comfortable with. We start with a subcutaneous injection, similar to a vaccine injection. Once the pet is sedated, we then give an overdose of anesthetic. The patient slips into unconsciousness, and then the heart and brain stop, usually within seconds.
Rarely will there be some gasps or muscle twitches after death. Pets do not close their eyes after passing. They may release their bladder.
Should I be present during euthanasia?
Some pet owners think it will be too hard to be with their pet for their final moments and choose not to be in the room during the procedure. Those who decide not to be present may later feel a sense of guilt. However, there is no guilt or shame if you are present or not during the euthanasia. If your level of distress is too great, it may be best for you and your pet if you aren’t there for the procedure.
What can I do with the remains?
You have three options: home burial, private cremation, and communal cremation.
“Home burial” is exactly what it says. You or a friend will take the remains and bury them in a spot of your choosing. Keep in mind that you must bury deeply enough (at least 3 ft) to prevent any domestic or wild animal from digging the body up. The remains of euthanized animals are toxic. You may need to check your local bylaws and regulation to ensure you can bury on your property.
Cremation is done at specialized pet crematoriums. We use family-owned Okanagan Pet Cremation in Oyama has they have been providing pet cremation services for 2 generations. You may choose either private cremation, in which case you will get the ashes back, or communal cremation, in which case the ashes are spread on the farm in Oyama overlooking the lake. You also have the option of making cremation arrangements yourself.
If you plan to get your pet’s ashes back, think about what you want to do with them. Are you going to bury or scatter them, perhaps with a small family ceremony? Are you going to buy an urn or have one made? Will you turn the ashes into jewelry? The ashes are returned to you in a white cardboard scatter box.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on whether you have the procedure done at home or in the clinic, what size of pet, and what options you choose for care of the remains. Call us to talk about all of these options so that you know what to expect.
Other resources:
Grief
It is sad. Nothing can take away the waves of pain. Everything reminds us of our missing friend. Every time we drop a piece of toast on the floor or open the fridge or come home from work. We keep expecting to hear those feet come running or to hear that bark or meow. We walk around the place their bed used to be or we wake up in the morning missing the furry friend that used to warm our feet.
How to heal from it Grief can take time to heal. Give yourself some space and don’t be surprised when it hurts. Talk to friends or family who have gone through the same thing, or join online bereavement groups; you might be surprised at how common it is to feel intense grief. You have lost a family member, someone who was there every day for you. It’s a huge loss.
There are some beautiful and thoughtful resources on the web that might help you understand what you are going through or connect with others. Check out the ones we have listed below.
If your grief is overwhelming, consider seeing a counselor or therapist.
The death of a companion may also affect the other animals in your household. Sign of grief experience by your other pets may include crying, loss of appetite, looking for the missing pet, oversleeping, a change in behavior, incontinence and/or disobedience. Consider offering them a special treat, a new toy, and more affection during this transition period. Your other pets may also need additional support such as pheromones, calming probiotics, lavender oil or other reassuring support.
