Senior Medical Director Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice Inc. Gainesville, Florida
Deciding to euthanize a pet is one of the hardest decisions owners make. Choosing euthanasia because of poor quality of life, or a poor prognosis despite treatment are common but other factors such as the owner’s budgets - financial, emotional, physical and time - play a role and should not be judged. Based on many interviews with owners about their experiences with euthanasia it is clear that they want empathy, not sympathy, a short explanation of the process, and time alone with their pet without interruptions before euthanasia. Euthanasia should be a 2-step process (sedation or anesthesia, followed by euthanasia) so that the owner can be alone with the pet after the first step. Owners do not want to be separated from their pet once the process begins so this means no “taking them to the back” to place a catheter
