Choosing to euthanize your pet is never an easy decision. Your entire time together has been spent creating fond memories and keeping each other safe and happy. That’s why no one knows your pet better than you. Unless your pet is terminally ill and clearly suffering, here are a few tips to help you decide when pet euthanasia should be considered.

Talk to your veterinarian - This is a must when discussing end-of-life options for your pet. If your pet has not been acting like his or her self lately, your veterinarian can diagnose the problem. If it’s a terminal illness, for example, the doctor will help you determine the best way to proceed. The goal is to provide a comfortable living situation until your pet’s quality of life is significantly diminished by chronic suffering and the time has come to do the humane thing.

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Look for Signs - Your veterinarian may advise to look for certain behaviors in your pet such as:

• Pain that cannot be controlled

• Breathing is so difficult that it becomes your pet’s main focus

• Your pet has stopped eating for 2-3 days or stopped drinking for more than 1 day

• Your pet can’t move and intensive nursing care isn’t an option

• Your pet is unable to defecate or urinate

• Mental impairment is causing your pet to have severe behavioral changes

• You would not want to live with the same quality of life your pet is living.

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Have more questions? Contact Dr. Lusk for a consultation.