Problems With Euthanasia

Euthanasia can pose a serious ethical dilemma for many veterinarians. It's not always clear cut, and this is contributing to veterinary stress. Dr Jones relays his personal experiences with euthanasia in practice.

Thank you for making me the #1 Natural Pet Health Network on YouTube!

Follow Veterinary Secrets:

[starlaw]

If you want to kill your pet because you're moving or they are an inconvenience, you should never have had, or ever should have a pet again. 😔

[basementbrasscompany]

I have my 17 year old beagle and she is currently passing. We have her lying in her bed keeping her comfortable. I give her water. Today I carried her outside to at least enjoy the beautiful weather. It has been two days and thought about calling a mobile Euthenasia vet. After seeing the 600.00 for a single injection. We will just let her die peacefully. I have been crying. She won’t let go. She was a very stubborn beagle and we loved her for it. She now is stubborn about passing on. We love her so much.

[lisamcneilly]

Just let me say this. I respect your job, immensely. I don't know how you all deal with it. Except to say thank God for vets such as yourself! Death is hard no matter if it's human or animals. Thank you for being a compassionate, loving veterinarian. 🐾🐾💞

[jennylivesey]

My dog was 10 years old when I had her put to sleep, she had been very poorly for some time, I had thought about when was the right to euthanise, it never seemed to be the right moment, until I noticed that this particular day she wanted me to take her for a short walk and then she spent the rest of the day sitting with various members of the family. I knew she needed to feel close to us. She was saying goodbye. The next morning my beautiful dog looked me in the eye and that look told me she had had enough. We took her to the vets, I wanted to run out of the room I couldn’t face it but I remember her turning her head and willing me to stay. I stayed and held her paw I realised it was about what she needed she needed me to be there for her, then she relaxed and it was over she died with dignity and love. I am crying tears typing this even though it was over 10 years ago I will never forget her. I learnt from this dog and previous dogs that they are intelligent and they know also when it’s time and they may be trying to tell us. X

[wallys]

About the worst thing I ever went through was having to put down my beloved Gigi (poodle). I can't wait until I see her again in Heaven and all the pets I've ever had. :)

[Rita-bpgc]

When your pet is ridden with cancer and you have done everything to make their last days as comfortable as possible but you notice now pain setting in, it is time to let go of your faithful friend. It then becomes an issue of you being selfish and holding on or love for your friend. For many of us it is a very hard to decide but love for your pet should always win.

[billycox]

I'm a vet. Thank you for covering this. It is most definitely something I struggle with. You never get used to it. The finality of it still gets me and I've been doing this a long time. It's heartbreaking to see a client come in with their pet and leave without her/him. You have to be strong and professional but inside you're dying a little.

[joerusso]

Years ago a veterinarian suggested I put down two of my cats. I said, no.
I still have both of them and they are doing great!

[evydarling]

Thank you, Dr. Jones, for speaking about euthanasia. I really had no idea that a vet could refuse euthanasia. I appreciate you ... and your ethics 💙.

[katyn]

One of the hardest decisions for me was euthanizing my babies. When i got my babies i always said i would not let them suffer. Mia and Mya are indelible to me. They were family and blessings in my life. Mia ended up getting cancer and the vet said there was nothing else they can do. Mya had a fungus that spread to her brain giving her seizures the vet said it was time. I gave them the best of me and they definitely gave me the best of them i was not going to let them suffer. Mia was 11 and Mya was 3 months away from her 10th bday when i had to make the hardest decision I've ever had to make. They were and still are the love's of my life. I say all that to say, animals aren't things they are amazing beings with emotions idc what anyone says. In my opinion euthanasia should only be used when it's absolutely necessary period when they are suffering and there is nothing you can do about it. It should be a crime to euthanize an animal because it has become an inconvenience for you!!!

[jonsmith]

The dogs expression is like "can u have this conversation when I leave the room"

[liliworth]

Dr Jones thank you for your compassion. Thank you thank you thank you 🌞❤️🏵

[KatrinaDancer]

I've always let my pet decide what to do. I'm thankful it's always been very clear what the pet wanted. Sometimes the pet's wishes have caused me financial ruin for several years but their well being has always been the priority.

[jeffgates]

I just lost my pup after 14+ years. She was sick for the last few weeks. I was told to put her down but, every time I would think of "what ifs" I would take her in and she would suddenly start doing better after getting some meds. I can understand if folks just can't afford it but, if you can, it will weigh on you if you don't give your dog a fighting chance. With that said, you will always be left with uncertainty and guilt regardless of your decision. My dog ended up dyeing 3 days out of surgery of amputating her leg. She started vomiting and it never stopped. She also wouldn't eat. She died naturally in my home. Part of my guilt now is towards the Vet she had seen the same day now. Thinking they didn't do enough for her. In time, i'll realize that I did everything i could for her and i guess that's all that matters.

[lolamartin]

I had too. She lived 2 years with treatment, eventually the treatment was not working and she was suffering immensely, , she was adopted, lived 9 years with, she was probably no less than 13 yrs. old. I made the decision to put her down, I called that Chihuahua my fairy, her ashes are in my room next to my husbands. Her box has a porcelain fairy and a porcelain chihuahua that looks like her. Thank you!

[happytrails]

One of the hardest things I have had to do. My dog was dying of cancer and in immense pain. Still didn't want to do it. I was selfish and wanted more time. It still tears me up years later. I would NEVER euthanize a dog I did not agree with. Sorry, I would not care if I lost a patient.

[lpkem]

Aww I’m sure it is I had to put my big guy down in November right after my birthday and I don’t think I’ll ever recover because he had tumors in his bladder so he was good from the chest up sick from the waist down I am just heartbroken beyond belief

[maryw]

My last dog was diagnosed with cancer and liver disease he lived another 1.5 years. He went blind and deaf got arthritis had bloody stools it was painful for him to urinate he was having difficulty breathing. I had to love him enough to let him go the vet came to my home and he passed away vet assisted in his own bed😢

[gailmaclean]

I personally don't feel its my decision to make, nor a vets. In my experience, I knew euthansia would never be an option for me. As much as the vet tried to emotionally push me in that direction, I refused. In the discussion about it, my Max was watching and listening. In the last few days (when it was apparent his time was near) the only time I saw stress from him was when at the vet office. I assured Max he wasn't staying and we went home.

Max had an internal rupture and was 14. I brought him home, the vet did "convince" me to give him a shot of morphine, which in hindsight I regret. He was spaced out for 12 hours. When he came out of the morphine, he was alert, responsive and still drinking. He was made comfortable in my room, and I made sure if not me, someone else was there with him . Not once did he show signs of stress. He was peaceful. A day and a half after our vet visit, I noticed a change in Max's breathing. I sat down beside him and talked to him keeping him as comfortable. He kicked his front leg twice, opened and shut his mouth twice and he was gone. It was one of the most peaceful experiences I've ever been in.

Had I bowed down to the pressure to euthanize him, I would have missed out this beautiful experience. Of course I grieved my loss, but I never had any of the emotional baggage feelings of doubt and guilt for his death.

After this experience, I wonder why passing naturally isn't an option at the vets? Death is inevitable for us all, but there is a huge feeling of peace that comes with allowing nature to take its course and being there to support your loved one. For me there is only one option, and it's not euthanasia. This is not a judgement on others choices, it's just my personal experience.

[kendrav.]

😫 terrible things to deal with.. Hardest decision any of us will make. Done it with many of my animals.. wish they could have just passed away naturally.