Understanding euthanasia when it comes to animals

If done correctly, this is exactly what euthanasia is all about as the animal is given an overdose of a type of anaesthetic and simply falls into a deep sleep until the heart eventually stops beating and the animal dies.

Euthanasia can also be called ‘putting to sleep’ or ‘putting down’ an animal.

SPCA manager Maggie Mudd said the decision to euthanase a pet is never an easy one and it can take a lot of courage from a pet owner to make the call when the time arrives.

“However, this can be the last responsibility to an animal who may have given many years of unconditional love and companionship to its owner and it is important that pet owners do not wait too long out of fear of their own sadness,” Mudd said.

“An animal that is old and can no longer function, an animal with a terminal illness or an animal that is ill and the owner simply cannot afford to have it medically treated, are all reasons when humane euthanasia should be considered an option.

“Quality of life is important for both pets and owners alike. Although it can be a very difficult thing to do, we would always ask that any owners taking their pets into a vet (or if they cannot afford to have this done by a vet, to an SPCA) to be humanely euthanased that they remain with their animals while the procedure is carried out.

“This lessens the stress for the animal that can get very worked up and upset when left behind with people it does not know. The owners would simply be asked to talk to the animal and reassure it that they are there.

“This helps to keep the animal calm and can make the whole procedure easier to carry out.”

Mudd said once an animal has been humanely euthanased, it is important for pet owners to know that:

• The eyes may remain open.
• There may be a last gasping breath – this is called an agonal breath and does not mean that the animal is still alive.
• There may be muscle twitching.
• The bladder and possibly the bowel contents may be released.

Owners can have their pet cremated by a pet cremation company and the ashes can be returned to them.

Below is a short poem that talks of humane euthanasia of a loved pet:

I know in time that you will see

The kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I’ve been saved. — Anonymous